Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
The DA40 took the DA20's general concept into a larger cabin. Its low wing, fixed tricycle undercarriage and extensive canopy glazing give it a distinctive appearance. Production has taken place in Austria and Canada, with several engine and equipment developments. The petrol-engined and diesel-family DA40 variants are not merely different liveries. Engine management and cockpit equipment differ, and simulator packages may represent different points in that development.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗Familiar fine handling, with a qualified verdict on the diesel
Whiteman approached the Austro-powered DA40 NG with experience of the original prototype and earlier production versions. Flying G-SUEO with its regular demonstration pilot, Mark, he appreciated the simple power control and comfortable seating, although mastering the Garmin displays would require more study. Initial acceleration was strong, but the departure did not deliver the improvement he had hoped for.
Pilot, 12 June 2015. DA40 NG G-SUEO evaluation, with comparisons to earlier DA40 versions; possible rigging issue remains aircraft-specific.
Pilot · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube LifeStyle Aviation
Official Diamond DA40 NG Demo Flight | Lifestyle Aviation
Follow a demonstration flight through takeoff, manoeuvres, slow flight and landing.
Real DA40 NG; manufacturer dealer demonstration
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet Diamond DA40
The DA40 took the DA20's general concept into a larger cabin. Its low wing, fixed tricycle undercarriage and extensive canopy glazing give it a distinctive appearance. Production has taken place in Austria and Canada, with several engine and equipment developments.
Petrol-engined and diesel-family DA40s differ in engine management and cockpit equipment. The simulator products identify their represented model.
Diamond DA40
Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
Development milestones
First flight: 5 November 1997
Developed from: Diamond DA20
Wikipedia contributors · Diamond DA40 Diamond Star ↗Diamond DA40 Diamond Star · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1373674831
Pilot accounts
Familiar fine handling, with a qualified verdict on the diesel
Whiteman approached the Austro-powered DA40 NG with experience of the original prototype and earlier production versions. Flying G-SUEO with its regular demonstration pilot, Mark, he appreciated the simple power control and comfortable seating, although mastering the Garmin displays would require more study. Initial acceleration was strong, but the departure did not deliver the improvement he had hoped for. Retracting the flaps brought a noticeable reduction in the modest early climb.
Once established, the familiar appeal returned: light, well-coordinated controls, a useful mechanical trimwheel and excellent visibility made formation flying and general manoeuvring a pleasure. The aeroplane required continuing right-pedal pressure, which Mark suspected might reflect that particular aircraft's rigging; Whiteman did not establish it as a fleet characteristic. His final assessment remained mixed. He admired the DA40's handling and recognised the diesel's potential economy, while wishing its takeoff and initial climb felt more convincing.
Pilot, 12 June 2015. DA40 NG G-SUEO evaluation, with comparisons to earlier DA40 versions; possible rigging issue remains aircraft-specific.
Read the full account · Pilot ↗A trainer that rewards coordination and planning
Turner evaluated the DA40 as a prospective training aircraft and found plenty to keep a student engaged. Its low seating position and broad view made the runway feel close, while the initial takeoff required deliberate directional control. In the air, he found the stick easy to adopt and the controls light without becoming vague. Once properly trimmed, the aircraft held its attitude well, but its clean airframe demanded anticipation when levelling off or preparing to descend.
An overcast formed beneath the demonstration flight, so the return included an IFR clearance and vectors to an ILS. That gave Turner a practical opportunity to explore the workload of an instrument approach before breaking into visual conditions for landing. He finished the flight smiling and considered the Diamond a promising trainer for future professional pilots. His praise included the demands it placed on rudder coordination and energy management, alongside reservations about ground ventilation, storage space and the attention required during transition.
StudentPilot.com, 27 November 2004. Early DA40 demonstration assessed as an airline-training platform; personal handling observations, not operating instructions.
Read the full account · StudentPilot.com ↗Dinner at Santa Paula changes a traditional pilot’s mind
Lee wanted to experience the DA40 XLS on an ordinary outing, so he joined distributor demonstration pilot Robert Stewart for a trip from Long Beach to Santa Paula. The wraparound view immediately impressed him, and he welcomed the manual trimwheel after initially fumbling with electric trim. Climbing out toward the coast, he began to appreciate how much of the surrounding landscape was visible from ahead of the wing.
The journey combined low-speed handling demonstrations, music through the headsets and a look at the Garmin synthetic-vision display before an arrival among Santa Paula's classic aircraft. Lee had expected to dislike a modern composite aeroplane, but found that the technology left plenty of opportunity to enjoy hand-flying. Returning to Long Beach, he was reluctant to walk away.
Plane + Pilot, 24 February 2009. DA40 XLS demonstration trip with Robert Stewart; quoted fleet safety statistics and broad accident-prevention claims are excluded.
Read the full account · Plane + Pilot ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2024DA40 NG
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
DA40 NG
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2024DA40 TDI
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
DA40 TDI
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020DA40 NG
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
DA40 NG
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020DA40-TDI
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
DA40-TDI
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024COWS DA40 Series
COWS · Released
COWS DA40 Series
COWS · Released
X-Plane 12DA40 Expansion Pack
NHAdrian / Alabeo · Released
DA40 Expansion Pack
NHAdrian / Alabeo · Released
X-Plane 12DA40NG
RealSimGear · Released
DA40NG
RealSimGear · Released
X-Plane 12DA40NG
SimSolutions · Released
DA40NG
SimSolutions · Released
X-Plane 12Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star
STMA · Released
Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star
STMA · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 8.1 m (26 ft 7 in) |
| Wingspan | 11.9 m (39 ft 1 in) |
| Height | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) |
| Wing area | 13.5 m² (145 sq ft) |
| Empty weight | 795 kg (1,753 lb) |
| Gross weight | 1,198 kg (2,641 lb) |
| Powerplant | 1 × Lycoming IO-360-M1A 4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 134 kW (180 hp) |
| Cruise speed | 279 km/h (173 mph, 151 kn) TAS |
| Stall speed | 91 km/h (57 mph, 49 kn) flaps down |
| Range | 1,341 km (833 mi, 724 nmi) |
| Service ceiling | 5,000 m (16,000 ft) |
| Rate of climb | 5.69 m/s (1,120 ft/min) |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Pilot account
Familiar fine handling, with a qualified verdict on the dieselPilot, 12 June 2015. DA40 NG G-SUEO evaluation, with comparisons to earlier DA40 versions; possible rigging issue remains aircraft-specific.
Whiteman approached the Austro-powered DA40 NG with experience of the original prototype and earlier production versions. Flying G-SUEO with its regular demonstration pilot, Mark, he appreciated the simple power control and comfortable seating, although mastering the Garmin displays would require more study. Initial acceleration was strong, but the departure did not deliver the improvement he had hoped for. Retracting the flaps brought a noticeable reduction in the modest early climb.
Philip Whiteman
Pilot · Read the source ↗A trainer that rewards coordination and planningStudentPilot.com, 27 November 2004. Early DA40 demonstration assessed as an airline-training platform; personal handling observations, not operating instructions.
Turner evaluated the DA40 as a prospective training aircraft and found plenty to keep a student engaged. Its low seating position and broad view made the runway feel close, while the initial takeoff required deliberate directional control. In the air, he found the stick easy to adopt and the controls light without becoming vague. Once properly trimmed, the aircraft held its attitude well, but its clean airframe demanded anticipation when levelling off or preparing to descend.
Thomas Turner
StudentPilot.com · Read the source ↗Developer documentation
COWS DA40 Series — product listingCOWS DA40 Series · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Product listing captured 2026-09-30; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue
www.cows.studio · Read the source ↗DA40 Expansion Pack — product listingDA40 Expansion Pack · X-Plane 12
Product listing captured 2026-09-24; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue
NHAdrian / Alabeo · Read the source ↗DA40NG — product listingDA40NG · X-Plane 12
Product listing captured 2026-09-23; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue
www.x-aviation.com · Read the source ↗DA40NG — product listingDA40NG · X-Plane 12
Product listing captured 2026-09-23; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue
store.x-plane.org · Read the source ↗Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star — product listingDiamond DA40-180 Diamond Star · X-Plane 12
Product listing captured 2026-09-24; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue
STMA · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manualsMicrosoft / aircraft developersAircraft background
Diamond DA40 Diamond StarWikipedia contributors · Research background · Wikipedia revision 1373674831 · retrieved 2026-09-12Resource
MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoft MSFS 2020 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoftType designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Product
COWS | DA40 Serieswww.cows.studio · Product listing captured 2026-09-30; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue DA40 Expansion PackNHAdrian / Alabeo · Product listing captured 2026-09-24; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue Take Command!: RealSimGear DA40NG, X-Aviationwww.x-aviation.com · Product listing captured 2026-09-23; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue Diamond DA40NG-SimSolutions-DA40store.x-plane.org · Product listing captured 2026-09-23; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue Diamond DA40-180 Diamond StarSTMA · Product listing captured 2026-09-24; edition scope from the reviewed catalogueBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 10 profile choices
COWS DA40 XLS
COWS · Free and Pro · Revision 4 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
COWS DA40 XLS: Mechanical linkage motivates airspeed-sensitive stick resistance.
COWS DA40 NG
COWS · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
COWS DA40 NG: Mechanical linkage motivates airspeed-sensitive stick resistance.
NHAdrian / Alabeo Alabeo DA40 Expansion Pack
NHAdrian / Alabeo · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
NHAdrian / Alabeo Alabeo DA40 Expansion Pack: Mechanical linkage motivates airspeed-sensitive stick resistance.
RealSimGear DA40NG
RealSimGear · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
RealSimGear DA40NG: Mechanical linkage motivates airspeed-sensitive stick resistance.
SimSolutions Diamond DA40NG
SimSolutions · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
SimSolutions Diamond DA40NG: Mechanical linkage motivates airspeed-sensitive stick resistance.
STMA Diamond DA40-180
STMA · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
STMA Diamond DA40-180: Mechanical linkage motivates airspeed-sensitive stick resistance.
Diamond DA40 NG
Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Diamond DA40 NG: Mechanical linkage motivates airspeed-sensitive stick resistance.
Diamond DA40 TDI
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Review pending
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Diamond DA40 TDI: Mechanical linkage motivates airspeed-sensitive stick resistance.
Diamond DA40 XLS
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Review pending
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Diamond DA40 XLS: Mechanical linkage motivates airspeed-sensitive stick resistance.
Diamond DA40 NG
Free and Pro · Revision 4 · Partial review
MSFS 2024 · MSFS 2020
Mechanical stick controls with aerodynamic pitch trim and separately tuned pitch and roll resistance.
Discuss this aircraft (2)
Questions, observations and useful sources from the community.
- DA 40 D (TDI) Reference Speeds →1 reply · Last activity
- DA 40 D (TDI) Landing Distances →1 reply · Last activity
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