4-occupant single-engine piston aircraft · Single-engine piston aircraft · production 2007–2013 · See its reach on the 3D globe
A Diamond DA40 XLS costs approximately $286k (€265k) to $342k (€317k) to buy at 2010 market values, and about $33k (€31k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $416 (€385) per flight hour all-in. It seats 4, cruises at 150 kt (173 mph) and has a published range of 785 nm (1,454 km), needing about 1,699 ft (518 m) of runway. Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
The DA40 XLS is the avgas Diamond: the same composite airframe, huge canopy visibility and outstanding safety record as the diesel NG, with a conventional Lycoming IO-360 and the premium interior and avionics of its era. Where Jet A is not available or a buyer simply does not want a diesel, this is the DA40 to have. It gives up the NG's headline economy. Fuel burn is ordinary rather than remarkable, so the running-cost argument that sells Diamonds is weaker here, and the DA40's practical quirks apply in full: rear seat access and loading are tighter than the seat count suggests, and composite structure wants a hangar and a shop that understands it. Buy it for the airframe and the record, not for the fuel bill.
First-party reference values for this model. They are shown separately from PlaneFit planning estimates and do not enter Finder or cross-model rankings until each field is normalised across the catalogue.
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1,150 kg |
|---|---|
| Usable fuel | 189 L |
| Engine | Lycoming IO-360-M1A piston engine, 180 hp |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 4 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 560 lb (254 kg) |
| Published planning range | 785 nm (1,454 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 526 nm (974 km) |
| Cruise speed | 150 kt (173 mph) |
| Runway need | ~1,699 ft (518 m) |
| Landing gear | Fixed tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | $14k (€13k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $151 (€140) |
The DA40 XLS combines 4-seat piston-aircraft utility with about 785 NM reported range and about 150 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
Indicative cash costs at 2010 market values, before financing, depreciation and tax. The fixed base is the same whether the aircraft flies or not, so the effective hourly cost falls as utilisation rises.
| Annual use | Annual cash cost | Effective cost / h | Five-year cash outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h / year | $27k (€25k) | $680 (€630) | $447k (€414k) |
| 80 h / year | $33k (€31k) | $416 (€385) | $477k (€442k) |
| 120 h / year | $39k (€36k) | $328 (€303) | $508k (€470k) |
| 180 h / year | $48k (€45k) | $269 (€249) | $553k (€512k) |
Every figure above is built from a $14k (€13k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $151 (€140) per hour flown for fuel, reserves and consumables. It is a planning model for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation, not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at $32k (€30k) per year at 80 hours. Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment move a real transaction further than the model year does, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model. A cheaper example carrying deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft once the first annual inspection is complete.
Diamond DA40 XLS cost guide answers the same figures as standalone purchase and ownership questions, and the ownership cost calculator lets you replace these assumptions with your own hours and fixed costs.
Nothing beyond a pilot certificate for the category and class. With fixed tricycle gear and no endorsement requirement of its own, this is among the simplest certified aircraft to qualify in, which is a real part of why it is cheap to insure and easy to check out in.
US requirements under 14 CFR 61.31, stated for orientation and not as advice. PlaneFit is not an aviation authority or a training organisation. Other authorities set different rules, and the current regulation and your instructor are what govern.
An indicative 2010 market price for a Diamond DA40 XLS is $286k (€265k) to $342k (€317k). This is a planning estimate normalised across the market, not a quote for a specific airframe. Condition, engine time remaining, avionics and damage history move the real number more than the model year does.
Flying 80 hours a year, a Diamond DA40 XLS works out at roughly $33k (€31k) annually, which is about $416 (€385) per flight hour all-in once fixed costs are spread across those hours. The direct cost per hour alone, covering fuel, reserves and consumables, is about $151 (€140).
Published range is 785 nm (1,454 km). With 4 people aboard and realistic reserves, plan on a practical radius of about 526 nm rather than the brochure figure.
Plan on approximately 1,699 ft (518 m) for take-off. Check this against the actual runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading, all of which extend the requirement.