Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Any DA40 related topics

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cptndavid
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by cptndavid »

L.E.D. nav lights low voltage draw and a very clean look, Leave them on all of the time , VGs , power plugs for your I pad and other stuff , build your self an ice cooler , Bug Blaster (from Spruce) really gets the bugs off of the airplane , and always wash your windscreen with plain water and your bare hand , than polish.(I use Novus 1)
If you want/need O2 you can get the equipment from an outfit in GA see E bay. get refills at your local welding shop, cost of about $15.00 per fill. Fly a lot and enjoy the airplane.
PeterK
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by PeterK »

I think you bought my plane. :)
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Tim H
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by Tim H »

LED landing / taxi lights. Big improvement over the stock incandescent.
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pietromarx
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by pietromarx »

One consideration on the landing / taxi lights is to compare HID vs. LED. The HIDs are brighter, but the LEDs will use less power and last longer. Having had all three (old, HID, and LED), I would have the HIDs.
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Rich
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by Rich »

pietromarx wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 10:43 pm One consideration on the landing / taxi lights is to compare HID vs. LED. The HIDs are brighter, but the LEDs will use less power and last longer. Having had all three (old, HID, and LED), I would have the HIDs.
For sure if you have the original Halogen lights and you ever plan to fly at night - replace them. Taxiing around an airport that relies on reflectors for the taxiways with the old lights on a dark night is tres nerve-wracking. The XEvision system I put in many years ago are fabulous. And while MTBF for these lamps is lower than LEDs, still they're at 2,500 hours. However, installation of the LED's is simpler and would draw less power, should that be a factor.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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grantcollard
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by grantcollard »

This is amazing feedback, thanks everyone!
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grantcollard
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by grantcollard »

PeterK wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:01 pm I think you bought my plane. :)
Really?
PeterK
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by PeterK »

As in I was eyeing it, too, not owned it. Congratulations.
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Colin
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by Colin »

Start a blog. There will be AMAZING flights and taking some photos and posting a short description means that ten years from now you can look back at all of them. You'll also inspire someone else out there to get a plane. My own DA40 journey started, in part, because I read Philip Greenspun and Peter Marx writing about their Diamondstars. It was before I knew where the web board of Diamond pilots was so I wrote to Peter and asked, "How are the landings? I've trained in a Piper Warrior and still have trouble getting it down smoothly." (He wrote back that his smoothest landings seemed to be at night.)

Also, fly up to Heber City. That's a fun flight through that valley with the water fall, across the lake to a high density altitude landing.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
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grantcollard
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Re: Just got my DA40! What should I do??

Post by grantcollard »

PeterK wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 7:48 pm As in I was eyeing it, too, not owned it. Congratulations.
Oh nice, haha! Hopefully it's a good one :D
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