DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

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tired_right_leg

DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by tired_right_leg »

Folks,
I flew a DA42 TDI recently. I found that I had to continuously apply the right rudder during almost all phases of flights (taxi, take-offs, descends, and cruises) without the autopilot at the point of embarrassing since I couldn't even keep the wing level in the downwind circuit.
Is this normal or is this just "an odd ball aircraft" that rudder heavy/yaw?

I flew a DA42-VI several years ago and it wasn't this bad.
Any tip/trick that I can use to tame this DA42 TDI?
I must say this aircraft is the easiest to land compared to other twins and I may potentially acquire one.
Thank you.
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CFIDave
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by CFIDave »

It's not normal. The only times you should need continuous right rudder are during takeoff/climb to counter torque/p-factor, and occasionally when taxiing on the ground with a crosswind causing the plane to weathervane up into the wind.

If the plane is constantly requiring right rudder in cruise, turn the rudder trim knob.
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Colin
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by Colin »

+1 for rudder trim. Mine is two turns to the right, I think. It's been a while since I had to set it.
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tired_right_leg

Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by tired_right_leg »

Thank you for the tips, folks.
I did that two turns to the right rudder trim which helped a lot but I somewhat flew with one wing low after and not coordinated.
It was very difficult to keep the ball/The Slip & Skid Indicator centered.
Off course the CFI would just say I didn't know how to fly the darn thing.
....maybe just me or a sensitive stick and a heavy rudder just don't mix. I didn't feel like this with PA34 and PA44.
Is it that noticeable how heavy the rudder from a TDI compared to a VI?
I felt more natural with DA42-VI.....but there is not enough "sampling" to compare apples to apples so I can't be sure.

Thank You
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by CFIDave »

DA42 TDI's and DA42-VI's fly similarly -- not much rudder required on either model. Perhaps the plane you flew had flight controls that were mis-rigged?
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by tired_right_leg »

I had the feeling that flight controls were mis-rigged.
Off course I wouldn't say anything as the instructors and CFI there are a bit temperamental.
Once this pandemic is over I plan to test drive a DA42 elsewhere.
Where else can I try DA42 out there, preferably the east coast and not very busy airspace?

Thank You
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by cptndavid »

If you are near or in N.J. we could fly my 1.7 T.D.I. You need right rudder on taxi and take off but that is it. A bit of right trim and all is great. P.M. if you are interested.
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by tired_right_leg »

Thank you, captain.
Out of curiosity, do you also do two turns to the right on the rudder trim like Colin?
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by cptndavid »

I set my trim a bit to the right; kind of set it and forget it.
tired_right_leg

Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw

Post by tired_right_leg »

Thank you all for your feedback.

cptdavid and colin:
Out of curiosity, what does your rudder trim position look like?
Perhaps a photo will help. Thank You so much.
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