Diamond DA-40 headroom

Eric,

I've got a DA40, with sheepskin seat covers, and I'm 6' 3" with a
34-35" inseam. Two things that make a differeence - taking out the seat
covers buys an extra inch, and using a lightspeed headseat (which my
partner flies with) gets you and inch on the top of the head. He's a
former Airforce fighter pilot, and Airforce instructor who flew for
Eastern, and he swears by the headset.

I find that I hit my headset the frist five or ten minutes of a flight,
then seem to "Settle in" to the seat after that.

I love the plane - she's awesome to fly for a number of reasons:
1) Incredible view outside the plane
2) G1000 system is fantastic
3) Flying with a stick seems like you're flying a "real plane"
4) Safest safety record in it's class
5) Good speed / forgiveness trade-off.

Patrick Sweeney
DA-40
242F

wrote:
I had a chance to fly a DA-40 Diamond Star quite a bit over the
holidays, to give some young eagles rides to kids in the family. After
flying this plane, I'd have to say I much prefer it to either the 172
or Archer. The only downside I found was that the headroom in the front
seats is just barely enough for me with a headset on. None of the seats
have any adjustments, but I was wondering if any DA-40 owners have
modified the seat cushions to get any additional height. If there is a
way to do this, then the DA-40 may have potential as a more practical
replacement to the warbird I'm flying now (when I have to give it up in
a few years).

Thanks,
Eric Bartsch
1959 Pilatus P3-05
http://www.hometown.aol.com/bartscher/P3A848.html

I think the extra inch is what I would need to keep from bumping the
headset against the canopy. Also, my current headset isn't exactly
small (Telex 50D) but it is really quiet. I'll have to look at the
cushion next time I'm in a DA40.

Thanks,
Eric Bartsch
1959 Pilatus P3-05
http://www.hometown.aol.com/bartscher/P3A848.html



On Jan 1, 11:24 am, wrote:
Eric,

I've got a DA40, with sheepskin seat covers, and I'm 6' 3" with a
34-35" inseam. Two things that make a differeence - taking out the seat
covers buys an extra inch, and using a lightspeed headseat (which my
partner flies with) gets you and inch on the top of the head. He's a
former Airforce fighter pilot, and Airforce instructor who flew for
Eastern, and he swears by the headset.

I find that I hit my headset the frist five or ten minutes of a flight,
then seem to "Settle in" to the seat after that.

I love the plane - she's awesome to fly for a number of reasons:
1) Incredible view outside the plane
2) G1000 system is fantastic
3) Flying with a stick seems like you're flying a "real plane"
4) Safest safety record in it's class
5) Good speed / forgiveness trade-off.

Patrick Sweeney
DA-40
242F

wrote:
Eric,

I've got a DA40, with sheepskin seat covers, and I'm 6' 3" with a
34-35" inseam. Two things that make a differeence - taking out the seat
covers buys an extra inch, and using a lightspeed headseat (which my
partner flies with) gets you and inch on the top of the head.

Betcha I would scrape the underside of the canopy. I'm 5-11 with a
29-inch inseam (short legs and long trunk). I just barely make it in a
Cessna 182 (with DC headset). Someday I will find out how I fit in a
DA-40.

David Johnson