VFR DA40NG Training Note Yohann Aviation Note

RPL Overview VFR

DA40NG reference speeds & key patterns for VFR training. Built for quick study in cockpit or on phone—searchable, collapsible, and print-friendly.

Basics & Speeds Performance

Reference Power Settings

PhaseGuideNotes
Normal CruisePWR65%≈ 125 KIAS.
Slow CruisePWR50%
Fast CruisePWR75-85%
PWR 50% + T/O Flap~pitch -2.5°CCT Downwind
PWR20% + T/O Flap~pitch -5°CCT Base Turn

Speeds

ItemIAS (kt)Notes
Vy (TO flap)72
Vy (Flap UP)88
Cruise climb90
Best glide (UP)88
Vref / EMRG APPLDG 77 • TO 78 • UP 83Target approach speeds

Straight & Level (S&L) Handling

  • PWR + attitude = Performance
  • Don't chase performance; maintain attitude.
  • Learn to trim — rough trim to release elevator pressure; after speed stabilizes, precise trim.
  • Never use trim to change pitch; set attitude with elevator, then trim off pressure.
  • Use small, smooth, deliberate control inputs.
  • Don't over-focus on instruments.

Climb Handling

  • Into Climb: Lookout above; PAST.
  • During Climb: ALAP scan. Limit bank in climb (guide: ≤15° AOB). Every 1000' — clear nose.
  • Level off: prior to 10% VS of the height — start lowering attitude; ASPT; after speed stabilizes, precise trim.

Descend Handling

  • Into Descent: Lookout below; PAST.
  • During Descent: ALAP scan. If long descent — check power still available.
  • Level off: prior to 10% VS of the height — start increasing power; PAST; after speed stabilizes, precise trim.
  • If Glide: wait for planned IAS (e.g., best glide 88 kt when required), then lower attitude.

Turns Handling

  • Flow: B&B → ALAP → anticipate 1/3 AOB's HDG → B&B.
  • Climbing turn: over-bank tendency — limit ~15° AOB. Descending turn: neutral/under-bank tendency.
  • AOB guides: Climb ≤15°; CCT/AWK ≤ 20°; Normal ≤ Rate-1 unless briefed.
  • Rate-1 Turn: AOB ≈ TAS/10 + 7 — 360° in 2 min; 180°/1 min; 90°/30 s; 30°/10 s.
  • Slow down for tight turn/orbit.
Bank & Load Factor
AOBLF (×1g)Vsmaneuver ≈ Vs×√LF
30°~1.1~1.05×Vs
45°~1.4~1.18×Vs
60°~2.0~1.41×Vs
75°~3.9~1.97×Vs

Stall HASELL

HASELL Check — pre-stall/airwork
  • H – Height: Sufficient to recover with a suitable safety margin — recover by 3000' AGL minimum.
  • A – Airframe: Flaps & undercarriage set (as required for the exercise).
  • S – Security: Doors closed & locked, harnesses secure; fire extinguisher secure; no loose articles in cockpit.
  • E – Engine: Engine temps & pressures in the green; fuel pumps ON.
  • L – Location: Clear of built-up areas; suitable forced-landing area selected; clear of cloud horizontally & vertically.
  • L – Lookout: Clear the airspace laterally & vertically.

Vs (guide)

ConfigVs (kt)
Flap UP66
Flap TO62
Flap LDG60

Recover — on first sign

  • Ailerons neutral, opposite rudder if required.
  • FULL PWR, reduce AoA, set climb attitude.
  • Above Vs: climb at Vy. Reconfigure once stable.
Scenarios
  • Normal stall: PWR idle; Flap UP.
  • Approach stall: PWR ~15%; Flap TO. Recover: PWR UP → G UP → Flap UP.

CCT Circuit

    Entering RWY

    • Lookout (Downwind/Base/Final Clear); Radio Call; Listen; Lookout

    Rolling / Upwind

    • Rolling Check: Up wind RWY clear; Brakes hold; PWR 20%; T&Ps normal; RWY XX HSI XXX Compass match; Aileron into the wind; Warning & Caution Clear
    • Rolling Call:
    • Rolling: Brakes release, full PWR; Airspeed live & increasing; RPM & Load Stable
    • Rotate: Approaching Vrot, Rotate; Positive Climb
    • 300': Vy, RPM & Load Stable
    • 600': Speed Check - Flaps UP, speed up cruise climb speed, PWR 92
    • Turn Crosswind: Look out, less than 15° AOB in climbing turn

    Crosswind

    • Assess wind. Tailwind: consider continuous turn;

    Downwind

    • HHSS: Check height, heading, speed, spacing.
    • BUMFISH-W: 2 check items each time, back to SCAN/ALAP.

    ABEAM THR

    • Normal CCT: Speed check ≤110 → Flap T/O (check indicator T/O). NVFR: pitch ~−2.5° (CTA: report abeam to TWR etc.)
    • Flapless CCT: Flap indicator check & visual check, PWR 40%.

    APP @45°

    • Lookout, radio call;
    • Normal CCT: PWR ~20%, enter descent attitude - PAST.
    • Flapless CCT: PWR ~10%, pitch attitude almost no change (slight lower than S&L), but you can confirm you are descending by VIS

    Mid-base

    • Normal CCT: Half sky half ground; ROD 500 fpm; 85–90 kt. NVFR: pitch ~−5°
    • Flapless CCT: Just below S&L, 90–95 kt.
    • Turn to Final: Consider wind — headwind: delay turn; tailwind: turn early.

    Final

    • Normal CCT: Target speed 85–90 kt (if slightly higher but below 98 kt, don't reduce PWR as extending flap LDG will create significant drag). Check IAS 98 kt, extend flap LDG (monitor IAS and adjust PWR if IAS starts to decrease).
    • Flapless CCT: Stabilized approach; maintain 90–95 kt; adjust IAS with pitch.
    • RPUFF check.
    • SCAN 3A: Aim, Aspect, Airspeed.
    • 400': Committed to land, otherwise Go Around.
    • Vertical Wind Shear: Expect IAS to decrease when approaching the ground due to reducing headwind; increase PWR if it happens. Once about 200' above the ground, wind stabilizes; reduce PWR again to prevent IAS increase.
    • Approaching threshold: Aim for Vref 77 kt for normal CCT, 82 kt for flapless.
    • PWR idle: When approaching 150 m before your aim point.
    • Enter flare: Start flare at the correct height. The RWY will look different due to RWY width differences at different airports. Expect to "flare early" at narrower RWYs like YKMP/YGFN.
    • During flare: Aileron for centerline; Rudder for nose line-up.
    BUMFISH-W & RPUFF

    BUMFISH-W

    • Brakes — firm; park brake OFF.
    • Undercarriage — (fixed).
    • Masters — ON.
    • Fuel — sufficient/balance; Fuel Pump ON.
    • Instruments — check (T&Ps, Alerts).
    • Switches — landing/strobe Lights. Voter Switch AUTO
    • Harness — canopy seatbelt secure;
    • Wind sock - No flashing.(HN)

    Final — RPUFF

    • RWY clear / cleared to land.
    • Profile, alignment, performance — vref guidance:
      • Short-field: aim 77 (do not go below 77).
      • LDG flap: 80–85 (vref ~77).
      • Flapless: 85–90 (vref ~82).
    • Undercarriage — (fixed).
    • Fuel XFR / Fuel pump — as required.
    • Flap — indicator confirms setting.
    Crosswind flare
    • Nose straight with rudder on centreline.
    • Use aileron to stay on centreline during roll-out (and keep it in after touchdown).

    Touch-and-Go / Short-field / Flapless

    • T&G: hold back-pressure; smoothly to FULL PWR within ~3 s.
    • Flapless T&G: hold back-pressure; easy “bloom”; select TO flap — expect easy lift-off.
    • Short-field landing: aim for threshold; PWR IDLE over gable marker; gentle braking.

    AWK Airwork

    General handling references.

    Steep Turns Airwork

    • Choose reference & lead ref; lookout: Right → Center → Up → Left → Left-back.
    • 45° / 60° AOB options.
    • PWR ~65% for 45°; flow: B&B → 30° AOB → add back-pressure → ALAP.
    • Recovery: B&B → 30° AOB → release back-pressure; for 60° consider PWR ~75%.

    Compass Turns Airwork

    • S. Hemisphere：ONUS — Overshoot North, Undershoot South.
    • North: roll out 30° after; South: roll out 30° before.
    • East/West: roll out on heading.
    ONUS Compass Turns Diagram
    ONUS Compass Turns Diagram

    PFL — Forced Landing Emergencies

    Glide ratio: ~1:9.7. Training ratio often uses ~1:7 to allow for turns/inefficiencies.

    • Step 1. Use glide range to select touchdown zone (TDZ). Neither too close nor too far!
    • Step 2. Plan a Final into wind!
    • Step 3. Track to final and modify the CCT on the way (keep thinking: do you have enough height for a base leg? downwind leg?).
    • Step 4. Keep wings level to check spacing. If getting closer/further, adjust the legs. It’s recommended to adjust base length by under/overshooting final.
    • Small tailwind (≤ ~5 kt) acceptable if it improves field choice.
    • Aviate first. Make sure you are able to reach the TDZ.
    Field Selection — BIG & SMALL aspects

    BIG

    • Size, Shape, Surrounding, Service (houses/boats), Sun.

    SMALL

    • Surface, Slope.
    • TDZ ~1/3 into field. Plan backwards from TDZ. Low-key (turn base) ~1200–1500' AGL.
    • Rough guide: ~1.5 nm / 1000' (short RWY: closer).
    Simulated Checks
    • Phase 1 (Aviate): Fuel ON; PWR MAX; Alt Air ON; Fuel Pump ON; Voter AUTO; ENG Master ON.
    • Trouble check: Speed 88; ECU caution? Fuel EMRG? PWR idle (confirm)? Alt Air ON; CCT breakers; ENG instruments (T&Ps/Volts/Amps/Fuel); Electric Master ON; ENG Master ON; Fuel Pump ON; Voter: A → AUTO → B → AUTO.
    • Sim MAYDAY: “MAYDAY (×3), callsign, engine failure, xx nm xx of PMQ, 2 POB, attempting forced landing.”
    • ELT ON; XPDR 7700.
    • PAX brief (see section).
    • Secure engine (when committed): ENG Master OFF; Fuel Pump OFF; Fuel XFR Pump OFF; Throttle IDLE; Fuel Tank OFF; Before landing: Electric Master OFF.
    • Re-check PWR availability each 1000'.

    PSL — Precautionary Search & Landing Emergencies

    • Assess Field Length: T/O Flap + PWR 50% → GS ≈ 90 kt ≈ 45 m/s (rule of thumb for timing a low pass).

    Emergency Procedures Abnormal

    Engine Smoke & Fire

    On Ground

    • Fuel Tank OFF; Fuel XFR Pump OFF; ENG Master OFF; Fuel Pump OFF; Cabin Heat OFF.

    In Flight

    • Fuel Tank OFF; PWR MAX (expedite); pitch down for ~1000 fpm (≈−5° flap UP); ENG Master OFF; Fuel Pump OFF; Before landing Electric Master OFF.
    Electrical Fire (with Smoke)

    On Ground

    • Electric Master OFF; Throttle IDLE; ENG Master OFF; Fuel Pump OFF.

    In Flight

    • Electric Master OFF; Secure engine before landing.
    Communication Failure
    • Maintain terrain clearance; remain VMC if possible.
    • Indications: In-flight — HJ: rocking wings; HN: on/off landing/nav lights. On ground — HJ: waggling ailerons/rudder; HN: on/off landing/nav lights.
    • VFR Class G / CTA/RA/IFR: remain VFR in Class G; land at nearest AD; report arrival to ATS via SAR telephone.
    • Squawk 7600; listen to ATIS or voice-mod Navaids; transmit blind (PAI).
    • If in IMC: proceed per latest ATC route clearance & planned level; hold to give ATS/traffic time to respond, then proceed.

    PAX Brief Safety

    Apron
    • No smoking; follow escort (ASIC) at all times.
    • Parking clearance lines — do not cross without instruction.
    • Propeller danger area — stay clear.
    Aircraft
    • DA40NG. Exits: Front canopy (external/internal handles), Rear door (external handle & push button; internal handle & safety latch), Emergency: axe & jettison handle.
    • Baggage: rear cargo under net; side bags; obey loading instructions.
    • Emergency equipment: fire extinguisher; first aid; ELT.
    • Emergency actions: activate ELT; brace; meet 20 m left of A/C after landing.
    Seats, Belts, Other
    • Seats upright; attachments stowed; do not obstruct rear door or manipulate pilot seat.
    • Seat belts: single sash + lap belt — demonstrate fastening.
    • Boarding: foot on pad → on wing → step inside → swing.
    • In flight: no smoking; no toilet; use intercom for speaking; radios by pilot.
    • Comfort check; questions welcome.
    EMRG PAX Brief (PFL)

    “I’m conducting a forced landing now. Please remove glasses, secure loose objects, and brace for impact. After landing we will gather 20 m to the left of the aircraft.”

    Normal Nav TMG / CBTTT

    • TMG: Time — Map — Ground.
    • CBTTT: Course — HDG Bug — Time — Track — Trim.
    • Map Scale cues (rule-of-thumb): 1-finger ≈ VTC 2.5 nm / VNC 5 nm / WAC 10 nm. 4-finger ≈ ×4.
    • Small Divert (dog-leg): due to small cloud or terrain, ETA changes as follows:
    HDG ChangeCorrection FactorExplanation
    60°+1×Add 1× the time flying the new leg to the total ETA.
    45°+2/3×Add 2/3× the time flying the new leg to the total ETA.
    30°+1/4×Add 1/4× the time flying the new leg to the total ETA.

    Lost & Divert Procedures

    Divert

    • T: Time — record current time.
    • R: Rough track → then precise track (⚠ consider T→M conversion); re-plan distance & ETA; re-configure as required.
    • E: Endurance — fuel remaining vs options.
    • A: Airspace — clearance / hemispherical levels / terrain / VMC.
    • N: FPL amend (DIV from, DCT to, SAR).

    Lost Procedure

    • TAHAGMD (Yohann’s mnemonic):
    • T — Time: note current time; recall the last known position time.
    • A — Anchor: Timer 1 min, make a gentle left turn (stabilise and think).
    • H — Holding Config: set a safe hold: PWR 65%, T/O flap; maintain safe altitude.
    • A — AoP: estimate Area of Probability: r = 20% of leg distance + 5 nm.
    • G → M: match Ground to Map, go Big → Small: confirm 3 Big features with 1–3 Small clues.
    • D — Divert: once fixed or feasible, divert with safe heading, track/distance/ETA, fuel/endurance & alternates, airspace/hemispherical levels, and file any FPL amendments (DIV from, DCT to, SAR) as required.
    When TAHAGMD not work — for awareness only (Not required in our training)
    • Yohann’s cue: “Climb higher to aid ATC prominently.”
    • Climb to see further / improve comms, but do not climb above possible CTA.
    • Use Navaid/GNSS to assist fixing.
    • Seek ATC / FIS for help; be ready to squawk IDENT.
    • Fly toward prominent features: coastline / railway / large river / mountain.

    Tips

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