Gallery Update: Diamond DA62 Sighting in Salem

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Thanks to FlightAware, I noticed that a Diamond DA62, Diamond Aircraft Industries' newest twin-piston was en route to Salem today. Since I've never seen one before (with only over 100 built as of April 2019), I figured this was a good opportunity to go see it, considering that plane-spotting is at an all-time low and with new COIVD-related measures having gone into effect. This was fine way to get started on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend!

Salem (SLE) 63

Preview:

Empire Airlines (d/b/a FedEx Feeder) Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster (N873FE) arriving on 13 as CFS7686 from North Bend/Coos Bay.

CFS7686 taxiing to the FedEx ramp to pick up cargo before continuing on to Portland.

Civil Air Patrol Cessna T182T Skylane (N538CP) parked on the Civil Air Patrol ramp. Love seeing the standard military grey on the Skylane!

Diamond DA-62 (N403JL) arriving on 13 from Camarillo. My first time seeing Diamond's newest twin-engine aircraft. While it does resemble the DA-42 Twin Star, but the DA-62 technically wasn't designed from the 42.

Ameriflight Beechcraft 99A Airliner (N1924T) arriving on 13 as AMF3908 from Portland.

N403JL taxiing to the FBO ramp. The prototype DA-62 was designated as the DA-52 and first flew on April 3, 2012. Originally developed from the fuselage design of the single-engine Diamond DA-50 (itself a DA-40 on steroids still in development!), the DA-62 is equipped with two Austro AE300 Diesel engines that burn Jet A fuel. There's also a good possibility that Diamond might offer DA-62s with turboprop engines in the future.

Note the DA-62's long wingspan, 47 feet, 9 inches to be exact! The DA62 was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on April 16, 2015 and by the FAA on February 23, 2016. 

The DA-62 is available in two weight versions; the "European" version has five seats and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 4,407 lbs., while the "US" version has seven seats and a MTOW of 5,071 lbs. The lower MTOW of the "European" version is to allow operators to avoid higher weight-based air traffic control user charges. 

Also under consideration is a special version of the DA-62 equipped with an additional baggage belly pod for the air charter market. The DA-62 is definitely a higher-end light-twin, with a price tag going above the $1 million mark!

AMF3908 taxiing to the ramp to pick up cargo before making the short hop back up to Portland.