Ricky,
I know that Cabair are supposed to be getting the DA42 but they still havent taken delivery of them. From my understanding of it if you complete your training on the DA42 you get a "type rating" as opposed to a multi engine piston rating that you would get if you did your training on the PA44. It all depends on if you want to fly an MEP after your training. Not many of us do cos we all want to fly the big stuff but still handy to have!
The DA42 has a higher cruise speed which could open up quite a lot of routes for the IRT! not to mention trying to stay ahead of the aircraft when under the pressures of your test!! The examiners at Cranfield were getting excited about the arrival of the DA42 as they could go as far as Bournmouth or further still....
The DA42 like its little brother DA40 has a stick and only one lever for the engine control. No carb heat, ( well it is Diesel!!) no mixture and no pitch control. all done for you the DA42 just has another lever and a Glass cockpit! - Which looks nice...
The DA40 can be a bit sensitive in pitch but once you get it settled down its quite nice to fly. I have flown severel types with a stick and it doesnt take much getting used to.
If I had the choice I would go with the PA44. The DA42 has yet to prove itself and is a new aircraft.....There could be problems
When Cabair took delivery of the DA40 there were a few problems as you would expect with a new fleet but it has taken the best part of two years to get the fleet to be reliable. Most of the 13 fleet have had at least one new engine and several engine and ECU modifications.
Hope this helps and best of luck with the ME/IR
3Legs
