DA40NG Intro flight

Transition training to the new Jet-A powered DA40NG. Personal, unofficial highlights: -Airplane stance is 2" higher. -Seating position is higher, better visibility for shorter people. -No battery + alternator master switch, replaced by key in "on" position. -Smoother engine -Straightforward engine start -Straightforward run-up procedure (push and hold button, and don't forget about the rest of the run-up check list) -Longer takeoff roll to reach Vr of 69kts -Initial climb feels slower (almost level flight) in order to maintain Vy of 88kts -Once flaps are retracted, things change as it climbs eagerly in the 90kts range. -Never exceed 100% power for more than 5 min, engine works very hard at max power. -Turbo lag: On final, it might help to keep engine “spooled” at a slightly higher rpm in case you need to increase thrust. -Decreased workload overall without mixture or prop levers -Engine feeds from left tank, right tank works as additional tank, requires transferring fuel to the left every ~30 min (fuel flow is 8 gph). Easier to run fuel transfer switch on and forget about it, plan for it. -Airspeeds used in the traffic pattern were the same as those of the gasoline-powered DA40: 95-85-75 kts. -Cabin noise is lower, need to familiarize with the new noises (e.g. fuel pump).