Costs

[TimS]

Does anyone have current costs on a DA-42 with the 2.0 or 2.0S TDI engines?

Thanks,

Tim

[jb642DA]

Hi Tim -

We have 42 "Garmin system hours" on our 2008 DA42TDI (2.0 engines with clutches) since its purchase in mid-November, 2017.

Here's a link to the engine/gear box reserves we used prior to purchasing it:
http://www.greatlakesdiamond.com/hourly ... -for-da42/
It shows the 3 different gear box types. I adjusted the $$ amount up 15% since the list is almost 3 years old.

As far as inspection/mx costs go, we have to do the exhaust clamp bracket AD inspection at least every 25 hours. You can't go "over" the 25 hour AD time, so we did the first one at 21 hours (plane was going to fly 5 hours in the next 2 days). The second one will be done next week. Approx $100 per AD inspection, for both engines next time. The first inspection was more "time and $$" intensive - it took longer to get the correct logbook entry info than the time to do cowling removal/install and inspection of both brackets!

Next up for us is the 100 hour inspection/oil change (plane is doing some ME training, so we have to do the "100 hour" inspections)
This will be our first 100 hour inspection -
Sounds like somewhere around 30-32 MX man hours based on the AMM info, + 2 engine oil change kits (~$160 each) + 6 liters of oil per engine (I bought a case of oil for $155).
At the current local shop rate of $90/hr, that will be $2700-3000 + ~$475 for oil change parts.
Plus of course whatever else is "found"!!??
Currently, we are budgeting a $40/hour reserve for the 100 hour inspections.
Hopefully some other forum members will post their costs and crosscheck these numbers!

From what I understand, the 100 hour inspection is a little less than the cost and time for the annual only?!

100 hour "oil change only" would be much less (~$800-1000??) if just using the plane for personal flying.

Hope this helps -

John

[TimS]

It does. And the 25 hour AD is not something I was aware of. And would drive me bonkers....
I was taught; if the plane is on a leaseback or other similar requirements the difference between the 100hr inspection and an annual is who signs the paperwork. The 100hr can be signed by the A/P; while the annual requires an I/A.
Otherwise, there is no difference in that specific situation. (I had a Cirrus on leaseback, to lower my costs)

Tim

[jb642DA]

I'm not sure which DA42s the AD applies to, but it does to ours.

The AD, per the logbook sign-off is 2017-15-09 "Exhaust Tail Pipe Clamp Inspection".
Now that's its been done locally, for the first time, it should only take 30 minutes or so. Problem is the "no later than" 25 hours part of the AD for the inspection!

Hopefully, with the new spring washers in the clamps, the AD time requirement will be changed??!!

[Karl]

The expected manhours per inspection proposed by Diamond in 2012 are

100 Hr 34 hrs.
200 Hr 38 hrs.
1000 Hr 67 hrs.
2000 Hr 107 hrs.
2000 Hr + MSI 116 hrs.

Over the years some of these inspections have actually decreased so I am not sure how accurate they are today but they are not far off what we achieve. A lot of it depends on the experience (and dedication to get on with it) of your engineering team.

[jb642DA]

Thanks Karl -
Looks like the 100 hour inspection numbers I have are pretty close to what you've seen (I'll find out for sure in 2-3 months). Thanks for the other inspection numbers too!
John

[farleymike]

On the exhaust pipe inspection, we should see the inspection time raised to 50 hrs to match the original Service Bulletin by the FAA. I have been told by my shop that that is in process.

The engine company is working on a new tail pipe that will eliminate this AD. Do not have a timeline on that yet.

mike