Diamondstar DA20

Douglas said:
Ah, I apologize, didn't realize you were an instructor.
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Not a problem sir, I appreciate the input!

USMCmech said:
A couple of Gotchas that came up with transitioning pilots,

Check out the required equipment list, the normal "tomato flames" list is there, but there is also a bunch of other things that are REQUIRED by Diamond. Namely ALL the engine instruments are req'd. You can't go around the pattern if the EGT is inop.

Also it is NOT certified for IMC. This was done because lightning protection would have been too expensive. You can practice IFR all you want, and most airplanes have all the nessacery instruments, but you many not go through any clouds. If you get stuck on top and need to shoot an approach to get back on the ground, technially you would have to declare an Emergency.


It's just a little cooler than a blast oven during the summer with the canopy closed. You can't have the canopy open when the engine is running. Take a towel for your seat and change them out between lessons.
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Very good info here! Ill have to look up the KOOEL (kinds of operations equipment list) and see what on top of TOMATO FLAMES and FLAPS is needed.

I knew it wasnt IMC certified but didnt know why, so that will definitely come in handy.

With only 2 vents and 2 small windows I fully expected it to be hot...Thats the part Im not much looking forward to :( Luckly its only warm about 5 months out of the year here

SeanD said:
One more thing, if its sunny dont forget to wear sun screen.
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Definitely! Itll be a little rough not having a guard from the sun, but the view you get as a result has to be worth it! (for at least the first flight, after that the nostalgia probably wears off and Itll suck haha)

Roger said:
As for systems, a motorcycle is probably more complex.
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Yea I was kinda wondering about that?? The POH is fairly sparse when it comes to systems info, but maybe thats just because there isnt much to be had??? Im a motorcycle expert so the plane should be a breeze!
 
jhugz said:
Any of you guys ever spin this bad-mama-jama? I heard it won't recover like a Cessna and will stay in the spin until you put the proper corrections in. Just wondering if there is any truth behind that? I have about 20hrs dual given in this bird just never spun one.
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With 20 hours dual given, do you have any hand outs or assignments you like to give your students to help them learn the aircraft?

BTW Ill be in the C1 model (at least to the best of my understanding I will be. These planes are all 2004 and newer and I thought they stoped making the A1 in the late 90's, but someone correct me if im wrong)
 
Gunnar971 said:
I knew it wasnt IMC certified but didnt know why, so that will definitely come in handy.
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I vaguely remember something about static-electricity. No static wicks or something.

As for lesson plans no. I really don't remember the power settings I just figured them out on the go.
 
Gunnar971 said:
With 20 hours dual given, do you have any hand outs or assignments you like to give your students to help them learn the aircraft?

BTW Ill be in the C1 model (at least to the best of my understanding I will be. These planes are all 2004 and newer and I thought they stoped making the A1 in the late 90's, but someone correct me if im wrong)
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All my hours in the DA20 were in a C1 Eclipse. Some are retrofitted with an overhead sun screen.
 
I have about 450hrs teaching in DA20s. You have to teach airspeed control on landings. We normally use about 60 on final. If they come in fast the airplane will float. You have to be patient if it floats, just keep it level and once the airspeed bleeds it will come down. Do not push the nose down when it floats. All of our prop strikes have been because a student got impatient during the flare and pushed the nose down.

It gets really hot in the summer. Steering on the ground was a pain the first few times but you get used to it. It sips fuel and is fairly fast for the engine it has. Systems are easy. No real gotchas. It is not IFR certified. I really do like the airplane overall, but I would go with it's big brother the DA40 for real cross countries.
 
DL31082 said:
I really do like the airplane overall, but I would go with it's big brother the DA40 for real cross countries.
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I never liked that plane after having to hand fly for four hours over the Appalachians in IMC, in Moderate Chop, because the damn AP broke. Then again it wasn't like the KAP did a good job.
 
Ive flown mostly DA40's with the GFC700. Awesome AP. I actually like hand flying it. It is a little touchy, but if you trim it out really well it's not a problem.
 
jhugz said:
I vaguely remember something about static-electricity. No static wicks or something.
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Gunnar971 said:
I knew it wasnt IMC certified but didnt know why, so that will definitely come in handy.
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I don't have any time in it, so take this for what it is worth.

I suppose it is not IFR certified because it is made of composites, because if lighting hits it, the lightning will punch a hole through it.
It's bigger sister has a metal "mesh" in the composites or some other set up that will allow the lightning to pass through the airplane like a regular aluminum aircraft.

At least that is what the Diamond dealer told me, years ago.

I can stand to be corrected if anybody has any different information.
 
Douglas said:
I don't have any time in it, so take this for what it is worth.

I suppose it is not IFR certified because it is made of composites, because if lighting hits it, the lightning will punch a hole through it.
It's bigger sister has a metal "mesh" in the composites or some other set up that will allow the lightning to pass through the airplane like a regular aluminum aircraft.

At least that is what the Diamond dealer told me, years ago.

I can stand to be corrected if anybody has any different information.
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:dunno: Makes sense to me
 
Douglas said:
I suppose it is not IFR certified because it is made of composites, because if lighting hits it, the lightning will punch a hole through it.
It's bigger sister has a metal "mesh" in the composites or some other set up that will allow the lightning to pass through the airplane like a regular aluminum aircraft.
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That's pretty much true based on what I've read several places.

I wouldn't think twice about flying it through a cloud layer to get back on the ground, but officially it's not approved.
 
Gunnar971 said:
With only 2 vents and 2 small windows I fully expected it to be hot...Thats the part Im not much looking forward to :( Luckly its only warm about 5 months out of the year here
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You can do the same thing that works in Pipers: stick your hand out the vent window like a scoop and divert some of the propwash inside to cool things off a little. (I've only done this on the ground- not in the air)
 
Thanks everyone for the input! Again if anyone has and kind of study materials or outlines they would be willing to share, that would be awesome as well
 
Mike H said:
You can do the same thing that works in Pipers: stick your hand out the vent window like a scoop and divert some of the propwash inside to cool things off a little. (I've only done this on the ground- not in the air)
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I'd fly patterns with students with my arm out the window. Once you get up to altitude, the airflow is pretty good and it cools down pretty quick. But around the traffic pattern its quite toasty.
 
SeanD said:
However, the visibility from the canopy is stunning and by far the best I have ever experienced.
One more thing, if its sunny dont forget to wear sun screen.
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:yeahthat:

Definitely wear sunscreen, and a hat!

Watch the your wing clearance while you're taxing. I think it's a fun plane to fly, and I think you'll enjoy teaching in it. Definitely be patient with landings. It's not like slamming down a Piper or Cessna.
 
DL31082 said:
Ive flown mostly DA40's with the GFC700. Awesome AP. I actually like hand flying it. It is a little touchy, but if you trim it out really well it's not a problem.
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The GFC700 is an excellent autopilot. I think the DA40 with G1000 and GFC700 is an excellent x-country platform, IMC or not.
 
Wing_96 said:
The GFC700 is an excellent autopilot. I think the DA40 with G1000 and GFC700 is an excellent x-country platform, IMC or not.
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Flew one Saturday with the G1000 and GFC700 and Synthetic Vision/Highway in the Sky and Flight Director.

Was like flying a video game, but awesome!
 
MidlifeFlyer said:
Flew one Saturday with the G1000 and GFC700 and Synthetic Vision/Highway in the Sky and Flight Director.

Was like flying a video game, but awesome!
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Personally I think the GFC700 has a hard time keeping up w/ the DA40 unlike a more stable platform. (182T or Cirrus)
 
Coming from a Cessna, I got really frustrated taxiing the DA20! :mad: Rudders wont kick in until you rev it up. Otherwise, I love the plane. The Stick makes me feel like I'm a combat Pilot.
 
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