Anybody flown a Diamond Twinstar?

[Rally]

Just curious if anyone here has flown a Diamond Twinstar? How difficult are they to fly or to transition to? What are one of these birds going for rental?

thanks

 

[sktwstdfrk]

I looked into flying one a while back....one at this location goes for $205 hr.

http://www.dfcpilot.com/rental-rates.php

 

[NW_Pilot]

Yes, they are nice took one on a demo ride it's a little bit small though.

 

[Milkdud99]

didnt fly it, but looked at them several times and noticed there put together like a daewoo inside and out. They might be nice to fly but, the plastic isnt cut right. also anyone over 6' is going to have problems getting a headset on.

 

[JediNein]

I'm 5'9" and hit the top of the canopy several times, but I also sat on a 1/2" Oregon Aero cushion.

From a Cirrus to a Twinstar is not much of a transition, other than which knob does what. From a normal yoke to a Twinstar might take a few minutes.

The particular one I flew needed a lot of right rudder whenever the gear was extended and the rudder trim was quite stiff. The instructor kept attempting to stop my trying to use it, but once I got the thing in rudder trim OEI or with both operating, it was quite nice.

Rate is $295 locally.

 

[CA1900]

...the rudder trim was quite stiff. The instructor kept attempting to stop my trying to use it...

For what reason?

If he's teaching people never to touch it, no wonder it's stiff. :0

 

[RipCurl]

The particular one I flew needed a lot of right rudder whenever the gear was extended and the rudder trim was quite stiff.

Rate is $295 locally.

They're all like that. I really takes a lot of rudder all the time to stay coordinated. It's not done for you like on a Cirrus or Bonanza. Rudder discipline is far and away the biggest problem I have with students in the DA42. IMO, it'll be a real airplane when they bump it up another 25hp per side (which I'm sure they will do in a few years). Then it'll be an honest 200 knot twin that climbs like a raped ape. Until then, it's a cool looking, fun to fly 'technology demonstrator' that really sips fuel.

BTW, $295 is about right. The airplane has to fly impossible hours to be profitable at much less. Anyone who is renting them for $205 or even $250 is paying you to put time on the clock and probably totally screwing an unsuspecting leaseback owner.