Diamond is touring with an experimental DA 42 with Lycoming engines. I saw it today and overheard some of the test pilot's comments (Let's see how much I can remember. . .):
- Counter-rotating props.
- Engine is the same engine as in the DA40.
- Engine nacelles got bigger.
- No change to max. gross weight, but the Lycomings are heavier
- Vmc and Vsse lower than with the Thielerts
- VXse still below Vmc
- Loud as hell.
- Cruises faster than models with the Thielert engines (tee hee. . . probably because the models with the Thielert engines are all in the hangar and aren't cruising at all!).
- No change to the fuel tank volume
- Flight testing not yet complete, but they're planning on completing testing and submitting data to Transport Canada in December
- Diamond is already doing demo flights and taking orders, expect first deliveries in Q1 '09