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DA-42 Twin Star as PPL/CPL-Multi Trainer

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DA-42 Twin Star as PPL/CPL-Multi Trainer

Old 04-30-2010, 12:52 PM
  #11  
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AOPA had a pretty good article about the DA40/42 a few months ago.

I guess there was an instance of a complete loss of power of one in Europe when power cycled to the FADEC for something like several thousandths of a second, but it was enough for both motors to fail and kill the occupants. Don't remember which motors they were. Supposedly the newer ones are better, but I agree that the Baron is a better plane. I loved my 20 or so hours in a Colemill BE-55.
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Old 04-30-2010, 04:35 PM
  #12  
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Default Have not flown the DA42

But I did sit in one a couple of times (cockpit familiarity) and I have some g1000 time (over 100 hours). I have instructed in a Seneca, Aztec, C310, Navajo, and Baron, and got my Multi in a Duchess. I have also flown a Twin Comanche, King Air 100 and 200, and a Twin Otter. Far and away, the best for training was the Duchess, and my favorite from a pilots perspective is the Baron 58.
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Old 04-30-2010, 05:28 PM
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Default A good example...

Originally Posted by Grumble View Post

I guess there was an instance of a complete loss of power of one in Europe when power cycled to the FADEC for something like several thousandths of a second, but it was enough for both motors to fail and kill the occupants. Don't remember which motors they were.
...of how airplanes get a poor reputation. In this case based on half-remembered anecdotes.

Those pilots took off after starting the engines on external power (specifically forbidden by the POH.) When they retracted the gear, the transient on the bus caused both engines' ECUs to reboot, shutting both down

This resulted in an AD that added batteries that are diode-ORd to the ECUs. If the main bus sags, the ECU batteries keep the engines running for 30 minutes.

Those were Thielert engines, but that's not germain to the story...it was an electrical problem due to violating the airplane's operating procedures.
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Old 04-30-2010, 05:32 PM
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Default The dreaded blue knob

Originally Posted by the King View Post
I've not flown a DA-42, but in terms of multi-engine training, I hope that's not the first time students are seeing a prop lever.
I'll admit that I've never flown a twin with the blue knob...but is it that hard? Is feathering a prop by pulling a lever that much harder than feathering an engine by toggling a switch?

When I transitioned from fixed-pitch prop airplanes to constant-speed prop airplanes, it took me about half an hour to get the hang of it.
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Old 04-30-2010, 05:55 PM
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Wow someones feelings got hurt.

And yes, constant speed props on multis can be that hard for some people. Start flying turbo props (especially direct drives) and find out what happens if you don't understand the effects of prop control. Go get your MEI and teach your students the things that effect Vmc. Then come back and tell me "it's not that hard"

Re your post two up, so you're telling me if I have a total electrical failure, then I have AT MOST 30 minutes of flying time left? F-that.
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Old 04-30-2010, 05:55 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Bashibazouk View Post
I'll admit that I've never flown a twin with the blue knob...but is it that hard? Is feathering a prop by pulling a lever that much harder than feathering an engine by toggling a switch?

When I transitioned from fixed-pitch prop airplanes to constant-speed prop airplanes, it took me about half an hour to get the hang of it.
It is different....and difference (read change) will always be 'hard'. Old habits die hard. After training in a certain way for decades, it will be awhile before a different path is accepted.

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Old 04-30-2010, 06:01 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Bashibazouk View Post
...of how airplanes get a poor reputation. In this case based on half-remembered anecdotes.
Well if you are looking for hard facts, the internet forums are probably a pretty good to shy away from I'd say.

Those pilots took off after starting the engines on external power (specifically forbidden by the POH.) When they retracted the gear, the transient on the bus caused both engines' ECUs to reboot, shutting both down
Hate to hear about such examples and it seems that you know some details. WHY would pilots WANT to start on external power if not required. Heck...I look for ways to be able to NOT use externals sources (air or power)!

This resulted in an AD that added batteries that are diode-ORd to the ECUs. If the main bus sags, the ECU batteries keep the engines running for 30 minutes.
Well...if the above it true, it is hard to 100% safeguard against stupidity, but this sounds like a good step towards that goal.

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Old 04-30-2010, 06:15 PM
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Default It's about fertilizer, not feelings

[quote=Grumble;804467]Wow someones feelings got hurt.

And yes, constant speed props on multis can be that hard for some people. Start flying turbo props (especially direct drives) and find out what happens if you don't understand the effects of prop control. Go get your MEI and teach your students the things that effect Vmc. Then come back and tell me "it's not that hard"

Re your post two up, so you're telling me if I have a total electrical failure, then I have AT MOST 30 minutes of flying time left? F-that.[/quote

If you lose both generators in a DA42, you have about 30 minutes of life in the main battery after shedding load, and sometime after that, the ECU batteries will start to discharge. You then have 30 minutes in the ECU batteries, and then, yes, it all get quiet. However, since it's hard to tell which battery is carrying the engine load, the manual says "30 minutes to total engine failure," so that's what I was trained to.

Mind you, that's after the 2nd generator fails. Typical load with lights, a/p, pitot heat, etc. is 35 A, and each generator is rated for 60 A. So you can complete a flight in IMC with a generator failure. The manual says "land at the next suitable airport" in that case.

Please note the difference in tone between my post (trying to educate you) and yours (trying to mock me for not knowing something you apparently know.)
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Old 04-30-2010, 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by USMCFLYR View Post
Well...if the above it true, it is hard to 100% safeguard against stupidity, but this sounds like a good step towards that goal.

USMCFLYR
Yeah, until you're over water/mountainous terrain and that 30 minute clock starts (30 minutes being best case I assume)!!!!! Or at night, in the weather, etc.
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Old 04-30-2010, 06:20 PM
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Default You're right

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR View Post
Well if you are looking for hard facts, the internet forums are probably a pretty good to shy away from I'd say.
True! I should know better after being on forums for 25 years.

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR View Post
Hate to hear about such examples and it seems that you know some details. WHY would pilots WANT to start on external power if not required. Heck...I look for ways to be able to NOT use externals sources (air or power)!


Well...if the above it true, it is hard to 100% safeguard against stupidity, but this sounds like a good step towards that goal.

USMCFLYR
That AD was part of DA42 ground school, probably as a warning to "don't do this, dummy!" Now that all new DA42s have the ECU battery as standard equipment, the new manual says something like "if you use external power, don't fly IMC or night."

It is indeed a very electric airplane, and has to be flown accordingly.
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