Can anybody else confirm for me that the Diamond DA40 NG in 2024 is considerably worse than the 2020 version?

While I appreciate the ability to open the canopy and the new features, the 2024 version flies quite differently than the 2020 version and seems to have things that just don't seem correct.

1. The airplane, as it has no propeller control, should not be redlining the propeller rpm when full power is applied. I thought that was the whole point of the FADEC? The prop rpm in the MFD is constantly blinking red for prop overspeed.

2. The plane feels a heck of a lot less stable in flight than the 2020 version. I am not a real-world pilot, but I can't imagine that this airplane flies like this. It is significantly less stable than the Cessna 172. While I understand that the 172 is one of the most stable planes out there, is the DA40 THAT less stable? Should it be? I am not a real-world pilot, so I can only guess.

3. It is not possible to do a takeoff run-up in this plane. With the parking brake on, if you put the throttle to 100% as per the checklist instructions, the plane WILL begin to move forward. The brakes do not have enough power to stop the plane from moving.

4. With the throttle at idle and the parking brake off, the plane WILL begin to taxi all on its own, continue to taxi, and accelerate. Is this accurate to the real one? There is no need to move the throttle at all to begin taxi.

5. The plane takes off like a rocket. With T/O flaps, lowest take off trim possible and full power, the plane launches and auto-rotates into the sky with no joystick input before hitting a speed of 40.

6. The plane has the landing and stall characteristics of the best bush plane in the world. With full flaps and no power, the plane did not stall below 30 and I was able to land it in about 12 feet of runway! (exaggeration, of course, but it FELT like I hit the ground and immediately stopped rolling.)

 

It seems like the thing that ties most of these problems together is that the engine may be extremely over-powered now compared to 2020? Would that account for what I am seeing?

 

Edited December 1, 20241 yr by salasnet
Added 2024 Tag

3 minutes ago, salasnet said:

The airplane, as it has no propeller control, should not be redlining the propeller rpm when full power is applied. I thought that was the whole point of the FADEC? The prop rpm in the MFD is constantly blinking red for prop overspeed.

No, not red line. Yellow caution indication should be shown since you are operating above max continuous power (92%)

5 minutes ago, salasnet said:

While I understand that the 172 is one of the most stable planes out there, is the DA40 THAT less stable?

The DA40 is more responsive, but both are stable platforms. DA40 likes to yaw alot in turbulent weather. More active footwork when flying a DA40. Both are trainers, their behavior differences are not eye openers as you transition between them.

7 minutes ago, salasnet said:

the plane WILL begin to move forward.

The real one doesnt. Unless you forget to pressurize the brakes (by using your feet) before setting the parking brake.

9 minutes ago, salasnet said:

the plane WILL begin to taxi all on its own, continue to taxi, and accelerate. Is this accurate to the real one?

Nope. Not on the ones I fly at least. 

10 minutes ago, salasnet said:

the plane launches and auto-rotates into the sky with no joystick input before hitting a speed of 40.

Not correct at all

11 minutes ago, salasnet said:

The plane has the landing and stall characteristics of the best bush plane in the world. With full flaps and no power, the plane did not stall below 30 and I was able to land it in about 12 feet of runway! (exaggeration, of course, but it FELT like I hit the ground and immediately stopped rolling.)

Obviously not correct as well. 

Just flew a landing challenge (EDXH) in the DA40, and I agree it flies a lot differently than the 2020 version (which I flew extensively).

I already came in at what I thought was a pretty low speed (60 knots), and it floated, and floated, and floated -- so much so that I ended up going around for another try. I think I flew that at 50 knots (!), and that ended up in a reasonable landing.

You can also throw it around like nobody's business. After the go-around, I flew an insanely tight pattern -- because the plane encouraged it. It was still climbing very, very well at 45+ degrees bank.

Unlike SAS443, I haven't flown the DA40 in real life, so this is just to add some additional colour to the comments they've already made.

 

This thing is like a glider - just doesnt want to land.  Somethings not quite right here.