Diamond DA40 NG - Price, Speed, Fuel Burn & Specs

Learning everything that you can about airplanes is the best way to decide what you want to buy or fly. Become an expert on the Diamond DA40 NG here.

Thinking about buying a Diamond DA40 NG or just wanting to know more about it? Then this is the series of articles for you. The DA40 NG is just one of the many planes that we’re diving into in complete detail to make these full guides. By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll know more about the Diamond DA40 NG than you ever thought you would need to know.

You’ll need upwards of $600,000 - $700,000 to buy a new Diamond DA40 NG or about $260,000 to $360,000 for a used one. The DA40 is powered by a 168-hp Austro Engine AE 300 that gets you up to 177mph. Under normal conditions, the DA40 burns 5.1 gallons of Jet A-1 fuel per hour.

Learning everything you can about a specific aircraft can be a daunting task. There is so much to research and so much that you could look up. To make it easier on you, we've put everything together into this article so that it can be your one-stop shop on all things related to the Diamond DA40 NG. We'll go over everything about the airplane that you could ever want to know.

SkyTough has become one of the most comprehensive aviation sites on the web by combining our own knowledge with hours and research and discussions with other enthusiasts. By doing all of this, we can truly create the number one resource on the web for specific airplanes, just like we’re doing with the Diamond DA40 NG in this article. So get strapped in and get ready to learn all about it!

‍Diamond DA40 NG Overview

Don't worry, we're going to get into the nitty-gritty details and all of the technical stuff you could ever possibly want to know about the Diamond DA40 NG. But before we get there, let's take a high-level look at the plane so you know what it is, what it was designed for, and the type of people that it's really marketed for.

The Diamond DA40 NG is a single-engine, four-seat light aircraft. It is of cantilever low-wing monoplane configuration with a lightweight and strong composite airframe. The design of the Diamond DA40 began in the 1980s and it was released in its first year of production in 1997. The DA40 is designed for personal and business use and is still produced, purchased, and proudly flown around the world today.

The type of people that would really enjoy and get a lot of use out of the Diamond DA40 NG are people that fly for pleasure and people that use their airplanes for business purposes. This is a great all-around plane that can serve multiple purposes depending on what you need it for. It's perfect if you're looking to upgrade from a smaller two-seater or if you're looking for a plane to use for your business trips.

Now that we know what the Diamond DA40 NG is and who it's designed for, let's move on and get into some of the technical aspects of the aircraft.

Diamond DA40 NG Specs

As the Diamond DA40 NG has been in production since 1997, it doesn't come as a surprise that there have been different models and trims over the years that have all come with different specifications. Just to remain consistent throughout this article, we're going to focus on the most recent model. For this particular plane, it's easy since the DA40 NG is still in production, so we can get the information directly from Diamond Aircraft itself.

• Engine: Austro Engine AE 300 Turbocharged 2.0L
• Engine HP: 168
• Climb Rate: 690 ft/min
• Max Operating Altitude: 16,400 ft
• Max Cruise Speed: 177 mph
• Stall Speed: 66 mph
• Fuel Type: Jet A-1
• Fuel Capacity: 39 gallons
• Fuel Burn: 5.1 gallons/hour
• Takeoff Distance: 1,214 ft
• Landing Distance: 886 ft
• Base Weight: 1,984 lbs
• Useful Load: 904 lbs
• Max Takeoff Weight: 2,888 lbs
• Wingspan: 38'-3"
• Length: 26'-5"
• Height: 6'-6"

How Much Does a Diamond DA40 NG Cost?

No matter if you're someone who's interested in a Diamond DA40 NG for your own personal use or you're in charge of finding a new aircraft for your company or business, arguably the biggest thing on your mind right now is the cost. The technical specifications that you just read about above are great and all and are undoubtedly important, but at the end of the day, buying an airplane boils down to the cost more than anything else.

For anyone that just wants to get down to the brass tacks of the question, a Diamond DA40 NG will set you back anywhere from about $250,000 to $600,000 or more depending on what you're looking for, what year it is, and what condition it's in. But the purchase price is only part of the story when it comes to buying any airplane, including a DA40. As we go on, we'll look at all of the costs involved in airplane ownership, but let's start with the big one.

Cost to Buy a Diamond DA40 NG

Since the Diamond DA40 NG has been produced for over a quarter century at this point, you'll have the choice to buy it used or new if you're in the market. When making that decision, there are a lot of things to keep in mind other than just the cost. If you're going to buy a used plane, make sure you're getting it from a reputable source and that you're having it thoroughly inspected by a mechanic before making the purchase for airworthiness and condition as a whole.

If you're looking at buying a new Diamond DA40 NG, the process is going to be different but no less important. You'll still want to make sure that you're working with a reputable dealer and that you're getting a good price, but you'll also want to take into account the fact that a new plane is going to come with a warranty. That's something that you won't get with a used airplane, so it's important to factor that into your decision.

So how much does a Diamond DA40 NG cost?

To buy a brand new DA40 NG from Diamond, you're looking at just about $495,000 and up for the most basic option. As you start adding more options and features, the price continues to go up from there. Depending on what you end up opting for and which model and trim you decide on, the price for a new DA40 can easily jump to $600,000 - $700,000 or more. For many, that might be a bit out of your price range, so what about a used one?

I don't know about you, but I don't have a spare $700,000 sitting around, as much as I wish I did. So if that price is a little too steep for you, then you can always consider buying a used one. Depending on the year, condition, options, and the current market, you should be able to find a used Diamond DA40 NG for about $260,000 to $360,000. While this is much more affordable than the new price, just be sure you consider all the details necessary when buying a used airplane!

If you're thinking about buying a Diamond DA40, the biggest decision to make is whether you want to buy it new or used, which can largely be determined by your budget. As you can see, a used DA40 can be had for about half the cost of a new DA40, so make sure you sit down and figure out what you really want out of it!

Cost to Maintain a Diamond DA40 NG

Although the upfront cost of actually buying a DA40 is without a doubt the biggest one that you'll face, there are other costs of airplane ownership that you always need to consider. We've detailed these different costs in a few articles where we broke down the fixed and variable costs of airplane ownership, so I won't get into the details of what they are in general here. Instead, let's see what it'll actually cost you to own and maintain a Diamond DA40.

Other than the purchase price, the biggest fixed cost of owning a DA40 is going to be the financing costs. If you paid cash for the full price of the plane, you don't have to worry about this. But for anyone that finances it, you'll have to pay interest on the loan, which really adds up over time.

There are also some other fixed costs that you need to take into account such as insurance, hangar fees, regular maintenance/inspections, and more. Aircraft insurance is relatively affordable, and you can get a solid policy for about $600 per year. Hangar fees and regular maintenance will likely be another couple of thousand dollars. And loan interest can be $10,000 - $20,000 per year or more.

Other than these fixed costs, you also really need to consider the cost of actually flying the aircraft. Known as variable costs, these types of things typically cost more and more the more you fly the plane. This includes fuel, oil changes, parts & labor for repairs, and anything else that's needed to keep the plane in the air.

Since these prices are entirely dependent on how often you fly, the total cost will be different for everyone. That said, we can use a site like Aircraft Cost Calculator to get an idea of what the average person will spend. According to data for the Diamond DA40 CS (a close relative of the NG), the average annual variable costs of ownership are $66,600.00 for 450 hours' worth of flight time.

In total between both types of cost, this data shows the average hourly cost to own and operate a Diamond DA40 NG is $200.11, but this also includes paying down the purchase loan. So you can use this number to get a rough estimate of the total cost depending on how much you plan on flying it.

How Fast Does a Diamond DA40 NG Fly?

At this point, you should have a fair idea about what the Diamond DA40 NG is, how much it costs, and what kind of maintenance you can expect. But one of the most important things to consider when buying an airplane is performance. After all, what's the point of owning an airplane if it doesn't fly fast or high enough to suit your needs?

The Diamond DA40 NG has a maximum speed of 177 mph, which is nearly identical to other similar aircraft like the Cirrus SR20. That said, when you stack this speed up against the top speeds of other airplanes like commercial jets or fighter jets, the DA40 might not seem like it goes all that fast.

But that's because this airplane isn't designed just to go fast. The Diamond DA40 NG is designed as a cross-country cruiser that's meant to get you from point A to point B in luxury and comfort. It's not designed for speed records or to be used in high-performance flying. But if you're cruising at over 150 mph through the sky, you can still get to your destination relatively quickly no matter where you're headed.

The other speed to keep in mind with the Diamond DA40 NG is the stall speed, which sits right at 66 mph. The stall speed is important to know because it's the speed at which the airplane will no longer be able to fly and generate lift. So in order to stay airborne and flying the way that you expect it to, you'll want to stay above the stall speed when you're flying!

How High Does a Diamond DA40 NG Fly?

When you think about the performance capabilities of an airplane, speed might be the first thing that comes to mind, but it's not the only thing. It's also interesting to look at how high an airplane can fly because it gives you a good idea of how it will perform in different situations.

After all, if you're going to spend all this money on an airplane, you want to know that it can fly and safely operate at an altitude that's going to offer smooth air and clear paths for easy flying. Too low and the air is busy and rough, too high and you'd start getting in the way of commercial traffic. So what about the DA40?

The Diamond DA40 NG has a service ceiling of 16,400 feet, which means that's the highest altitude that it's certified to fly. This is relatively standard for most small general aviation aircraft like the DA40 NG. This height helps get the Diamond DA40 NG above most bad weather, while still being low enough to not affect the flight paths or traffic of commercial jets.

What Engine Does a Diamond DA40 NG Have?

By now, we've looked at a couple of the main performance characteristics of the Diamond DA40 NG, but we haven't really talked about what makes this airplane go. That's because it all starts with the engine, and the Diamond DA40 NG has a very impressive engine indeed that powers it through the skies.

The Diamond DA40 NG is powered by an Austro Engine AE 300. This engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel powerplant that puts out 168 horsepower. This common-rail injected engine is designed for smaller aircraft like the DA40, and the relatively low horsepower output is a bit surprising considering how well this plane performs.

Diamond DA40 NG Fuel Burn Rate

Thanks to the diesel 2.0-liter turbocharged Austro Engine AE 300, the Diamond DA40 is actually incredibly fuel-efficient compared to much of its competition. A plane's fuel rate is so important because as we saw above, the cost to operate a plane is largely based on how much fuel it burns. Just like with your car, the further you can go on the same amount of fuel, the cheaper it is to use!

And when you're talking about smaller general aviation aircraft like the Diamond DA40 NG, every gallon of fuel that you can save is important. That's because these planes don't have the same kind of range as a commercial jet does, so they need to make every drop of fuel count.

Fortunately, the engine that powers the DA40 only burns about 5.1 gallons of fuel per hour. This is an impressive number when you compare it to other small general aviation aircraft that can easily burn upwards of 8 to 10 gallons per hour since you'll be saving about half as much fuel with the DA40!

This comparison also only really has any credence if we know what type of fuel the plane burns.

What Kind of Fuel Does a Diamond DA40 NG Use?

Even though the engine that powers this plane is noted as a diesel engine, don't just head down to the gas station and fill up your tank with regular old diesel fuel. After all, you don't want to put the wrong kind of fuel into your airplane, so it's vital to know what fuel planes run on.

For the Diamond DA40 NG, the answer is Jet A-1 fuel. This is a type of aviation fuel that's very similar to kerosene, and it's what most general aviation aircraft use. You can find this fuel at many airports around the world, so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting your hands on it.

The price of Jet A-1 fuel is constantly changing (even more so than the gas we put in our cars!), so make sure you understand what the price is near you. At the time of writing, the average cost around the country is $3.08 per gallon, which is actually far cheaper than other aviation fuels like AvGas. So not only do you burn less fuel with the DA40, but the fuel it burns is also much cheaper!

Is a Diamond DA40 NG a Good Plane?

I know I've hit you with a lot of information up to this point, so I appreciate you sticking with it and reading all the way through. By now, you should have a pretty good idea about what the Diamond DA40 NG is and how it performs, but the big question on your mind is probably whether or not this plane is actually any good.

Well, I'm happy to say that yes, the Diamond DA40 NG is an excellent airplane! It's well-built, it's efficient, it's fast, and it handles very well. The interior of the DA40 is also luxurious, so it's like flying in a private jet for a fraction of the price. Okay, that might be hyping it up a bit, but the DA40 really is a nice plane.

Of course, no airplane is perfect, and there are a few things that I don't love about the DA40. First of all, it's not the cheapest general aviation aircraft out there, so you might have to save up for a little while before you can afford one. Additionally, it doesn't have the longest range of small planes, so you might have to stop for fuel more often than you would with other aircraft.

Who Should Buy a Diamond DA40 NG?

The Diamond DA40 NG is a great airplane for anyone who wants a comfortable, luxury cross-country cruiser. It's fast enough to get you where you're going quickly, but it's not so fast that you'll burn through a lot of fuel. It might be a bit pricey, but it's worth the cost if you can pull it off. It would be great for a business plane just to transport a few people from place to place.

If you're looking for an airplane that you can use for business or pleasure, the DA40 is a great option. It's also a great choice for flight training if you happen to have that option near you, since it's very forgiving and easy to fly. So if you're thinking about getting your pilot's license, the DA40 might be the perfect plane for you to learn in!

I hope this article has helped you understand everything there is to know about the Diamond DA40 NG. This really is a fantastic airplane, and I think anyone would be happy with it. Thanks for reading!