Front landing gear fairing

[Mjwatlanta]

My 2019 40NG has a simple round metal front strut. I noticed a fairing on the Diamond website. Is this faster, better, or even available as an add on?

[Rich]

Did you acquire this second-hand? The strut fairing attaches to the tubular structure, is a couple of discreet parts and is readily installed and removed. AFAIK it’s delivered standard on the NG.

[dmloftus]

Does that really help aerodynamics? The standard tube would not seem to present a lot more drag compared to the fairing.

[Soareyes]

Does that really help aerodynamics? The standard tube would not seem to present a lot more drag compared to the fairing.

Oddly enough, the nose wheel fairing itself creates more drag than the bare wheel without the fairing. Remove the fairing, gain two knots.

[farleymike]

The pictured nose strut fairing is not standard equipment on the DA40NG in the US or is it offered as an option on the price sheets. I have not seen it before and it looks like it would create more drag then the standard nose strut.

[Mjwatlanta]

The photo is from the Diamond website. I did find the part number- or at least I think I did. I’m just curious if it makes the plane faster or more efficient. I think we each have ideas on that question, but I’m looking for data. Data anyone?

[CFIDave]

Strut fairings on the DA40NG (nose gear and both main gear struts) are standard for Austrian-built DA40NGs, and were also included with early 2017+ DA40NGs built in Canada.

But for the last few years these fairings have been deleted on all Canada-built DA40NGs. The landing gear was also lengthened, raising the plane at least an inch taller on the gear; you really notice this when using a front step to climb into the cockpit -- Diamond should consider lengthening the steps to compensate and keep them at their original height off the ground.

The result of the "missing" strut fairings is that the DA40NG flies just as fast, if not faster, than with the fairings.

[Colin]

I don't know that I have ever seen a front step. Is that an NG feature?

[Rich]

I don't know that I have ever seen a front step. Is that an NG feature?

All DA40's

[Colin]

All DA40's

My memory of mine is now fuzzy, but I see I had a front step. Why didn't I complain when they gave me a DA42 and took away my step? I guess that put me between the propeller and the wing. Online there are images of DA40s with a back step, and missing the front step. What was the rule? TK-KFI is a DA40 with a back step and, it looks like, upturned wingtips.