Diamond DA20-100

[Nick C]

Not a sneak preview as there have been development pictures on the Aerosoft forums for awhile, but some updated pictures of Marcel's Diamond DA20-100 for FSX, which is being published by Aerosoft.

More information HERE.

(I will try to get airborne without breaking anything tomorrow)

[Bjoern]

Vitus did the load/save module for this one, btw. A nice tool (that I sadly can't use in an open source project. Thanks for the offer anyways, mate!).

[SkippyBing]

He knows all the circuit breakers are popped right? Might want to get an engineer to look at that...

Looks awesome, not normally a GA man but I can see myself getting this.

[BOOM]

That pit looks incredible!!!

[OleBoy]

Thanks for the shots Nick. I agree, the office, along with the texture and the upholstering look excellent!

[peter12213]

Wow that looks amazing, can't say I'm personally interested in this type of aircraft but those shots and the quality of the aircraft look amazing, just wish someone would do a vampire or Hunter to a similar standard! I mean look at the greasy finger prints on the GPS, stunning work!

[Nick C]

A few more images taken while exploring this lovely plane and a little of the English countryside!

[Gibbage]

The cockpit looks outstanding, but im seeing some significant smoothing group errors on the body. Most noteably around the canopy frame, the NCAA air intakes, and the aft fillet between the wings and body. Once those are worked out, im sure the body will look a LOT smoother.

[Nick C]

I'll pass on your observations to Marcel tomorrow Kevin.

[Alan_A]

Looking excellent. Hope it flies well, too. Been eager to get my hands on this one.

I don't have anything like Kevin's eye for modeling, but for what it's worth, I'll flag a couple of language issues in the Germ/English cockpit - that placard should probably read "GPS [LINESTRIKE]Limited[/LINESTRIKE] for VFR Only" and if I'm not mistaken, the label above the switch ought to be "Avionics Master" (not "Avionic Master").

Obviously very minor quibbles in what's clearly a labor of love, but I hope they're helpful.

[Nick C]

It's a gem Alan, with plenty of things to break and fiddle with. I put Marcel up there with the very best when it comes to aircraft development and systems. I will again pass on your observations.

[Alan_A]

Thanks, Nick. I've been hoping for a VFR ride that's marginally faster than the A2A Cub (for when you absolutely, positively have to get there overnight, as opposed to two or three wonderful, relaxing days from now)... I get the sense this might be it. So am really looking forward to it. I'm not naturally all that patient, but in this case, I'm trying...

[Alan_A]

Re: the GPS for VFR placard - I take it back.

If you click on the link, then on the image, the placard clearly reads "GPS Limited for VFR Only" - the same as in Marcel's cockpit.

Have found an identical placard in one other photo and in a YouTube video, though neither is as easy to read.

Still sounds to me like a German-to-English translation by a native German speaker, but the point is... it's correct.

And although it's not visible in the photo, I have a sneaking suspicion that that switch label does in fact read "Avionic (not Avionics) Master."

So I'm going to settle back now and leave things to Marcel, since he clearly knows what he's doing and I don't.

Objection withdrawn.

[Nick C]

Hi Alan, Marcel did confirm that the text matches his reference material. He also wanted to stress that the model, like the systems, are still in development.

Anyhoo, yesterday I was house bound and so decided to try to break the poor girl by taking her up in some unsuitable flying conditions!

[stiz]

is the VSI the only one you can break or do they all do it??

[Nick C]

Just the VSI Stiz. The theory is it's supposed to introduce static air into the system when the pitot tube is blocked, in this instance from ice.

Edit: I think Marcel is working on the principal of a VSI with a calibrated leak connected to the pitot-static system. When the glass is broken and the hands are intact, they gauge will actually show an inverse reading.

[Alan_A]

Thanks for the latest shots and the details, Nick. You're making the waiting that much more difficult... though in a pleasurable way. And I understand that delivery from Germany will take longer, what with the transatlantic ferry flight against the westerlies and all. Settling back now and trying to practice patience...

[doublecool]

Wow Nick this looks exciting

[Wingnut172N]

Are there any plans for a DA20-C1? The Continental Powered version that is still being produced? I loved flying the -C1...not too enthused by the rotax motor.

[Alan_A]

Are there any plans for a DA20-C1? The Continental Powered version that is still being produced? I loved flying the -C1...not too enthused by the rotax motor.

According to Marcel, the Eclipse is planned as a follow-on at some point after the release of the Katana. Statement HERE.