Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Any DA40 related topics

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pilotmichael
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Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by pilotmichael »

Hey everyone, I'm interested in an 00-03 (04?) DA40. Call me old-school but I like the 6 pack a little better than the fancy G1000 (although I haven't entirely ruled out going that route). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone can point me to any resources that outline the model variances and nuances between these early models. I know that the models through '01 roughly were built in Austria and that subsequent models were built in Canada - which introduced some subtle differences. Any tips, tricks, must-haves to watch out for when shopping for these models would be helpful. Finally, any owners of a super clean early model looking to sell I would appreciate getting a first look!

Thanks,
Michaelb
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Don
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Re: Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by Don »

If you are tall you might want to avoid the early Austrian models. They had the circuit breakers located across the bottom of the panel which gives you less knee-leg room. The upside is they are much lighter than later models.
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Steve
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Re: Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by Steve »

Don wrote:If you are tall you might want to avoid the early Austrian models. They had the circuit breakers located across the bottom of the panel which gives you less knee-leg room. The upside is they are much lighter than later models.
Don, actually the later models had that feature. My 2001 Austrian-built DA40 (SN 40.049) has the circuit breakers in the same location as the newer models, the copilots instrument panel. You are right about the leg room though. I am 6 feet even and don't have any trouble, but my 6 foot 3 son is about at the limit knee-room and head-room wise.

Michael, don't feel bad about being old-school. I chuckle a bit when I see the extensive threads about configuration issues, software problems, and difficulty finding expert technicians for the G1000. More capable, to be sure, but also more expensive and maybe less reliable.

My aircraft has a Bendix/King panel (very rare in a DA40). Single KLN-94 non-WAAS GPS. KX-165A and KX-155A nav/coms, KAP-140 autopilot with HSI, and a King DME. No on-board weather, no ADS-B (yet). I have owned it since new, so you can tell I like it a lot. I never did the upgrade to increase the GW, but my missions don't require it. I have the 40 gallon fuel tanks, so no aft CG issues. My aircraft is one of the lightest Stars flying.

I haven't seen a lot of early Stars for sale, and the few I've seen were somewhat beat up. Mine looks and operates as new, but it has been hangared for most of its life, except on trips away from home base. Hopefully (with BasicMed) I won't be selling for a long time.

Steve
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Thomas
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Re: Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by Thomas »

Don, with a six pack DA40 (up to 2003 standard), you have the possibility to upgrade with new Garmin avionic, GTN 650/750 - G500 or an Avidyne solution. Except for the Autopilot KAP140 you have then an equal or even better equipped panel than the (old) G1000. The aircraft is definitely lighter. If you find a low time, no “flight school” plane you will have an excellent aircraft for private flying with no CG limitation. Of course without the long range tanks, but with the high density of AVGAS fueling possibilities in the US I think this is not a big issue (a bit different here in Europe). If you wish you can even upgrade the to the extended baggage compartment. (A kit was available here in the forum some time ago)
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Rich
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Re: Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by Rich »

I've never been able to prove this, but it seems to me there should be DA40's manufactured in '04 and maybe even '05 that went out with 6-packs. The reason is that the G1000 was introduced as an option in the middle of '04.

I'm also a 6-packer and agree that you have all kinds of upgrade options whereas the G1000 steers you on a narrower path. And after 15+ years all my iron gyros and antediluvian altimeter and airspeed gauges still work just fine, thank you.

Of, course, there are still CG limitations on these older planes. To get it out of rear CG range you pretty much have to do it on purpose. But you can get it slightly out of forward CG with a couple of heavy front-seaters and nothing whatsoever in the rear. If the prop is a Hartzell aluminum I daresay forward CG is a bit more problematic, depending on other equipment.

Michael, something to pay attention to is the fixed-pitch/carburetor variant. These were manufactured for flight schools. I don't know how many of them are out there, but don't assume all DA40's you might encounter have the same power-train setup you're used to.

We recently discovered that DA40's of all vintages were shipped with an inaccurate oil dipstick, of all things. I don't know if you saw the thread on this, but Lycoming screwed up way back when and have a different dipstick that should replace the "wrong" one.
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Re: Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by rwtucker »

I agree with Thomas. I have a 2007/8 XLS with the full G1000 complement. Functionally, the G1000 is Ok and I like the GFC700 a lot. However, the G1000 "pack" suffers the same problems we saw when various combinations of DVDs, VCRs, TVs, cassettes, and radios were combined in a single device. Technologies evolve at different paces and, even though the G1000 module rack was supposed to accommodate this issue, it has not done as well as many expected. Aside from the autopilot issue, newer systems are available that do a better job for less weight, power consumption, and money. Some also offer more access to the end user. The G1000 was designed as a black box not to be touched by pilots. I may be going out on a limb here but I think a lot of pilots don't like devices they can't play around with. A pimped out 2003 DA40 could be a great aircraft with several advantages over my XLS. Maybe someone has an idea for a retro digital autopilot. That would top it off.
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Re: Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by Colin »

If I was getting a steam-gauge DA40 I would make it all electric and eliminate the vacuum pump. I don't like those.
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Re: Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by Steve »

Colin wrote:If I was getting a steam-gauge DA40 I would make it all electric and eliminate the vacuum pump. I don't like those.
Colin:

All DA40s are all-electric. None came with vacuum instruments.

Steve
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Re: Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by Rich »

I think I've heard some folks refer to vacuum-pump-equipped DA40's, but I suspect they're only flown by Bigfoot. :D
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Re: Interested in an 01-03 DA40 6 pack

Post by Lance Murray »

I have a 2002 DA40. I added a larger rudder available on later year models. I added the newer landing gear and the mod to allow a 110 pound increased gross weight. I added an Aspen EFD1000, Garmin WAAS, Avidyne TAS600 TCAS.

I also had a 2007 Diamond DA40XL. It was very nice but I sold it and kept my 2002. I love my airplane. Feel free to PM me if you want specifics but the older 2002-2003 DA40's are a very good choice.

Also I regularly see 140kts in cruise at 6000' on my 2002.
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