Diamond’s Jet-A Powered Twin Is Fast, Obedient, And Ready To Travel
John Armstrong, founder and CEO of Lifestyle Aviation, took ANN up in the DA-62 at Sun ‘N Fun. Even the start was unique as Armstrong suggested starting the twin engine airplane with the doors open so that Jim could experience the startup directly.
After starting the airplane, the pair were able to talk in a normal voice with the engines running.
“I told you this was the easiest plane I’ve ever flown,” says Armstrong. “The only exception is the ground handling takes a little while to get used to. It’s different then most planes people fly. Once one gets comfortable with the footwork, everything else is ultra simple.”
After a solid takeoff, climbing at about 1,000 feet per minute, the plane is set for cruise speed.
“This is a turbocharged airplane, so if we go up further and further, we get faster and faster,” Armstrong continues. “At this altitude we are not going to get our max performance, but we should settle into about 170, 175 at this altitude. When I fly this airplane I usually go straight to 10, 11 or 12,000. Pretty much standard usage goes to about 10 or 11,000 feet,” he says.
At 88% power, the fuel burn is just about 17 gallons per hour. “How does that compare to any of the twins you have flown?” Armstrong asks. “With the exception of the Twin Comanche, pretty darn good,” Campbell responds.
During stall, the airplane loses between 800 and 1000 feet per minute as was demonstrated. After adding power, recovery was made and Jim and John continued on to test out the aircraft flying on one engine.
“Wasn’t that fun?” Armstrong says
“Actually, it was a whole lot of nothing,” Jim responds. “Which is not what you usually talk about when you're shutting down an engine.”
After a smooth landing, Campbell and Armstrong chat about the ride.
Overall handling is slick, and cabin size is large enough to not touch elbows. Last but not least, Armstrong shows Jim the data cables, one for each engine. “We can’t keep using 1940’s engines forever, and burning gas that nobody wants us to use as an industry. We have to change. Diamond, for 20 years has already found the solution and implemented the solution, perfected the solution. The more and more people find out that it exists… it's really important,” Armstrong said in closing.
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