Large vs Small Rudder Performance

[steve_falconer]

Any pireps about differences in performance between a DA40-180 with small versus a large rudder for crosswind performance or ground handling? Does it make much or any difference? Has anyone flown both?

[Lance Murray]

I have the large rudder mod. I find taxiing easier and I swear it gave me an extra couple knots. It's worth the mod just to improve taxi performance.

[Rich]

I've thought about doing this mod but there are cascading side effects to doing it. Notably having to redo at least part of the trim and probably escalating all of it. The problem is obvious :

In any case, not all that critical. I have yet to encounter a crosswind I couldn't handle.

[steve_falconer]

Thanks for the feedback! I’m planning on going in for paint at Art Craft at SMX after Thanksgiving and there appears to be some subpar repair on one side of the the rudder, so I’m planning to replace with the new larger rudder instead of spending extra on bodywork to repair the waviness. I agree the DA40 handles crosswinds really well already, but I don’t want to regret doing it after paint I hope lasts better the next 20 years. And I’ll use Steve’s tips to keep it from getting marred and hope life in NorCal in a T-hangar helps.

[steve_falconer]

And I often find myself taxiing with full rudder one way or the other to maintain centerline now with evenly inflated tires until I get going faster.

[blsewardjr]

Steve- Are you going with a new or used large rudder? Price? I'm considering the same mod. Thanks. Bernie

[steve_falconer]

I ordered new. 1/ea P/N DA4-5540-00_00_1 Rudder Assembly $3,204.54 USD plus shipping/handling/tax. I’d regret not doing it when already painting or I would have held off doing SB40-066
http://support.diamond-air.at/fileadmin ... ncl-WI.pdf

[blsewardjr]

Thanks. I might move that mod up on my list. Bernie

[jwx96]

I've flown both. I rented a 2007 XL with the larger rudder about 15 years ago and now own a 2003 with the smaller rudder. I feel like I'm getting to full rudder deflection on crosswinds more often now than I reminder with the XL and it seems to take a little longer changing from a crab to a slip. Also I find myself wishing for more rudder authority on left crosswind takeoffs. I also recall that the XL seemed a little more twitchy in yaw during landings. With that said, my current rudder works, so I'm not sure I want to go through the effort of getting it changed, although $3,000 is not a bad price. I would have thought the part would cost more.

[Lance Murray]

The larger rudder is nice to have. It's not a need to have item but it is better.