Where it fits well
- 150 kt cruise supports credible cross-country touring.
- 785 nm advertised range creates a practical planning radius of about 526 nm with 4 occupants.
- 254 kg realistic payload proxy and 4 seats define the usable cabin mission.
Photo: Oryst · CC BY-SA 3.0 · representative variantKey figures
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 4 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 254 kg |
| Advertised range | 785 nm |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 526 nm |
| Cruise speed | 150 kt |
| Runway need | ~518 m |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | €13k |
| Direct cost per flight hour | €140 |
The ownership trade-off
The DA40 XLS combines 4-seat piston-aircraft utility with about 304 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.
Cost picture at different usage
- 40 hours/year: about €25k per year ( €630 per flight hour all-in)
- 80 hours/year: about €31k per year ( €385 per flight hour all-in)
- 120 hours/year: about €36k per year ( €303 per flight hour all-in)
- 180 hours/year: about €45k per year ( €249 per flight hour all-in)
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at €30k per year at 80 hours. Condition, engine time remaining and avionics matter more than the year itself — price the aircraft in front of you, not the model.
Limitations to price honestly
- The DA40 XLS combines 4-seat piston-aircraft utility with about 304 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.
- €13k fixed annual planning base before flying a single hour.
- Approximate 518 m take-off requirement must be checked against runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading.
Recommended missions
- Family and small-group touring with a weight-and-balance check for every trip.
- Short and medium regional trips, accepting fuel stops when conditions require.
- Recreational, training or personal travel where operating efficiency is more important than airline-like speed.