Performance landing gear kit

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GaPhil

Performance landing gear kit

Post by GaPhil »

Hi All -

I would like to start by thanking everyone on this forum for providing free information to hopeful plane owners.

I am focused on finding a good 05/06 da40 and I have not been able to determine if the performance landing gear kit is an option on those model years, or if it came standard.

Can someone tell me how to recognize the performance landing gear, in the event the seller can't answer the question?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Phil - Georgia.
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Lance Murray
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Re: Performance landing gear kit

Post by Lance Murray »

I have a spec sheet somewhere. Ill try and dig it up. That being said the "performance" landing gear is more marketing than a true speed improvement. The fat tires of the other variant have benefits also.

The "performance" gear has 500x5 main tires and the other has 600X6 tires on the mains.
GaPhil

Re: Performance landing gear kit

Post by GaPhil »

Thanks, Lance- I'll be glad to look at that - is the "performance" component only related to the size of the tire, or does it have to do with a change in the nose gear design and strength?
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Re: Performance landing gear kit

Post by Lance Murray »

The main tire size is smaller (500X5) and the fairings are more aerodynamic looking. You may find some late 2006 airplanes with the "performance" gear but the late 2006 and early 2007 had the shorter gear legs making the tail clearance an issue. There is a taller gear approved for these airplanes and I think that became standard around mid 2007.

I think the real speed improvement of the "performance" gear is in the fairing added to the nose landing gear leg. You can add this to any airplane and is worth a few knots at cruise.

There is no strength improvement. That being said there is an AD on the nose landing gear leg that can be terminated with the new NLG leg. Also there is a gross weight improvement available but you have to have the later model main gear legs.
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Re: Performance landing gear kit

Post by Antoine »

The "performance" nose landing gear looks like this.
Capture d’écran 2016-12-31 à 00.14.49.png
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Re: Performance landing gear kit

Post by Lance Murray »

Diamond DA40 Chronology of Major Developments
2001
• DA40-180 - Original launch aircraft.
2002
• Redesigned symmetrical instrument panel with more knee room
• Improved cabin ventilation
• Optional Garmin or Bendix-King panel mount avionics, including
KAP140 autopilot
• Redesigned interior trim and optional premium leather interior
2004
• Redesigned instrument panel to provide improved viewing angles,
accessibility, cockpit space, ventilation and aesthetics
• World’s first certified application of the optional fully integrated
G1000 Glass Flight Deck
o Remote mounted avionics compartment
o Integrally lit, laser etched polycarbonate panel overlays
o Digital audio control system
o Mode-S transponder with Traffic Information Service
o Solid-state Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) o Digital air data computer (ADC)
o Optional Garmin GDL69A weather data link and XM radio
• Larger cockpit side pockets with cup holders
• 4 way baggage compartment
• Standard 2-blade metal Hartzell propeller with optional MT 3-blade
propeller
• 18mm landing gear legs allows for 110lb weight upgrade
• Optional performance landing gear option with smaller fairings
• Standard 40 gallon fuel tanks with optional long range 50 gallon
tanks
Premier Aircraft Sales, Inc. Page 1 of 3 Printed 3/6/2010 DA40 Features Chronology Nov 2010.doc

2006 (for the 2007 model year aircraft)
• DA40 XL version introduced including most commonly ordered
options as standard equipment including
o Garmin G1000
o Garmin GFC700 Digital Automatic Flight Control System
o Garmin GDL69A Satellite Data Link Weather and XM Radio o Avidyne TAS 600 Active Traffic
o Garmin TAWS-B Terrain Warning
o Standard MT 3-blade propeller with optional Hartzell 2-blade
metal prop
o PowerFlow tuned exhaust system
o Premium leather interior
o Performance Landing gear Improved wheel fairings with
access ports
o Electrically adjustable rudder pedals
o High intensity discharge landing and taxi lights
o Electronic carbon monoxide detector
o Standard airbag seatbelts in front seats (optional for rear
seats)
o Premium Care Maintenance Program
o Useful load increased by 110 lbs standard
o 50 gallon long range fuel tanks become standard with optional
40 gallon tanks
Premier Aircraft Sales, Inc. Page 2 of 3 Printed 3/6/2010 DA40 Features Chronology Nov 2010.doc
2007 (for the 2008 model year aircraft)
• DA40 XLS version replaces DA40 XL and includes all XL features
except as noted below
o More head room and elbow room under recontoured „Bubbel“
canopy
o Upgraded Platinum interior package including a choice of
leather colors, aluminum-framed genuine wood inlay accents, engraved brushed aluminum trim, carbon-fiber sill plates and a distinctive metallic striping package
o Garmin G1000 WAAS-enabled glass cockpit features Garmin FliteCharts and SafeTaxi, and other enhanced software functionality, including an ability to fly auto-pilot coupled procedure turns and holds and WAAS VNAV approaches and to program Victor Airways into flight plans
o Full page engine instruments on G1000
o Optional ChartView by Jeppesen geo-referenced approach
charts
o Optional Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT)
o 3-blade MT propeller with optional 2-blade Hartzell metal or
Hartzell 2-blade composite propeller
o 406 MHz ELT
o TAS 600 Active traffic system becomes optional
o Diamond Premium Care Maintenance Program becomes
optional
o 50 gallon long range fuel tanks standard with optional 40
gallon tanks
2009 (for the 2010 model year aircraft - Premier exclusive)
• Premier Edition I Upgrade Package option, includes:
o Hartzell 2-blade “Scimitar” composite prop
o Premier ComfortTM upgraded seat leather and cushion foam
o Premier ComfortTM upgraded carpet
o Premier PowerPlusTM automatic Standby Alternator
o LoPresti Boom BeamTM HID Landing & Taxi lights (3X brighter)
• Premier Edition II Upgrade Package option, includes:
o All items listed on Premier Edition Package I, plus o CabinCoolTM Air Conditioning
Premier Aircraft Sales, Inc. Page 3 of 3 Printed 3/6/2010 DA40 Features Chronology Nov 2010.doc
GaPhil

Re: Performance landing gear kit

Post by GaPhil »

Antoine wrote:The "performance" nose landing gear looks like this.
Capture d’écran 2016-12-31 à 00.14.49.png
Perfect! Yes, you can't see through the hole at the top of the gear. Very helpful thanks!
GaPhil

Re: Performance landing gear kit

Post by GaPhil »

Thanks, Lance and all of you for helping me narrow this down. I don't think I am eligible to pm anyone without being signed up, and I don't think I can sign up without owning a plane. Correct me if I am wrong.
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Re: Performance landing gear kit

Post by blsewardjr »

I was recently in contact with Diamond Canada about whether there are any performance mods for a 2003 DA40 with the "thin" MLG struts , the old-style MLG wheel pants and no NLG strut cover. BL- Not really. 1) The MLG brake covers and strut covers are specific to the new style MLG wheel pants. (A cursory internet picture check of both DA40-180s and DA40-TDIs confirmed this.) 2) DC stated that you have to put on the new NLG strut to add the NLG strut cover. I can't find anything that says this, but did notice that the attachment plate listed in OSB-40-16(3) (which permits the installation of the speed kit) is NOT listed in the parts catalog. Therefore, in addition to the full performance landing gear kit, I would have to change out my "thin" MLG struts for the "tall" MLG struts; purchase new "smaller" tires; and replace my NLG strut with the latest (-02) version. I didn't ask the cost, but I think it easily would be WAY more than what it would be worth to me for the modest speed gain.
Bernie Seward, IR, AGI
2003 DA40 N377DS
KCHO Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Performance landing gear kit

Post by Diamond_Dan »

GaPhil wrote: Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:26 pm
I am focused on finding a good 05/06 da40 and I have not been able to determine if the performance landing gear kit is an option on those model years, or if it came standard.
As Lance's post details, if you are considering an 05 or an 06 you should add the 04 which has a similar configuration (I have one). BTW mine came from the factory with the thinner MLG needed for the highly desirable GWI kit.
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