Diamond DA20 Katana
The Diamond DV20/DA20 Katana is an Austrian-designed two-seat tricycle gear general aviation light aircraft. Developed and manufactured by Austrian aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft Industries, it was originally produced in Austria as the DV20.
The DV20 shares many features from the earlier Diamond HK36 Super Dimona. It was introduced to service during 1993. During the 1990s, production of the type was commenced at a new facility in Canada in order to meet demand for the type within the North American market. The Canadian-produced aircraft are designated as the DA20. It has been a relative success on the market, having sold in excess of 1,000 aircraft by 2008 and multiple improved variants of the DA20 have been developed. Additionally, it has been further developed into the four-seat Diamond DA40 Diamond Star.
Variants[edit | edit source]
- DV20-A1 Katana: Austrian-built development of the Diamond HK36 Super Dimona motorglider, powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912 and certified in 1993.
- DA20-A1 Katana: Canadian-built DV20. Powered by a 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912 and introduced in 1995.
- DA20-100 Katana 100: Factory refurbished and re-engined Katana for the European market. Powered by a 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912S. Introduced in 1999.
- DA20-C1 Katana/Katana Eclipse: Name used in marketing and some 1998 year model planes. The name "Katana" was actually painted on some planes. Powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Continental IO-240 engine. In order to accommodate the extra 70 pounds of the IO-240, the Katana's battery was moved behind the baggage bay, to help move the empty cg aft, and the wing sweep has been changed from 1 degree aft to just 0.5 degrees back to shift the center of lift forward. Previous Katanas had simple hinged flaps – but at the higher maximum weight, more sophisticated slotted flaps were necessary to bring the stall speed to the JAR-VLA-specified 45 knots.
- DA20-C1 Evolution: Stripped down C1, intended for flight schools as a trainer. No rear windows. Powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Continental IO-240-B engine.
- DA20-C1 Eclipse: Better equipped C1 for private use, with rear windows for better visibility. Powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Continental IO-240-B engine Entered production in 1999.
- DA20-C1 Falcon: Military trainer version. Powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Continental IO-240-B engine. Instruments moved in front of the right seat, where the student sits, which places the stick in the student's right hand and throttle in the left, in a similar arrangement to fighter aircraft. Also equipped with a smaller fuel tank. Some Embry-Riddle Falcons have been sold to private owners and flight schools after being fitted with standard instrument panels and fuel tanks.
Users[edit | edit source]
- Canada
- Moncton Flight College
- Ecuador
- Ecuadorian Air Force
- Poland
- Polish Air Force
- United States
- Doss Aviation
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
