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First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 2:09 pm
by blsewardjr

Re: First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:26 pm
by Tim H
Any idea what the wingspan is on this? I'm wondering if it will fit in a 40' wide t-hanger.

Re: First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2019 12:40 am
by TimS
Tim H wrote: Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:26 pm Any idea what the wingspan is on this? I'm wondering if it will fit in a 40' wide t-hanger.
I highly doubt it. Diamond likes long high aspect ratio wings.

Tim

Re: First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2019 4:00 pm
by CFIDave
Tim H wrote: Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:26 pm Any idea what the wingspan is on this? I'm wondering if it will fit in a 40' wide t-hanger.
My guess is that the DA50 wingspan is close to that of the DA42 (e.g., 44 feet). If you compare the DA50 to the DA62 (which share the same basic fuselages, interior, etc.), the wing stubs and and retractable gear also seem to be the same size -- they're just missing the engine nacelles of the DA62. The wings are the same (with the exception of Fowler vs. split flaps). The biggest DA50 vs. DA62 wingspan difference is the wingtips (vertical on the DA50 vs. horizontal on the DA62).

Re: First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:39 am
by Oxymoron
I’m at LOAN now watching it fly circuits. Performance looks very punchy. Nice sound too:-)

Re: First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 2:39 pm
by gordsh
I have been tracking this plane since it was announced. Here are the specs I saved (with the previous SafFran Engine) before they were take down from the website

Image

Re: First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:13 pm
by CFIDave
That prototype confirms the 44 foot wingspan (same as DA42).

The major difference between the prototype specs above and the latest DA50 is likely to be max airspeed. I would expect more than 200 knots given retractable gear and 300 hp, but that will be dependent on the "critical altitude" of the CD300 engine (i.e., how high its turbo can make full horsepower).

Re: First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 4:23 pm
by ememic99
CFIDave wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:13 pm I would expect more than 200 knots given retractable gear and 300 hp, but that will be dependent on the "critical altitude" of the CD300 engine (i.e., how high its turbo can make full horsepower).
8000 ft according to:
https://www.continentalmotors.aero/uplo ... cSheet.pdf

Re: First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:12 pm
by CFIDave
ememic99 wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2019 4:23 pm
CFIDave wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:13 pm I would expect more than 200 knots given retractable gear and 300 hp, but that will be dependent on the "critical altitude" of the CD300 engine (i.e., how high its turbo can make full horsepower).
8000 ft according to:
https://www.continentalmotors.aero/uplo ... cSheet.pdf
With the CD300 critical altitude that low, there may not be enough horsepower available at the higher altitudes (where there's less atmospheric drag) needed to exceed a 200 knot maximum cruise speed. For example, Cirrus SR22T and Cessna TTx aircraft need to fly in the teens or above in order to exceed 200 knots TAS. Also I incorrectly assumed 300 hp for the CD300, but the specs say only 271 hp.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what Diamond says the DA50 can do.

Re: First flight of the retractable DA50

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 7:59 pm
by ememic99
I’m not sure about HP - on web page it says 296 HP, graph in PDF (2nd page) starts at that value but 1st page says 271 HP. I’m also a bit confused. Also, the graph shows more power than normally aspirated Lycoming engine. If max load is available continuously, I would expect 200 KTAS at FL160 possible.