Fulfilling a lifelong dream!

Any DA40 related topics

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waynemcc999
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First Name: Wayne
Aircraft Type: DA40
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Re: Fulfilling a lifelong dream!

Post by waynemcc999 »

Sounds right for full flaps in a Lycoming DA40.
Nicely done,
Wayne
Wayne McClelland
PPL/IR, 2008 Diamond Star DA40-XLS 40.922, KSBA
Photo logs of Flying Doctors | Angel Flight | YouTube @GeezerGeekPilot | GeezerGeekCoach
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HighEagle
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Re: Fulfilling a lifelong dream!

Post by HighEagle »

Diamond friends, happy new year. The dream continues. PPL training continues at a pace of about 2 flights a week. My school is of the mind that SoCal is not an airspace for inexperienced pilots--and I agree. At just over 100 hours, I'm getting closer (to bankruptcy!?!). JK. Endorsed again for solo including nearby airports, and passed the pre-solo-XC stage check. Santa Ana winds delayed the planned foray to KCRQ. That same weather afforded opportunity for some great local (dual) training in downwind landings and an on-the-go pattern flip. Sporty!

I've had the pleasure of corresponding offline with Paul and David about costs of ownership. A couple of nice DA40s have gotten away. And the War Department remains staunchly opposed. So maybe a dry lease?

And recently my CFI and I visited Wayne's home airport in Santa Barbara. Wow. Spectacular scenery and surprisingly busy airspace. Tower commanding two 360s on final to 15L for us to accommodate an errant Cessna, the haze, and the odd runway markings, made for an uncertain introduction. But I'll be back. :)
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dmloftus
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Re: Fulfilling a lifelong dream!

Post by dmloftus »

HighEagle wrote: Sat Jan 25, 2025 5:43 pm I've had the pleasure of corresponding offline with Paul and David about costs of ownership. A couple of nice DA40s have gotten away. And the War Department remains staunchly opposed. So maybe a dry lease?
I certainly understand the dilemma. I think one of the most compelling reasons to own, whether convincing yourself or a spouse, is about safety. Sure you can rent, and many clubs are pretty good about routine maintenance. But you never know how a rental plane has been treated, over an extended period of time or by the immediately preceding pilot. Any plane being routinely used for flight training has seen innumerable rough landings. Most renters are also not knowledgeable or motivated about leaning to avoid plug fouling or careful about maintaining CHT's. In the end, you never know when a rental aircraft is going to become a glider. I can rent DA40's locally for $200/hour. All in, as a solo owner it probably costs me $300-400 per hour depending on how much I fly in a given year. And probably a bit higher this year with the $5K to comply with the NLG AD. But I know exactly what I am flying, how it has been serviced, how it has been flown. If you have the financial means, it is always worth the peace of mind to own. If your spouse wants you coming back, he/she should understand the inherent risks of renting vs owning.
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chili4way
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Re: Fulfilling a lifelong dream!

Post by chili4way »

A dry lease from a responsible owner/pilot and a small number (less than 3) of qualified named pilots (preferably ones who have previously owned airplanes) can balance single ownership and an open rental (flying club, flight school, or FBO) situation. These are hard to find and difficult for low-time pilots (less than 250 hours/instrument rating) to access.
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