Beginning Monday, July 28 we now have a dedicated flight instructor available from 0700 to 1500 local time (seven days per week) to assist with solo student sign outs.
The name(s) of the duty instructor(s) will be included in the first WhatsApp Flying Status update of each day & will also be posted in the building. Please note that 150 nm & 300 nm cross country trips require two (2) instructors for sign out per DFC policy.
Below is the WhatsApp invitation link for the new ‘DFC Flying Status’ group.
This invitation link (below) will allow you access to our official flying status group so that we update all students as the weather changes throughout the day.
The plan will be to post our flying status seven days per week during normal operating hours (including night flying hours of operation which will be here before we know it (starting back up in late August)).
In order to better serve our students, we have implemented a new system for reservation requests. This email is monitored 7 days per week with the goal of responding to all requests within 24 hours.
If you would like to submit a reservation request, please send an email to: bookings@dfclondon.com
Please take care when walking on the DFC ramp, it is extremely icy. We are implementing ice control measures and are putting sand down near the entrances and exits.
DFC London will be closed for the holidays starting Monday, December 23, 2024 and we will re-open on Friday, January 3, 2025
As you may be aware we have had numerous challenges in 2024 with the exhaust systems on our two twin-engine DA42-TDI aircraft. We are not alone, all DA42-TDI aircraft from serial number 4 and up are subject to the same problem (as outlined in a mandatory service bulletin MSB 42-129). Exhaust parts installed by the factory are typically lasting between 6 and 15 hours of flight time before replacement is required.
Both of our DA42 aircraft are currently grounded and are expected to be back online this week (C-GXSU is now back online as of yesterday afternoon). As you can see from the attached summary report, we have replaced multiple exhaust parts this year. Each time we replace exhaust parts, we are typically looking at a two (2) week turnaround from Continental (USA) because they do not allow the Diamond factory or DFC London to stock exhaust parts (until just recently).
We have had very few problems with exhaust parts until this year and we believe the problem stems from the weld on the heat shield portion of the part not being deep enough into the material to be secure on a long term basis (compared to the previously manufactured parts).
Short Term Solution:
We have now (finally) been permitted to purchase 2 complete sets of exhaust parts and those parts have arrived at the factory and have completed the factory quality control process for installation (today and tomorrow). With parts now in stock locally, we are looking at a turnaround time of hours in contrast to the 2+ weeks that it was taking previously. This recent change to having local inventory of the exhaust parts available will help us minimize the downtime for students and should keep the mullti-engine training moving forward with minimal disruptions.
Long Term Solution:
A local welding shop has been working with the factory to apply for a special Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for a welding repair that should fix the problem with the weld on the heat shield portion of the part. This process will take time to get approved and implemented, but should provide a longer term fix to all DA42-TDI aircraft operators.
We will continue to keep everyone updated as things progress. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time should you have any further questions, comments or concerns.
Are you currently a night-rated CPL student looking for additional flying time? Consider flying at night for night x/c flights or solo circuit time!
Please note that we will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2024 for Thanksgiving
Due to various NOTAMs and runway/taxiway closures, DFC London will be closed for Airshow London 2024 beginning on Thursday, September 12, 2024. We plan to resume normal flight operations on Tuesday, September 17, 2024
We will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024 for Labour Day and will re-open on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Hello everyone!
Welcome to the new student portal and student blog. The portal aims to provide students with resources to aid you in your training. The student portal is brand new, so feedback is welcome. We want to know what students would like to see in the portal in the future as we continue to work on it.
Feedback for DFC Management can be shared anytime to: feedback@dfclondon.com
- Diamond Flight Centre Team