Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

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ememic99
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Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by ememic99 »

Following the thread of replacing KAP140 with S-TEC 3100 in DA40, I got the advice to (re)open similar topic here. I know there were several DA42 TDI in 2008 delivered with GFC700. I remember that option of replacing KAP140 with GFC700 in older DA42 was available some time ago and was priced around $50k. Also, I know that Diamond Canada was advertising few DA42 with new CD-135 engines and GFC700 - probably recent upgrade done in Canadian factory. However, I don't know whether this option is available any more and if it's available in Europe. Does anyone know anything about availability and pricing?

Regarding replacing KAP140 with S-TEC 3100, I somehow doubt it will be available since I don't see getting much without WAAS upgrade and I don't know whether it's still available for KAP140 equipped DA42.

As usual many open topics and issues for us owners of older DA42. Feel free to share your thoughts about upgrading autopilot and WAAS in DA42 as well as upgrading G1000 in older DA42 in general.
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Colin
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Re: Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by Colin »

I had $130k of upgraded done to my plane at the factory. On the page for our plane you can see the links to the various improvements. I *think* the GFC-700 was $80k of that final bill, but I try hard not to track that stuff too closely. It's not the fun part of flying.
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Re: Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by ememic99 »

Thanks for the info. I know it’s not fun to remember these details once it’s done :) but just one question. Do you think these upgrades significantly increased sales value of your aircraft i.e. it will be possible to recover some of it in case of selling the aircraft?
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Re: Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by Chris »

I'm not sure what Colin's opinion is, but as somebody who has considered upgrading to a DA42, I would value one with a GFC700 a fair bit higher than one with a KAP140, all else being equal. I'm not sure that I could justify the full $80k, but probably at least half of that. After flying the GFC700 for so many years in the DA40, it would be hard to go back.
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Re: Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by Don »

Chris wrote:I'm not sure what Colin's opinion is, but as somebody who has considered upgrading to a DA42, I would value one with a GFC700 a fair bit higher than one with a KAP140, all else being equal. I'm not sure that I could justify the full $80k, but probably at least half of that. After flying the GFC700 for so many years in the DA40, it would be hard to go back.
I agree that it would be difficult to go back to the KAP140. My 2003 and 2004 Diamond Stars were equipped with the KAP 140 and they would disconnect even in light turbulence. I have yet to have the GFC 700 disconnect even in heavy turbulence.
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Re: Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by Wilfried »

When I bought my NG in 2015 the GFC700 was certainly a factor. I was willing to pay more for a GFC equipped aircraft. Having flown a DA42 with a KAP140 I made the experience that this thing has an inbuild tendency to leave you alone when you desperately need it...
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Re: Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by dgger »

Wilfried wrote:When I bought my NG in 2015 the GFC700 was certainly a factor. I was willing to pay more for a GFC equipped aircraft. Having flown a DA42 with a KAP140 I made the experience that this thing has an inbuild tendency to leave you alone when you desperately need it...
This. Exact same school of thought. Exact same buying decision. Exact same year :)
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Re: Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by ememic99 »

When I was buying my DA42 (second hand, year 2007, it was 2014) there was only one TDI with GFC700 available on the market but this G1000/GFC was without WAAS and there was no option to upgrade it. So with that one I would end up in same or very similar situation regarding WAAS as I’m now. The NG/-VI is different story but it wasn’t in my budget at that time.
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Re: Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by Colin »

In my DA40 I replaced three pitch servos. It might have been four. And a turn coordinator. When getting some other work done I realized I was at a Garmin shop and I asked how the maintenance was on the GFC-700. The owners said, "I wouldn't know." Oh, aren't you a Garmin shop? Do they certify separately for the autopilot? "No, I'm certified to work on it, I've just never had someone come in with one that wasn't working properly."

He had a LOT of stories about KAP140's and other King autopilots. Typically the servos were under-sized.
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Re: Replacing/upgrading KAP140 in DA42

Post by ememic99 »

I had few problems with KAP140 and that’s why I’m thinking about replacement. However, I had big investment in upgrading to CD-155 engines and autopilot will wait for the next year. Moreover, if it’s GFC700 then it can be done only in factory and knowing pricing policy it seems like 100k€ investment. I’m simply not sure if it’s worth of it.
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