What is the transition like from a 6-pack Skyhawk and Archer to a DA-20
Posted by DiamondOrPoor78@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 11 comments
Long story short, I am being forced to change schools to complete my CFI training which I have started nearly a year ago. The school that has the most availability and quickest checkride date for me (and I also know plenty of people at who have told me great things about) flies DA-20 aircraft. The problem is that of my 280 hours of flight time, 269 of them have been in a Skyhawk or Archer which are just 6-packs and basic gps. So I am wanting to know what the transition is like from something like those aircraft to a DA-20 which is significantly fancier and more modern.
I have about 11 hours in an SR-20 and have spent multiple hours in flight sim messing around with the DA-20 instruments trying to learn them and they seem to be fairly straight forward. Does anyone have any experience this transition or one similar to it, and roughly how long can I expect to become proficient enough in the DA-20 to fly to CFI checkride standards in?
Thanks!
AdaptableFrigate@reddit
I did most of my time in PA28-180s then did some flying in a DA20 (no glass cockpit). Honestly the DA20 was easy to fly by comparison. It wants to fly, it tells you when it want to get off the ground. My landings have been way better in the DA20.
It's a fun plane to fly. As said above, the seats sort of suck. and you'll probably accidentally grope your CFI's leg when reaching for the mixture slider.
I wouldn't worry about it, you'll do great
CaptMcMooney@reddit
awesome, thing's a bit faster and loves to fly. seats kinda suck, also, wear an enormous amount of spf 200
really floats on landing, be on speed, active feet and hold it off
Txskibum805@reddit
Much longer glide and float at landing. With cirrus time, stick shouldn't be an issue. More unstable, and watch for becoming uncoordinated in the base to final turn. Honestly the plane is fantastic IMHO.
LaloMcNombres@reddit
Way easier than the other way around, that’s for sure.
Powerful-Cucumber396@reddit
I did a CFII finish-up in a DA40 in a similar situation as you. It took me 10 hours of instrument duel and another 1.5 of VFR flight to get the stick skills to fly it well. You have to learn the systems from the POH so you know what to do when something fails.
Disastrous_Plan9828@reddit
What a big shock it is. It’s a new scan to develop but worth the elbow grease. Apple Car Play vs. a usb into a radio type of upgrade. Don’t get complacent, my instructor pulls the circuit breaker for it so I can’t use it sometimes.
Computerized-Cash@reddit
I remember my CFI pulling my flap breakers during traffic patterns when I was looking out the windows.
Disastrous_Plan9828@reddit
lol I fly Piper. Gotta love these Wing Spar AD’s.
Computerized-Cash@reddit
I went from a DA20 to a 172. I will say the diamond is a more unstable (low wing, t-tail) and as a result requires you to be way more on top of your stick and rudder than the very stable 172.
Also is kinda like a glider with a lawnmower engine on it. Very enjoyable to fly though.
x4457@reddit
It'll take you about 20 minutes to be safe and about 90 to be comfortable at your experience level.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Long story short, I am being forced to change schools to complete my CFI training which I have started nearly a year ago. The school that has the most availability and quickest checkride date for me (and I also know plenty of people at who have told me great things about) flies DA-20 aircraft. The problem is that of my 280 hours of flight time, 269 of them have been in a Skyhawk or Archer which are just 6-packs and basic gps. So I am wanting to know what the transition is like from something like those aircraft to a DA-20 which is significantly fancier and more modern.
I have about 11 hours in an SR-20 and have spent multiple hours in flight sim messing around with the DA-20 instruments trying to learn them and they seem to be fairly straight forward. Does anyone have any experience this transition or one similar to it, and roughly how long can I expect to become proficient enough in the DA-20 to fly to CFI checkride standards in?
Thanks!
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