DA-42 Twin Star as PPL/CPL-Multi Trainer
#21
USMCFLYR
#22
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Advanced Newbie
Posts: 126
These days the classic 172RG (always a crap plane) is being quickly phased out. Now, Schools are struggling to bridge a gap between ASEL and Multi. SO, what many schools do is just have them do their complex training in a multi.
Last edited by Badgeman; 04-30-2010 at 08:58 PM.
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,187
Well we have been there in the aircraft that your currently flying right? That max 20 minutes isn't the most comforting thought! In any case, I was talking about the technological fix to somebody starting the engines in an unapproved manner - not the battery life after two generators fail.
USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR
A light piston that sh1ts itself after an electrical failure? Not a chance I'd fly it in anything other than day VMC.
Badge, whats your problem with the Gutless. It's a great plane. And there are PLENTY of complex singles out there. Arrows, Cardinals, RG's, M20's, C-24's etc.
#24
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: Jul 2008
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Is it an early one with the 1.7 litre engines? The 2.0 L models have some of the kinks worked out. Mind you, we've seen our share of engine failures (1), bogus fire warnings (1) and generator failures (1) in 300 hrs of owning a 2.0 L 2008 model. None happened without warning, though...they all gave some hint that something was amiss, but the mechanics were not able to fix these latent failures until they very obviously broke in flight.
As for whether it's a good trainer or not, I leave that up to the CFIs among you. I already had "blue knob" experience when I used a DA42 to add a multi to my commercial, so I didn't miss it, but since it's the only twin I've flown (80 hrs now) I can't tell if I'd be overwhelmed by transition a Baron, 310, Aztec, etc.
I think that training people to fly regional jets was part of its design intent. Aside from the FADEC, its glass cockpit, lots of busses, and the lack of good visual cues ahead of the glareshield were (I'm told...hearsay) intended to prepare future regional jet pilots.
I also have a bit of exposure to the new Austro-engined version, which is intended to fix the engine, gearbox, and ECU woes. So far so good, but we've only got 50 hrs or so on it.
As for whether it's a good trainer or not, I leave that up to the CFIs among you. I already had "blue knob" experience when I used a DA42 to add a multi to my commercial, so I didn't miss it, but since it's the only twin I've flown (80 hrs now) I can't tell if I'd be overwhelmed by transition a Baron, 310, Aztec, etc.
I think that training people to fly regional jets was part of its design intent. Aside from the FADEC, its glass cockpit, lots of busses, and the lack of good visual cues ahead of the glareshield were (I'm told...hearsay) intended to prepare future regional jet pilots.
I also have a bit of exposure to the new Austro-engined version, which is intended to fix the engine, gearbox, and ECU woes. So far so good, but we've only got 50 hrs or so on it.
#25
Don't know too much about the TwinStar's antics... but wouldn't you let the one engine recharge the battery anyway...
I'm just a little confused on how/why someone ever does that...in any airplane?
#26
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2010
Posts: 26
I guess they were in a hurry :)
When the DPE was quizzing me about systems during my Commercial AMEL checkride, he was very focused on how much I understood the differences between DA42s and "normal" light twins...and even asked me about this accident.
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