DA40 Adding the extended luggage compartment

[Rich]

I'm definitely going to take a look at the W&B in the logbook next time I'm at the plane. My plane is ~120# heavier than Rich's. AFAICT, even accounting for the things listed it's a bit nuts:

• roughly 12 pounds in '02 as production moved to Canada 120 - 12 -> 108

So we're down to the XM, pedals, cupholders and such. Hopefully the book sheds some light!

Mine is one of the '02 Canadian models (ser no 200 and above). You'll notice planes like Steve's and Arnaud's pre-date that. And theirs are the lightest.

[Rich]

Bernie, speaking of cryptic, what does "Still have diff ldg wt" mean?

[dant]

As a random thought, was there any change to the weighing method that could account for differences?

Mine is one of the '02 Canadian models

So back up to like 100# of missing weight!

I'll go back and edit the post.

[blsewardjr]

Rich- It notes that the new landing gear does not eliminate (but narrows) the fact that, unlike many GA aircraft, we have different landing weight from our takeoff weight. I find the landing weight often governs what I can carry more than the takeoff weight (because of the need to burn down 110lb of fuel). Bernie

[Rich]

As a random thought, was there any change to the weighing method that could account for differences?

Mine is one of the '02 Canadian models

So back up to like 100# of missing weight!

I'll go back and edit the post.

Not likely to affect weight measurement unless you doubt the scales themselves. However, the determination of CG is subject to question. In '04 when the factory added the extended baggage the plane was reweighed by the factory and it had added a net of 8 lb well behind the rear seats, but the calculated CG came out forward of where they originally had it. After the MTOW/MLW modification ('16) the plane was reweighed and we very carefully measured the stations of the landing gear. A CS guy at Diamond checked on the production line and confirmed (in the blind) what we had come up with. The weight the local shop measured (also in the blind, I should add) at the time came right in line with what I expected, given known changes from the original and CG was credible against that original data.

[Rich]

Rich- It notes that the new landing gear does not eliminate (but narrows) the fact that, unlike many GA aircraft, we have different landing weight from our takeoff weight. I find the landing weight often governs what I can carry more than the takeoff weight (because of the need to burn down 110lb of fuel). Bernie

OK, that makes sense. However, the AFM/POH that was revised to cover this modification allows for landing at higher than the allowed landing mass for either case. See section 4B.7.

[dant]

Picked up the AFM and looked through the installed equipment and nothing indicates where the weight is going. I think I added up all the G1000 parts at ~36#. Comparing the bendix A/P parts to the GFC A/P parts seems to be more or less equivalent.

Amsafe isn't light, but isn't _that_ heavy, and it's unclear how much the base seatbelts weigh. So maybe you can get back 5-10# if the amsafe is completely removed.

My AFM seems to have been filled out in 2014 even though 787DM is a 2008 Da40, which is odd, but I didn't see anything even _possible_ on the weight and balance that could add 50+ unaccounted for pounds.

I wonder if Diamond would respond if I asked them where the weight goes. :p

[Rich]

Dan, I always assumed it was some set of additional gizmos and never thought beyond that. But it's starting to look like addition beef in the structure. So I start to wonder why would that be?

A couple of things come to mind: The larger rudder and additional inspection covers added to the wings, horizontal stabilizer, and seats. I think all this stuff became standard at some point. But it doesn't seem to come to 50# and I don't know if your plane has any of these.

[Rich]

Dan, you might double-check whether you have the nose ballast. It can be 17-ish pounds. Check out this topic, in which there was some indication that the '08 models started coming with it from the factory:

viewtopic.php?t=6897&hilit=nose+ballast

It would add to our knowledge base if you could add your vital to the wiki page - or PM me and I'll take care of it. one of the items is whether it has NB or not.

[dant]

AFAICT the "engine ballast" was removed shortly (< 1 month) after manufacture. 7.9kg

I'll get it on the wiki here in a day or two.

When was the rudder size increased? Crazy how much can get changed under the same type certificate!