DA42 -1V Heavy in roll

[Jarrad]

Good day all,

I have just taken delivery of a DA42 and I am finding the pilot input to effect a roll extremely heavy. I almost need two hands.
The controls are light prior to take off.

Is this normal? Are these aircraft known to be heavy in the rolling plane.

Thanks in advance.

[neema]

It's normal. Roll controls get progressively stiffer as speeds increase.

[baldesk]

The DA42 controls can feel quite heavy, especially if you are coming out of a DA40 which requires far less control inputs! I remember training in the DA42 and looking forward to jumping back into my DA40 b/c it felt like a highly responsive toy in comparison. Having said that I have no regrets transitioning full time to the DA42 given all the benefits and the peace-of-mind afforded by a second engine.

[gjh]

The 42 has considerable roll forces due to the wing aerodynamics, the inertia of the engines on the wings, but also to its large vertical stabilizer sized for one-engine operation. I found it rewarding to add significant rudder input proportional to the rate of roll you desire - as you initiate a turn with roll, lead with as much or more rudder as aileron. This both helps maintain coordination with the considerable adverse yaw and speeds up the roll, lowering the apparent force required on the stick.