DA42 gear alarm

[Boatguy]

What power setting or configuration triggers the DA42 gear warning "check gear...".

[Chris]

I think it comes on below about 30% at low altitudes. Seems like it's at a higher power level when up high, but I haven't tried it lately.

[MikeMeadows]

Less than approx. 20% - see page 7-14 of AFM/POH

"Should one power lever be placed in a position below approx. 20% while the landing gear is retracted, a warning horn sounds to alert the pilot that the gear is retracted. Additionally, a CHECK GEAR caution is indicated on the PFD. The same warning appears if the flaps move into position LDG (fully extended) while the gear is retracted."

Mike Meadows
CFII MEI
Houston, TX

[Boatguy]

Didn't see that. It's apparently the same as the 62. Thanks!

[photoSteveZ]

I think it comes on below about 30% at low altitudes. Seems like it's at a higher power level when up high, but I haven't tried it lately.

At my high-altitude home airport, the gear warnings come on at 40% Load (this is a DA62). I don't recall if it's different at sea level, but I don't fly much over terrain with elevations below 5000'.

[NDCDA62]

Approximately at just below 20% the Check Gear audio warning is activated.

[Boatguy]

What could explain the difference between 40% and 20%?

I know it's not based on AGL because the alarm can be triggered at 5,000' AGL.

[MikeMeadows]

I think it comes on below about 30% at low altitudes. Seems like it's at a higher power level when up high, but I haven't tried it lately.

At my high-altitude home airport, the gear warnings come on at 40% Load (this is a DA62). I don't recall if it's different at sea level, but I don't fly much over terrain with elevations below 5000'.

The AFM/POH for the DA62 on page 7-13 says:

"Should one power lever be placed in a position below 25% while the landing gear is retracted, a warning horn sounds to alert the pilot that the gear is retracted. Additionally, a CHECK GEAR caution is indicated on the PFD. The same warning appears if the flaps move into LDG position (fully extended) while the gear is retracted."

Can't think of a reason why a turbocharged engine should not have the same % load/power at 5,000 ft elevation versus that at sea level?

Mike Meadows
CFII MEI
Houston, TX

[Chris]

I experimented with this a bit today during a four-hour flight from TX to IA. It definitely sounds the alarm at a higher percentage when at higher altidues. Here are the approximate power settings that sounded the gear alarm on my NG at different altitudes.

11,000' - 40%
9,000' - 35%
8,000' - 32%
6,000' - 24%

I was busy shooting an approach in IMC after that so I didn't try it any lower. I wonder if this is related to the "low power correction" that causes you to have 13% power at "idle" when landing at Leadville.

My best guess is the alarm is based on the position of the power lever, and the amount of power available at that position increases due to the aforementioned "low power correction" effect.

[Ed McDonald]

The gear warning horn is triggered by a micro switch in the throttle as shown in the attached diagram so it is in a fixed position however the load at that position appears to vary significantly with altitude.