After two years of using the DA40 for business trips usually twice a week I have developed some rules which allow me to work out if using the plane is ahead of the only other options of car or public transport. Any no answers stop me from taking the plane:
1. is the journey more than 2 hours away driving
2. is the weather forecast good
3. is the local airfield less than half an hour by taxi away from the client ( any longer and the taxi fare is usually more than the fuel cost to get there )
4. is the meeting before 3pm
5. where needed, any Jet A1 available but DA40 has 6 hour range so never an issue.
Best trips from midlands are northern France, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, South West, East Anglia, north of Manchester and south of M25 early morning or Friday afternoons when driving is a complete no no. If I had a bigger engine and hence speed then this range would grow accordingly but then would need an IR to get best benefit - DA50 ideal candidate. Beauty of the DA40 is that it is simple to fly , low complexity, high on features like autopilot , G1000 and low fuel cost - just needs another engine manufacturer.....