BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 09:50

Diamond DA-52 just had its maiden flight. This is a Diesel Twin that hit 190kts on its first test flight. 190 was the airspeed maximum that was allowed in their mission envelope. They are certain its cruise will be much faster. Fuel consumption (Jet A) is equal to a single engine or better. Not to mention jet fuel is cheaper. FADEC, full Garmin suite, single lever engine control etc. may make this a game changer. They have resolved the engine problems. Any thoughts?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 10:01

People here will dismiss this effort, but I for one am extremely grateful to see one GA company actually trying to do things differently. The lack of innovation at Cessna, Beech, Piper, Mooney (if they count at all) is embarrassing.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 10:02

It's plastic, but has a lot of potential to go fast. Good Luck to them!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 17:05

Engines reported to be 180hp each. 4-cylinder?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 17:35

Username Protected wrote:

People here will dismiss this effort, but I for one am extremely grateful to see one GA company actually trying to do things differently. The lack of innovation at Cessna, Beech, Piper, Mooney (if they count at all) is embarrassing.

Agreed. I would LOVE to own a 190 knot JetA burner that only uses 14-15 GPH. It is a no-brainer.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 17:39

Username Protected wrote:

Engines reported to be 180hp each. 4-cylinder?

Where are you seeing that? One the website they only show the 168HP diesel engines for the NG DA-42.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 17:41

Username Protected wrote:

Engines reported to be 180hp each. 4-cylinder?

Where are you seeing that? One the website they only show the 168HP diesel engines for the NG DA-42.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 17:41

Username Protected wrote:

People here will dismiss this effort, but I for one am extremely grateful to see one GA company actually trying to do things differently. The lack of innovation at Cessna, Beech, Piper, Mooney (if they count at all) is embarrassing.

Agreed. I would LOVE to own a 190 knot JetA burner that only uses 14-15 GPH. It is a no-brainer.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 17:53

Think they got the dead battery shuts down the engine after takeoff scenario right this time -

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 18:34

And now for a party of 'ifs:'

If more than a few of the marketing claims are true and
if the price is reasonable (I didn't say cheap, just in the ballpark) and
if the diesel operates for a year or two after certification...

I will buy one.

> 190 KTAS, seven people and a twin would ease much of my pucker factor flying the family IMC.

No worries. I'd keep the Bonanza. I have too much time money and, well, luv expensed into it.

Nick

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 18:37

Username Protected wrote:

And now for a party of 'ifs:'

If more than a few of the marketing claims are true and
if the price is reasonable (I didn't say cheap, just in the ballpark) and
if the diesel operates for a year or two after certification...

I will buy one.

> 190 KTAS, seven people and a twin would ease much of my pucker factor flying the family IMC.

No worries. I'd keep the Bonanza. I have too much time money and, well, luv expensed into it.

Nick

I would buy one, and get a Bo as back-up.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 18:52

Already the spec reductions start. The all-knowing Wikipedia states it is a 5-6 seater, not seven. So does AvWeb. Are they not including crew?

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Di ... 462-1.html

At least it has doors on both sides. Why is it so difficult for pax to figure out they should get in last, not first?

Nick

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 19:17

Username Protected wrote:

Already the spec reductions start. The all-knowing Wikipedia states it is a 5-6 seater, not seven. So does AvWeb. Are they not including crew?

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Di ... 462-1.html

At least it has doors on both sides. Why is it so difficult for pax to figure out they should get in last, not first?

Nick

It's based on the DA50 (that never got into production) which was a 5-seater. There are only two rows of seats so I don't know how they would even get 6 in it. 4 across sounds like a tight squeeze.

Bill

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 20:14

Username Protected wrote:

People here will dismiss this effort, but I for one am extremely grateful to see one GA company actually trying to do things differently. The lack of innovation at Cessna, Beech, Piper, Mooney (if they count at all) is embarrassing.

Agreed! I much prefer Diamond's direction of innovation to Cirrus'.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2012, 22:20

Nick,

You could probably buy a TBM for the price they will sell that thing, that will take the pucker factor out of you.
I know it does for me.

I agree I dont know where they would put 7 seats? :scratch:

Username Protected wrote:

And now for a party of 'ifs:'

If more than a few of the marketing claims are true and
if the price is reasonable (I didn't say cheap, just in the ballpark) and
if the diesel operates for a year or two after certification...

I will buy one.

> 190 KTAS, seven people and a twin would ease much of my pucker factor flying the family IMC.

No worries. I'd keep the Bonanza. I have too much time money and, well, luv expensed into it.

Nick

Diamonds New Twin