The SYFC Flying Course is divided into 3 phases. Phases I and II constitute the Basic Flying Course, which can be completed with or without the achievement of the 1st Solo Flight. Phase III is the PPL Course, which leads to the attainment of the CAAS issued PPL.
The primary aim of the SYFC is to expose as many students as possible to the world of aviation. To this end, SYFC’s aim would have already been achieved if a student completes Phase I of the Flying Course. Students who show good potential will however be recommended to proceed to Phase II, where the basics of take-off and landing are taught. Students who demonstrate competence in this phase will be given the opportunity to make their 1st solo flight, which marks the end of this phase. Out of those who achieve 1st solo, only the outstanding ones will be recommended for Phase III of the course, which is the PPL Course.
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, N. A. Otto-Straße 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria, manufactures the DA40 aircraft.
The DA40 is a single-engine, four seat, low-wing monoplane. It has a cantilever wing and a ‘T’ tail. The aircraft structure is made of fiber-reinforced composite, making it very strong but light. It has standard ailerons and electrically operated flaps. The horizontal stabilizer has a conventional elevator and a trim tab.
The wrap around canopy gives a good all-round view from the air-conditioned cockpit. A glazed left rear door gives access to the rear seats of the aircraft. The landing gear is fixed tricycle and the dual flight control system uses conventional ailerons, elevator and rudder.
The aircraft is powered by a Lycoming IO360-M1A 4 cylinder, direct drive, horizontally-opposed engine. The engine has a fuel injection system and a conventional wet-sump oil system. The 2 blade propeller is driven through a hydraulic constant-speed governor.
The DA40 is equipped with the Garmin G1000 Integrated Flight Deck System. This full Glass-Cockpit replaces the traditional analogue instrumentation and provides the pilot all flight and systems information on 2 large, full-colour, flat-panel displays – the Primary Flight Display (PFD) and the multi-Function Display (MFD). The dual GPS system with Jeppesen database allow accurate navigation, IFR flying and instrument approaches (VOR, ILS).
The Diamond flight simulator is built with Diamond aircraft parts, with the actual avionics used in the aircraft itself.
The high-end visuals use a global satellite image overlay, allowing visual navigation to be done. The instructor operating stations are of a calibre that is typically only found in high level full motion airline simulators. The resolution of the simulator allows for realistic training and is perfectly suited for flight instructrion, check flights, screening purposes and skill proficiency tests.