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New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:42 pm
by ZAV
I called Diamond Canada to get info on purchasing a new DA40 XLT. They aren’t taking XLT orders at the moment, only NG’s.

Anyone have knowledge about this? Permanent or temporary? Reason?

Re: New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 12:54 am
by shorton
I had the same experience a little more than a year ago. I was hoping things would change with new ownership. In my opinion, Diamond has not been very transparent about their future intentions with the Lycoming DA40.

Re: New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 1:33 am
by ZAV
What did they tell you last year about timing? They told me Q3 this year but not sure if I should believe that.

Re: New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 3:00 am
by gordsh
I think Dave (CFIDave) will have the answer to this for sure. Dave could you enlighten us please?

Re: New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 2:45 pm
by CFIDave
gordsh wrote:I think Dave (CFIDave) will have the answer to this for sure. Dave could you enlighten us please?
New DA40 XLTs are still available; I even have the latest price/options list for the 2018 DA40 XLT. Diamond Canada is capable of producing DA40 XLTs and DA40 NGs on the same production line (along with new DA62s).

Re: New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 3:16 pm
by ZAV
Yes. They sent me a price sheet but wouldn’t let me order one. They said they don’t have the NXi certified for the XLT.

Are you aware of new XLT’s being currently ordered and delivered?

Re: New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 3:34 pm
by gordsh
I would think that from a business stand point, its better business sense to sell an NG versus an XLT bsed on the fact that Diamond makes their own NG engines?

Re: New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 3:47 pm
by gordsh
ZAV wrote:Yes. They sent me a price sheet but wouldn’t let me order one. They said they don’t have the NXi certified for the XLT.

Are you aware of new XLT’s being currently ordered and delivered?
ZAV, if you really want an XLT you should order it through [CFIDave]....seriously!!

Re: New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 5:01 pm
by CFIDave
ZAV wrote:Yes. They sent me a price sheet but wouldn’t let me order one. They said they don’t have the NXi certified for the XLT.

Are you aware of new XLT’s being currently ordered and delivered?
What you've been told by the factory about NXi certification would explain why they won't take your XLT order. New DA40 NGs are shipping with G1000 NXi, but I haven't delivered a new DA40 XLT since the NXi became standard on all new G1000 aircraft last year (and Garmin doesn't sell "legacy" G1000's for new aircraft anymore).

If an order for a DA40 XLT were placed now, the G1000 NXi *might* be certified in the XLT by the time of delivery -- but it's risky to predict when certification authorities like the FAA will approve anything. In the meantime the factory can't build uncertified aircraft, and they have relatively long lead times for ordering components, so it makes sense that they can't take an XLT order yet. The bottom line: This is likely just a timing issue.

Re: New DA40 XLT unavailable

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 5:59 pm
by ZAV
Thanks for your thoughts.

It just seems real strange that they didn’t certify all the DA40 varieties with the NXi at the same time.

They seem to be leaving new plane orders on the table which seems unfathomable from a business perspective. The only business case for doing this is if they are at 100% production capacity at the factory. If that’s the case, not necessarily a bad thing for Diamond Canada then.