Diamond DA-40

Hi, all,

Does anyone have any experience with the Daimond DA-40-180? We saw one
at Sun 'n Fun and we're thinking of buying it.

TIA, Chuck

Chuck wrote:

Does anyone have any experience with the Daimond DA-40-180? We saw one
at Sun 'n Fun and we're thinking of buying it.

While I cannot claim much experience (except for a short flight in the
Diesel version of the DA40, which a liked a lot), I can recommend the
following extensive report on-line:
http://philip.greenspun.com/flying/diamond-da40


Greetings,
Markus

Unless he has updated it, that article is no longer relevent in many
respects.

Diamond has made many changes in the plane since that was written. Also, I
am told that the Aviation Consumer article used one of the first few made
for their testing as well.

I have flown an older one (2001) and a newer one (2004) and there is a lot
of difference in comfort and a bit in speed. It would take about $ 5,000 to
$8,000 to update an older one, and then you could update the prop when the 3
blade wore out.

Interestingly, I had a hard time with the conclusion that Aviation Consumer
came to. If you read the words, they seem to like the Diamond better, but
the score gave the nod to Cirrus. IIRC they gave the same points to both
planes on safety, which may have made a difference, and appears to be
anything but correct.

I would say that if you are a serious pilot that uses the plane for serious
travel, then the SR20 may win on the mission. If you are realisticly using
the plane for more fun flying, experience getting, and shorter hops then the
Diamond will definitely win. Mission is important here, and most people
overestimate their serious use percentage as part of the rationalization to
buy in the first place.

Lastly, if you are the type whose head is not always 100% in the cockpit -
buy the Diamond!


"Markus Voget" wrote in message
...
Chuck wrote:

Does anyone have any experience with the Daimond DA-40-180? We saw one
at Sun 'n Fun and we're thinking of buying it.

While I cannot claim much experience (except for a short flight in the
Diesel version of the DA40, which a liked a lot), I can recommend the
following extensive report on-line:
http://philip.greenspun.com/flying/diamond-da40


Greetings,
Markus

I was looking on aso.com and noticed that the price difference between a
2004 DA-40 and a 1999/2000 is around $100,000. As you point out, the 2004
model has been improved upon but it seems like you'd still come out 90k
ahead buying a 1999 model and updating it. Perhaps there's more to it than
I realize. FWIW - the only DA-40 owner I've talked to absolutely loved his.


-Brian
Iowa City, IA


"Dude" wrote in message
...
Unless he has updated it, that article is no longer relevent in many
respects.

Diamond has made many changes in the plane since that was written. Also,
I
am told that the Aviation Consumer article used one of the first few made
for their testing as well.

I have flown an older one (2001) and a newer one (2004) and there is a lot
of difference in comfort and a bit in speed. It would take about $ 5,000
to
$8,000 to update an older one, and then you could update the prop when the
3
blade wore out.

Why is this?



Lastly, if you are the type whose head is not always 100% in the cockpit -
buy the Diamond!

The stall performance is nothing short of amazing. The plane is even more
forgiving than a 172. The Cirrus on the other hand can roll over pretty
easy, and the stall performance is the subject of many heated discussions.

Bottom line, there are less fatalaties in the Diamonds. There were some
recent discussions on reading too much into statistics, but if you talk to
the Diamond owners or reps, you hear some very reassuring stuff.

My prejudice is that if you are a really serious pilot (you enjoy the
minutiae of every bit of flight planning, engine management, constant
navigational checks while flying, fly IFR all the time, etc...), then you
are likely to be able to judge well your risk in any given plane. You also
likely fly enough to stay really cuurent and on top of things.

On the other hand, if you are more relaxed like the average pilot ( you do a
basic weather check, electronic flight plan if any, lean your engine "close
enough", start enjoying the view or thinking about business, fly IFR only
when necessary, etc.) then you would do best to buy with an eye more towards
safety. You are likely flying under 70 hours a year, and staying in top
shape with your skills is a constant exercise in relearning things you
already knew before.

Just from the posts you read on this group, you would hop in a clipped wing
experimental with some of these guys. On the other hand, I wouldn't buy one
for myself. Different planes for different folks.




"Gil Brice" wrote in message
m...
Why is this?



Lastly, if you are the type whose head is not always 100% in the
cockpit -
buy the Diamond!

Chuck,

Yes. Wonderful airplane. It's not a "Lexus of the air", the glider
heritage shows. But it's still great. Visibility is unbeatable. Access
to the cabin (both back and front) is marvelous - if it is not raining.
If it is, you're in a real hurry because of the open canopy.

When there's just two aboard, folding down the backseats gives an
absolutely cavernous baggage area with that huge folding door in the
back. Loading mountain bikes or similarly bulky stuff would be a snap.
It flies and handles very well.

The seats are not adjustable, only the pedals are. The KAP autopilot is
not something I really like, I prefer the S-TEC.

You might want to read Aviation Consumer on the plane and their
comparison to the SR20, which is basically similar in pricing, if you
equip both the same. Bottom line that I took away: The DA40 is more fun
to fly, the SR20 is the more serious travel machine.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Thomas Borchert wrote in message ...
...The seats are not adjustable, only the pedals are. The KAP autopilot is
not something I really like, I prefer the S-TEC. ...

I'm told at the place I rent (where they have a DA40 and a DA20) that
the distance from the seat to the pedals is the same in both models.
I rent the DA20 and am 6 foot 3 inches. It's a nice plane, but a
little small for me. A long cross country in that might get
uncomfortable.

-Malcolm Teas

Thanks everyone for your replies. They are much appreciated.

I tried the Cirrus, but my knees kept hitting the upper part of the
panel, so I don't think I'd be comfortable in that plane.

I do plan to do some serious travelling in it, but first must start
working toward that IFR rating.

Thanks again,

Chuck

I had a tour of the Diamond factory...

To say I was impressed would be an understatement...

...built like a tank.....the workmanship on internals that
you cannot see in the finished aircraft was impeccable..

These people take their jobs and their product VERY
seriously...

Dave



On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 07:37:35 GMT, Chuck
wrote:

Thanks everyone for your replies. They are much appreciated.

I tried the Cirrus, but my knees kept hitting the upper part of the
panel, so I don't think I'd be comfortable in that plane.

I do plan to do some serious travelling in it, but first must start
working toward that IFR rating.

Thanks again,

Chuck