The Diamond DA50 is a five-seat single-engine composite aircraft designed by Diamond Aircraft Industries. The aircraft is powered by a 300 hp Continental CD-300 turbodiesel that runs on Jet-A fuel with full FADEC single lever power control. Due to its jet fuel efficiency and all composite airframe, the DA50 has a cruise speed of 181 knots and a range of 750 nmi. The design features hinged double-slotted flaps and retractable landing gear. It has the Garmin G1000 NXi flight deck and GFC700 Automated Flight Control System.
The five-seater large cabin offers convenience and safety, with a strong manufacturer emphasis on safety, which is why it is increasingly the choice for pilots who demand performance without sacrificing efficiency. With an 884-pound full-fuel payload, it is the perfect single-engine aircraft for family trips or weekend getaways. A new Diamond DA50 costs around $1.15 million.
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Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
What is the Diamond DA50?
The Diamond DA50 is a single engine, light aircraft made from carbon fibre. The Diamond DA50 is a five-seat single-engine composite aircraft designed by Diamond Aircraft Industries. The DA50 RG recently emerged as the ultimate aircraft for pilots and their passengers: the most spacious, jet-fuel efficient, luxurious, modern, FADEC single-engine piston aircraft in the world. The DA50’s five-seater large cabin offers convenience and safety, and the aircraft features the Garmin G1000 NXi flight deck with GFC700 Automated Flight Control System. The Diamond DA50 has a retractable gear and carbon-fiber fuselage.
The DA50 RG is powered by the 300 hp Continental Aerospace Technologies CD-300 engine. The CD-300 is a geared, liquid-cooled, turbo-charged and jet-A1-fueled engine controlled by two redundant full FADEC. Due to this engine, the DA50 is a jet fuel-powered aircraft that produces less carbon, making it more eco-friendly. Equipped with this FADEC-controlled Continental CD-300, the DA50 achieves a cruise speed of 181 knots while maintaining fuel efficiency, due to its Jet A1 fuel compatibility.
The DA50 RG is the retractable-gear variant and the only model currently in production. The fixed-gear DA50 prototype did not go into production. It has a five-seat cabin, an all-composite structure, and stowable wheels. It received European Union permission to fly on September 9th 2020, and US government approval on July 25, 2023. More than 100 DA50 RG aircraft have been delivered to date. The typical cost is $1,300,000, and the DA50 RG’s expenses are $120 per hour.
What are the specifications of the Diamond DA50?
The specifications of the Diamond DA50 are given in the table below.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Fuel Burn | 12 gal/hr |
| Consumption | 34.1 i/h |
| Max Speed | 181 kts |
| Stall Speed | 57 kts |
| Ceiling | 20,000 ft |
| Top Power | 300 hp |
| MCP | 270 hp |
| Height | 9 ft 5 in |
| Wingspan | 44 ft |
| Length | 30 ft 3 in |
| Passengers | 5 |
| Max Weight | 4,407 lb |
The Diamond DA50 RG is powered by a 300 hp Continental CD-300 turbodiesel that runs on Jet-A fuel. The engine is geared, liquid-cooled, turbo-charged, and has two redundant full FADEC with single lever power control. Max speed is 335 km/h (181 kts TAS) at 4,877 m (16,000 ft), and max operating altitude is 6,096 m (20,000 ft). Max rate of climb is 320 m/min (1,050 ft/min), and stall speed in landing configuration is 106 km/h (57 kts). Usable fuel capacity is about 49 US gal (185 l), and fuel consumption at max range is 9 US gal/hr (34.1 l/h), so its range is 1,000+ nautical miles.
The cabin seats five and has a luxury leather interior and panoramic windows. Avionics include the Garmin G1000 NXi flight deck with GFC 700 autopilot. The airframe is all carbon composite with retractable tricycle gear. It has no full-airframe parachute, but its strong structure offers high passive safety. Max take off mass is 1,999 kg (4,407 lbs), and wingspan is 44 ft (13.41 m). With full fuel, payload for occupants and baggage is about 880 lbs (399 kg). Takeoff distance over an obstacle is roughly 2,400 feet (731.5 meters), and landing distance is just over 2,200 feet (670.6 meters).
What is the performance of the Diamond DA50?
The performance of the Diamond DA50 is given in the table below.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed | 181 kts |
| Cruise speed | 172 kts |
| Stall speed | 58 kts |
| Climb rate | 1,050 ft/min |
| Range | 750 nm |
| Ceiling | 20,000 ft |
| Takeoff distance | 1,250 ft |
| Landing distance | 1,129 ft |
| Fuel | 9 gal/hr |
The DA50 achieves a max speed of 181 kts TAS (335 km/h) at 16,000 ft (4,877 m). Cruise speed at 14,000 ft (4,267 m) is 172 kts TAS (319 km/h). Stall speed in landing configuration is 58 kts TAS. Rate of climb at sea level is 1,050 ft/min (320 m/min). Its wingspan is approximately 44 ft (13.41 m). The service ceiling is 20,000 ft (6,096 m).
The DA50 has a max range of 750 nm (1,389 km) including 30 min reserve, due to its Jet A1 fuel compatibility and low fuel consumption. Fuel consumption at max range is about 9 US gal/h (31.4 l/h). Take-off ground roll is 1,250 ft (381 m) and landing ground roll is 1,129 ft (344 m). The 300 hp Continental CD-300 diesel engine with FADEC provides power and lightens pilot workload with single lever control.
I liked the DA50's stability during changes between planes. It provides equilibrium while learning new aircraft. The flying feel is predictable and suitable for new pilots. The plane maintains stability in bumps, making flights less fatiguing. Controls are responsive, and one-handed speed control lets me concentrate on navigation and communication. Climb performance is adequate for a single-engine plane.
Jim GoodrichPilot, Airplane Broker and Founder of Tsunami Air
What is the price for the Diamond DA50?
The price for a Diamond DA50 is around $1.15 million. New 2026 DA50 RGs list around $1.15 million, with used examples typically over $1 million. According to Steel Aviation, a new Diamond DA50 aircraft is currently on the market for about $1,150,000. DA50 RG’s standard price is $1.15 million. A fully equipped DA50 RG is priced at $1.4 million. The DA50 RG’s price range is $890,000 to $1.4 million. The average price of a DA50RG is $1,300,000 as of today. An old DA50 RG with many flight hours is priced at $890,000. A newer DA50 RG costs $1,100,750 to $1.4 million.
The cost to run has a fuel cost of $2,500 per year, house protection plan costs $1,250 per year, and maintenance costs $950 per year. Upkeep expense is 1% of purchase price per year. DA50 RG’s value loss is ten to eighteen percent of purchase price. DA50 value loss over five years is a quarter to nearly half of purchase price.
