Standard Operating Procedures – DA40
Diamond DA40 NG · Emergency Procedures
Overview
This document outlines the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Diamond DA40 aircraft, specifically focusing on emergency procedures, normal checklists, and operational techniques. It serves as a guide for pilots to ensure safety and compliance with regulations during flight operations. The SOP is structured to provide clear and concise instructions for various phases of flight, including preflight inspections, engine start, takeoff, landing, and emergency situations. The document is intended for pilots operating the DA40, providing essential information to enhance operational safety and efficiency.
- Follow the emergency procedures outlined in Section 2 for various in-flight emergencies.
- Ensure all normal checklists are completed before takeoff and landing to maintain safety.
- Use the pilot briefing card for quick reference to critical operational information.
- Maintain proper airspeeds during landing: VREF is 73 KIAS.
- Monitor fuel balance during cruise to avoid imbalance issues.
Document
Source
Originally published by wwfc.ca. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Emergency Procedures
- Year
- 2024
- Pages
- 16
- File size
- 2.6 MB
- Publisher
- wwfc.ca
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Diamond DA40 NG.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
More Diamond DA40 NGmanuals & documents
See all 23 →- Airworthiness Directive ScheduleService Bulletins
- AAIB Bulletin: 12/2024Other Documents
- Airworthiness Concern SheetAirworthiness Directives
- eDA40 Preliminary Technical SpecificationsSpecifications
- Diamond DA 40 Checklist and Quick Reference HandbookChecklist
- INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS FOR HARTZELL 3A1-QP460A1/75A01-2 PROPELLER ON DIAMOND DA 40 NG AIRCRAFTMaintenance Manual
- SOP DA40-180, Chapter 3 Normal checklist DA40-180Checklist
- Checklist für Diamond DA40 NG - NXIPilot's Operating Handbook
- Checklist für Diamond DA40 NGChecklist
- DA40NG Orientation BriefingChecklist
- Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries AirplanesService Bulletins
- DIAMOND DA 40 Abbreviated Checklist. For Elaborated Checklist refer to the AFMChecklist
In this document
Normal Checklists
This section provides a series of checklists that pilots should follow during normal operations. These checklists cover preflight inspections, engine start procedures, taxiing, takeoff, and landing, ensuring that all critical steps are completed systematically to maintain safety.
Emergency Procedures
This section details the procedures to follow in various emergency scenarios. It includes steps for engine failure, electrical failures, and other critical situations that may arise during flight. Pilots are instructed on how to handle these emergencies effectively to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.
Pilot Briefing Card
This section includes a pilot briefing card that summarizes key information and procedures for quick reference. It serves as a handy tool for pilots to quickly recall important operational details during flight.
Profiles
This section outlines specific profiles for normal takeoff, landing, and circuit operations. It includes parameters such as airspeeds, power settings, and configurations required for each phase of flight.
Techniques & Considerations
This section provides additional guidance on type-specific techniques and considerations for operating the DA40. It covers preflight inspections, engine starting procedures, and other operational tips to enhance pilot awareness and aircraft performance.
Safety notes
- Always refer to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) for final authority on operating limitations.
- In case of engine failure, follow the emergency procedures immediately to ensure safety.
- Monitor fuel pressure after shutdown to prevent damage to the fuel control unit.
Full document text
SOP-DA40 Standard Operating Procedures – DA40 January 02, 2024 SOP-DA40 May 2021 2 SECTION 0 - FRONT MATTER 0.1 - INTRODUCTION To ensure safety and regulatory compliance, flights must be conducted in accordance with regulations, ATC clearances, personal capability, aircraft operating limitations described the applicable Pilot Operating Handbook, and WWFC’s Flight Training Operations Manual. WWFC has attempted to ensure that the information contained here does not contradict anything listed in any of our fleet Pilot Operating Handbooks, but if there is any disagreement, the Pilot Operating Handbook is the final authority. 0.2 - SOP ORGANIZATION CHART 0.3 - VERSION INFORMATION Version Date January 02, 2024 Jan 2024 version - Updated section 5.2 (page 16) - Updated section 4 profiles (page 12-14) Type-Specific Procedures Fleet-Wide Procedures SOP-G SOP-C152 SOP-C172 SOP-DA40 SOP-PA28 SOP-PA44 SOP-DA40 May 2021 3 0.4 - CONTENTS SECTION 0 - FRONT MATTER ____________________________________________________ 2 0.1 - INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 2 0.2 - SOP ORGANIZATION CHART .......................................................................................................................... 2 0.3 - VERSION INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................... 2 0.4 - CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................................ 3 0.5 - ACROYNMS ............................................................................................................................................... 4 SECTION 1 - NORMAL CHECKLISTS ________________________________________________ 5 SECTION 2 - EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ___________________________________________ 7 SECTION 3 - PILOT BRIEFING CARD ______________________________________________ 11 SECTION 4 - PROFILES _________________________________________________________ 12 4.1 - NORMAL TAKEOFF .................................................................................................................................... 12 4.2 - NORMAL LANDING.................................................................................................................................... 13 4.3 - NORMAL CIRCUIT ..................................................................................................................................... 14 SECTION 5 - TECHNIQUES & CONSIDERATIONS ____________________________________ 15 5.1 - PREFLIGHT INSPECTION / BEFORE START ......................................................................................................... 15 5.2 - ENGINE START ......................................................................................................................................... 15 5.3 - TAXI / RUN UP ........................................................................................................................................ 15 5.4 - TAKEOFF / DEPARTURE .............................................................................................................................. 16 5.5 - CRUISE .................................................................................................................................................. 16 5.6 - ARRIVAL / LANDING .................................................................................................................................. 16 5.7 - SHUTDOWN ............................................................................................................................................ 16 SOP-DA40 May 2021 4 0.5 - ACRONYMS Acronym Definition AFM Aircraft Flight Manual AGL Above Ground Level ASL Above Sea Level ATC Air Traffic Control DH Decision Height EFB Electronic Flight Bag FAF Final Approach Fix IFR Instrument Flight Rules KIAS Knots Indicated Airspeed KTAS Knots True Airspeed MAP Missed Approach Point MDA Minimum Descent Altitude MSA Minimum Sector Altitude PIC Pilot in Command POH Pilot Operating Handbook SID Standard Instrument Departure SOP Standard Operating Procedure TOC Top-of-Climb SOP-DA40 May 2021 5 SECTION 1 - NORMAL CHECKLISTS SOP-DA40 May 2021 6 SOP-DA40 May 2021 7 SECTION 2 - EMERGENCY PROCEDURES SOP-DA40 May 2021 8 SOP-DA40 May 2021 9 SOP-DA40 May 2021 10 SOP-DA40 May 2021 11 SECTION 3 - PILOT BRIEFING CARD SOP-DA40 May 2021 12 SECTION 4 - PROFILES 4.1 - NORMAL TAKEOFF SOP-DA40 May 2021 13 4.2 - NORMAL LANDING DA40 – Normal Landing 1000’AGL Set Slow Cruise Power (18”, 2200 RPM) 100 KIAS “STABLE, CONTINUING” 300’ AGL 500’ AGL “FLAPS LDG” 80 KIAS “SPEED CHECK, FLAPS T/O” Before joining circuit “BEFORE LANDING CHECKS COMPLETE” >3 NM away Complete Arrival Briefing VREF 73 KIAS SOP-DA40 May 2021 14 4.3 - NORMAL CIRCUIT SOP-DA40 May 2021 15 SECTION 5 - TECHNIQUES & CONSIDERATIONS This section is reserved to address type-specific techniques and essential pilot considerations. The guidance here is intended to supplement the procedures provided by the Aircraft Manufacturer in the POH. 5.1 - PREFLIGHT INSPECTION / BEFORE START Walkaround. Note the temperature of the engine during the external check. If it is hot to the touch, plan to omit the priming step of the Warm Start procedure. 5.2 - ENGINE START G1000 Engine Page. Always start with the engine page selected on the MFD. This provides more detailed indications of various parameters. Preparation for engine start. It is important that you are fully prepared for engine start before you begin the procedure. The keys should be in the ignition, the propeller area checked clear, etc., so that once initiated the start procedure is not interrupted. Review the checklist ahead of time to minimize delays between the steps of the start procedure.
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Hot Engine Starting. A hot engine does not require priming – Diamond includes slight priming in the Warm Start procedure (and thus, it is on WWFC’s checklist), but this should be omitted where the engine is hot. Ambient temperature is irrelevant – the actual temperature of the engine is the determining factor. High Fuel Pressure. If the aircraft recently flew and the engine is still hot, the fuel pressure may be high (red annunciation). If the pressure rises past 35 PSI, the G1000 will indicate a red “X” in place of a numeric readout. This pressure should be relieved by “cracking” the mixture. Do not prime an engine that has had the fuel pressure relieved before start – it is hot, and it does not need additional fuel. Starter Disengagement. The starter may be held for 10 seconds per start attempt; don’t rush to release it as soon as the engine begins to “catch”. Premature disengagement of the starter combined with aggressively ramming the mixture to full rich can cause the engine to flood and the start attempt to fail. When the engine begins to start, continue to hold the key in “Start’ and advance the mixture over about 2 seconds (don’t slam it forward). Unsuccessful Warm/Hot Start. If the engine was primed and the start attempt is unsuccessful, attempt a flooded start. 5.3 - TAXI / RUN UP Hard Start Battery Discharge. If multiple attempts are required to start the engine, it is possible the battery has been significantly discharged. The charging system in the aircraft will seek to recharge the battery once high-power settings are applied, which can cause the 25A Cross-Bus Tie circuit breaker (CB) to trip. If you have had difficulty starting the engine, it is a good idea to check the charging rate at full power during the runup (ensure you choose a suitable location). Ensure the charging rate is less than 23 amps before departure (remain on the ground allowing it to recharge otherwise). As per the POH, before take-off, the engine must run on each tank at 1500 RPM for 60 seconds. SOP-DA40 May 2021 16 5.4 - TAKEOFF / DEPARTURE Autopilot Engagement. Activation of the autopilot (i.e., mode selection) should take place no earlier than when the aircraft is established in an enroute climb on a constant heading. 5.5 - CRUISE Cruise Power Selection. Cruise at or below 75% power using the performance tables in the POH. Fuel Balance. Use a timer to manage fuel imbalance; limits are 10 USG for short range DA40s (FAMO) and 8 USG for long range (GIXL, FJUM). Electric Fuel Pump Use. Per the POH, the electric pump should normally be turned off during cruise unless changing fuel tanks. 5.6 - ARRIVAL / LANDING Autopilot Disengagement. Unless flying an instrument approach procedure, cancel all autopilot modes before passing below 1000’ AGL. 5.7 - SHUTDOWN High Fuel Pressure. Post-shutdown fuel pressure increases caused by fuel vapour can damage the fuel control unit (FCU). After shutting down the engine, keep the G1000 on for two-three minutes to observe the fuel pressure indicated on the Engine Page. If the fuel pressure climbs towards the red line, crack the mixture slightly (1/2”) to relieve the pressure. Immediately returning the mixture control to cutoff will just cause the pressure to rise again, so the control may be left very slightly cracked open. Quick Turn Around. Restarting the engine after a short duration stop is often challenging due to vapour lock. Refer to the Hot Start section for guidance.