Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Any DA42 related topics.

Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray

Post Reply
User avatar
creativewebz
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 4:19 am
First Name: Grant
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N415DS
Airports: KHSV
Been thanked: 4 times

Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by creativewebz »

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...
User avatar
Chris
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 935
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 3:34 am
First Name: Chris
Aircraft Type: DA42NG
Aircraft Registration: N449TS
Airports: KHIO
Has thanked: 1050 times
Been thanked: 481 times

Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by Chris »

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...
That's a pretty broad question. Here's a random selection of existing threads that might be applicable.

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.
Chris
N449TS / DA42-NG / 42.AC049
KHIO
User avatar
Colin
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 2006
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:37 pm
First Name: Colin
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: N972RD
Airports: KFHR
Has thanked: 319 times
Been thanked: 527 times

Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by Colin »

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.
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)
User avatar
Colin
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 2006
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:37 pm
First Name: Colin
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: N972RD
Airports: KFHR
Has thanked: 319 times
Been thanked: 527 times

Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by Colin »

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)
User avatar
creativewebz
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 4:19 am
First Name: Grant
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N415DS
Airports: KHSV
Been thanked: 4 times

Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by creativewebz »

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.
User avatar
ultraturtle
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 300
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 2:46 pm
First Name: Rob
Aircraft Type: DA62
Aircraft Registration: N62KZ
Airports: KAAF
Has thanked: 64 times
Been thanked: 180 times

Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by ultraturtle »

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
User avatar
CFIDave
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 2678
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:40 pm
First Name: Dave
Aircraft Type: OTHER
Aircraft Registration: N333GX
Airports: KJYO Leesburg VA
Has thanked: 231 times
Been thanked: 1473 times

Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by CFIDave »

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.
Epic Aircraft E1000 GX
Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
User avatar
ultraturtle
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 300
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 2:46 pm
First Name: Rob
Aircraft Type: DA62
Aircraft Registration: N62KZ
Airports: KAAF
Has thanked: 64 times
Been thanked: 180 times

Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by ultraturtle »

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?
User avatar
CFIDave
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 2678
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:40 pm
First Name: Dave
Aircraft Type: OTHER
Aircraft Registration: N333GX
Airports: KJYO Leesburg VA
Has thanked: 231 times
Been thanked: 1473 times

Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by CFIDave »

ultraturtle wrote:Is anything else included in the 100 hr kit?
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.

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
TJS
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 74
Joined: Sun May 15, 2016 2:04 am
First Name: Tim
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: CGMTS
Airports:
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 23 times

Re: Thinking about moving from my DA40 --> DA42

Post by TJS »

Let me know how you make out, i am considering the same move.
Post Reply