Diamond Aircraft’s DA62 diesel twin will make its North American debut later this month at the NBAA Convention in Las Vegas, where the Austrian light plane maker is also planning a “relaunch” party of sorts for the brand after a few relatively quiet years with a somewhat diminished U.S. profile.
That’s all changing with the seven-seat DA62, a drop-dead-gorgeous, 200-knot speedster that has been tailor-made for U.S. buyers as a step-up product from high-end piston singles.
Diamond has eschewed having a major presence at U.S. shows ever since the demise of its D-Jet single-engine jet project, which led to layoffs at the company’s facility in London, Ontario.
Now Diamond says the time is right for a major North American market expansion. The company is rolling out new financing, service and support options for North American buyers, as well as a new Diamond certified pre-owned program. At NBAA, Diamond will also display the diesel DA40NG Tundra with oversize tires and a beefier structure, as well as the DA42-VI four-seat diesel twin.
The all-new DA62, priced just north of $1 million, occupies a spot in the market between the Piper Seneca and Beech Baron G58. Flying recently traveled to the Diamond factory in Austria to fly it. You can read all about the airplane in our exclusive cover story in the December issue, which hits newsstands soon.
