On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 08:43:53 -0400, john smith wrote:

Yes, but does your Comanche sip 7 gph while doing 165 kts?

I think the TwinStar is a cool plane, and a great introduction of new
technology to GA, but the fuel flow vs cruise numbers have been wildly
exaggerated in the press.

I found the DA42 flight manual online. http://tinyurl.com/2htuhp

If I am interpreting the cruise speed diagram correctly (pg 224 of the
pdf), the DA42 can barely reach 165kts TAS... Only at 14000 feet
pressure altitude, ISA + 30deg, and 80% power.

The fuel flow (pg 204 of the pdf) at 80% power is 6.25 US Gallons per
hour per engine, for a total of 12.5 gph.

The twinstar can do 130kts @ 7gph @ 12k feet.

Very impressive numbers for a twin, but not nearly the amazing numbers
that have been thrown about in various magazine articles.

-Nathan