All that changed last weekend when I took a first difference training flight with an instructor in a 2006 Diamond DA40 aircraft. From the moment I sat in the cockpit, I realized that the view offered to both pilot and passengers is excellent. The aircraft gives you a car-like feeling and the use of composite materials give it very sleek and clean lines. I was very surprised to see no rivets on the wings or fuselage!
From the moment you sit in the left seat and start going through the start-up checklist you immediately realize that you have entered the world of glass cockpit and automation. The G1000 was a mostly familiar tool to me mainly from my PC Flight Simulator experience but it sure elevates your flying experience to a new level.
This was also my first time flying a stick rather than a yoke; although I was a bit concerned on how that would go, given that you hold the stick with your left hand (as you do a yoke of course), and not with your right hand, as I was accustomed to from my PC flight simulator experience. Luckily my fears proved to be just that; controlling the stick with the left hand is very easy and the buttons used for push-talking on the radio and disengaging the autopilot and trimming are extremely handy.
Controlling the engine is done automatically and it sure helps a lot not having to deal with adjusting propeller pitch, manifold pressure, rpm, etc.; you just push a single lever, set the percentage and all engine parameters are set for you. Really cool.
While taxing I felt that the nose wheel is a bit ineffective, and had to use differential braking to get to steer the aircraft exactly as I wished. During the take off roll I felt that the aircraft became more responsive as it picked up airspeed, and rotating was really smooth.
Taking off is a bit different than in a Cessna, as the aircraft has the feeling of floating, much like a helicopter and the pilot must keep the nose down, below the horizon.
This was also my first time in an aircraft fitted with an autopilot and I surely gave that a try too. I had the autopilot hold altitude, set its rate of climb, heading and then entered a couple of way points and had the autopilot fly direct to them. This was really cool and having the two G1000 displays surely helps data entry and monitoring all engine systems, communication frequencies, flight data, etc.
For our approach we we instructed to immediately join the downwind leg and execute a short approach so we were a bit high during our turn from base to final; managing the power, flaps and the approach in general was very easy as the aircraft is very responsive even at slow speeds. In flaring you need to add a touch of power before touching down. All in all the landing went very well, no surprises there.
My overall assessment of the Diamond DA40 aircraft is excellent. It surely is a bit more complex than the average 20-year old 150/172 but it is more fun and I would definitely recommend it as a training and cross country aircraft.
