Where can I find a DA42 Flight School in Europe for an IR Renewal?
 

Hello Pilots,

I need some help from anyone that has some knowledge.

My first IR renewal is due very soon. As it is my first renewal, I am wanting to renew my IR in an FNPT 2 DA42 Simulator. As you maybe aware that as it is my first one, I can do it in the simulator as long as it is before the expiry of my IR.

I have been calling around the few DA42 flight schools in the UK, however the issue I am having is that nearly all will not be able to give me a renewal session for another month - well past my IR renewal.

Therefore I am willing to travel anywhere in Europe to get the IR renewed. I do not know of any main DA42 schools that can offer renewals in Europe.

Are any of our European friends able to advise of other DA42 schools in Europe that I can visit to get it renewed in a short time frame. Whether it is in Italy, Greece, Spain etc, I am flexible, as long as I can renew it in a sim before the deadline.

Thanks so much in advance.

Egnatia Aviation in Greece is one place. Also in Sweden there is a Diamond Flight Academy where they have DA-42 replica-sim. Google them.

Is that really going to be cheaper (travel + accommodation) than renewing in the aircraft, considering that you could add it on to the MEP renewal flight?

Keilir Aviation Academy
 

Keilir Aviation Academy in Iceland have a DA42... they have my recommendation

Keilir Aviation Academy

That can also be done at Regional Air Services at Tuzla in Romania. About 70eur/h for the da42 sim. Scoala de pilotaj for contact info. I'm studying there for my cpl for the moment so if you need info, pm me.

I know this might sound obvious, and you probably done it already, but have you called Stapleford?

However the more important question, why did you let it get so late? Renewal can be done up to 3 months before expiry!

Also, why limit yourself to a DA42 sim? The IR is a transferable skill, it should not be limited to one specific type, airfield, set of routes, etc. A scan is a scan, and ADF tracking remains ADF tracking no matter what the airframe.

While I agree with you that one should be able to pass an IR proficiency check on any suitably equipped aircraft, an ADF tracking in steam cockpit really can't be compared to ADF tracking with G1000, where the dual-GPS setup supplies you with the track information (= a magenta diamond shows your current track) on the combined EHSI/RMI :) I wonder how transition from G1000 to "true" steam (DG + RBI) would look for somebody who did his initial IR on DA42 :E

Personally, if I had to revalidate my IR, I'd find the cheapest FNPT available and do it there. Or if it had to be on the aircraft, I'd find the cheapest aircraft available. Even with different instrument layout, it takes about 2 minutes to adjust your scan cycle - if you know how to fly on the instruments well.

Really?
 

Surely as long as the person demonstrates their ability on steam or glass then they are as capable as the next?
I know people who have trained on glass and fly steam commercially very capably and I know people who trained on steam and can barely find their way around the sky.

Its all individual ability so lets not judge the poor chap on what he trained on. He may be worried about doing a steam transition, in which case he may need a nudge get some steam training. Or he may have a job coming up on a DA-42 and he may want a little practice.

We don't know his reasons, but we do know he has asked where he can find a DA-42 sim, he did not ask us to question his training, abilities or reasons.

Regardless, I know Atlantic at Coventry use DA-42s and presumably therefore have the sims. You can always try asking for a short notice cancellation if they have any for an examiner/sim slot.

Also just as an aside, I have never paid as much for a renewal in the aircraft as I was quoted to do it in the sim, plus you can do the MEP and you don't need to do it pre-expiry.....and you get to actually fly.

Good luck whichever way it works out for you.

I can see if all you ever flown was glass like the G-1000 you would have problems with vacuum gages. I take it that you are a young pilot. Low time no doubt. Most airplanes that you might get a job flying to build your time is not going to have that stuff. Why not just do it with what ever sim or airplane you have access to that is close to home, rather that going all over the place to find a DA-42? It seems to me that you are going to spend money anyway, so why not spend it in a way that is a benefit to you? You go Africa to fly bush, and the 206's are not going have G-1000's in them. You could bet coin on that.

I did my IR on G1000, and yes it does make it easier, however later I did loads of training on a Seneca steam gauge seam, IR training, and it was not a problem, a few hours to get used to the scan pattern, specially the ADF, as it is nice with the overlay you can make on the G1000, but it does not become a major problem once you have spent a little time with it, also helps to use programs such as Rant, to get used to the steam gauges.

It's not biggie! G1000 or steam gauges, they are just needles doing the same things anyway!

Thanks for your valuable responses and inputs chap. Also your opinions on DA42 and SFC.

I have managed to find a place with a DA42 sim.

I noticed several responses as to the reasons - quite simple! Money!

I trained in a "steam" aircraft for my CPL, however a DA42 for the IR. First time passes in all, no issues on either layouts. However I have items such as Luiz Monteiro, notes on the G1000 and familiarity on the DA42 performance to hopefully get upto scratch without too much remedial training - thus less hours and less money getting used to something new, especially as since passing my test, there will be a certain amount of rust to be removed! I am sure you old boys understand this.

So guys, thanks again! I know these forums are full of great inputs and opinions!

I'm about to do my IR and am also considering the G1000. I have flown the steam gauges for most of the training only recently converted to the G1000. I personally would go for what ever makes the IR pass easier, plus look beyond the "IR" and ask yourself what do airlines/business jet companies want. They all use screens, MFD, PFD, EFIS, FADEC, so I think you know the answer. If you want to fly in around the bush or on small aircraft for many years, train on steam gauges.

All of our aircraft in our company fleet have G1000 / G500 / G600, with the steam gauges just being looked as an out-of-date thing and they prefer to keep up-to-date with technology - I'm not saying we don't not use them, they are there for backup purposes or other systems.

Go with what ever you prefer but also don't just look at the IR, look beyond it. I know many pilot's who have trained on the DA42 and are flying A320's, B737 :ok:

As a pilot who flew Citations recently said to me, the G1000 has more technology in it than the Citation he use to fly.

Also to assist the original thread poster, FTE in spain have just bought 8 DA42-VI aircraft, they might be worth looking at for future renewals if you need it.

It is full of flight school with a DA42. There is a flight school in Croatia too.

There shouldn't need to be any training, it's only a proficiency check, just do it. If the examiner wants any items repeated, he'll get you to do them there and then.

Any FNPT2 will be fit for the purpose. I know this is your first one, so you are in the dark, but this will be nothing like the initial IR test you did. Most examiners will realise you aren't too current, also realise that you aren't about to go out tomorrow and fly single pilot IFR for anyone without some serious training beforehand, so most will be pretty lenient and get you through, with a few pointers thrown in too.

I did my initial IR in a beech duchess, let it all expire then did a retest in a seneca. Never even been near one before, just read the POH and got on with it, it's not rocket science, an aircraft is an aircraft at the end of the day, if you've got a class rating to fly one you should be able to.

Flight training school
 

SAFE FLIGHT ACADEMY have a DA42.
Safe Flight Academy | Formations pilote, formations agents d'escale, formations mécanicien d'avion

CESDA in Spain has DA-42s