Useful load comparison

[flymu2]

I’m looking at two DA40’s on Controller. One is an ‘09 with a useful load of 862. The other is a 2012 with a UL of 801. Why the difference? They look to be similarly equipped.

[Rich]

You need to look more carefully at equipment. Propeller type and presence/absence of autopilot, e.g would eat up most of that. Links?

[flymu2]

https://www.controller.com/listing/for- ... e-aircraft

https://www.controller.com/listing/for- ... e-aircraft

[Rich]

From what I can tell, the '09 lacks an autopilot and may have 40-gallon tanks, whereas the '12 has 50-gallon tanks and a GFC700. The tanks themselves add some weight and the autopilot is likely worth about 25-30 lb. There are some other bits and pieces that I also see, like electric rudder pedals and wheel fairings.

[flymu2]

Did the G1000 ever come without the GFC700 when that autopilot became available? From the N number I’m guessing this one was used for initial training at the Air Force Academy. Maybe they ordered them without autopilots?

[flymu2]

I just looked at the pictures in the listing at airmart.com. I don't see any autopilot controls. Strange.

[Bryce]

What a bone head move to order a WAAS equipped G1000 airplane and skip the GFC700. I'm sure that turned a few heads at Diamond when they were installing the equipment! For that alone, I would not consider that airplane.

[flymu2]

I just spoke with the broker. No autopilot, 40 gal tanks.

[dant]

Also be aware that around 08 the planes became heavier in general (most likely due to materials strengthening for the new-at-the-time DA40NG), independent of the equipment.

[Rich]

With what limited data we have here on the wiki, 862 lb useful load is a significant outlier for any DA40 post-2007.