DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray
DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
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.
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.
- CFIDave
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
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.
If the plane is constantly requiring right rudder in cruise, turn the rudder trim knob.
Epic Aircraft E1000 GX
Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
- Colin
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
+1 for rudder trim. Mine is two turns to the right, I think. It's been a while since I had to set it.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
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
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
- CFIDave
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
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?
Epic Aircraft E1000 GX
Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
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
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
- cptndavid
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Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
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.
Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
Thank you, captain.
Out of curiosity, do you also do two turns to the right on the rudder trim like Colin?
Out of curiosity, do you also do two turns to the right on the rudder trim like Colin?
Re: DA42 TDI rudder heavy/yaw
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.
cptdavid and colin:
Out of curiosity, what does your rudder trim position look like?
Perhaps a photo will help. Thank You so much.