I earned my multi-engine rating in a 1973 Beechcraft Baron E55 and flew a few hundred hours in it. For that reason, if I see a Baron G58 on a ramp – or at a fly-in – I have to go look.
Admittedly, I have a soft spot for that particular line of twins. The room, comfort and look all appeal to me. That’s what makes having so many options in general aviation so cool. It is hard to find an aircraft that doesn’t fit your personal preference.
And when I look at Diamond’s DA62, I’m more than intrigued. I’ve yet had the opportunity to go for a flight, but much about the design is appealing. The 1,004-pound full fuel payload and the 9 gph max endurance cruise fuel burn cause me to tilt my held like a curious puppy. One of the G58’s IO-550-Bs using lean-of-peak procedures will get close to 9 gph, but you still have to feed the other -550.
Oh, and Jet-A – which is what you’ll fill the DA62 with – is cheaper most everywhere you’ll fly.
| Aircraft | Beechcraft Baron G58 | Diamond DA62 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 29 ft 10 in | 30 ft 10 in |
| Height | 9 ft 9 in | 9 ft 3 in |
| Wingspan | 37 ft 10 in | 47 ft 10 in |
| CABIN | ||
| Height | 50 in | – |
| Width | 42 in | – |
| Max Occupancy | 6 | 7 |
| WEIGHT | ||
| Max Takeoff Weight | 5,550 lbs | 5,071 lbs |
| Empty Weight | 4,030 lbs | 3,461 lbs |
| Useful Load | 1,494 lbs | 1,609 lbs |
| Usable Fuel | 194 gal | 89 gal |
| Fuel Fuel Payload | 330 lbs | 1,004 lbs |
| PERFORMANCE | ||
| Max Cruise Speed | 202 ktas | 192 ktas |
| Stall Speed | 73 kcas | 61 kias (full flaps) |
| Max Range | 1,480 nm | 1,245 nm |
| POWERPLANT | ||
| Engines | Cont. TSIO-550-C (2) | Austro AE300 (2) |
| Power | 300 hp (2) | 180 hp (2) |
| PRICE (2016) | $1.2 million | $1.1 million |
If you’re in the market for a twin… which intrigues you more?
The real question is what are the single engine climb rates at gross weight? The diamond advertised single engine climb at typical weights, hard to compare.
An afterthought (VERY important). Is the cabin on the DA62 pressurized ?
DA62 is real intriguing, those fuel burns and Diesel engine appeal to me, but that will require a 50′ hangar door !
DA62 all day.
Stay tuned for my upcoming General Aviation News article on the DA62. I’ve owned a Baron 55 and 58 and the comparisons are interesting.
Since many of our corporate flights are solo, the fuel burn of a twin caused me to switch to a Bonanza several years ago.
I love Beechcraft products, but Diamond’s DA62 is impressive and it’s great to see innovation in the world of owner-flown GA.
Tom, I hope you cover the maintenance intervals and costs associated with the DA-62’s diesel engines vs. the Baron’s Continentals. Also the same with comparison of the composite airframe maintenance & life-limits vs. that of the aluminum airframe. Performance numbers in speed and loads are self explanatory but the hidden costs associated with those two main differences in design would be very interesting to see.
It is a sleek modern aircraft with all the latest toys and technology, no question. But it is pricey. Neat you can burn Jet-A and that is special. But you will pay well for the privilege to own one.