WHICH AIRPLANE IS BETTER? | Cessna 172 vs Diamond DA40 NG | FULL Comparison

THE SINGLE ENGINE SHOWDOWN. Enjoy this full NOSE TO NOSE COMPARISON video of the most popular training aircraft ever built -- the Cessna 172 VS the technologically advanced Jet-A burning Diamond DA40 NG.

Which airplane is right for you? In this video we dig into the history, specs and safety characteristics of each airplane and MUCH more!

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955, more 172s have been built than any other aircraft.

The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star is an Austrian four-seat, single-engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. The aircraft is known for its exceptional operating economics and mild-mannered handling characteristics, and being the first popular piston aircraft to run exclusively on jet fuel.

Jump to a category below:

00:00 Intro
00:39 Specs
01:04 C172 History
01:31 DA40 Specs
01:59 Pricing (estimate)
02:20 Construction & Materials
06:03 DA40 Wing Design
12:07 C172 Powerplant
13:38 DA40 Powerplant
14:22 Props
14:52 Fuel Types
15:51 Doors & Storage
17:21 Entering/Exiting & Seats
20:19 Visibility
22:01 Outro

WHO ARE WE?
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[zacharyg]

I own and operate both Cessnas and a DA40, and have thousands on hours in both combined. This video was fantastic. Diamond is incomparably superior though !

[ejjqzfy]

It is difficult digesting that a cessna 172 or Diamond DA40 are over half million dollars. I believe it has become obvious that GA has become completely out of reach for the common middle-class hard working person. It is simply ridiculous the cost of aircraft -- even an old junker.

[geertnoels]

I learned to fly in a C172 and now I have a DA40NG.
Both are excellent trainers, but a DA40NG is superior, as it is a plane of a new age.

[nnw]

Having flown both and given instruction in both, I'm partial to the DA40... however the 172 is still a great aircraft and you can't go wrong with either.

[stevecastro]

The safety of the Diamond is a HUGE factor in these two models. I have a few hundred hours in a 172, but in my opinion, the DA40 far surpasses it. Great video!

[topofthegreen]

After flying a Diamond DA40, I’ve become a huge fan of the aircraft.

[bretthines]

I started my flight training in the 172’s back in the ‘80’s. When I came back to flight training in ‘08 I found the DA-40’s and fell in love. The feel of flying the aircraft felt more natural. It was very easy to pick up. The school I finished my training in offered both the 172 and DA-40, but there was a price difference. And it was well worth it. My dream now is to find shared ownership in one. Heck, win the lottery and get the DA-62❤.

[johnpatrick]

This old man likes using doors instead of canopies to get in and out of planes, especially on bad weather days. Doors may be better too if the plane winds up upside down after a mishap.

[jijoe]

Man, the initial part is so fantastic... The father flew a B-17 and the uncle flew a P-51... wow... And congrats for the video, specially about differences between aircrafts and not just personal preference.

[grayrabbit]

I fly both... DA40 when the weather is nice (ie: below 82F), C172 for everything else. The DA40 definitely is a dream to fly, whereas it feels like I'm wrestling the C172. BUT, I'm in Florida. The heat, humidity, and rain are brutal here. Being able to taxi/fly with the windows open and having a solid roof rather than plexiglass/perspex bubble over your head, especially when it's August, 95F with 50% humidity and you're putting along at 1500' underneath a Bravo shelf, is priceless. Likewise, entering and exiting a high-wing in rain is far more pleasant than popping open the canopy in a DA40 in rain. High wing ain't sexy, but it's extremely practical.

If I ever had the money, I think I'd go for a DA50RG w/aircon. That would fix 90% of my gripes with the DA40.

At the same time, the leading edges of the DA40's wings get chewed up pretty bad when flying in rain. We just had to have ours repaired. Likewise, anyone can field-repair panels on a C172. Not so much for the plastic planes.

[urhiredhr]

I've known several salesmen in my life but you, by far, are a leader in the aviation field. You have focused my attention onto a "new" product similar in use but with so many updated features. Yes, the Cessna is an industry standard however it is time for others to shine such as the Diamond. It is an exceptional machine with a ton of desirable features! Stunning comparison and notably the Diamond is a star.

[onebravotango]

John Armstrong, your insightful comparison between the Diamond DA40 NG and the Cessna 172 S is truly illuminating. Your breakdown of their history, design, materials, and features showcases how these two aircraft have evolved to cater to different needs and eras.

[bossymodo]

One thing about the DA40 concerns me about safety. When I was a student pilot somebody was talking about a Piper Tomahawk for sale and my flight instructors comment was "It's a deathtrap. You can not recover from a spin." I was discussing that with somebody who told me he was one of very few people who ever recovered from a spin in a Tomahawk and it was because his father was a better pilot than he was and told him that on the count of 3 they needed to lean forward hard and fast to change the center of gravity to break the stall and get out of the spin. They were lucky. There is not enough airflow over the surface of the elevator with a T tail to get the nose down to break a stall. Just because a plane is not rated for spins does not mean that they will never enter a spin.

[indyjones]

What an enjoyable presentation. Thankyou for this - keep 'em coming!

[harmonised]

I love everything about Diamonds... and definitely want to own one!

[FollowTheJohn]

I have a lot of hours logged in the 172 but I really would love to get checked out in the Diamond. GREAT comparison video.

[veritas]

Learned to fly in a DA-20. Love the Katana’s low wing and stick. Over time got checked out in a 150 and a 172.The Cessna with it’s big trim wheel and yoke floats along reminding me of a pontoon boat. Both fun to fly. I didn’t realize how much safer the Diamond appears to be. Not too crazy about the possibility of being trapped in the DA if it became inverted in a landing mishap. Didn’t seem like this was as much a comparison as a Diamond Aircraft sales piece.

[Maddog-wmxi]

As someone who got my PPL, IR, and CSEL in the DA40 I can say that I fell in love on my very first flight, its a very easy aircraft to fly; the only problem I had transitioning from a 152 was when I would pull WAAAY too much on my flare, the pushrods really do make more precise inputs. Also transitioning into the DA-42 for my CMEL was a breeze and I loved it even more than the 40. I flew at a school that LifeStyle is very familiar with and my have something to do with one of the tail # in this video

[eduardomontes]

What a cool video! 👍 nice detailed explanation on every detail.

[cyrildu]

The DA40 is a superior plane that’s for sure, but the Cessna 172 has some advantages for itself.
It is easier and cheaper to repare plus you easily find spare part all around the wold.
It is also way cheaper to buy in second hand.
it is a more robust aircraft and can be used to land almost everywhere on any field
It has a shorter wingspan, making it less efficient but giving it less ground clearance, I’ve seen video of 172 landing on narrow strip inside forest
It is also an iconic aircraft, really I love to see them in great shape like the one in this video.

The Cessna is still a great modern aircraft but the Diamonds is futureproof