Search found 363 matches

by Keith M
Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:01 pm
Forum: Hangar Talk
Topic: Forced landing question
Replies: 23
Views: 7256

Re: Forced landing question

What about poping open the rear door? I wonder if either (front or rear) must be closed to maintian the structural integrity of the airframe during a crash? I wouldn't worry about opening the rear door, because it has that emergency release lever, to allow it to be pushed out from the top, in case ...
by Keith M
Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:29 am
Forum: Hangar Talk
Topic: Forced landing question
Replies: 23
Views: 7256

Forced landing question

In the event of a forced landing, I've always been advised to crack open the door before touchdown, in case it gets jammed due to any damage. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/08/29/article-2031311-0D9B481E00000578-326_634x527.jpg That makes sense with a metal airframe, like the one above which ma...
by Keith M
Thu Jul 21, 2011 12:50 pm
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Main Tire check with wheel fairings on
Replies: 18
Views: 6075

Re: Main Tire check with wheel fairings on

I use a hook made from a metal coathanger to bring the tire valve within reach of my fingers. Then I can unscrew the valve cap and screw on the extension to check the pressure. However, I nearly always end up with grazed knuckles!
by Keith M
Fri Jul 15, 2011 5:32 am
Forum: DA20 Forum
Topic: Ground visibility?
Replies: 6
Views: 2675

Re: Ground visibility?

Having just flown a C172 again (to get some limited panel practise), after 5 years in my DA40, I can confirm that the visibility of the ground is at least as good, because you sit in front of the wing. All around visibility is better in the DA40. The stick gets in the way at times, but the DA40 is m...
by Keith M
Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:19 pm
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Mid-air at Shoreham (EGKA)
Replies: 0
Views: 2594

Mid-air at Shoreham (EGKA)

This afternoon, there was a mid-air between a DA40D and an unidentified aircraft at Shoreham, with one fatality. The DA40 had just taken off and there is speculation that the other aircraft was making a crosswind join. In the BBC report here , there's a photo of the DA40's propeller lying on the bea...
by Keith M
Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:20 am
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?
Replies: 33
Views: 12991

Re: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?

If you're looking for an older aircraft, you should be able to find a pre-2006 European registered DA40-180 which is almost certain to have steam gauges. However, I hate to think how much EASA would charge you to get the G500 certified for it. The fact that it has an FAA STC doesn't mean anything in...
by Keith M
Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:22 am
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?
Replies: 33
Views: 12991

Re: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?

There is strong resistance against this: the french DGAC (FAA equivalent) for example have just announced a "french Instrument Rating" that is easy to obtain for an FAA IFR pilot and paves the way for grandfathering into an EASA IR. There seems to be some uncertainty about this. Under EAS...
by Keith M
Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:18 pm
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?
Replies: 33
Views: 12991

Re: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?

Diamond transferred all production of the DA40-180 to Canada in 2006, and their production does not have a type approval in Europe. Therefore recent DA40s with Lycoming engines have to be kept on the N register and purchased through a US based trust. It's worth bearing in mind that EASA are attempti...
by Keith M
Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:25 pm
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?
Replies: 33
Views: 12991

Re: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?

Jean wrote:I should add this: check the REPORTS page to figure out real world performance data!
That's one of many recent G1000 features that us DA40D owners are deprived of. We're still stuck on software release 17, so cannot contribute to the REPORTS page.
by Keith M
Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:01 pm
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?
Replies: 33
Views: 12991

Re: Which DA40, Avgas or Diesel?

Hello Manzour, I was in the same position in 2006 and concluded that diesel was the way to go. That was before duty on Jet A1 was doubled here, and Thielert went bankrupt! In its favour, FADEC does a much better job than I could of optimising fuel flow, so I get 5.6 usg/hr at 75% power, giving me a ...