Diamond DA50

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I am trying to find out more about the Diamond DA50. Here are some
questions I have as well as wanting to hear any other input:

1) Has anyone sat in a cockpit mockup or does anyone know the
headroom for front seat and rear seat occupants?

2) Do the pedals adjust like the DA40 or do the seats move like a
Cessna?

3) When will deliveries start?

4) Would you recommend the SuperStar (AVGAS, more load, speed,
altitude) or the Magnum (JetA1, substantially more fuel economy)?

Todd

-- Todd Ramming, January 5, 2010

Answers

I sat in the mock-up at OshKosh 2007 (see the wiki article picture: same thing, so based on that...

1) Has anyone sat in a cockpit mock-up or does anyone know the headroom for front seat and rear seat occupants? I'm short, so not the right guy to ask, but a friend with me is 6'3", and he loved it. We could not fit in a Mooney, basically. The rear is brilliant, with 3 (sort of) across. Middle seat better be for a kid, but it resembles a typical car in that regard. Smart: if you have a family of four, and want a safety pilot on runs that make you nervous as PIC, I would welcome that addition.

2) Do the pedals adjust like the DA40 or do the seats move like a Cessna? I recall pedals

3) When will deliveries start? No idea, I heard Magnum this year, but it is a long shot.

4) Would you recommend the SuperStar (AVGAS, more load, speed, altitude) or the Magnum (JetA1, substantially more fuel economy)?

Todd

Mock-ups are really not the way to review anything, but I liked it up to that point.

Fabio

-- fabio savoldelli, January 12, 2010


I find the idea that your friend could not fit into a new Mooney due to height unbelievable. I suggest talking to a good salesman if they have one. The seat adjustment limits are beyond third standard deviation human dimensions. OTOH, if he is really large in other dimensions he just may not have liked it.

I traded my DA40 for a Mooney, and seat comfort was perhaps the top reason. Speed was as well, but comfort and range were key. I hope the 50 has adjustments to lean the seat back because long flights become miserable without that feature. At least for me.

-- Eric Warren, January 13, 2010