Search found 1279 matches

by rwtucker
Tue May 14, 2013 3:22 pm
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Survey - carbon horizontal stab
Replies: 38
Views: 10290

Re: Survey - carbon horizontal stab

Antoine, Is it possible to estimate the certification costs for this project? A materials expert here tells me that the raw materials cost would not exceed a few hundred dollars in quantity. I watched fabrication workers in London Ontario make the spars and other components, smoothing layer after la...
by rwtucker
Mon May 13, 2013 6:15 pm
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Survey - carbon horizontal stab
Replies: 38
Views: 10290

Re: Survey - carbon horizontal stab

Not to get too technical but all prices and margins are elastic. My guess is that this company would realize a good deal more revenue and profit were it to sell the upgrade for $2,995 - $4,995, where almost all of us would probably purchase it, than if the quoted $10K grows to $14K as is usually the...
by rwtucker
Mon May 13, 2013 5:58 pm
Forum: Site Feedback
Topic: Thank you all and Farewell
Replies: 14
Views: 6345

Re: Thank you all and Farewell

Add my one vote for this being the best place for Diamond owners to share ideas, problems, and solutions. It would be hard to put a price tag on the help I have already received. All I can do is try to pay it forward whenever I can. I know for a fact that I am not perfect when it comes to wandering ...
by rwtucker
Sat May 11, 2013 1:55 am
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Need help on charging the battery??
Replies: 63
Views: 35739

Re: Need help on charging the battery??

Liang, I tried your solution pulling the 70A and switching "Battery" on, connecting a 4A charger/maintainer/desulphator to the APU. Still no joy. On the other hand, your solution works perfect for my old 24 volt charger that has no sensing devices. The new precision chargers first sense ba...
by rwtucker
Sat May 04, 2013 10:01 pm
Forum: Hangar Talk
Topic: Preferred Cruising Altitude
Replies: 33
Views: 10879

Re: Preferred Cruising Altitude

We should probably start another thread but I just paid my insurance renewal: $1,325 US for $240K hull and a $200 moving event deductible. Compared to what I used to pay, this seems good to me.
by rwtucker
Sat May 04, 2013 9:53 pm
Forum: Hangar Talk
Topic: Preferred Cruising Altitude
Replies: 33
Views: 10879

Re: Preferred Cruising Altitude

My experiences are close to CFIDave's. For me, 7,500-9,500 is usually where I find the best balance, assuming I can fly that low (we have a few mountains around here and 7,500 is the lowest I ever fly). It is not unusual for me to get 143-149 kts. with fuel flows under 10 GPH. I never run a full 10 ...
by rwtucker
Sat May 04, 2013 9:40 pm
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Run-ups & Warm Engine Starts
Replies: 8
Views: 3946

Re: Run-ups & Warm Engine Starts

My two cents worth. With a couple of exceptions, I treat the electric fuel pump as a backup (except for the 3-4 second prime for cold starts). To be safe, I visualize a quick emergency flip of the switch on climb-out so that I am ready if the mechanical pump fails. My DA40 was a very hard to start h...
by rwtucker
Fri Apr 26, 2013 12:45 am
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: No-drip oil filter change - with pics!
Replies: 39
Views: 18346

Re: No-drip oil filter change - with pics!

Ditto the other comments. I have been using this method since the second change (following the first mess). If you haven't tried this, its fast, clean, and really easy. I build mine out of a piece of scrap aluminum. Chris. Your pictures are great.
by rwtucker
Fri Apr 26, 2013 12:40 am
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Diamond Unveils Turboprop Single At Aero
Replies: 31
Views: 13331

Re: Diamond Unveils Turboprop Single At Aero

How cool is this! I wonder what the chance is that it will make it into production. I would wonder about some of the practical issues, such as parts, etc. Given recent events, it seems more like Diamond is backing off of their Canadian investments than anything company wide. Does anyone have any goo...
by rwtucker
Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:34 pm
Forum: DA40 Forum
Topic: Concorde Battery
Replies: 44
Views: 14642

Re: Concorde Battery

Gary & Gerhard, Sulphation is the formation of large non-conductive crystals of lead sulphate (PbSO4) on the battery plates. In time, so much of the battery plate area is unable to supply current that capacity is reduced. Sulphation can occur much faster under combinations high temperature, poor...