DA-42 over Central London this morning
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: England
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DA-42 over Central London this morning
Walking to work from the station today I looked up and saw a fast twin, probably no more than 1500ft on a northerly heading.
Looked really futuristic. Was it a DA-42 - Diamond Twin Star? if so, any ideas if it's a traffic spotter?
What a gorgous aeroplane.
Looked really futuristic. Was it a DA-42 - Diamond Twin Star? if so, any ideas if it's a traffic spotter?
What a gorgous aeroplane.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Essex
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stapleford FC have replaced a Seneca with the Diamond Twin Star for use on the "Flying Eye" contract (for Capitol Radio?) There is a write up in one of the popular magazines recently
Phil
Phil
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Apa, apo ndi kulikonse!
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure about the other uses for the aircraft, but it has all the extra kit for the twice daily traffic reports - and funny aerials and things for speaking to the radio peeps.
So far, apart form the testing, I have only seen it flying when spotting.
So far, apart form the testing, I have only seen it flying when spotting.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stapleford have purchased two DA42 twin stars with one being used for capital and the other being used for IR training.
I believe you are unable to complete a multi rating on it due to its classification. At present, students do there mulit rating on the seneca and then transition to the twin star for the IR.
I believe you are unable to complete a multi rating on it due to its classification. At present, students do there mulit rating on the seneca and then transition to the twin star for the IR.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Bordeaux, France
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe you are unable to complete a multi rating on it due to its classification. At present, students do there mulit rating on the seneca and then transition to the twin star for the IR.
Regards, SD..
PS..Someone once told me that you could even log twin/multi time on a Cri-Cri!!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Midlands
Age: 50
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My understanding with the multi thing and the twin star is that whilst it is most certainly twin engined it poses problems for testing and issuing multi ratings.
The fadec for the engines mean that unlike the current batch of twins used for training there are no prop or mixture levers, just the 2 for go faster, go slower. Hence then going to an older less advanced airframe is harder than going from an old airframe into the twin star.
Sounds remarkably similar to a jet to me but ho hum.
The fadec for the engines mean that unlike the current batch of twins used for training there are no prop or mixture levers, just the 2 for go faster, go slower. Hence then going to an older less advanced airframe is harder than going from an old airframe into the twin star.
Sounds remarkably similar to a jet to me but ho hum.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ireland
Age: 44
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
can't have been a DA42 then
That being said, compare the pre and post production models - the post model looks like a porcupine - new rads, antennae, flight control hinges, exhausts - the list goes on. Apparently Diamond aren't the geniuses I thought they were. Think I'll go for a Mooney and follow all of John Deakin's excellent engine advice.
I wonder would anyone have bought the €500k TwinStar if they knew it would do 163kts? You can buy 2 L39s for that!
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
203KTAS down to 163KTAS
This is quite appalling. Each rigid VHF or ELT antenna costs about 0.5kt at 160 TAS (if 160 TAS is full power). Perhaps 1kt at 200 TAS (if 200TAS is full power). Less for loc/GS antennae. That's a max of about 5kt lost due to antennae.
If true, this HAS to be an engine issue, representing a power de-rating of some 30-40%.
Is there an operating ceiling de-rating? That would reduce the TAS too.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it's down to the EASA and the safety requirements that they place on new aircraft. There has been a lot of alterations made from the original test aircraft.
A safer aircraft has the penalty of extra weight which in turns effects performance.
I'd rather have a safe aircraft than one that gets me to my destination 20 minutes earlier.
Better late than never!!!
A safer aircraft has the penalty of extra weight which in turns effects performance.
I'd rather have a safe aircraft than one that gets me to my destination 20 minutes earlier.
Better late than never!!!
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Retford, UK
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So anyone know the real reason why Diamond reduced the max cruise speed? Was it extra drag or engine issues?
Also, when did they say max cruise would be 203KTAS? Obviously it's not on the brochure now!
Also, when did they say max cruise would be 203KTAS? Obviously it's not on the brochure now!
