Pilot visited the hangar I'm in and was talking to the hangar owner... I introduced myself, said hello, etc...he is working on importing a DA40 from Europe because there are so few available in the US. He said they just don't sit on the market for long...he missed the one he wanted and is now resorting to importing.

I briefly looked at controller and there aren't all that many. Thought it was interesting.

They are a fun airplane to fly but I never really understood the niche. They are a bit slow for cross country and not all that roomy or great for the back seat. Fun to fly may be enough though.

The diamonds are the reason I'm a 4 seat bo owner. The visibility, feel, etc is excellent- ok, if you are of average build. The airplane just "feels right" - much like my 1949 A35. Yep- Beechcraft was about 60 years ahead of them.

Good airplanes. Tell him a 4seat bo is better...

I thought the DA40 passed the C172's safety record recently for fatalities/100k hours, no small feat. If I remembered that correctly, I expect they're getting gobbled up by flight schools. There's certainly a fashion/image reason to do so, they look more modern than the staid skyhawk, and are well equipped out of the gate. You won't find one with a ratty narco or ARC stack of broken-ass radios on the flightline -- so there might be some sort of demand generation there from young students.

They may be being perceived as the superior trainer, right or wrong. I've never flown in one, so I don't have an opinion on that score.

I sold a 2006 DA40 a few months back. Sold in a week with without a prebuy or visual inspection. Sold to a flight school.

My favorite airplane to fly for short trips. Stalled at 39 kts and would TAS 142. I felt like I could land that airplane anywhere. Loved the stick control.
Kevin

I've seen them from far away. Which engine will his have? Are they diesel again?
Mark
Would love to fly behind a diesel, interesting technology.
Mark

I soloed in a Rotax DA-20 Katana. Always thought it was an awesome intro-to-flying plane. Basically an LSA except real. (And before such things existed.)

Once it was IFR time I was in a Cherokee. Much cheaper than a DA-40. But for that first getting into flying experience, the smallest Diamond is phenomenal.

Phil Greenspun owned a DA-40 and wrote a ton about it at http://philip.greenspun.com/flying/

Finally a post I can afford! We have a DA-40 and fly the wheels off of it. Great airplane for what it is. No it's not a super load hauler or super fast. Actually working on commercial rating now in it now. Not a a bad traveling machine for a small family. G1000 and GFC 700 are great. Fuel burn is around 9-10 in cruise down low, we call it a powered kite.

I suspect they are picking them up for training as they are easy to fly and very forgiving. I hope the DA-62 takes off well for them.

My old man learned to fly when he was about 65. He bought a DA-40 when he finished his private. I was a bit worried because he started flying pretty late. But the DA-40 is SO docile, so predictable, so easy to land, that I felt at ease as soon as I flew it.

Excellent little airplanes.

AG

I wonder if Diamond Share would be an option vs. importing one: http://diamondshare.com

High acquisition cost but 11gph in a twin that does 180kts is pretty sweet.

High acquisition cost but 11gph in a twin that does 180kts is pretty sweet.

I went down to the local pilot shop and there was a DA-62 sitting there by the fence. They were getting ready to fire up so of course I stood there and watched.

The right engine started....well, scratch that. It spooled up like a turbine, except 10x as fast. It was like someone turned a switch on an electric motor. It wasn't even fully started when the left side started up in the same way. With both engines running, I couldn't even hear it from across the taxiway.

Diesels have their problems, but this made a real impression on me.

Best,
Rich