DA40-NG comparrison to DA40-XLS

[mbitran]

Just a bit more feedback after owning the NG for 6 weeks. I have about 40 hours thus far in the plane. It has been fantastic so far. Here is the good and bad:

- handling is amazing
- there is a lot of misinformation about climb rate. Full fuel, with myself and a passenger on board, we are climbing out at 950 - 1050 fpm. Keep in mind it's winter, but climb rate has been solid
- I have about 100 hours in the XLT. I think the extra weight in the nose area of the Austro is actually a positive. I find that takeoffs are more controlled, especially in a xwind. Otherwise the planes handle and feel very similarly.
- The engine is very smooth and quiet. We did have an issue with an ECU failure right out of the box. But that was repaired with a prop governor adjustment (plane was down for a day) and was covered by warranty.
- Fuel economy is insane --- I feel like I'm flying a Prius. It never needs fuel...

I am sharing the plane with two other member/renters. So far so good.

If anyone is curious about certain aspects of the plane - feel free to inquire.

[ZAV]

Thanks for the information. I would definitely be interested in the maintenance cost over time compared to the Lycoming DA40. My own run at the numbers I could find or estimate showed that any fuel cost savings were quickly overshadowed by ongoing and recurring maintenance costs. I personally don’t have easy access to anyone comfortable with maintenance on the Austro engine so ferry costs had to be included in that calculation.

[Boatguy]

- there is a lot of misinformation about climb rate. Full fuel, with myself and a passenger on board, we are climbing out at 950 - 1050 fpm. Keep in mind it's winter, but climb rate has been solid

- Fuel economy is insane --- I feel like I'm flying a Prius. It never needs fuel...

My experience after about 400hrs with the NG is that it performs very close to the AFM. I'd be surprise to see 950-1050 for an entire climb from SL to 10,000'.

Fuel economy is definitely disorienting. I am sometimes embarrassed to ask them to bring out the Jet-A truck and then buy only 15-20 gallons, less than 10gal per side.

[CFIDave]

- there is a lot of misinformation about climb rate. Full fuel, with myself and a passenger on board, we are climbing out at 950 - 1050 fpm. Keep in mind it's winter, but climb rate has been solid

- Fuel economy is insane --- I feel like I'm flying a Prius. It never needs fuel...

My experience after about 400hrs with the NG is that it performs very close to the AFM. I'd be surprise to see 950-1050 for an entire climb from SL to 10,000'.

Fuel economy is definitely disorienting. I am sometimes embarrassed to ask them to bring out the Jet-A truck and then buy only 15-20 gallons, less than 10gal per side.

Yeah, when refueling a DA40NG after less than an hour flight, I'm also embarrassed to have them drive out in a huge JetA truck. Sometimes I think the truck burns more diesel fuel refueling the 40NG, than the JetA fuel it's putting into the plane!