diamond from maintenance view.

[sleepless2121]

Would like to know from maintenance poitn of view- how good or bad Diamond planes?

[markymarkl]

Are you in the market for one???? There is a pile of them flying

[sleepless2121]

no, not bying myself. Friend in Europe is interested in them

[727doctor]

I really think that you should check the big fleet operator for the issues they have with Diamond, there is a big operator in London and MFC in Moncton should be your first contact.

[markymarkl]

I am in touch with a fella that builds them. I can ask him for some info if you would like. He is a strait shooter and won't pump up the aircraft!!!!

[sleepless2121]

thank you everybody,I do know there are some problems with this plane and engine. Just wanted to know if this plane is safe from maintenance viewpoint. I understand that there is no absolutely safe plane, but some are better then others.What do you think?

[markymarkl]

What kind of problems??? If you want help we need to know a few details

[sleepless2121]

for example I read about engine problems and landing gear problems.

[qa guy]

rotax engine is very good mecahnically. almost bullet proof. continentals had problems with the fuel metering. However, once you figure out how to set it up it's a breeze. MFC eventually figured it out.

[727doctor]

Qa Guy,

I personally know a couple of AME at the flight college and before you put your foot in your mouth again, you should do some research, the AME at the college had it figured out, until Diamond and Continental decided to installed what they thought was the new and improved system witch they spent over 6 month combined at the college to try to figured this one out themselves, Moncton was having a lot of problem compared to other operator because they are flying over 10 hrs on each machine per day and they have a fleet of over 25, after they then went back to the original configuration because they didn't know what to do(Diamond and Continental) no problem since. So hopefully with this information guys like you can stop making assumption about stuff they don't know! And Diamond doesn't produce the Katana anymore so unless you buy an older DA20 you would not have to deal with the Rotax engine. DR

[Brice]

I currently work on Diamond DA20C-1's, with Continental IO-240B engines.

For one, they are incredibly simple aircraft. They are not difficult aircraft to work on. There are some things on them that you go "who's the brain dead engineer that thought of this stupid thing?" but what aircraft doesnt have things like that? There are a few tight fitting spots, but its nothing to cry about.

The engines however, are a little finicky, and can be hard to start when cold. If you are planning to operate during the winter, an engine heater system is a must.

[Ballsssssss]

I have worked on the Rotax and Continental Katanas. The Rotax engines were a pain in the ass. The fit between the liquid cooled head and air cooled barrel is a machine fit and started to leak oil at around 500 hrs. Constantly fixing coolant leaks. Won't start in the cold because of frost on the back of the engine (Can't remember what's back there...points I think? Anyone know?). Know of at least one engine failure due to the mickey mouse oil lines they came with (pinched)...they have been modded to proper AN style fittings and steel braided hose now, I think. Dual carbs with nice snowmobile like throttle cables (yeesh).

I worked on a couple of the Continental Katanas (C-1s) when they first came out. Because of the snakey fuel lines and tank that are all below the engine, the original electric fuel pump wasn't sufficient to provide good priming for starting....they were modded to add a higher speed 2nd stage for priming. They still didn't start worth a $hit and I think it was partly because of the really light wooden prop wasn't providing enough flywheel effect to keep it going.

Now all that being said...It was 10 years ago and I was 10 yrs stupider than I am now...which is REALLY stupid, so I may be slightly wrong on some things, but most of that is correct as I remember it.

[qa guy]

727 doctor,
I guess this is why we have these forums. I should have been more specific and stated this is what I heard froms a guy who knows a guy.....and so on. I did not know they were trying a new system. I just heard they had problems setting up the fuel system, which I know was an issue right froms the start. Anyways, my appologies!

[Goodwrench]

Of course, there are other issues regarding Diamond and their engines.

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Mo ... 722-1.html

http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2 ... elert.html

I'm interested to see what happens when the dust settles.

GW

[flyinggreasemonkey]

Right now I'm looking at 10 C-1's and only ONE of them is operational. granted, we just got 2 of them and they need the go ahead from the DOM before they fly, but other than that, 1 is down with fuel metering problems, 1 with cylinder compression problems, 1 with oil pressure indicating problems, 1 due for a 100hr, 1 with time ex'd mags and one with a flat main. F#$&ing S@#$ we need our own AMO....or better planes.

[Cat Driver]

Right now I'm looking at 10 C-1's and only ONE of them is operational. granted, we just got 2 of them and they need the go ahead from the DOM before they fly, but other than that, 1 is down with fuel metering problems, 1 with cylinder compression problems, 1 with oil pressure indicating problems

Well those things can happen to any type of airplane.


However the following would definitely cause me to stay away from any make of airplane that develops problems such as these.....

, 1 due for a 100hr, 1 with time ex'd mags and one with a flat main. F#$&ing S@#$ we need our own AMO....or better planes.

[Ballsssssss]

Right now I'm looking at 10 C-1's and only ONE of them is operational. granted, we just got 2 of them and they need the go ahead from the DOM before they fly, but other than that, 1 is down with fuel metering problems, 1 with cylinder compression problems, 1 with oil pressure indicating problems

Well those things can happen to any type of airplane.


However the following would definitely cause me to stay away from any make of airplane that develops problems such as these.....

, 1 due for a 100hr, 1 with time ex'd mags and one with a flat main. F#$&ing S@#$ we need our own AMO....or better planes.

F@#$ing priceless.

[Cat Driver]

It is probably a good thing that the price of fuel will soon bring a lot of flying to a grinding halt, because it is doomed to go under soon because of the dumming down of the work force Ballssss.

[Ballsssssss]

Ya, must be all these safety rules. Not enough MEK killing off the weak braincells that cause people's digital mouths to open.

[still_bluenoser]

For $800 you can take a 5 day maintenance course from diamond. If your looking at spending that much coin, that is pocket change.