COWS has recently rolled out a major update across its Diamond line of products, bringing the entirely new DA40-NG, alongside refinements to the DA40-XLS and DA42 TDI/VI. These changes arrive as two distinct product updates, each with its own feature set and improvements.

The Diamond family of aircraft is a familiar sight at many flight schools and academies around the globe. The DA40 XLS, being the oldest of the three variants, offers a traditional Lycoming piston setup, while the newer DA40 NG introduces a more modern, AE300 engine. Stepping up, the DA42 takes the DA40’s platform, adding twin turbodiesel engines, retractable gear, and enhanced stability, making it a popular bridge into multi-engine training.

The DA40-series has been updated to version 1.1.0, with the headline addition of the new NG variant. Built on the XLS platform, the NG comes with a reworked flight model, designed to replicate training manoeuvres with more accuracy.

On the systems side, the aircraft now features a fully custom electrical system, that models bus voltage, alternators, and battery behaviour down to details, such as overnight discharge, if the cabin light is left on. 

Other highlights include refinements to engine dynamics, autopilot, priming assist, as well as an expanded G1000 feature set, with wide flight plan view, nearest airport auto-set, endurance calculations, and additional reset options.

The DA42 also sees a significant refresh, now at version 1.2.2. Developed in parallel with the DA40 update, it benefits from the same electrical system overhaul and G1000 improvements. Changes extend into the powerplant model, with FADEC adjustments, turbo response tuning, and cooling airflow simulation.

Other systems, such as de-ice and auxiliary fuel tanks, are now also influenced by aircraft acceleration. A long list of fixes touches on lighting, visuals, state saving, and failures, rounding out the update.

As always, you can read the full changelog(s), for both updates, in the following section:

‍

DA40:

V1.1.0 15/09/25

Powerplant/Flightmodel

Engine friction changes and tuning

Oil and CHT warm up a little faster

New cooling airflow simulation (More natural behaviour with winds and prop discing)

Automixture: Mixture lever now sets a target mixture like a conventional FS mixture lever

Increased oil pressure drop from propeller governor

Fixed engine alternate air bug

Added rudder deflection from trim tab

Systems

Autopilot tweaks

RPM sensor is now simulated

Added temperature offsets to gauges

Fixed stall horn on the ground in high winds

Standby gyro reacts to system voltage

Fully custom electric system:

- Simulated electrical buses, diodes, component power draw, circuit breakers, batteries and alternators

- Simulated alternator field voltage, voltage regulators

- Simulated battery voltage, resistance and temperature

- Battery charge is statesaved and battery will self discharge over time

- Leaving the cabin light on will discharge the battery

- Battery can be recharged in the G1000 engine page menu and emergency reset procedure (check tips in checklist)

G1000

Updated Navigraph plugin

Added wide Flightplan view

Added Priming assist

Added nearest airport being set as the origin

Updated the MFD data fields to use the totalizer for fuel and endurance calculations (FOB, FOD, END)

Updated the Engine Page Menu with more reset failure options

Updated the fuel calculator range and endurance to use the avionics computer state

Fixed the endurance field showing as failed when toggling the electric master

Fixed the PFD bottom info data styling to be compatible with the HSI map and other configs

Added "timer expired" voice alert

Added a delay to displaying the CAS

Reversionary mode fixes

Total Time in Service is now activated when the aircraft becomes airborne

Other:

Separated package into FS20 and FS24 specific versions (G1000v2 mod no longer required, currently Orbx only)

Fixed Parking brake on/off commands

Tweaks to: Lighting, Visuals, Sounds, Statesaving, Failures, Standby instruments

Added some new tips to checklist

FS24: Fixed lighting bloom

Added DA40NG

‍

DA42:

V1.2.2 15/09/25

Powerplant/Flightmodel

FADEC improvements

Increased turbo response

New cooling airflow simulation

Oil cooling improvements

Improved fuel system behaviour

Ecu error detection is paused shortly after slewing

Reduced steering angle at high speeds

Systems

Autopilot tweaks

De-ice fluid is now affected by aircraft acceleration

Removed unusable de-ice fluid

Aux tanks are now affected by aircraft acceleration

Added temperature offsets to gauges

Standby gyro reacts to system voltage

Fully custom electric system:

- Simulated electrical buses, diodes, component power draw, circuit breakers, batteries and alternators

- Simulated alternator field voltage, voltage regulators and temperature

- Simulated battery voltage, resistance and temperature

- Battery charge is statesaved and battery will self discharge over time

- Leaving the cabin light on will discharge the battery

- Battery can be recharged in the G1000 engine page menu and emergency reset procedure (check tips in checklist)

G1000

Updated Navigraph plugin

Added wide Flightplan view

Added nearest airport being set as the origin

Updated the MFD data fields to use the totalizer for fuel and endurance calculations (FOB, FOD, END)

Updated the Engine Page Menu with more reset failure options

Updated the fuel calculator range and endurance to use the avionics computer state

Fixed the endurance field showing as failed when toggling the electric master

Fixed the PFD bottom info data styling to be compatible with the HSI map and other configs

Added Blue and Red line airspeed markers

Added "timer expired" voice alert

Added a delay to displaying the CAS

Reversionary mode fixes

Total Time in Service is now activated when the aircraft becomes airborne

Other:

Separated package into FS20 and FS24 specific versions (G1000v2 mod no longer required, currently Orbx only)

Set fuel tank priority, main tanks are refilled first

Fixed Parking brake on/off commands

Tweaks to: Lighting, Visuals, Gear physics, Sounds, Statesaving, Failures, Feathering, Deice system, Fuel selectors, Xfer pumps, Standby instruments

Added some new tips to checklist

FS24: Blocked prop lever inputs triggering ECU errors

FS24: Fixed lighting bloom

Both the DA40 and 42 are offered as separate purchases, priced at $26.85 and $30.85 respectively. You can find them both on OrbxDirect. Owners of the DA40-XLS receive the NG variant as part of the package, at no extra cost.

Updates are available now through Orbx Central, with Marketplace releases to follow. Be aware, COWS has noted that neither aircraft is currently compatible with the new SU4 beta.

For all the latest news and updates, stay tuned on Threshold!

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