Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
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- creativewebz
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Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
I am thinking about moving to DA42. Can anyone give me some insight on their experience and any helpful thoughts on different engine models, things to look for etc...
- Chris
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Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
That's a pretty broad question. Here's a random selection of existing threads that might be applicable.creativewebz wrote:I am thinking about moving to DA42. Can anyone give me some insight on their experience and any helpful thoughts on different engine models, things to look for etc...
DA42 Purchase - Am I mad?
About to enter the world of a DA42
DA40 vs DA42
Transitioning to DA42 questions
There are also several existing threads regarding the various engine models.
I'm sure you'll find a lot more among the nearly 300 topics in the DA42 section of the site.
- Colin
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Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
You can search my blog for the term DA42. I did my training not knowing that I would buy a plane. I think I trained at the best possible place in the States to train, and I would recommend flying your DA40 to KLGB for a week training and they will get you check ride ready at Angel City Flyers.
I wish I had bought the plane about three years sooner. There were a few flights that I think took some months off my life with the anxiety and this would have eliminated that. If I'm *really* honest I wish that I had bought one as soon as they made the 2.0 engine available. Even if it meant upgrading the autopilot later.
Flying my DA40 was amazing. I still love being in them when I get the chance. But crossing the country, flying at night, flying over water, flying in IMC with the possibility of ice... all those things have changed for me.
I wish I had bought the plane about three years sooner. There were a few flights that I think took some months off my life with the anxiety and this would have eliminated that. If I'm *really* honest I wish that I had bought one as soon as they made the 2.0 engine available. Even if it meant upgrading the autopilot later.
Flying my DA40 was amazing. I still love being in them when I get the chance. But crossing the country, flying at night, flying over water, flying in IMC with the possibility of ice... all those things have changed for me.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
- Colin
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Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
Oh. I'm happy to answer questions in email. Just shoot me a note if you want.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
- creativewebz
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Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
I have about 60 hours of instructing in the plane from about 8-9 years ago. I really liked the plane then, but I was just on the flying side as an instructor and not on the bill/maintenance side. I have had a da40 for about 3 years now and considering the 42. But I am interested in the different engine models (maintenance, issues, scheduled checks etc) and annual costs of the a/c it's self.
- ultraturtle
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Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
Acquisition costs for Thielert powered TwinStars are far lower than Austro powered DA42s, but non-fuel hourly costs (to include reserves for gearbox overhaul and engine replacement) are higher. Roughly $87/hr for the Thielerts vs $48/hr for the Austros. See http://www.greatlakesdiamond.com/hourly ... -for-da42/
My non-capital costs for a 2015 DA42 VI:
Fixed:
T-Hangar $550
Insurance ($5,600/12) $467
Annual ($3,375/12) $281
ECU Batteries ($200/12) $17
Standby Attitude Backup Battery ($346/24) $14
Pitot Static ($380/24) $16
Garmin Nav Data ($299/12) $25
XM Weather ($200/6) $33
Prop Reserve ($10,000/72) $139
Monthly Fixed Cost Total $1,542
Hourly:
100 Hour Kit ($400/100) $4
Oil change ([14L x $12]/100) $2
Gearbox Oil ($1,100/300) $4
High Pressure Fuel Pumps ($6,800/600) $11
Engine Reserve ($51,000/1800) $28
Fuel (13.2 gph x $2.70) $36
Hourly Total $85
My non-capital costs for a 2015 DA42 VI:
Fixed:
T-Hangar $550
Insurance ($5,600/12) $467
Annual ($3,375/12) $281
ECU Batteries ($200/12) $17
Standby Attitude Backup Battery ($346/24) $14
Pitot Static ($380/24) $16
Garmin Nav Data ($299/12) $25
XM Weather ($200/6) $33
Prop Reserve ($10,000/72) $139
Monthly Fixed Cost Total $1,542
Hourly:
100 Hour Kit ($400/100) $4
Oil change ([14L x $12]/100) $2
Gearbox Oil ($1,100/300) $4
High Pressure Fuel Pumps ($6,800/600) $11
Engine Reserve ($51,000/1800) $28
Fuel (13.2 gph x $2.70) $36
Hourly Total $85
- CFIDave
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Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
Rob:
I concur with most of your cost items, having owned a DA42-VI for 4 years. The only ones I might question:
- $1100 for gearbox oil replacement for a pair of engines? It's been a few years since I did my last Austro 300 hour service, but I think I paid much less than that. I also seem to recall Glenn Lawler (SouthTec Aviation at KRUQ) telling me that BMW transmission fluid is identical.
- The 4 ECU Batteries are standard Panasonic part numbers, so you can buy these for less than $100 if you shop online. (From years of DA42 ownership, I've got a nice growing collection of "barely used" Panasonic 12V batteries in my garage!)
I'm still trying to directly source the fuel filters and genuine Mercedes oil filters (there aren't any A or B-class OM640 diesel car engines here in the US) to avoid paying so much for the 100 hour kits from Diamond. Performing the Austro Engine oil/filter changes yourself is pretty easy if you know how to safety wire.
I concur with most of your cost items, having owned a DA42-VI for 4 years. The only ones I might question:
- $1100 for gearbox oil replacement for a pair of engines? It's been a few years since I did my last Austro 300 hour service, but I think I paid much less than that. I also seem to recall Glenn Lawler (SouthTec Aviation at KRUQ) telling me that BMW transmission fluid is identical.
- The 4 ECU Batteries are standard Panasonic part numbers, so you can buy these for less than $100 if you shop online. (From years of DA42 ownership, I've got a nice growing collection of "barely used" Panasonic 12V batteries in my garage!)
I'm still trying to directly source the fuel filters and genuine Mercedes oil filters (there aren't any A or B-class OM640 diesel car engines here in the US) to avoid paying so much for the 100 hour kits from Diamond. Performing the Austro Engine oil/filter changes yourself is pretty easy if you know how to safety wire.
Epic Aircraft E1000 GX
Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
- ultraturtle
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Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
Thanks, Dave! Great info that will save me some bucks. Please keep us informed as you track down the fuel and oil filter sources. Is anything else included in the 100 hr kit?
- CFIDave
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Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42
Also included in the 100 hour kit is a set of "coffee filters" that are used to look for metal particles when you drain/filter the gear oil and then pour it right back into the gearbox.ultraturtle wrote:Is anything else included in the 100 hr kit?
And the 100 hour kits provides small plastic bottles to collect engine oil samples and mailing label to send them back to the Austro Engines factory in Weiner Neustadt, Austria. However, you have to pay for international postage to send these samples from the US to Europe, and I've never gotten any response from Austro. So I don't bother doing this anymore. Instead, I use US-based Blackstone oil analysis at every oil change -- they actually know how to analyze diesel engine oil and provide helpful comments.
Epic Aircraft E1000 GX
Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI