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About the DA42 Twin Star
Two big issues facing single-engine pilots moving up to twin aircraft are economy and safety. Sure having two engines is better than one.
But the resultant increase in complexity coupled with a doubling of maintenance and fuel costs are often reason enough to stick with a high performance single.
TBut Diamond’s new DA42 Twin Star helps ease both concerns by providing a safe, family-friendly airframe powered by two, fuel-sipping diesel engines all starting at $360,000.
The DA42 Twin Star is scheduled to begin deliveries this summer. This composite, modern airplane can carry more than 1,300 pounds of family and luggage at a cruise speed of 181 KTS. This is comparable in performance to a Bonanza or the famed Cessna Centurion.
But what is perhaps most amazing is that even at these speeds, the Twin Star’s two, turbo-charged 135 HP engines consume about as much fuel as a Cessna 172.
Better still, the airplane is powered by diesel or jet fuel, which is much cheaper than traditional AV gas. All this combines to make the Twin Star not only a great family airplane, but an economical travel machine as well.
Diamond is one of a handful of new aircraft companies offering all-composite airplanes. The lighter construction means better fuel economy.
Diamond has focused on decreasing the complexity of operating two engines in flight, making the airplane more ideally-suited to pilots upgrading to the  Twin Star from a high-performance single-engine airplane.
In addition to the composite airframe, Diamond has introduced a glass panel option for the Twin Star, featuring two Garmin G1000 integrated avionics systems. These replace nearly all traditional, vacuum and electrical aircraft instruments, improving situational awareness.
The airplane’s luxurious leather seats include a special, self-adjusting foam material to conform to the passenger’s body, and its large windows make it a comfortable cross-country vehicle.
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There’s plenty of room for luggage in the nose and behind the back seats.
All features combined make the new DA42 Twin Star our pick at this issue’s Bird of the Month. 
For more info, visit www.diamondair.com, or call 800-456-3033.
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