On 2006-10-31, Eric Bartsch wrote:
I've got quite a bit of high-perf and complex time in faster aircraft,
but I've never flown any of the Diamond planes.

I flew a DA-40 for an hour or so with one of their demonstrators back in
early 2002. I had by then a fair number of hours in the S-35 Bonanza, as
well as a few in lower performance complex planes like the Arrow.

I found the DA-40 to be entirely conventional and very pleasant to fly.
The one I flew was one of the 'conventional engined' 180hp O-360 types -
the diesel wasn't out then. It performed better than a 200hp Arrow in
every quantitative respect (speed, rate of climb, fuel burn) and in my
opinion, in every qualitative aspect too (nicer handling, better outward
visibility, easier to land, quieter, more comfortable, easier to get in
and out of since you can enter either side and there's also a back door
for rear seat passengers).

Experience in aircraft like the Grumman AA5 helps as it has a castoring
nosewheel, but that really doesn't take long to get used to.

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