The Diamond - DA42
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The Diamond - DA42
What ever happened to the promising Diamond Twin trainer, that was to come into Australia?
Had alot of interest and seemed like a top option but has slid into obscurity.
Had alot of interest and seemed like a top option but has slid into obscurity.
The Twin Star equipped with the diesel engines has had a few delays from what I read.
There has been cooling issues with the engines. From reading between the lines the aircraft does not meet the performance figures that Diamond were originally quoting, due to changes required to get adequate cooling. The lastest marketing info that I saw does not contain performance figures.
Also I have read that the single engine performance is is much worse than the average light twin.
They are producing a Lycoming IO360 200HP version as well, this aircraft does have better performance figures.
Other comments are that the airframe is heavy, therefore payload is not that great and cabin space is a bit on the small side.
Perhaps the "old clunkers" that are around are not so bad afer all.
There has been cooling issues with the engines. From reading between the lines the aircraft does not meet the performance figures that Diamond were originally quoting, due to changes required to get adequate cooling. The lastest marketing info that I saw does not contain performance figures.
Also I have read that the single engine performance is is much worse than the average light twin.
They are producing a Lycoming IO360 200HP version as well, this aircraft does have better performance figures.
Other comments are that the airframe is heavy, therefore payload is not that great and cabin space is a bit on the small side.
Perhaps the "old clunkers" that are around are not so bad afer all.
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Okay, thanks for the feedback.
It looked very promising as an "Airline Trainer", especially being all glass.
I recall a proto-type or test model breaking a speed/endurance record across the North Atlantic, about 6 months back?!
It looked very promising as an "Airline Trainer", especially being all glass.
I recall a proto-type or test model breaking a speed/endurance record across the North Atlantic, about 6 months back?!
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I have never sat in, let alone flown, a DA42. BUT (!) I have flown its sister the DA40, the Diamond Star, which has a similar airframe and the identical engine.
It was humorously described by a local aviation newspaper as "a BMW with a VW engine". That is, it looked great, it felt nice to sit in, it was sleek & had clean lines. However, BROC was about 600fpm at 1000' on a typical day with typical load.
It seemed to be a real hangar queen. Hopefully Diamond have sorted out the electronics and engine management by now.
Although the performance figures I've seen for the DA42 look good, it's good to remember that they were quoting (if memory is correct) 85% power at 15000', cruise speed in TAS. Converting that to a more common 75% at 8000' in IAS and it looked like a tired old PA44 in terms of performance.
cheers,
O8
It was humorously described by a local aviation newspaper as "a BMW with a VW engine". That is, it looked great, it felt nice to sit in, it was sleek & had clean lines. However, BROC was about 600fpm at 1000' on a typical day with typical load.
It seemed to be a real hangar queen. Hopefully Diamond have sorted out the electronics and engine management by now.
Although the performance figures I've seen for the DA42 look good, it's good to remember that they were quoting (if memory is correct) 85% power at 15000', cruise speed in TAS. Converting that to a more common 75% at 8000' in IAS and it looked like a tired old PA44 in terms of performance.
cheers,
O8
