Diamond DA20

The Diamond DV20/DA20 Katana is an Austrian-designed two-seat tricycle gear general aviation light aircraft, the type was later built in Canada as the DA20 for the North American market.

Development

The two-seat DV20 Katana was based on the Super Dimona with reduced wingspan. It was produced in Austria by HOAC (later changed its name to Diamond Aircraft). The Katana first flew in 1991 and gained certification in 1993. The Katana was first shown in public at the 1993 Paris Air Show.

The company built a factory in Canada to produce the DV20 which was designated the DA20. The first DA20 was the Rotax 912 powered A1 Katana produced in Canada in 1994. It was the first Diamond aircraft available for sale in North America. Production of the Continental IO-240-B3B powered C1 Evolution and Eclipse models began in 1998, also in Canada. Production of the A1 Katana is complete but the DA20-C1 is still being constructed in 2010.

The DA20-A1 and C1 are both certified under CAR 523 in Canada and under FAR 23 in the USA. The DA20 is certified in the utility category, and it is permissible to intentionally spin it with flaps in the full up position. In 2004, Diamond received Chinese certification for the DA20. Both models also hold JAA certification.