diamondaviators.net

One of your wishes has been granted: the new G1000 NXi now shipping in all new DA62s and DA42s (GDU Version 20.X software) includes a full-page MFD "Engine" page somewhat similar to that of the DA40.

It's kinda hard to provide counter-rotating props on a Diamond twin since Mercedes car engines (upon which Austro engines are based) only turn one way, although I suppose they could develop a custom gearbox for the left "critical" engine only, that makes that prop counter-rotate.

Thanks for passing that info along.

Wouldn't counter-rotating the prop be a pretty simple mod on a gearbox? Not on the engine, obviously, and it would mean a custom prop as well, but isn't reversing the rotating on an axis just one gear additional? (Greg?)

A pain for parts tracking and so forth, but I hadn't even considered it.

I am more bothered that the FADEC don't talk to one another and try to remain sync'd in cruise.

IMHO, counter-rotating props aren't really needed for a DA42 or DA62. Unlike, for example, a Baron BE58 with big 6-cylinder 300+ horsepower engines, there's a lot less torque generated by smaller 135/168/180 hp Diamond twin engines, and the much longer wings on Diamond twins help keep the roll moment in check.

I do a lot of in-flight engine shutdowns as part of my sales job demoing Diamond twins (mostly DA42s), and have a hard time telling much difference between shutting down the left (critical) engine vs. the right engine. I have to apply similar rudder forces to fight yaw, and I manage to obtain approximately the same single-engine rate of climb, regardless of whether I shut down the left vs. right engine. In performing Vmc demos (with simulated engine shutdown), the plane provides a stall indication (which forces me to terminate the demo) before ever losing directional control, again with no difference using left vs. right engine shutdowns.