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to the capital of El Salvador. All said, the entire journey, which begins near the Atlantic Ocean and ends miles from the Pacific Ocean, takes the better half of a day.
Engine redundancy was just one of the main reasons why Dr. Pereira purchased the seven-seater DA62. Other options he initially considered were a new Cirrus SR22T or a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza.
Of course, any aircraft acquisition should be treated as an investment. At the time, he had more than 600 hours of experience with Cirrus products, including renting a shared 2014 SR22 G5 and owning a 2010 SR22T. While the manufacturer offers a “tremendous package and value,” he felt purchasing a brand-new Cirrus was too costly for a single-engine piston aircraft, and an investment of $1 million would go further elsewhere.
After additional deliberation, he determined a multi-engine aircraft would be best, as it was a happy medium between single-engine piston and turboprop or turbine choices. He compared several different twins during his search. Aircraft among the possibilities were a Beechcraft Baron G58 (“high operating costs”), a Beechcraft Baron B55 (“high operating cost and dated technology”) and a Cessna C310 (“labor-intensive, expensive to run, older avionics”). Upon further examination, he decided a newer, more economical option would be a Diamond DA62.
One of the most distinctive attributes of the aircraft is its impressive fuel efficiency. It has roughly a 13 gallon per hour consumption rate (total) when cruising 160 to 175 knots (at 65
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percent) depending on the Flight Level. The aircraft has a published 1,283 nautical mile range. Other noteworthy characteristics are its 1,565-pound useful load, max takeoff weight of 5,071 pounds and 20,000-foot certified service ceiling. Dr. Pereira also had previous experience with the brand f lying a Diamond DA40 with G1000 during his instrument training. An additional reason he gravitated toward the twin was the potential to transition to other aircraft (i.e., light jets) in the future.
Once he determined the DA62 was his personal best bet, he found a one- year-old aircraft with less than 100 hours. He purchased the 2018 model from a Part 135 operator in Florida who was moving up to a light jet. The acquired Diamond came in at $1.1 million with an estimated hourly operation cost of approximately $285. After f lying the aircraft for 350 hours, Dr. Pereira affirms he has
found all performance numbers to be accurate “to the decimal,” with the cost of operation the lowest of any twin he has f lown.
Regarding flying this aircraft and aviation in general, Dr. Pereira stated he has always “thrived on hobbies that require a structured learning process, organized environment, and develops a distinctive skill.” Becoming a pilot and continually working to become more proficient has been a natural process for him. Currently, he has around 1,400 hours of total flight time.
That number would likely be higher had his father supported his early desire to become a pilot (or aeronautical engineer) as a career. Interested in aviation from a very young age, he instead was told to “get a real profession that will pay for your hobbies.” Consequently, he entered medical school at age 17 in El Salvador and graduated eight years later. After moving to the United States in 2001,