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I'm an entrepreneur in construction supplies, with plants in Bavaria, Salzburg and northern Italy. Before the DA62 I flew a DA42-IV NG and earlier a PA-34 Seneca. I never gave up the twin - the reason then and now is the same: fuel redundancy over water and in IFR.
For my profile the DA62 is the most coherent tool I've owned since the Seneca days: two Austro AE 330 diesels, cabin-class comfort, Garmin G1000 NXi with the clean Diamond layout. Seven seats aren't a PR point, they're a structural feature.
Standard routes: Salzburg LOWS → Rome-Urbe LIRU, three hours, IFR via the Brenner. Or Salzburg → Zadar LDZD, two hours ten, across Slovenia and the Velebit massif.
Range 2,622 km - fully loaded with four adults and luggage I plan 1,500 km with honest reserves. Cruise 356 km/h, at 8,000 ft with both diesels around 65 percent. Fuel burn is another advantage: a twin on Jet A-1 that drinks less than many singles on 100LL.
Salzburg is a top home base for twin operations: 2,750 m of asphalt, ILS, a clearly organised GA apron. Pilots travelling with family can build in Red Bull's Hangar-7 as a day point - visitor apron open by PPR through Salzburg Airport.
Salzburg LOWS is home - structured, professional, Hangar-7 within walking distance. Rome-Urbe LIRU is my Italian anchor: 1,170 m of asphalt by the Tiber, English-speaking tower, customs by prior notice.
Zadar LDZD for long Adriatic pavement and southern customs. Mali Lošinj LDLO for the island days. Sion LSGS occasionally when I visit Swiss colleagues - ILS on 25 is a gift in the foehn.
We had the DA50 RG on the table as an alternative - cheaper to acquire and maintain, five seats, one engine. For pilots who don't regularly fly six over open water, it's the more economical choice. I know several happy DA50 owners in the circle.
My profile forces the DA62: one mission a quarter with a full load, over-water legs in summer, night-IFR runs in winter. Two engines aren't a show argument here - they're the logic that lets my wife sit in the right seat.
“The DA62 isn't twice as fast as the DA50 - it flies with two arguments instead of one.”
If I were buying again: no major changes. Perhaps fewer leather colours and a slightly larger training budget for the first twelve months.
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