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Some DA62 "Growing pains"

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:31 pm
by Braden19
Hi.

We recently upgraded from our 2016 DA42-VI to a 2018 DA-62. We love the 62, but we have had a couple of issues that I would like to ask other owners how they have handled...

Specifically, the "caps" on the front door handles always seem to pop off. Is there a way to keep these down?

Second, the defrost seems to blow on the pilot side only, nothing flows to the Copilot side. Diamond tells me that this is "by design", but I would really like to be able to see out of the entire windscreen.

We fly almost exclusively IFR in British Columbia, and we use the machine regularly. Any ideas on how to address these two items?

Thanks

Braden Messenger
C-GTSF (2018 Diamond DA62)

Re: Some DA62 "Growing pains"

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 4:49 pm
by rdrobson
Braden19 wrote:Specifically, the "caps" on the front door handles always seem to pop off. Is there a way to keep these down?
Good question, other than not use the handle I haven't figured it out yet. Almost every flight I push them back in place.

I haven't had the defrost issue bother me yet.

--Ron

"Black Hole" between front row seats and center console

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 4:44 pm
by bikexprt
Hi everyone. I operate a DA62 for a company in my local area. I discovered something that I think is worth sharing here and this seems the most appropriate forum to do so. Between the inboard sides of the front row seats and the fuel selector panel there is a VERY thin gap- just big enough for an object like the credit card that was loose in my pocket one day to slip into. And when that happens, it doesn't just fall onto the interior floor, no sir. It goes directly into the wing box where the trim cables live. :shock: If this happens to you like it did to me, remove the aux pump/2-prong comm input panel to help with access. I used a flexible mechanical finger device, a smartphone-compatible borescope and long forceps to remove it. 3 hours with a helper is the length of time it took me. Since this experience, I've adopted a policy of no loose small objects (cards, coins, etc) unless they are secured inside zippered pockets or containers.

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Re: Some DA62 "Growing pains"

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:36 pm
by jast
Braden19 wrote: Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:31 pm Second, the defrost seems to blow on the pilot side only, nothing flows to the Copilot side. Diamond tells me that this is "by design", but I would really like to be able to see out of the entire windscreen.
I anecdotally heard that this was an issue with the earlier serial numbers and was solved for newer DA62. Not sure how easy it is to retrofit though. I‘ll have access to serial 62.113 soon so I can check if this is solved now.

Re: Some DA62 "Growing pains"

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 9:15 pm
by klang
The reported case sounds like a minor issue, but really it means priceless quality feedback to the OEM.
Several industries spend big money to encourage customers and users of their products for valuable feedback.
I guess some people at Diamond regularly check in to forums like this. i just wonder why Diamond does not have a formal contact and presence here and strongly recommend they should. It would pay dividends real quick.

Re: Some DA62 "Growing pains"

Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2019 8:47 pm
by CFIDave
Braden19 wrote: Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:31 pm Specifically, the "caps" on the front door handles always seem to pop off. Is there a way to keep these down?
I just delivered a customer's new DA62 from the factory last week and the caps on the front door handles had already worked themselves loose. There was a sticky glue that had been applied behind the caps presumably to keep them from coming loose, but it didn't work.

I'm tired of having to click them back into place on my DA62 as well. If anyone has come up with a permanent fix, please post it here. :scratch:

Re: Some DA62 "Growing pains"

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2019 1:08 pm
by jb642DA
I'm tired of having to click them back into place on my DA62 as well. If anyone has come up with a permanent fix, please post it here. :scratch:

I had the door handle "cap" issue since day one -
This was "fixed" during our DA62's first annual. Here's the logbook entry-

"SECURED ALL DOORS HANDLE COVERS WITH EPOXY IAW CA 42.13.1B"

FYI - I don't have access to the "iaw CA 42.13.1B" reference
Caps haven't moved since! Hope this helps.

Re: Some DA62 "Growing pains"

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2019 1:12 pm
by Colin
42.13.1B is just acceptable practices (there's a PDF at the bottom of the page if you want the whole 1mb thing, so it probably outlines that it is okay to glue something in place if the damn thing keeps falling off.

Re: Some DA62 "Growing pains"

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2019 1:14 pm
by jb642DA
Thanks Colin!

Edit - I just looked at your reference. That's for AC 43.13.1B

My entry says CA 42.13.1B ------- maybe a dyslexic entry or perhaps DAI has a different doc for this type repair??

Re: Some DA62 "Growing pains"

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:41 pm
by Colin
I'm going to lean toward it being some typo dyslexia work going on. From a discussion forum out there:
Advisory Circular (AC) 43.13-1B can be used as a "guide" to repairing different types of propeller damage. However, it is very important to remember that AC 42.13-1B is not APPROVED data (yes, even though the FAA wrote it, you may not use it as APPROVED data for accomplishing a repair). What that means is that unless the manufacturer does not provide specific Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICAs), you aren't supposed to use AC 43-13 as your reference for signing off the work. Always do what the manufacturer recommends in their ICAs.

Blending damage is to remove whatever metal is necessary to ensure all the damaged areas of the blade are removed. You are right about stress cracks being introduced into the blade, so the manufacturer will typically tell you how much material you need to remove on all sides of the damage to ensure any stress risers are also removed.
So do I think there is a CA and an AC? No. But I can't find the 42.13.1B that this guy mentions and you have logged.