Table Of Content
Even though the engine that powers this plane is noted as a diesel engine, don't just head down to the gas station and fill up your tank with regular old diesel fuel. After all, you don't want to put the wrong kind of fuel into your airplane, so it's vital to know what fuel planes run on. The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star is an Austrian four-seat, single-engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. Built in both Austria and Canada, it was developed as a four-seat version of the earlier DA20 by Diamond Aircraft Industries. The composite airframe incorporates advanced aerodynamics with the latest in passive safety technology for high performance, great efficiency and superior occupant protection. The Instrument Rating (IR) is an additional rating to the license (PPL or CPL) and entitles you to fly an aircraft according to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
Garmin G1000 - fully digital cockpit
When we reviewed the first production model DA40 in 2002, it blew away the competition, mainly the Cessna 172 and 172SP and the Piper Archer, both entry level four-placers. Only the Tiger comes close in older designs, although the Cirrus SR20—also entry level—is faster by about 12 knots or so on 20 more horsepower. The early Stars toot along all day on 9.5 to 9.8 GPH at speeds up to about 140 knots. Subsequent models, say owners, are about 10 knots faster and, for the DA40 XLS, Diamond claims a 158-knot top speed with a 150-knot cruise on 10 GPH. Diamond—then called Dimona—got its feet wet in the U.S. market by importing the Austrian-built DV20 Katana. In 1995, it began building Rotax-powered DA20-A1s in the London plant and selling these into what was then a lukewarm market for new trainers.
PistonPower™ - The first hourly cost maintenance program for piston aircraft
This height helps get the Diamond DA40 NG above most bad weather, while still being low enough to not affect the flight paths or traffic of commercial jets. Other than these fixed costs, you also really need to consider the cost of actually flying the aircraft. Known as variable costs, these types of things typically cost more and more the more you fly the plane. This includes fuel, oil changes, parts & labor for repairs, and anything else that's needed to keep the plane in the air. Although the upfront cost of actually buying a DA40 is without a doubt the biggest one that you'll face, there are other costs of airplane ownership that you always need to consider.
Sleek all composite airframe
The plane is so easily controlled that I later learned to fly our DA40 in tight formations with other Diamonds—a real thrill. We chose the DA40 because of its sleek modern composite design, advanced avionics (in 2008, ours was one of the first G1000 aircraft with Synthetic Vision), plus Diamond’s exemplary safety record. The safety record, performance and price yields a plane with a tough-to-beat value. Unless you’re doing a lot of mountain flying where a parachute might be desired, I think the DA40 is generally better than a Cirrus. The front-end cost to buy a plane with a parachute, fly it and pay for the repacking is expensive.
Propulsion and Avionics
What struck me about the AE300 engine is how smooth and quiet it is, both on the ground and in flight. To demonstrate the joys of operating the well-mannered diesel, Armstrong suggested we keep the canopy open during engine start. All that’s required to get the three-blade MT propeller spinning is to set the power to idle, switch the electrical master on, ensure the glow plug light is off and turn the ignition key to start. The AE300’s computer brains, known as the electronic engine control units, manage fuel flow and in general act just like a fadec on a jet engine.
Training and certification requirements for pilots.
However, as there have been no fuel-related accidents reported on Diamond Stars in the U.S., we’re hardly one to complain. One of the airplane’s operating limitations includes a requirement to keep the fuel load balanced. Specifications apply to standard equipped aircraft, if not otherwise stated. The above data are approximately specifications and may change without notice. This is a type of aviation fuel that's very similar to kerosene, and it's what most general aviation aircraft use. You can find this fuel at many airports around the world, so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting your hands on it.
Enforcement Action Against Wing Walking Business Goes Over The Top
Not your father's airplane - AOPA
Not your father's airplane.
Posted: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The fully integrated G1000 cockpit in our DA40s with the latest features and optional GFC700 ultra-precise automatic flight control system, provides superior situational awareness, comfort and safety. Available equipment features traffic advisories, Synthetic Vision Technology, entertainment and more. One of the notable features of the DA40 is its low noise and emissions, making it an environmentally-friendly aircraft. The aircraft is also known for its ease of operation and low maintenance costs, making it an attractive option for flight schools and private owners. The 3 blade MT hydraulic constant speed propeller features advanced blade geometry for efficient performance, low vibration and noise.
That said, when you stack this speed up against the top speeds of other airplanes like commercial jets or fighter jets, the DA40 might not seem like it goes all that fast. The IR rating is not only an additional safety benefit in everyday flying life, but also a prerequisite for many other training courses. Experience a full Diamond DA40 NG Demo flight with Lifestyle Aviation's demo pilot Sam Linton. Learn the ins and outs of the aircraft, how it performs in flight, and what makes the Jet-A burning DA40 NG a superior plane for travel and training.
DA40 NG Demo Flight
The Hottest Four Seaters - Plane & Pilot
The Hottest Four Seaters.
Posted: Sat, 06 Feb 2016 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Four more test aircraft were produced followed by the first production aircraft in 2000. JAR23 certification of the IO-360 production variant was obtained in October 2000. In 2002 the production of the Lycoming-engined variant was moved to Canada and the Austrian factory concentrated on diesel-engined variants.The first flight of the Diesel DA40D was made on 28 November 2002. Whether you are a new aviator looking for the perfect first airplane or an experienced IFR pilot with discerningtastes, the DA40, available either with a jet fuel or an AVGAS engine, is the smart choice. The durable compositeairframe, ultra-low fuel burn and superb handling make the DA40 a great airplane for travel, leaseback, and training alike.
The T-tail is attached separately, as are the wings which, unlike the Cirrus aircraft, are two separate pieces joined at the fuselage center section. The wings themselves are laid up top and bottom in vacuum molds, then bonded together after the internals are installed. Our first reaction to what would become the Diamond Star was to be less than impressed. We thought the canopy was a marketing ploy that would make emergency egress difficult, and the cabin looked small and uncomfortable. This comparison also only really has any credence if we know what type of fuel the plane burns.
Insurance was $2200 for $2 million smooth for a 200-hour pilot without an instrument rating. Incidentally, I just completed the 2014 annual inspection, which included refurbishing the magnetos, for a total cost of around $1500. Of all the GA airplanes we’ve flown and tested, the Star ranks at the top as being the most fun to fly. It’s not quite as well balanced as a Bonanza, but it has no bad habits, and pitch and roll forces are light and easy to manage with the stick. Slow flight and stalls are non-events and even deep into the stall, the airplane simply mushes and could probably touch down that way in a survivable impact.
Flaps have little or no effect on trim condition, but neither are they as effective as the barn doors on a Cessna 172. If you haven’t looked at the Diamond DA40 lately, you’re in for some surprises. And when you're talking about smaller general aviation aircraft like the Diamond DA40 NG, every gallon of fuel that you can save is important. That's because these planes don't have the same kind of range as a commercial jet does, so they need to make every drop of fuel count. When you think about the performance capabilities of an airplane, speed might be the first thing that comes to mind, but it's not the only thing.
Well, I'm happy to say that yes, the Diamond DA40 NG is an excellent airplane! The interior of the DA40 is also luxurious, so it's like flying in a private jet for a fraction of the price. Okay, that might be hyping it up a bit, but the DA40 really is a nice plane. The Diamond DA40 NG is designed as a cross-country cruiser that's meant to get you from point A to point B in luxury and comfort. It's not designed for speed records or to be used in high-performance flying. But if you're cruising at over 150 mph through the sky, you can still get to your destination relatively quickly no matter where you're headed.
