Katana DA20-A1 or Cessna 150?
06-17-2006, 01:34 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Position: Reserve on tha Beach
Posts: 546
[QUOTE=GliderCFI]135 kt cruise? what 20 are you flyin. We've got the DA20-C1 at MTSU....its a great plane, easy to fly, spins better than a 150, newer avionics, and it actually climbs at max gross. It's fun to fly, good visibility, and from my experience, realistically about 115 kts is to be expected. Another great thing about the 20 is if your flight school has DA40's (which a lot of them do now), its a great step to an IFR machine. The 40 is one of the most efficient, comfortable true 4 seat singles I've ever flown, other than a 300hp Debonair, but that doesnt really count.
The one I flew did 135kt.with the 115 horse continental. I dont think any Debonaires(baby bonanza) had anything bigger then a 225-235 horse. even a A-36 goes 285 horse max. Unless this aircraft had some extensive stc.
The one I flew did 135kt.with the 115 horse continental. I dont think any Debonaires(baby bonanza) had anything bigger then a 225-235 horse. even a A-36 goes 285 horse max. Unless this aircraft had some extensive stc.
06-18-2006, 12:07 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Retired
Posts: 2,934
Supersix, there are some STCs out there for bigger engines in the Bonanzas and baby-b's. There are a couple 36s at my home airport with 300hp engines. I can't speak about the 33 but I'm sure it's out there because doctors like to go fast.
We have Cessnas at my school and we have Diamonds. I prefer the Diamonds (DA-20-C1 and DA-40) to any Cessna, new or old. Cessna makes a great product, but 40 years have brought a lot of innovation. The Diamonds are tanks. They'll take a ton of abuse. They glide forever, and the visibilty is awesome.
As far as handling, you have to fly a DA-20. It's very forgiving, you have to be retarded to not realize it's about to stall (horn about 15 knots before, buffet about 5). However, it will drop a wing. Also, you have to plan when descending because it's clean. Getting in the yellow arc is no problem, and you have to watch your pitch particularly turning base and final because if you let the nose down, your airspeed jumps. I think it does just enough to make you pay attention, but nothing more. It's purpose-built and does it's job very well. As much as I like playing with GPS and other gizmos, it's a very good stick and rudder plane. When working with a primary student that stuff gets turned off in my plane until they learn how to fly it.
Also, in my short time as an instructor, I'll make the completely unscientific observation that my katana students are better stick and rudder pilots than my cessna students. I do, however, think this has to do with many of them being much younger, and picking up on what to do faster than my 50 year olds that haven't been in a learning environment since the 70s.
We have Cessnas at my school and we have Diamonds. I prefer the Diamonds (DA-20-C1 and DA-40) to any Cessna, new or old. Cessna makes a great product, but 40 years have brought a lot of innovation. The Diamonds are tanks. They'll take a ton of abuse. They glide forever, and the visibilty is awesome.
As far as handling, you have to fly a DA-20. It's very forgiving, you have to be retarded to not realize it's about to stall (horn about 15 knots before, buffet about 5). However, it will drop a wing. Also, you have to plan when descending because it's clean. Getting in the yellow arc is no problem, and you have to watch your pitch particularly turning base and final because if you let the nose down, your airspeed jumps. I think it does just enough to make you pay attention, but nothing more. It's purpose-built and does it's job very well. As much as I like playing with GPS and other gizmos, it's a very good stick and rudder plane. When working with a primary student that stuff gets turned off in my plane until they learn how to fly it.
Also, in my short time as an instructor, I'll make the completely unscientific observation that my katana students are better stick and rudder pilots than my cessna students. I do, however, think this has to do with many of them being much younger, and picking up on what to do faster than my 50 year olds that haven't been in a learning environment since the 70s.
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