Running Continental 2.0's at 100% all the time

[UncleSpud]

I'm under contract to buy a DA42 - upgrading from a DA40. I fly my DA40 at 100% above 9,000 feet at 132kts. (full MP and 2000RPM). I would like to run my DA42 at 100% to justify the upgrade. I've heard that isn't a problem. Does anyone think differently? Any other input to a new DA42 owner would also be appreciated.

[Steve D]

I have 520 hours on my Thielert Centurion 2.0 motors. I regularly run them for extended periods at 100% of available power and have had no problems. In cruise, I come back to 85% to improve range.

[Antoine]

I fly my DA40 at 100% above 9,000 feet at 132kts. (full MP and 2000RPM)

If this is a Lycoming powered DA40, and with all due respect, you are not operating it at 100% power, not even close.
You need 2500 RPM to get approximately 75% power at this altitude (depending upon atmospheric parameters, I sometimes set 2600 RPM). The fuel flow at 75% should be 10 to 10.7 GPH.
And you should see at least 140 KTAS, close to 150 with a PowerFlow equipped 2007 or later model.

Hopefully this will make the wait for the "42" more pleasant!

[CFIDave]

For what it's worth, there's a 2008 DA42 TDI at my home airport that's been on leaseback to a flight school for years, and on cross-country trips I'm sure it's routinely run at "full rental power " i.e., 100%. This aircraft is now operating past TBR with no ill effects, so this would seem to demonstrate that operating at high power levels is OK.

[ememic99]

I regularly run them for extended periods at 100% of available power and have had no problems. In cruise, I come back to 85% to improve range.

Same here but I have 1350 hours on my engines.

[carym]

These anecdotes may be representative of the fleet, but I suspect that many others do not run at full power constantly. Be aware that, at least for the 1.7 engines, factory recommends running at 70% in cruise. It would be nice to know the actually data regarding the safety/longevity of running at close to 100% constantly. I ran my at 75% power at cruise and had about 900 hours when the plane returned to Diamond.