Diamond DA-40

Brazilian_Pilot

Brazilian_Pilot

Well-Known Member
My flight school is having a deal for the month of February on the Diamond DA-40 Buy 2 hours get 1 hour free.

I currently fly on the Cessna 172SP and am on the Solo X-country stage of my training with about 40 hours. My first question is if you guys think its a smart idea to transition to the Diamond DA-40, the plane is only $7 more per hour and from what i read it handles very similar to a 172.
My 2nd question is if anyone here ever did the transition and how long did it take you?
 
Brazilian_Pilot said:
My flight school is having a deal for the month of February on the Diamond DA-40 Buy 2 hours get 1 hour free.

I currently fly on the Cessna 172SP and am on the Solo X-country stage of my training with about 40 hours. My first question is if you guys think its a smart idea to transition to the Diamond DA-40, the plane is only $7 more per hour and from what i read it handles very similar to a 172.
My 2nd question is if anyone here ever did the transition and how long did it take you?
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its going to take a good 5-6 hours to transition to the Diamond...so its your decision
 
Since you are towards the end of your ppl training, I would just stay in the 172 to avoid any confusion and make your checkride easier. The more flying experience you have, the easier it is to transition. I'd say if you can afford it, use the diamond for your instrument training.
 
My local airport has a DA20 and DA40. I had to have five hours of dual for an insurance checkout, but was good to go in about 2.5-3.0. It's got a constant speed prop as well as a lot more sophisticated avionics then I was used to. For seven more dollars an hour I'm assuming you fly a newer 172 now? I had no experience with Garmin panel mounts. Personally, I love the DA-40. Excellent view and handleing characteristics. After my check out an instructor and I went up and did an hour worth of stalls and spins. It brings itself right out of them. The only thing I had to practice a lot was patterns. Man, I could'nt get the thing to come down like a 172. I know, that's a virtue. The low-wing and stick control were nothing to get used to. It's a slick airplane. Give it a try!
 
KBUF said:
Since you are towards the end of your ppl training, I would just stay in the 172 to avoid any confusion and make your checkride easier. The more flying experience you have, the easier it is to transition. I'd say if you can afford it, use the diamond for your instrument training.
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I do tend to agree with KBUF. I did the checkout after my Private. I'd focus on the goal at hand. Although it is a very sweet ride. Excellent IR platform.
 
I was really interested in them and thought they were so cool looking then I got a chance to sit in one... Back to the Cessna I went.

It just felt really cheap to me the way they are made or something. I also felt clostrophobic<sp> in it and I have never felt like that before. Granted I am kinda tall but still, a person that is 6'4" should be able to fit their knees in it and not have to worry about ducking when the cockpit is closed. I was really hoping for good things because I know the twinstar is coming out soon and I thought that was going to be the coolest thing since sliced bread but I guess the cockpit of that is going to be exactly the same as the DA40 so oh well.

If I were you, I would stick with the 172 and just learn to fly. Maybe even try out an old 172, or a G1000 172 after the private but I would stick with the same type of plane during the training. If you are looking at making it a career, instead of going to the Diamond for the IFR rating, move right into the Seminole and do the rest of your training in that.
 
I have had the opportunity to fly the DA40 regularly and I feel they do not fly the same, the setup is entirley different and your transitioning from a high wing to a low wing. It is a fun plane to fly, I've had a blast flying it. I agree that if your close to finishing your ppl, you don't want to have to worry about learing a new airplane just yet.
 
My wife won't fly with me in the diamonds, but she will in the old (1978) faithfull 172. I personally like the diamonds. They have never exhibited anything to me that makes me think they are cheap. I do know what your saying though. It's like automobiles. I think most of the late models I've seen look like they have cheap interiors.
 
AP2B said:
After my check out an instructor and I went up and did an hour worth of stalls and spins. It brings itself right out of them.
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Might want to avoid announcing that you spun a non-spin approved airplane in a public forum. :(

From the DA40-180 AFM on the Diamond tech pub site:

Normal Category: Aerobatics, spinning, and flight maneuvers with more than 60 degrees of bank are not permitted in the Normal Category.

Utility Category: Aerobatics, spinning, and flight maneuvers with more than 90 degrees of bank are not permitted in the Utility Category.
 
PhotoPilot said:
Might want to avoid announcing that you spun a non-spin approved airplane in a public forum. :(

From the DA40-180 AFM on the Diamond tech pub site:

Normal Category: Aerobatics, spinning, and flight maneuvers with more than 60 degrees of bank are not permitted in the Normal Category.

Utility Category: Aerobatics, spinning, and flight maneuvers with more than 90 degrees of bank are not permitted in the Utility Category.
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Did the spins in the DA-20. I guess I should've specified. Although, I'm sure you brought more attention to it then I did.
 
I'd say if you really want the time...but it now and use it later...if they'll let you.

I had a similar transition in my ppl training. In search of cheaper prices, I went from a C172 to a C152...okay, not really that bad...wasn't a big deal.

I think the general consensus should help you out though. Stick with what you know, the 172, until you complete your training. Use the DA-40 like a "treat" as your reward.
 
AP2B said:
Did the spins in the DA-20. I guess I should've specified. Although, I'm sure you brought more attention to it then I did.
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So you had a parachute on then right?
 
jrh said:
Parachutes aren't required when spins are performed as part of training.
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According to 91.307(d), the exemption to the parachute requirement does not apply to:

1. Flight tests for pilot certification or rating; or

2. Spins and other flight maneuvers required by the regulations for any certificate or rating when given by

i. A certificated flight instructor; or

ii. An ATP instructing in accordance with 61.67

I'm not picking on AP2B and he didn't say if he had a parachute on or not, but to use his experience as an example, he was up for a checkout, not a rating requiring spins or other aerobatic maneuvers exceeding 60 degrees of bank or 30 degrees of pitch. In fact, the only rating I can think of that specifically *requires* that spins be conducted according to the 'Flight Proficiency' requirements is the Flight Instructor rating. Other ratings only require slow flight and stalls, with spin entry and recovery being moved to the 'Aeronautical Knowledge' section. Now, if he had been alone in the plane, he wouldn't need a 'chute, as the requirement only applies to civil aircraft carrying passengers.

I haven't looked into it in-depth, but unless there's an arguement to be made that a pre-private student is already training for their CFI spin signoff, it seems that anyone intentionally spinning for any rating besides CFI should have a parachute if flying with more than one person in the plane. I'm sure it's an often broken reg, and, in fact, I know of one CFI who was lucky to get away with a firm slap on the wrist when an FAA examiner conducting a checkride saw him do multiple spins in the practice area and followed up on the ramp afterwards when he saw the instructor and student get out of the plane.

Just food for thought . . .
 
So you are saying that if I had my CSEL ticket and was working on my CFI I could do spins with a CFII. If I had my PPL I could'nt legally do spins with a CFII without a parachute on. That's definitely good food for thought. Anyway, I got no problems with the diamond(s). I feel I'm better, safer, and more confident due to my training and my instructor.
 
AP2B said:
So you are saying that if I had my CSEL ticket and was working on my CFI I could do spins with a CFII. If I had my PPL I could'nt legally do spins with a CFII without a parachute on. That's definitely good food for thought. Anyway, I got no problems with the diamond(s). I feel I'm better, safer, and more confident due to my training and my instructor.
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At the very least, you'd have to be able to justify it by claiming that you were working on your spin endorsement for your CFI rating. I don't know if your FSDO would by it if you weren't a Commercial pilot yet. :confused:

On another note, being better, safer, and more confident is what flying is all about! Props to you and your instructor! :nana2:
 
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