Diamond DA-42 TwinStar??

[Speedbird48]

Fellow Aviators/Examiners,

I understand that you guys in Europe cannot do a multi-engine rating in the DA-42 TwinStar??

In order to get the rating you must do a check in an Aztec/Seminole etc?? Am I correct and if so where is your CAA regulation to be found??

Many Thanks.

[B2N2]

I doubt that very much......
Transport Canada has certified it as "unrestricted" and so has the FAA.
Quite a few schools in Europe flyoing and training on the DA-42.
afaik 3 in the UK, 1 in Holland, 2 in France and one in Greece.
It is however still a commen misconception among GA pilots here in the US.
A lot of people seem to think it has autofeather, which it doesn't.

[Speedbird48]

Thanks for the fast responses.

I had heard that without the usual 6 levers that the DA-42 didn't qualify for a ME rating in Europe?? I was wrong.

As for the statement that FAA has certified the machine as "unrestricted" you should perhaps hear the issues within the FAA?? Interesting.

I appreciate your combined wisdom.

Thanks.

[Oktas8]

You were not completely wrong Speedbird.

The Twinstar is fine for MEP class rating, but may not be completely satisfactory for the CPL flight test if a limited panel IF recovery must be demonstrated. You'd have to do that part of the test in an aircraft with a turn needle / co-ordinator.

The Twinstar is also fine for an IR rating, but the IR is then valid only for single-power-lever aircraft (or is it only glass cockpit aircraft? There is a restriction there anyway.) If you wanted to fly your Seminole or Conquest IFR, you'd have to do another competency check.

I wonder how long it will be before glass cockpit FADEC aircraft will be the norm, and six-lever piston twin training will be as rare as tailwheel training?

Cheers,
O8

[BillieBob]

....but the IR is then valid only for single-power-lever aircraft That might be true in NZ but not in the UK. The Twinstar is a multi-engine piston aeroplane and an MEIR gained on the Twinstar is valid on all MEP aeroplanes without any requirement for further checking. There is, of course, mandatory differences training between the DA42 and other MEP types, but that is true of any MEP aeroplane.

[Oktas8]

Oh dear - another "fact" I have to unlearn. Thought I had that one figured out too!

Thanks for the correction BEB.

[Egnatia Instructor]

I instruct at a school in Europe that operate Diamonds, I can confirm that at the moment there are NO restrictions put on pilots who learn on the DA42.

EI