DIAMOND DA42 TWINSTAR

• Passengers 2

A highly popular aircraft for short air taxi flights, the Diamond DA42 Twin Star is commonly used for island-hopping in holiday destinations like the Caribbean.

About this aircraft

• The Diamond DA42 Twin Star took its first flight in 2002 and was certified in 2004.
• The aircraft has room for two passenger seats at the rear of the aircraft. If owned, a further passenger can be seated in the cockpit with a single pilot, but this option isn’t available for charter.
• The small aircraft is capable of relatively long non-stop flights such as London to Cannes or New York to Atlanta.
• The DA42 Twin Star has space in the rear compartment for two medium soft suitcases, as well as two generous nose compartments sized for golf bags.
• Production of the DA42 ended in 2012, when the upgraded DA42-VI was released.

Made predominantly from carbon composite materials, the DA42 features diesel-powered or Austro engines and was the first aircraft to be publicly flown on algae-derived fuel. The DA42-VI variant was introduced in March 2012 with new propellers and improved aerodynamics, resulting in an increased cruise speed and range.

Interior design

Designed to be an air taxi, the DA42’s cabin is around 4.2 feet high and 4.1 feet wide and has two rear passenger seats.

Below is a typical configuration found on a Diamond DA42 Twin Star.

Interesting facts to learn before you fly

• Although the DA42 isn’t particularly fast compared to most single-engine aircraft, it offers efficient performance and a smooth flight.
• The DA42 provides exceptional visibility thanks to its panoramic wrap-around canopy and generous rear windows. 
• In 2004, the DA42 became the first diesel-powered fixed-wing aircraft to perform a non-stop crossing of the North Atlantic.
• The newer DA42-VI offers a faster and more economical journey.

Technological features

The original Diamond DA42 Twin Star was powered by TAE 125-01 Centurion 1.7 engines manufactured by Thielert. From 2009, the DA42 was powered by two Austro E4 engines following Thielert’s insolvency.

Inside, the cockpit is equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics with several options, including an integrated weather radar and synthetic vision.

History

In the late 1990s, Diamond Aircraft Industries set out to develop a twin-engine aircraft that was simple to operate, fuel-efficient, and able to fit four seats. 

The DA42 Twin Star was an instant hit with buyers when introduced in 2004 and became the first diesel-powered fixed-wing aircraft to complete a non-stop crossing of the North Atlantic. Aerospace magazine Flight International said: “The DA42 has no natural competitors in its class and sets a benchmark for European general aviation”.

Production was suspended when engine manufacturer Thielert collapsed, before resuming in 2010 using the Austro Engine AE 300, making it the first aircraft to be publicly flown on algae-derived jet fuel. By 2012, the DA42 had become the major income driver at Diamond Aircraft and the company announced the development of a fly-by-wire version.

Manufacturer

Diamond Aircraft Industries is the third-largest manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, founded as Hoffmann Flugzeugbau by Austrian aircraft designer Wolf Hoffmann in 1981. The company’s first aircraft, the HK36 Dimona motor glider, became a commercial success and led to further variants.

Following several changes in ownership, Hoffmann Flugzeugbau was renamed Diamond Aircraft Industries in 1998. By this point, Diamond was producing a range of light aircraft, including the Dimona and the Diamond DA20.

In 2004, Diamond introduced its first multi-engined aircraft, the DA42 Twin Star, which was extremely popular and set the benchmark for all small multi-engined pistons. Diamond was acquired by Chinese company Wanfeng Aviation in 2017. Today it has factories in Austria and Canada, as well as joint ventures in other locations.

Cost

Depending on factors like age and condition, the price for a used Diamond DA42 Twin Star is approximately $360,000 (USD).

Charter rates

Charter rates for the Diamond DA42 Twin Star vary depending on the length of your journey and the airports you’re flying in and out of.

If you’d like to charter a Diamond DA42 Twin Star, contact our team for a quote today. For information on other charter options, browse our list of available private aircraft.

Wet lease rates

ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) wet lease rates for the Diamond DA42 Twin Star vary depending on the age of the aircraft, lease term length, number of guaranteed block hours and average cycle ratio. Contact us for a personalised quote.