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DA42 Twin Star vs DHC-8 Dash 8

DA42 Twin Star vs DHC-8 Dash 8 at a glance — top speed 354 vs 451 km/h, range 2,250 vs 1,600 km, max takeoff weight 2,000 vs 15,649 kg, built 600 vs 1,258 units.

Diamond DA42 Twin Star military training aircraft side profile drawing
🇦🇹 DA42 Twin Star
De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 military training aircraft side profile drawing
🇨🇦 DHC-8 Dash 8
Specifications
DA42 Twin Star DHC-8 Dash 8
Origin country 🇦🇹 Austria 🇨🇦 Canada
Category Military Training Aircraft Military Training Aircraft
Manufacturer Diamond De Havilland Canada
First flight 9 December 2002 20 June 1983
Year introduced 2004 1984
Number produced 600 units 1258 units
Average unit price $1.3 million $27 million
Wing area 16.3 m² 54.4 m²
Wingspan 13.4 m 26.0 m
Height 2.5 m 7.5 m
Length 8.0 m 22.0 m
Maximum speed 354 km/h 451 km/h
Operational range 2,250 km 1,600 km
Service ceiling 9,000 m 9,144 m
Max. takeoff weight 2,000 kg 15,649 kg
Empty weight 1,200 kg 14,787 kg
Total thrust 2 x 100 kW 2 x 1,342 kW
Performance Radar Chart
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the DA42 Twin Star or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 is faster with a maximum speed of 451 km/h compared to the DA42 Twin Star's 354 km/h, a difference of 97 km/h.
Which has longer range, the DA42 Twin Star or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DA42 Twin Star has a longer range at 2,250 km compared to the DHC-8 Dash 8's 1,600 km.
Which can fly higher, the DA42 Twin Star or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 has a higher service ceiling at 9,144 meters (30,000 ft) compared to the DA42 Twin Star's 9,000 meters (29,527 ft).
Which is heavier, the DA42 Twin Star or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 15,649 kg compared to the DA42 Twin Star's 2,000 kg.
Which is larger, the DA42 Twin Star or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 is longer at 22.0 meters compared to the DA42 Twin Star's 8.0 meters.
Which is more expensive, the DA42 Twin Star or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 is more expensive at approximately $27 million per unit compared to the DA42 Twin Star at $1.3 million.
Which entered service first, the DA42 Twin Star or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 entered service first in 1984, 20 years before the DA42 Twin Star which entered service in 2004.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the DA42 Twin Star or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 has been produced in greater numbers with 1,258 units compared to 600 units of the DA42 Twin Star.