DIAMOND DA-40 STAR

The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star is an Austrian four-seat, single engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. Built in both Austria and Canada, it was developed as a four-seat version of the earlier DA20 by Diamond Aircraft Industries.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

Based on the success of the earlier DA20 two-seat aircraft, the company designed a four-seat variant, the DA40. The DA40 is a four-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane made from composite materials. It has a fixed nose-wheel landing gear and a T-tail. The Rotax 914powered prototype DA40-V1, registered OE-VPC, first flew on the 5 November 1997 and was followed by a second prototype DA40V2 (registered OE-VPE) which was powered by a Continental IO-240. In 1998 a third prototype DA40-V3 flew powered by a Lycoming IO-360 engine. Four more test aircraft were produced followed with the first production aircraft in 2000. JAR23 certification of the IO-360 production variant was obtained in October 2000. In

2002 the production of the Lycoming engined variant was moved to Canada and the Austrian factory concentrated on diesel-engined variants. The DA40 has only officially appeared in three versions, the DA 40, DA 40D and DA 40F, as documented on its type certificates. The various model names that the aircraft has been sold under are marketing names and are not officially recognized by the authorities that have certified the aircraft. The DA40 was initially marketed as the DA40-180, powered by a fuel injectedTextron Lycoming IO-360 M1A engine. In late 2006, the XL and FP models replaced the DA40-180. The FP replaced the fixed-pitch propeller version of the 180 and the XL replaced the constant-speed propeller version. The major difference between the new models and the 180 is the higher maximum cruise speeds. The DA40-XL is approximately four knots faster than the preceding DA40-180/G1000 with the two-blade Hartzell propeller and the "Speed Gear" option. The XL's speed increase is mostly due to the Powerflow exhaust system. The DA40-XL has a constant-speed propeller and is powered by a 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming IO-360-M1A fuel injected engine. It has a maximum cruise speed of 147 knots, burning 9.2 gallons of Avgas per hour. Its maximum take off weight is 2,535 lb (1,150 kg). The DA40-F (marketed as the "FP") has a fixed-pitch propeller, a 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-360-A4M engine, which has a carburettor rather than fuel injection and a more basic interior, but is otherwise similar to the XL. The DA40-TDI uses a Thielert "Centurion" 135 hp (101 kW) diesel engine and burns diesel or jet fuel. It has a constant speed propeller and FADEC (single lever) engine control. The first flight of the DA40D was made on Nov. 28, 2002. This model is not certified in the US. Efforts to increase the DA40's cruising speed centered on the propeller and wheel spats. The wheel fairing streamlining was improved, a three-blade scimitar-type constant-speed propeller was incorporated and the Powerflow exhaust system from the XL was retained. The canopy contour was also revised, with the sides being more vertical before curving into the roof, which provides more shoulder and head room.

In the last half of 2007 the company updated the DA40 line by introducing the XLS and CS versions and eliminated the FP model. The XLS is the deluxe version, with the integration of some options into the standard offering including a Powerflow tuned exhaust, WAAS-capable G1000, GDL69 datalink, and TAS traffic alert system. The CS is the budget version, with fewer standard features. Both CS and XLS versions of the DA40 use the Lycoming IO-360-M1A fuel injected engine. The major difference is the choice of propeller, with the CS using a Hartzell two-blade aluminum constant speed prop and the XLS using an MT composite three-blade unit. Pilot and passengers enter the DA40 via the leading edge of the wing, an unusual feature among low-wing aircraft. The aircraft's nosewheel is free-castoring and directional control while taxiing is by mainwheel differential braking. DA40s are produced at Diamond's aircraft factories in Wiener Neustadt, Austria and in London, Ontario, Canada. A joint venture has also been set up in China with Shandong Bin Ao Aircraft Industries for production of the DA40 inShandong Province. Capacity is available for up to 1,000 aircraft a year to be produced with certification by theEuropean Aviation Safety Agency in 2008. Past DA40 models were available with either traditional mechanical instruments or an optional Garmin G1000 glass cockpit suite. Current production DA40s are built only with the Garmin G1000 as standard equipment. In April 2008, Diamond introduced the optional availability of Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology on the DA40 XLS.

GENERALITIES
DA 40 TDI Diamond Star is a single-engine four-seat airplane with a tricycle landing gear. This plane is powered by 135hp diesel poweplant THIELERT Centurion 1.7 with three-bladed variable pitch propeller MT 3. The powerplant and propeller controls are the same as in DA 42TDI; the FADEC computer control unit. Engine diagnostics is the same as well. The plane can be equipped both for visual flight rules and instrument flight rules. The plane can also be equipped with additional fuel tanks for longer range. The plane is not equipped with defrost system. DA 40 Diamondstar is valued for low noise levels and low fuel consumptions. At 105 knots the fuel consumption is 16 liters per hour of flight.

Take-off length: Climb rate at sea level: Cruise speed at 70% power at 10 000 ft: Fuel consumption: Range at 60% power at 10000ft:

635 m 3,3 m / sec 232 kph TAS (True airspeed) 18,5l / hour standard fuel tank - 1372 km / with additional fuel tank - 2006 km

OPERATIONAL HISTORY
The DA40 has accumulated a very low accident record, particularly with regard to stall and spin accidents. Its overall and fatal accident rates are one eighth that of the general aviation fleet and include no stall-related accidents. The level of safe operation is attributed to its high aspect ratio wing, low wing loading and benign flight characteristics. The aircraft can be trimmed full nose up, engine set to idle and it will descend at 600-1200 feet per minute at 48 kn (89 km/h) hands-off, a lower rate of decent than the competitive Cirrus SR22 can achieve with its airframe ballistic parachute deployed. In a 2011 analysis by Aviation Consumer magazine, the DA40 was shown to have a fatal accident rate of 0.35/100,000 hours, the lowest in US general aviation and considerably better that the Cirrus SR20 and SR22 with a combined fatal accident rate of 1.6/100,000 hours, despite its full aircraft parachute system.

DA40 XLS SPECIFICATIONS*

AIRCRAFT ITEM Engine Horsepower Propeller Airworthinesscategory Length Height WingSpan Maximumtakeoffweight Useful load Fuel capacity, usable Fuel Takeoffdistance, ground roll Takeoffdistance, 50-foot obstacle Landingdistance, ground roll Landingdistance, 50-foot obstacle Rate of climb, sea level Maximumoperatingaltitude Maximumspeed Cruisespeed at 75% Stallspeed, full flaps Maximumdemonstratedcrosswind Range, at 75% 45 minute reserve Range, at 55% 45 minute reserve INFORMATION Lycoming IO-360-M1A 180 hp MT 3-blade compositeconstant-speed Normal and utility 26 ft 5 in 6 ft 6 in 39 ft 6 in 2,645 lbs 860 lbs (standardequippedairplane) 50 gal AVGAS 100 LL 1,175 ft 1,700 ft 1,155 ft 2,093 ft 1,120 ft/min 16,400 ft 157 ktas 150 ktas/10 gal/hr 49 kias 20 kts 720 nm 785 nm

ENGINE
Centurion 1.7, is a 1.7 liter engine - a departure from 4+ liter conventional gasoline engines - with four cylinders in a row - again differing from the common boxer, or "opposed", layout - featuring a turbocharger, a fairly normal accessory on all piston engines regardless of the fuel they use. It's output is 135 HP, controlled by a Full Authority Digital Engine Controlsystem - or FADEC - which oversees the operation of the engine and adjusts parameters as necessary, doing away with the famous mixture and prop levers in the cockpit.

Picture 1: the Centurion 1.7 with it's associated propeller system (www.emair.com.tr)

Intended for four-seaters of the Skyhawk and Warriorclass that normally sport 160 HP engines, the 25 HP lower output of the Centurion may seem to be too much of a performance loss. However, like with automotive engines, aviation Diesels make up for their lower power with more than enough torque, a parameter that is more important than pure horses when you have to spin a prop up front.

Photo 1: the popular Diamond Star is one aircraft offered with the factoryinstalled Centurion, becoming the DA-40TDi. (photo: author)

Photo 2: Centurion 1.7 installation on a DA-40TDi (www.airways.cz)

Identical in power to the Centurion 1.7 is the Centurion 2.0, a 2-liter version that has already replaced the 1.7on the production lines. Though delivering the same nominal horsepower, the 2.0 has a new engine block, lighter FADEC and a more efficient gearbox, but retains compatibility with Centurion 1.7 conversion kits meaning it'll fit well on both Centurion and non-CenturionSkyhawk/Warrior-class aircraft. A bigger machine altogether is the Centurion 4.0, a 4-liter V8 8-cylinder engine aiming for the heavy single and light twin classes, on aircraft such as the Cessna 206,340, 414 and 421 series, as well as the Beech B.60 Duke. Rated at 350 HP for takeoff and 330 for continuous running, the 4.0 still isn't widespread on the aviation scene, though with a growing range of conversions,Thielert hopes to steal a significant market share in the lower light aircraft engine market. Picture 2: the Centurion 4.0 (www.emair.com.tr)

Photo 3: the actual Centurion 4.0, minus the propeller (www.airwork-images.com)

With many aircraft operators showing increased interest in the Centurion series which are still the only commercially successful and significantly widespreadDiesel aviation engines - one would wonder what's the attraction. In a nutshell it's the fuel economy and its collateral effects, such as greater endurance and maximum range (for the hard numbers, you can check the links provided at the end of the article). However, the declining availability of Avgas is another driving force, as well as - to a lesser extent - its higher impact on the environment, especially when carbon monoxide emission is concerned. An additional benefit is found forward of the engine block in the form of the constant speed three-blade propeller, that in itself gives a noticeable performance boost and increase in efficiency, with better utilization of the available engine power. Photo 4: as with turboprop engines, a distinctive feature of Diesel-powered aircraft is the slightly staggered propeller, to offset the effects of the engine's higher torque (photo: author)

The downside however - as marginal as it may be - is the somewhat higher weight of the engine, plus the cost of the conversion. On the frame, a Centurion 2.0 conversion for a stock Cessna 172 costs around 40.000, which is - according to my own research - between half and three quarters' worth of an early 80s model - a price that may put the conversion out of reach of a fair-sized portion ofSkyhawk operators. The Warrior faired pretty much the same, with the conversion peaking at 43.000. However, despite the price, Thielert reports a healthy increase in interest for these

engines, sparked by the success of the Centurion 1.7. For those wanting a newbuilt aircraft with Centurion-economics, Cessna andDiamond were quick to realize the market potential here, offering factory-built Centurion versions of their popular products, like the Cessna 172 Skyhawk TD and theDiamond DA-40TDi Star. Diamond again went one step further and introduced the ground-breaking four-seat DA-42 Twin Star tailored specifically to the Centurion series, equipped initially with two 1.7s, now 2.0s. Photo 5: Diamond DA-42 Twin Star, showing the recognisable Dieselcowling shape (photo: www.diamondair.com)

Photo 6: Twin Star on display at the 2005 Paris Airshow (photo: author)

The success of early Centurion 1.7 conversions - most notably the Skyhawk ones and the superiority of theDA-42 in the light four-seat twin class have shown the emerging potential of the Diesel piston engine for light aircraft. Though the costs of conversions are still running high - like with any new technology - the hard performance numbers, availability of fuel and operating economics look poised to ensure future success for theCenturion series - and its potential market rivals - as well as possibly setting a new standard in light aircraft powerplants.

BIBLIOGRAFIA

http://general-aviation.bloger.index.hr/post/tech--tdi-it/460341.aspx http://www.diamondaircraft.com/build/index.php?id=3 http://www.google.com.mx/imgres?q=diamond+da40+engine&num=10&hl=en&bi w=1024&bih=641&tbm=isch&tbnid=mfE5uPkppsX-pM:

GLOSSARY
Horsepower

caballo de fuerza

Developed
desarrollado

fixed
fijo

factory
fbrica

appeared
apareci

Lycoming
Lycoming IO-360-M1A (modelo)

Streamlining

in aerodynamics, the contouring of an object, such as an aircraftbody, to reduce its drag, or resistan ce to motion through astream of air . en la aerodinmica, el contorno de un objeto, tal como un cuerpo de avin, para reducir su friccin o resistencia al movimiento a travs de una corriente de aire.

nosewheel
a wheel located under the nose of an airplane that ispart of the plane's landing gear. una rueda situada debajo de la nariz de un avin que es parte del tren de aterrizaje del avin

levels
the horizontal line or plane in which anything is situated,with regard to its elevation. la lnea horizontal o plano en el que nada se encuentra, con respecto a su elevacin

Lower

to cause to descend; let or put down: to lower a flag. para provocar el descenso, dejar o poner: bajar una bandera.

Ballistic

of or pertaining to ballistics./having its motion determined or describable by the laws ofexterior ballisti cs. de o perteneciente a balstica. / que tiene su movimiento determinado o indescriptible por las leyes de la balstica exterior.

deploy
Military . to spread out (troops) so as to form an extendedfront or line./to arrange in a position of read iness, or to move strategicallyor appropriately: to deploy a battery of new missiles. Militar. a hacia fuera (soldados) a fin de formar una lnea extendedfront o / a disponer en una posicin de preparacin, o para mover apropiadamente strategicallyor:. para desplegar una batera de nuevos misiles.

Parachuting
a folding, umbrellalike, fabric device with cords supporting aharness or straps for allowing a person, o bject, package,etc., to float down safely through the air from a greatheight, especially from an aircr aft, rendered effective by theresistance of the air that expands it during the descent andreduces the velocity of its fall. un plegable, paraguas como, dispositivo de tela con cuerdas o correas apoyo aharness para permitir a una persona, objeto, paquete, etc, para flotar de forma segura a travs del aire de una greatheight, especialmente desde un avin, hizo efectiva por theresistance del aire que expande durante el descenso andreduces la velocidad de su cada.

However
nevertheless; yet; on the other hand; in spite of that: Wehave not yet won; however, we shall keep try ing. sin embargo, sin embargo, por otro lado, a pesar de que: no hemos ganado todava, pero vamos a seguir intentando.

Altogether
wholly; entirely; completely; quite: altogether fitting. por completo; totalmente, completamente, dejar de fumar: todo accesorio

Heavy
of great weight; hard to lift or carry: a heavy load. de gran peso, difcil de levantar o transportar: una carga pesada.

Such
of the kind, character, degree, extent, etc., of that or thoseindicated or implied: Such a man is dang erous. por el estilo, carcter, grado, extensin, etc, de aquel o aquellos indicado o implcito: Un hombre es peligroso.

growing
becoming greater in quantity, size, extent, or intensity:growing discontent among industrial workers. cada vez mayor en cantidad, tamao, extensin o intensidad: un creciente descontento entre los trabajadores industriales.

Range
the extent to which or the limits between which variation ispossible: the range of steel prices; a wide r ange of styles. el grado en el que o los lmites entre los cuales la variacin es posible: el rango de precios del acero, una amplia gama de estilos

Propeller
a device having a revolving hub with radiating blades, forpropelling an airplane, ship, etc. un dispositivo que tiene un cubo giratorio con palas radiales, para la propulsin de un avin, un barco.

Nutshell
the shell of a nut la cscara de una nuez the fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships,etc. el hecho o el poder de soportar el dolor o los cojinetes, dificultades, etc

endurance

availability
suitable or ready for use; of use or service; at hand: I usedwhatever tools were available. adecuado o listos para el consumo; de uso o servicio, a la mano: Yo lo que las herramientas estaban disponibles.

Avgas
noun Aviation ./gasoline for use in piston-engined aircraft. Aviacin sustantivo. / gasolina para su uso en aviones con motor de pistn .

Environment
the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, orinfluences; surroundings; milieu. la suma de las cosas circundantes, condiciones o influencias; entorno; medio.

Boost
to lift or raise by pushing from behind or below. para levantar o subir empujando por detrs o por debajo de

warrior
a person engaged or experienced in warfare; soldier una persona que se dedique o con experiencia en la guerra, soldado

faired
free from bias, dishonesty, or injustice: a fair decision; a fairjudge. libre de prejuicios, deshonestidad, o la injusticia: una decisin justa, un juez imparcial.