DA40XLS -- Not Your Average DA40

ANN recently had the chance to fly the Diamond DA40XLS, and the airplane offers some significant upgrades over the company's base model airplane.

The airplane flown by ANN is equipped with the new scimitar prop, which gives the airplane some additional speed and climb performance, according to Premier Aircraft Sales Regional Sales Manager Michael Fabianac. He said the airplane flew to St. Augustine, FL from Ft, Meyers at about 147 knots consuming about 10.5 GPH for the flight.

The high-end DA40 also sports leather seat covers, and, according to Fabianac, more comfortable seating, including increased back support for long cross-country flights.

Diamond claims the airplane is already the safest airplane in GA. It comes with a Garmin G1000 FMS and is powered by a 180 hp Lycoming IO-360-M1A. Visibility is great through the airplanes canopy which features lot of perspex. Fabianac told ANN that the improvements on the XLS model are all on the inside ... "creature comforts" like the leather seats and increased support. He said getting into the DA40XLS is more like getting into a Lexus or a Mercedes.

Air conditioning is also an option on the airplane, which requires about two weeks of downtime as a retrofit on an older DA40 model.

The scimitar prop makes for a very smooth ride in the DA40XLS. The prop is standard in the upgraded model, and Fabianac told ANN that it is also available as a retrofit for any DA40 model. He said the prop accounts for 5 knots of airspeed and about 200 fpm of climb performance.

FMI: www.diamondair.com, www.flypas.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews