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DA42 Twin Star vs DHC-8 Dash 8

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
Change comparison vs
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 50 kW 2 x 671 kW
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The DA42 Twin Star and the DHC-8 Dash 8 are both Military Training Aircraft, manufactured by Diamond and De Havilland Canada respectively.

Top speed is 354 km/h for the DA42 Twin Star vs 451 km/h for the DHC-8 Dash 8. The DA42 Twin Star has an operational range of 2,250 km vs 1,600 km for the DHC-8 Dash 8. The DHC-8 Dash 8 operates at altitudes up to 9,144 m compared to 9,000 m for the DA42 Twin Star. At 15,649 kg MTOW, the DHC-8 Dash 8 is 7.8x the DA42 Twin Star's 2,000 kg.

The DA42 Twin Star has been produced in 600 units vs 1,258 for the DHC-8 Dash 8. Unit cost is $1.3M for the DA42 Twin Star vs $27M for the DHC-8 Dash 8. The DHC-8 Dash 8 first flew 19 years before the DA42 Twin Star (1983 vs 2002).

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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.