Diamond DA40

DA40 Diamond Star
Role Light aircraft
Manufacturer Diamond Aircraft Industries
First flight 5 November 1997
Unit cost
$420,000 DA-40XLT (2013 price)[1]
Developed from Diamond DA20
Diamond Star DA40-TDI diesel powered model
Diamond Star DA40 FP Fixed Pitch variant
Diamond Star DA40-180 instrument panel showing the G1000 glass cockpit installation
G1000-equipped Diamond DA-40

The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star is an Austrian four-seat, single engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. Built in both Austria and Canada, it was developed as a four-seat version of the earlier DA20 by Diamond Aircraft Industries.

Design and development

Based on the success of the earlier DV20/DA20 two-seat aircraft, the company designed a four-seat variant, the DA40. The DA40 is a four-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane made from composite materials. It has a fixed tricycle landing gear and a T-tail. The Rotax 914-powered prototype DA40-V1, registered OE-VPC, first flew on the 5 November 1997 and was followed by a second prototype DA40-V2 (registered OE-VPE) which was powered by a Continental IO-240. In 1998 a third prototype DA40-V3 flew powered by a Lycoming IO-360 engine. Four more test aircraft were produced followed by the first production aircraft in 2000. JAR23 certification of the IO-360 production variant was obtained in October 2000. In 2002 the production of the Lycoming-engined variant was moved to Canada and the Austrian factory concentrated on diesel-engined variants.

The DA40 has officially appeared in only three versions, the DA 40, DA 40D and DA 40F, as documented on its type certificates. The various model names that the aircraft has been sold under are marketing names and are not officially recognized by the authorities that have certified the aircraft.[2][3]

The DA40 was initially marketed as the DA40-180, powered by a fuel injected Textron Lycoming IO-360 M1A engine.[2][3]

In late 2006, the XL and FP models replaced the DA40-180. The FP replaced the fixed pitch propeller version of the 180 and the XL replaced the constant speed propeller version. The major difference between the new models and the 180 is the higher maximum cruise speeds. The DA40-XL is approximately four knots faster than the preceding DA40-180/G1000 with the two-blade Hartzell propeller and the "Speed Gear" option. The XL's speed increase is mostly due to the Powerflow exhaust system.

The DA40-XL has a constant speed propeller and is powered by a 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming IO-360-M1A fuel injected engine. It has a maximum cruise speed of 147 knots, burning 9.2 gallons of Avgas per hour. Its maximum takeoff weight is 2,535 lb (1,150 kg).[4]

The DA40-F (marketed as the "FP") has a fixed pitch propeller, a 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-360-A4M engine, which has a carburettor rather than fuel injection and a more basic interior, but is otherwise similar to the XL.[2][3]

The DA40-TDI uses a Thielert "Centurion" 135 hp (101 kW) diesel engine and burns diesel or jet fuel. It has a constant speed propeller and FADEC (single lever) engine control. The first flight of the DA40D was made on Nov. 28, 2002. This model is not certified in the US.[2][3][5]

Efforts to increase the DA40's cruising speed centered on the propeller and wheel spats. The wheel fairing streamlining was improved, a three-blade scimitar-type constant speed propeller was incorporated and the Powerflow exhaust system from the XL was retained. The canopy contour was also revised, with the sides being more vertical before curving into the roof, which provides more shoulder and head room.

In the last half of 2007 the company updated the DA40 line by introducing the XLS and CS versions and eliminated the FP model. The XLS is the deluxe version, with the integration of some options into the standard offering including a Powerflow tuned exhaust, WAAS-capable G1000, GDL69 datalink, and TAS traffic alert system. The CS is the budget version, with fewer standard features.[6]

Both CS and XLS versions of the DA40 use the Lycoming IO-360-M1A fuel injected engine. The major difference is the choice of propeller, with the CS using a Hartzell two-blade aluminum constant speed prop and the XLS using an MT composite three-blade unit.[2][3]

Pilot and passengers enter the DA40 via the leading edge of the wing, an unusual feature among low-wing aircraft. The aircraft's nosewheel is free-castoring and directional control while taxiing is by mainwheel differential braking.[7]

DA40s are produced at Diamond's aircraft factories in Wiener Neustadt, Austria and in London, Ontario, Canada. A joint venture has also been set up in China with Shandong Bin Ao Aircraft Industries for production of the DA40 TDI (Diesel) in Shandong Province.[8] Capacity is available for up to 1,000 aircraft a year to be produced with certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency in 2008.[9][10] A Chinese flying school has used its CD-135 for 13 hours per day on average.[11]

Past DA40 models were available with either traditional mechanical instruments or an optional Garmin G1000 glass cockpit suite. Current production DA40s are built only with the Garmin G1000 as standard equipment. In April 2008, Diamond introduced the optional availability of Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology on the DA40 XLS.[12]

Operational history

The DA40 has accumulated a very low accident record, particularly with regard to stall and spin accidents. Its overall and fatal accident rates are one eighth that of the general aviation fleet and include no stall-related accidents. The level of safe operation is attributed to its high aspect ratio wing, low wing loading and benign flight characteristics. The aircraft can be trimmed full nose up, engine set to idle and it will descend at 600–1200 feet per minute at 48 kn (89 km/h) hands-off, a lower rate of descent than the competitive Cirrus SR22 can achieve with its airframe ballistic parachute deployed.[13]

In a 2011 analysis by Aviation Consumer magazine, the DA40 was shown to have a fatal accident rate of 0.35/100,000 hours, the lowest in US general aviation and considerably better than the Cirrus SR20 and SR22 with a combined fatal accident rate of 1.6/100,000 hours, despite its full aircraft parachute system. By comparison, the Cessna 172 has a fatal accident rate of 0.45/100,000 hours.[14]

Variants

T-52A of the USAF Academy
DA40 XLS preparing to taxi
DA40
Initial model, powered by a Textron Lycoming IO-360 M1A 180 hp (135 kW) engine and a MT Propellers MTV-12-B/180-17. Maximum gross weight is 1150 kg (2535 lb) or 1200 kg (2646 lb) with modifications installed. In increasingly refined versions marketed as the DA40-180, XL, CS and XLS.[2][3][6]
DA40 D
Diesel model, powered by a Thielert TAE 125-01 (Centurion 1.7) or TAE 125-02-99 (Centurion 2.0) engine of 135 hp (101 kW) and MT Propellers MTV-6-A/187-129. Maximum gross weight is 1150 kg (2535 lb). Marketed primarily in Europe, although certified in Canada and Australia as well, as the DA40 TDI.[2][3][5]
DA40 F
Fixed pitch propeller model, powered by Textron Lycoming O-360-A4M and a Sensenich 6EM8S10-0-63 or a MT-Propeller MT 188R135-4G propeller. Maximum gross weight is 1150 kg (2535 lb). Marketed as the DA40 FP. This model is no longer offered.[2][3]
DA40 NG
Latest model, offered in select markets only (DA40 model is still offered in other markets), powered by an Austro Engine AE 300 170 hp (127 kW) running on JET A-1 fuel. EASA certified April 2010[15][16][17]
T-52A
Military trainer version, 20 acquired in 2009 and used by the 557th Flying Training Squadron at USAFA[18] The type will be replaced in 2012 with the Cirrus SR20-based T-53A.[19]
DA40 XLT

Version introduced in April 2013 with an upgraded interior, including sun-resistant deluxe leather seats, improved lumbar contours, sun visors, more cup holders and improved storage for hand-held devices.[20]

Operators

Civil

The aircraft is popular with flying schools and is operated by private individuals and companies.

T-52A

Military

 Bolivia
 Ecuador
 Jamaica
 Singapore
 United States

Specifications (2007 model Diamond DA40 XL Diamond Star)

Data from Diamond Aircraft website[27]

General characteristics

Performance


References

  1. ↑ Flying Magazine (2013). "Diamond Introduces DA40 XLT for 2013". Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Transport Canada (August 2007). "Type Certificate Data Sheet A-224 Issue 7". Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Federal Aviation Administration (October 2007). "TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. A47CE Revision 9" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  4. ↑ "DA40 XL Fact Sheet" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Diamond Aircraft Industries (n.d.). "DA40 Diamond Star Innovation in Motion". Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Diamond Aircraft Industries (n.d.). "DA40 Diamond Star XLS and CS". Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  7. ↑ Flying the Diamond Star XLS, Flying Magazine, Vol. 135., No. 5, May 2008, p. 64
  8. ↑ Aviation Week & Space Technology: 60. 14 October 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ "News Breaks", Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 1, 2007.
  10. ↑ Mark Phelps. "Fear and Loathing for China". Sport Aviation: 100.
  11. ↑ Pope, Stephen (2 April 2015). "Diesel Trainer Market Booming in China". Flying (magazine). Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  12. ↑ Diamond Aircraft (April 2008). "Diamond Aircraft introduces Synthetic Vision on DA40 Diamond Stars". Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  13. ↑ Bertorelli, Paul (30 October 2011). "Fun With Parachute Mode". AVweb. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  14. ↑ AVweb staff (20 December 2011). "Aviation Consumer: Cirrus Safety Record Just Average". AVweb. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  15. ↑ EASA (April 2012). "TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET EASA.A.022 Issue 15" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-05-24.
  16. ↑ Diamond Aircraft Industries (n.d.). "DA40 New Generation". Retrieved 2012-05-24.
  17. ↑ Diamond Aircraft Industries (April 2010). "Air Flight Manual DA 40 NG" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-05-24.
  18. ↑ USAFA (August 2009). "557 FTS Aircraft – T-52A" (PDF). Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  19. ↑ Associated Press (June 2011). "Academy gets 25 new trainer aircraft for $6.1M". Air Force Times. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  20. ↑ "Diamond Introduces DA40 XLT". Avweb.com. 2013-04-09. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
  21. ↑ New Basic Trainers for Bolivian Air Force, Air Forces Monthly, September 2010, p. 23
  22. ↑ Pope, Stephen (2011-11-01). "Ecuador Air Force Buys DA20s | Flying Magazine". Flyingmag.com. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  23. ↑ "Ecuador Air Force accepts delivery of Diamond DA20 fleet". Diamond Aircraft. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  24. ↑ ncoicinnet. "Diamond DA40 FP". Jdfmil.org. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
  25. ↑ The Straits Times (February 2011). "S'pore Youth Flying Club's new Diamond DA-40 planes". Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  26. ↑ Doss Aviation (December 2008). "Diamond DA40 Selected For USAF Academy Powered Flight Program". Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  27. ↑ Diamond Aircraft Industries (n.d.). "Diamond DA40 XLS Specs and Options". Retrieved 2008-10-11.

External links

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