Reader's Comments

on Diamond Star DA40
Hi,

I just got checked out on my the DA40Tdi in my club in Oslo, Norway. Prior to this I have flown variations of PA28, PA18 and gliders (modern and old).

When flying the DA40, I felt that motorplane producers finally had learned from the glider producers when it comes to use of modern technology.

When it comes to the diesel engine: The simplicity is astonishing! The workload is very reduced thanks to the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) and thanks to water cooling.

Best regards, Fred-Johan Pettersen

-- Fred-Johan Pettersen, September 23, 2003

I haved now ownes a Diamond Star DA40 D for just over a year. I have found Phillips commments most helpful. The Deisel versionhas been a pleasent surprise and although we have had some engine and autopilot issues they have been less than expected for a new type of aircraft.Modifications to the KAP 140 Autopilot resoloved the continual problem of the Autopilot "Trim Fail" alarm constantly fireing off in benign conditions. The Theilart centurion Engine has caused a few problems especially with the fuel injector connectors. Three in flight failures with the resultant loss of one fuel injector concentrates the mind some what. I am assured the problem is resolved. Diamond have now estabished a number of service centres for the aircraft in the UK (with the DA42 arriving shortly this is an important move). No news yet on the issue of life extension on the engine to 2400 hours TBR (yes they are replaced) from the existing 1000 TBR. I am assured its in the pipe line (as of March 2005). Nick Lamberts excellent articles in "Pilot"" magazine gives an accurate description of flying the aircraft.- It's been a dream . Oh one other small point- With Jet A1 fuel prices are half that of AVGAS in the UK Flying costs now become sensible.

Tony Realff March 2005

-- Antonony Douglas Realff, March 4, 2005

Excellent resource Philip!

As I started the process of transitioning from the Cessna Skylane (flying for Uncle Sam) to the Diamond, I found your web site to be an excellent resource.

http://capblog.typepad.com/capblog/2005/04/new_plane_very_.html

Thanks for sharing your experience.

- Cb

-- CAP blog, April 30, 2005

Hi Phil, first, thanks a lot for your pages, I read a lot of them before starting my own conversion to DA40. I do agree on many things, and your tips helped me somehow when I converted to DA40, so I decided to publish my own experience, including IR(A) renewal on a G1000 DA40 TDI. It gives a european view on the whole process, from differences training to IR experience.

You can find all of it under http://plasticflying.blogspot.com PlasticPilot

-- Plastic Pilot, August 2, 2007
Hello Phil, thanks for the great article which definitely helped me to make a decision on purchasing a DA40 two years ago. May I suggest you take out the link to dapo.org (it's dead) and would you mind linking back to the Diamond Aviators Net, a forum we made up as there was no free forum available for Diamond Aircraft owners and pilots. Also, at this page the interested Diamond pilot will be able to upload G1000 logfiles and read them out and display logged trips in google maps also showing any engine parameter during the flight. The forum is completely free of charge and any advertisements and always will be. Thank you very much, Kai

-- Kai Kern, August 3, 2010
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