What comes after a DA40?

Antoine · Post by **Antoine** » Fri Dec 25, 2015 9:24 pm

Even in Europe the DA40 has a lot of ramp appeal.
There are very few DA40-180 over here and people are intrigued by the N-reg. But the biggest gasps always came when people discovered the G-1000 instrument panel. It is really unusually elegant for this class of aircraft. Not even the latest model Cirrus have achieved this kind of "feel right" harmony.
And when they hear "145 KTAS on 9 GPH" they typically think "bs".

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 1:55 pm

Hi Antoine, Beautiful airplane.

Where is this island?

Actually writing because I want to know what software you used to electronically paint your airplane? I have a trip to my paint shop (in Florida I picked one) in March, and I would love doing what you did to paint electronically right onto a photograph.

Antoine · Post by **Antoine** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 9:40 pm

The island is Yeu, near Nantes. Airfield is LFEY.

I used Paint-a-plane Pro Gold Edition for Mac

Just kidding. It is ... OpenOffice Draw: placed the pic on a dedicated layer, locked it, created a new layer and got creative to work around such issues as shadows etc...

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Tue Dec 29, 2015 12:43 am

Hi Antione,
hope you will stay with us here in the Diamond world ... also when flying your new exclusive bird.
And don`t forget, you have a free landing credit open in Buochs (LSZC), will assign you a parking next to a PC12 - The PC24 is allways in the air. Make a early announcement as I will partly retire beginn next year ... and more up in the Diamond

Antoine · Post by **Antoine** » Tue Dec 29, 2015 3:30 pm

Hi Thomas
Thanks for the invitation. I promise to come - I MUST use my free landing credit. And I would give anthying to see the PC-24 close up. What a great bird. Pilatus really know what they are doing.

And I have no intention of leaving the DAN. Too many good memories.
Are you really retiring? You looked quite young to me !?

In the meantime here is one for you: my latest paint scheme attempt:

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Wed Dec 30, 2015 11:23 am

Hi Antoine,

WOW - you really had me going for a second. I read "Paint-a-plane Pro Gold Edition for Mac" and I thought to myself - great - I have a Mac....for just a moment I was ready to get it. haha

You are pretty good at that! Maybe I should "hire you" to apply my proposed paint scheme onto pictures of my airplane.

Antoine · Post by **Antoine** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 1:43 pm

Erik lol. If you post a pic here (side view as mine works best) and let me know what you want I can try and make an intial attempt

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Fri Jan 01, 2016 2:30 am

Hi Antoine, Thanks!! Maybe I can email you a picture and we can work from there and then post a final product?

Erik

Star57 · Post by **Star57** » Wed Jan 13, 2016 1:29 pm

Antoine, congrats on your bird, it's a fine air plane, there is one here in Alberta, Canada, I spoke to the owner recently as I'm also in love with it.
As an alternative to my DA40 I have looked seriously at the Extra400, and have also done a lot of research on the Avionics that I would have to retrofit to anything non G1000, in my humble opinion there nothing like the G500/GTN750 combo.
Good luck with it, it's one of the finest pieces os modern aviation Engineiring.

Antoine · Post by **Antoine** » Wed Jan 13, 2016 11:38 pm

Thank you Frank. I am guessing you are in touch with Dr R. He is a very friendly person and his insight and willingness to help were key to making me decide for this fantastic bird. I am also having Alberta Aero Engines part-overhaul the cylinders (shipped over from Germany). Just placed the order yesterday.

If you'd like to consider the E400, I would be delighted to share experience with you. I intend to document my project and am learning a lot about this AC in the process. The website "Extra400.net" is also being put together.

A few E400s have been sold lately here in Europe.
One (S/N 23) is brand new (30 hours!) and headed to Canada (after I withdrew my offer and went for N121AG).

There are a couple left for sale (not all are being advertized) and I would be happy to help you find/select one.
I am sure Dr R could help too.
If you do buy one, here is what you should factor in:

- Reduce complexity. Avionics MUST be simplified. The Bendix King EHSI / EADI is stupidly expensive to repair. G500/GTN is the way to go, in order to take advantage of the "bug fixing" done by... us!
- Get the new prop - per Dr R: a huge difference
- Top-overhaul as soon as the new "ECI-style" cylinders are available again.
- Add GAMI injectors and the best engine monitor you can afford
- Overhaul or replace mags and all critical subassemblies such as fuel pumps, alternators, vacuum pumps, hydraulic pack

If you do all of the above you will be the proud (and poor!) owner of an aircraft that not only out-everythings the Piper Maibu Mirage, but is also dependable and "reasonably costly" to operate.

What comes after a DA40?

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