Four-seat Jet A multi-engine trainer and personal transport · Twin-engine piston aircraft · production 2012–present · See its reach on the 3D globe
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A Diamond DA42-VI costs approximately $777k (€719k) to $929k (€860k) to buy at 2022 market values, and about $72k (€67k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $902 (€835) per flight hour all-in. It seats 4, cruises at 175 kt (201 mph) and has a published range of 1,225 nm (2,269 km), needing about 2,129 ft (649 m) of runway. Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
The DA42-VI is the twin that made diesel multi-engine flying mainstream: two Jet-A engines, striking efficiency for a twin, and the modern systems that make it a popular multi-engine trainer and a credible personal transport. It offers genuine twin capability at running costs a legacy piston twin cannot approach. The constraints are cabin payload, which is modest for four, and the maintenance complexity of two diesel installations. It suits owners who want redundancy and efficiency and will fly it enough to justify a twin's fixed costs.
The DA42-VI is a composite four-seat piston twin built around two Austro Jet A engines, integrated Garmin avionics and a training-friendly cabin. Diamond's specification supports the model-specific technical figures. Its fuel choice can improve high-utilisation economics, but only when the operator has reliable Austro parts and maintenance access; two engines still create two maintenance and reserve schedules.
Engine life, maintenance-programme status, parts lead times and factory support must be priced from current documents and quotations for both engines. Composite condition, de-ice equipment where fitted, avionics and landing gear add their own inspections. The fuel calculation cannot compensate for long downtime, and model-level prose should not attach a replacement price or interval that may change with programme revision and region.
Commercial flight schools running twin-engine training, or owner-pilots in regions where 100LL avgas is unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
Private owners who want to minimise long-term maintenance exposure or who do not have dependable Austro support close enough to protect dispatch availability.
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 | 1,999 kg |
|---|---|
| Useful load | 579 kg |
| Usable fuel | 289 L |
| Landing distance | 647 m |
| Maximum operating altitude | 18,000 ft |
| Maximum climb rate | 1,114 ft/min |
| Stall speed | 62 KCAS |
| Engine | 2 x Austro Engine AE 300 turbocharged diesel, 168 hp each |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 4 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 1,016 lb (461 kg) |
| Published planning range | 1,225 nm (2,269 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 821 nm (1,520 km) |
| Cruise speed | 175 kt (201 mph) |
| Runway need | ~2,129 ft (649 m) |
| Landing gear | Retractable tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Jet A-1 |
| Fixed annual base | $45k (€42k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $335 (€310) |
Efficient twin-engine capability and modern systems, but cabin payload and maintenance complexity remain significant constraints.
Indicative cash costs at 2022 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 | $59k (€54k) | $1,469 (€1,360) | $1.14m (€1.05m) |
| 80 h / year | $72k (€67k) | $902 (€835) | $1.21m (€1.12m) |
| 120 h / year | $86k (€79k) | $713 (€660) | $1.27m (€1.18m) |
| 180 h / year | $106k (€98k) | $587 (€543) | $1.37m (€1.27m) |
Every figure above is built from a $45k (€42k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $335 (€310) 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 $84k (€78k) 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 DA42-VI 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.
On top of a pilot certificate, this aircraft obliges the person flying it to hold the following. Each one is time and money before the first trip, and insurers usually attach their own minimums on top.
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 2022 market price for a Diamond DA42-VI is $777k (€719k) to $929k (€860k). 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 DA42-VI works out at roughly $72k (€67k) annually, which is about $902 (€835) 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 $335 (€310).
Published range is 1,225 nm (2,269 km). With 4 people aboard and realistic reserves, plan on a practical radius of about 821 nm rather than the brochure figure.
Beyond a pilot certificate, a Diamond DA42-VI requires multi-engine rating and complex airplane endorsement. An airplane multi-engine land class rating. Insurers add their own minimum: multi-engine time, time in this make and model, and often a checkout with a named instructor before you fly it solo. These are US requirements and are stated for orientation; confirm them against the current regulation and an instructor.
Plan on approximately 2,129 ft (649 m) for take-off. Check this against the actual runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading, all of which extend the requirement.
Direct comparisons against the models buyers most often weigh against this one.