Diamond · 2000+
Diamond DA40 Diamond Star
iSpecifications
Cruise
147KTAS
Range
750nm
Seats
4
Useful Load
851lbs
Full-fuel payload
551lbs
Fuel Burn
8.5gph
Fuel Cap.
50gal
MPG
19.9mpg
Stall (Vs0)
49KIAS
T/O roll
920ft
Ldg roll
440ft
Power
180hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Fixed
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$300k
Range
$180k – $550k
Annual all-in
~$16k/yr
All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (8.5 gph)
- $5,525
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $1,250
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $9,225
- Total per year
- $16,000
- Per flight hour
- $160
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 16,916 mi
- Cost per mile
- $0.95/mi
Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.
Strengths
- Excellent safety record with docile handling and resistant-to-spin characteristics
- Exceptional fuel efficiency, especially NG diesel variant (5-7 GPH)
- Modern composite construction with worldwide parts and service support
- Outstanding trainer with strong presence in flight schools globally
Weaknesses
- Castering nosewheel requires learning curve and differential braking technique
- Moderate cruise speed (147 KTAS) limits business travel appeal
- Limited baggage capacity and four-seat constraint
- Austro AE 300 engines require authorized service centers and higher maintenance costs than Lycoming equivalents
Overview
The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star is a modern composite four-seat single that has become one of the most popular training and personal aircraft of the 21st century. Built in Austria and Canada, the DA40 combines Diamond's composite construction expertise with either a Lycoming IO-360 (180HP) or the innovative Austro AE 300 diesel engine (168HP, jet fuel capable) in the DA40 NG variant.
The DA40 has one of the best safety records in GA — attributed to the composite construction, docile handling, and excellent slow-flight characteristics. It's widely used by flight schools and universities worldwide.
The castering nosewheel is the DA40's most distinctive (and divisive) handling characteristic. Unlike the steerable nosewheel on Cessnas and Pipers, the DA40's nosewheel castors freely, requiring differential braking for ground handling. Pilots love it or hate it.
The DA40 remains in production. New DA40 NG models list around $700,000+. Used prices range from $180,000 to $550,000+ depending on year and equipment.
Variants & History
| Variant | Years | Engine | HP | Gross Weight (lbs) | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DA40-180 | 2000-2004 | Lycoming IO-360-M1A | 180 | 2,535 | Original model; fixed-pitch prop |
| DA40 XLS | 2005-present | Lycoming IO-360-M1A | 180 | 2,646 | Constant-speed prop; increased gross weight |
| DA40 NG | 2008-present | Austro AE 300 | 168 | 2,646 | Diesel/Jet-A engine; FADEC; ~30% fuel savings |
| DA40 TDI | 2002-2007 | Thielert TAE 125-02-99 | 135 | 2,535 | Original diesel; Thielert engine (problematic) |
Performance
The DA40 XLS cruises at 147 KTAS at 75% power on 8.5 GPH — competitive with a Cessna 172 while being significantly more fuel-efficient. The DA40 NG with diesel engine cruises at 140 KTAS on 5-7 GPH (jet fuel), making it one of the most fuel-efficient four-seat aircraft available.
The DA40's composite wing has excellent slow-flight characteristics. The published stall speeds (49 KIAS flaps down) are competitive with the Cessna 172 despite the low wing. The docile stall behavior and resistant-to-spin characteristics are key to the DA40's excellent safety record.
The castering nosewheel requires a learning curve — new DA40 pilots need 3-5 hours of dual instruction to become comfortable with differential braking for directional control on the ground.
Payload & Range
DA40 XLS (IO-360-M1A, 180HP, 50 gal fuel):
| Scenario | Fuel (gal) | Fuel Weight (lbs) | Payload (lbs) | Pax + Bags | Range (nm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full fuel, 2 pax | 50 | 300 | 551 | 2 × 200 + 151 bags | 750 |
| Full fuel, 4 pax | 50 | 300 | 551 | 4 × 130 + 31 bags TIGHT | 750 |
| Reduced fuel, 4 pax | 35 | 210 | 641 | 4 × 150 + 41 bags | 520 |
The DA40's 851 lbs useful load is modest for a four-seater. Four average adults with full fuel is very tight — the DA40 is realistically a two-adult cross-country machine that can occasionally carry four lighter passengers for shorter trips.
Mission Suitability
- Flight Training (8): Excellent trainer. Docile handling, modern glass cockpit, fuel efficient, great safety record. Used by major flight schools worldwide. The castering nosewheel is the only training deduction — it requires additional ground handling instruction.
- Backcountry (2): Low-wing, fixed gear but not designed for unimproved surfaces.
- Business Travel (4): 147 KTAS is moderate. Four seats with limited baggage. Not a business aircraft.
- Aerobatics (1): Not aerobatic certified.
- Cross-Country (6): Good efficiency and 750 nm range. 147 KTAS is respectable but not fast. The DA40 NG's diesel efficiency is exceptional for cross-country.
- Cargo Hauling (2): Limited baggage capacity.
- Local Fun Flying (7): Comfortable, modern feel. Good visibility through the bubble canopy. Fun and efficient for recreational flying.
- Surveying (5): Low wing provides some downward visibility. Excellent slow-flight capabilities. Fuel-efficient for long endurance. Reasonable survey platform.
Avionics Ecosystem
- Early DA40-180: Basic panels possible. Common upgrades to Garmin G1000 retrofit or GTN stack.
- XLS (2005+): Garmin G1000 standard on most. Capable IFR platform out of the box.
- NG: Garmin G1000 NXi standard. FADEC engine management integrated into the glass cockpit.
2007 Diamond DA40
G1000 · GFC 700 · Composite · No Corrosion Ever
STCs & Modifications
Very limited — composite construction:
- Speed mods: Minimal aftermarket.
- Engine conversions: Not practical.
- The DA40 is an integrated system — buy the variant you want.
Maintenance & Support
- Annual inspection: $1,500-$3,500. Composite airframe plus engine.
- Lycoming IO-360: Standard maintenance, universal parts availability.
- Austro AE 300: Requires Austro-authorized service centers. Parts and maintenance more expensive than Lycoming. TBO is 1,800 hours for Austro.
- Diamond service network: Active worldwide. Parts available through Diamond and authorized dealers.
- Annual all-in cost: $12,000-$20,000 depending on engine type and utilization.
Valuation Factors
- DA40-180 (early, Lycoming): $180,000-$280,000.
- DA40 XLS (Lycoming, G1000): $250,000-$400,000.
- DA40 NG (Austro diesel): $300,000-$550,000+.
- DA40 TDI (Thielert): $120,000-$200,000. Significantly discounted due to engine support concerns.
Per valuation-methodology: Avionics generation and engine type are the primary value drivers. Lycoming-equipped models are simpler; diesel models command premium but carry higher maintenance risk.
ADs & Common Problems
- Castering nosewheel: Not an AD but a common source of incidents during training. Requires proper technique and discipline.
- Austro AE 300 (NG): Early Austro engines had reliability concerns and ADs. Recent models are significantly improved, but Austro engines remain more maintenance-intensive than Lycoming.
- Thielert TAE 125 (TDI): The original diesel engine was plagued by problems. Thielert went bankrupt. Many TDI models have been converted to Austro engines.
- Composite repair: Standard composite concerns — any damage requires certified repair technicians.
Insurance Profile
Per insurance-underwriting: $1,400-$2,400/year hull insurance. Excellent safety record helps. Training use available at fleet rates.