DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.0
NORMAL OPERATION

4.1. INTRODUCTION
Chapter 3 of this Flight Manual deals with normal operating procedures and
contains checklists and descriptions how to operate the aircraft.

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.2. AIRSPEEDS FOR NORMAL FLIGHT OPERATION

Unless stated otherwise, the following table contains the applicable

airspeeds for maximum take-off and landing weight. The airspeeds may
also be used for lower flight weights.

VIAS
TAKE-OFF kts mph km/h
Climb Speed during normal take-off for 15 m (50 ft) obstacle 57 66 106
Best Rate-of-Climb speed at sea level vy (Wing Flaps T/O) 65 75 120
Best Angle-of-Climb speed at sea level vx (Wing Flaps T/O) 57 66 106

VIAS
LANDING kts mph km/h
Approach speed for normal landing (Wing Flaps LDG) 57 66 106
Balked landing climb speed (Wing Flaps LDG) 57 66 106
Max. demonstrated crosswind speed during take-off and landing 15 17 27

VIAS
CRUISE kts mph km/h
Max. permissible speed in rough air VNO 118 135 218
Max. permissible speed with full control surface deflections VA 104 120 193
Maximum permissible speed with Wing Flaps extended VFE 81 93 150

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.3. STRUCTURAL TEMPERATURE INDICATOR

A structural temperature indicator, installed on the spar bridge, indicates

when the structural temperature limitation is exceeded. The indicator
need only be checked if the OAT exceeds 38° C (100° F).

The indicator is accessed by lifting the flap between the two seatback
cushions. The indicator is visible through the cut out in the seat shell
backs.

At temperatures below the 55° C (131° F) limit, the indicator appears all
red with a faint indication of “55” (° C). At temperatures exceeding the 55°
C (131° F) limit, the indicator displays a clearly contrasting red “55” (° C)
on a black background.

NOTE:
! At temperatures approaching the limit, the background will
progressively darken prior to turning black; this indicates acceptable
temperatures.

55 55
Red “55” on black background All red indicates that structural
indicates that structural temperature is below limit. Flight
temperature limit is exceeded. is permitted.
Flight is prohibited.

FSX OPERATION:
! The temperature sensor is accessed by clicking on the lower area
between the two seatback cushions.

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.4. NORMAL OPERATION CHECKLIST

4.4.1 PREFLIGHT INSPECTION

I. In-Cabin Check

1. Structural Temperature Indicator check that Structural Temp.

if OAT exceeds 38°C (100° F) does not exceed 55° C (131°F)

2. Airplane Documents check

3. Flight Control Lock removed

4. Flight Controls check for proper direction of

movement

5. Ignition Key pulled out

6. Carburetor Heat free, OFF

7. Cabin Heat free

8. Choke free, self-resetting

9. Parking Brake free

10. Throttle free, IDLE

11. Propeller Speed Control Lever free, max. RPM

12. Master Switch (Battery) ON

13. Warning Lights illuminated

(Gen., Fuel Press., and Canopy)

14. Fuel Quantity sufficient

15. Engine Gauges, Ammeter and check

Voltmeter

16. Circuit Breakers pressed in

17. Map Light operational

18. Instrument Lights operational and dimmable

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

19. Trim NEUTRAL

20. Wing Flaps check, extend and retract fully

(Indicator- and Flap Actuation)

21. Trim and Flap Indicator Lights operational and dimmable

22. Exterior Lights operational as required

23. Master Switch (Battery) OFF

24. Foreign Object Inspection done

25. Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT):

EBC Model 502 ARM

EBC Model 102A OFF

26. Fire Extinguisher check

27. Baggage stowed, baggage net attached

28. Canopy clean, undamaged

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

II. Walk Around Check and Visual Inspection

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be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

CAUTION:
! Visually inspect for the following conditions: Defects, contamination,
cracks, delaminations, excessive play, insecure or improper
mounting and general condition. Additionally, check the control
surfaces for freedom of movement.

CAUTION:
! Set PARKING brake prior to removing wheel chocks

1. Left Main Landing Gear

a) Landing Gear Strut visual inspection

b) Wheel Fairing visual inspection

c) Tire Pressure (33 psi / 2.3 bar) check

d) Tire, Wheel, Brake visual inspection

e) Wheel Chocks remove

2. Left Wing

a) Entire Wing visual inspection

b) Stall Warning check (suck on opening)

c) Pitot-Static Probe clean, holes open

d) Tie down remove

e) Taxi and Landing Lights visual inspection

f) Wing Tip, Position Lights and Strobe visual inspection

g) Aileron Balancing Weight visual inspection

h) Aileron including Inspection Panel visual inspection

i) Wing Flap including Inspection Panel visual inspection

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

3. Fuselage

a) Skin visual inspection

b) Tank Vent check

c) Tank Drain drain water

d) Fuel Quantity visual inspection

(use fuel pipette)

e) Antennas visual inspection

4. Empennage

a) Stabilizers and Control Surfaces visual inspection

b) Tie down remove

c) Trim Tabs visual inspection

5. Right Wing

a) Entire Wing visual inspection

b) Wing Flap including Inspection Panel visual inspection

c) Aileron including Inspection Panel visual inspection

d) Aileron Balancing Weight visual inspection

e) Wing Tip, Position Lights and Strobe visual inspection

f) Tie down remove

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

6. Right Main Landing Gear

a) Landing Gear Strut visual inspection

b) Wheel Fairing visual inspection

c) Tire Pressure (33 psi / 2.3 bar) check

d) Tire, Wheel, Brake visual inspection

e) Wheel Chocks remove

7. Nose

a) Oil check level by using dip-

stick. min / max range is
indicated by flat area of
stick
Coolant Level must be between
dip-stick markings, refill
if required.
b) Cowling visual inspection

c) Air Intakes (five) free

d) Propeller visual inspection, Ground

Clearance; minimum:
approx. 25 cm (10 in).
e) Propeller Blades perform Pitch Check by
Hand

f) Spinner visual inspection

g) Nose Gear visual inspection

h) Wheel Fairing visual inspection,

towbar removed

i) Tire Pressure (26 psi / 1.8 bar) check

j) Tire and Wheel visual inspection

k) Wheel Chocks remove

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.4.2 BEFORE ENGINE STARTING

1. Preflight Inspection performed

2. Pedals adjust, lock

3. Passenger Briefing performed

4. Safety Belts fasten

5. Parking Brake set

6. Controls free

7. Fuel Shut-off Valve OPEN

8. Carburetor Heat OFF

9. Throttle IDLE
10. Propeller Speed Control Lever max. RPM

11. Friction Device of Throttle Quadrant adjust

12. Avionics Master Switch OFF

13. Master Switch (Battery/Generator) ON

14. Generator Warning Light illuminated

15. Fuel Pressure Warning Light illuminated

16. Exterior Lights as required

17. Instrument Panel Lighting as required

18. Canopy Close and Secure

19. Canopy Locking Warning Light OFF

NOTE:
! Under certain circumstances, activation of the fuel pressure warning
light might take as long as 10 minutes after shutting down the engine
or switching off the electric fuel pump.

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.4.3 STARTING ENGINE

NOTE:
! Extremely low temperatures require that the engine be preheated
prior to engine start. Satisfactory engine starts have been
demonstrated at -31ºF (-35ºC) OAT after a 2 hour preheat with the
Tannis TAS100-27 preheat system.

1. Electric Fuel Pump ON (noise of pump audible)

2. Fuel Pressure Warning Light OFF

3. Throttle Cold Start IDLE

Warm Start approx. 3/4 in (2 cm) forward

4. Choke Cold Start ON, fully pulled and hold

Warm Start OFF

5. Toe Brakes Hold

6. Propeller Area Clear

! WARNING:
Ensure that propeller area is clear!

7. Ignition Key START

NOTE:
! During extremely cold weather starts, hold the choke on until the
engine starts to warm up.

8. Choke OFF

9. Throttle maximum 1500 RPM

10. Oil Pressure within green range after
maximum of 10 seconds

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

CAUTION:
! If Oil Pressure is below 12 psi (0.8 bar) shut down engine
immediately (max. 10 seconds delay).

NOTE:
! Oil Pressure may advance to the yellow arc until Oil Temp. reaches
normal operating temperatures.

NOTE:
! Activate starter for max. 10 sec. only, followed by a cooling period of
2 min.

11. Generator Warning Light OFF

12. Exterior Lights as required

13. Electric Fuel Pump OFF

4.4.4 BEFORE TAXIING

1. Avionics Master Switch ON

2. Flight Instruments and Avionics set

3. Engine Gauges check

4. Voltmeter check, ensure needle is in the

green arc. Increase RPM to
achieve or turn OFF non-flight
essential electrical consumers

5. Warning Lights push to test

(Gen., Fuel Press., Canopy)

6. Parking Brake release

CAUTION:
! Warm-up engine to a minimum Oil Temperature of 122° F (50° C) at
1100 to 1500 RPM (also possible during taxi).

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.4.5 TAXIING

1. Brake check

2. Direction Control check

3. Flight Instruments and Avionics check

4. Compass check

CAUTION:
! At high Propeller RPM the propeller may be damaged by loose
sand, gravel or water.

4.4.6 BEFORE TAKE-OFF (ENGINE RUN-UP)

NOTE:
! For OAT’s less than -5º F (-20º C) turn cabin heat on for at least 10
minutes prior to take-off.

1. Toe Brakes hold

2. Safety Belts fastened

3. Canopy closed and locked

4. Fuel Pressure Warning Light OFF (If light illuminates,

maintenance action is required and
flight should not be initiated )

5. Fuel Shut-off Valve check OPEN

6. Fuel Quantity Indicator check

7. Engine Gauges within green range

8. Trim NEUTRAL

9. Controls free

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

10. Throttle 1700-1800 RPM

11. Propeller Speed Control Lever Cycle 3 times

(RPM drop: 50 - 250 RPM)

12. Ignition Switch Cycle L - BOTH - R - BOTH

Max. RPM drop: 150 RPM
Max. RPM diff. (L/R): 50 RPM
Min. RPM diff. (L/R): none, but
RPM drop must be noticeable

13. Throttle 1500 RPM

14. Carburetor Heat ON

RPM drop: max. 50 RPM;

15. Throttle IDLE

16. Carburetor Heat OFF

17. Circuit Breakers check pressed IN

18. Electric Fuel Pump ON

19. Wing Flaps T/O

20. Parking Brake release

4.4.7 TAKE-OFF

1. Electric Fuel Pump check ON

2. Master Switch (Battery/Generator) check ON

3. Ignition Switch check BOTH

4. Carburetor Heat check OFF

5. Wing Flaps check T/O

6. Propeller Speed Control Lever check max. RPM

7. Throttle FULL
Check RPM 2260 RPM to 2385 RPM

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

8. Elevator - at beginning of rolling NEUTRAL

9. Directional Control maintain with rudder

NOTE:
! In crosswind conditions, directional control can be enhanced by
using the single wheelbrakes. Note that using the brakes for
directional control increases the take-off roll distance.

10. Rotate (VIAS) 51 kts / 59 mph / 95 km/h

11. Climb Speed (VIAS) 57 kts / 66 mph / 106 km/h

CAUTION:
! For the shortest possible take-off distance to clear a 15 m (50 ft)
obstacle:
Lift-off Speed (VIAS) 54 kts / 62 mph / 100 km/h
Climb Speed (VIAS) 57 kts / 66 mph / 106 km/h

12. Propeller Speed Control Lever 2260 RPM

(after reaching safe height)

13. Electric Fuel Pump OFF

NOTE:
! In order to avoid excessive noise, the propeller speed should be
reduced to 2260 RPM as soon as a safe flight altitude has been
reached.

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.4.8 CLIMB

1. Propeller Speed Control Lever 2260 RPM

2. Throttle FULL

3. Engine Gauges within green range

4. Wing Flaps T/O

5. Airspeed 65 kts / 75 mph / 120 km/h

6. Trim adjust

NOTE:
! The best rate of climb speed decreases with increasing altitude.

NOTE:
! Electric fuel pump ON above 13,000 ft.

Speeds VIAS
Flaps T/O Flaps UP
ALTITUDE (feet) kts mph km/h kts mph km/h
0 - 4000 65 75 120 69 79 128
4000 - 7000 63 73 117 65 75 120
7000 -10,000 62 71 115 - - -
7000 -10,000 59 68 110 - - -

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.4.9 CRUISE

1. Throttle as required

2. Propeller Speed Control Lever 1700 - 2260 RPM

NOTE:
! For favorable manifold pressure/RPM combinations refer to
Chapter 5.

NOTE:
!
3.
Electric fuel pump ON above 13,000 ft.

Wing Flaps UP

4. Trim as required

5. Engine Gauges check

4.4.10 DESCENT

1. Flight Instruments and Avionics adjust

2. Throttle as required

3. Propeller Speed Control Lever 1700 - 2260 RPM

4. Carburetor Heat as required

NOTE:
! To achieve a fast descent:
Propeller Speed Control Lever 2260 RPM

Throttle IDLE

Carburetor Heat ON

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be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

NOTE:
! If RPM drops and then rises, suspect carburetor icing and leave
Carb Heat ON. Otherwise turn Carb Heat OFF.

5. Wing Flaps UP

6. Airspeed 118 kts / 135 mph / 218 km/h

4.4.11 LANDING APPROACH

1. Seat Belts fastened

2. Electric Fuel Pump ON

3. Lights as required

4. Master Switch (Battery/Generator) check ON

5. Ignition Switch check BOTH

6. Carburetor Heat ON

NOTE:
! If RPM drops and then rises, suspect carburetor icing and leave
Carb Heat ON. Otherwise turn Carb Heat OFF.

7. Throttle as required

8. Airspeed max. 81 kts / 93 mph / 150 km/h

9. Wing Flaps T/O

10. Trim as required

11. Propeller Speed Control Lever max. RPM

12. Wing Flaps LDG

13. Approach Speed 57 kts / 66 mph / 106 km/h

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

CAUTION:
! For strong headwind, crosswind, danger of wind-shear or
turbulence, a higher approach speed should be selected.

4.4.12 BALKED LANDING

1. Propeller Speed Control Lever max. RPM

2. Throttle FULL

3. Carburetor Heat OFF

4. Wing Flaps T/O

5. Airspeed 57 kts / 66 mph / 106 km/h

4.4.13 AFTER LANDING

1. Throttle as required

2. Wing Flaps UP

3. Carburetor Heat OFF

4. Exterior Lights as required

5. Electric Fuel Pump OFF

4.4.14 ENGINE SHUT-DOWN

1. Throttle IDLE

2. Parking Brake UP

3. ELT Check (by listening to

121.5 MHZ for signal)

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4. Avionics Master Switch OFF

5. Electric Consumers OFF

6. Ignition Switch OFF

7. Instrument Panel Lighting OFF

8. Master Switch (Battery) OFF

9. Tie Downs and Wheel Chocks as required

NOTE:
! In case of post ignition due to hot weather conditions, the ignition
should be switched on, choke pulled and after approximately 3
seconds, ignition should be turned off again.

4.4.15 Flight in Rain

NOTE:
! Flight performance might be reduced, especially for the T/O-
distance and the maximum horizontal air speed. The influence on
flight characteristics of the airplane is negligible. Flights through
heavy rain should be avoided due to reduced visibility.

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

4.4.16 SPINNING

a) Spin Entry

1. Loose Items stowed

2. Seat Belts fastened

3. Altitude and Airspace check

4. Electric Fuel Pump OFF

5. Wing Flaps UP

6. Carburetor Heat ON

7. Throttle IDLE

8. Entry Speed trim to 65 kts / 75 mph / 120 km/h

9. Reduce speed with elevator speed reduction rate 2-3 kts / sec

10. When stall warning sounds apply simultaneously, full aft stick
and full rudder

CAUTION:
! Intentional spinning is only permitted with flaps in UP position.

CAUTION:
! Depending on CG and spin entry technique, attempts to enter spins
may develop into spiral dives.

NOTE:
! Spins with aft CG may oscillate in yaw rate and pitch attitude.
This has no effect on recovery procedure or recovery time.

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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DA20-100 ‘Katana’ 4X Manual NORMAL OPERATION

b) Recovery from Spinning

1. Throttle IDLE

2. Rudder fully applied opposite to direction of spin

3. Control Stick ease stick forward until spinning stops

4. Rudder neutral, immediately after rotation has stopped.

5. Wing Flaps check UP

6. Control Stick ease stick backward cautiously

Bring airplane from descent into level flight

position. Do not exceed maximum permissible
speed (VNE)

Neither the software nor the documentation may

be used for real aviation and training purposes.

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