Diamond DA62

The Diamond DA62 was first announced in March 2012. Based on the fuselage of the single-engine Diamond DA50, the development incorporated two Austro AE330 Diesel engines designed to burn Jet A fuel. The prototype, initially designated as the DA52, achieved its first flight on 3 April 2012, following six months of development. During an early flight of the prototype, the aircraft demonstrated a fuel efficiency resulting from improvements in cooling and aerodynamic drag. Originally planned for sale in July 2013, development delays pushed these dates back. The DA62 received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification on 16 April 2015. By September 2015, Diamond was preparing the first customer deliveries for the following month, alongside manufacturing the tenth aircraft built, which was for the U.S. market. American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification followed on 23 February 2016. By April 2019, over 120 DA62s had been delivered, with production occurring in both Austria and Canada.

Design

The DA62 is based on the fuselage of the single-engine Diamond DA50, incorporating twin Austro AE330 Diesel engines designed to run on Jet A fuel. Significant improvements were made to reduce cooling and aerodynamic drag, contributing to enhanced fuel efficiency. The aircraft is available in two weight versions to allow operators to avoid higher weight-based air traffic control user charges: a five-seat "European" version with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 1,999 kilograms (4,407 lb) and a seven-seat "US" version with a MTOW of 2,300 kilograms (5,071 lb). Both the third row of seating and the increased MTOW of the "US" version are available as factory options. The aircraft's avionics suite includes a Garmin G1000Nxi.

Operational History

The DA62 has seen operational use in government and military roles. In October 2023, the Nigerian Air Force acquired four DA62 MPP variants for military use. In July 2024, Greece contracted to purchase three DA62 MPPs for approximately €23.3 million to serve the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection for firefighting air operations centers, search and rescue, and aerial surveillance, with delivery expected by the third quarter of 2025.

Variants

Main Variants:

• DA52: Prototype of the DA62, with two units manufactured during the development phase.

• DA62: Primary production variant designed to accommodate five to seven passengers, featuring an additional third window and a larger horizontal stabilizer for enhanced stability.

• DA62 MPP: "Multi-Purpose Platform" version tailored for specialized roles, including law enforcement, search and rescue missions, and surveillance operations.