Photograph:
Diamond DA-20-C1 Eclipse VH-DIU³ (c/m C0531) at Temora, NSW in April 2010 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Canada
Description:
Two-seat light training and touring monoplane
Power Plant:
One 93 kw (125 hp) Continental TCM IO-240-B3B four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.88 m (35 ft 8 in)
- Length: 7.17 m (23 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.19 m (7 ft 2 in)
- Cruising speed at 75% power: 257 km/h (159 mph)
- Stalling speed full flap: 83 km/h (52 mph)
- Rate of climb at sea level: 305 m/min (1,000 ft/min)
- Max operating altitude: 3,999 m (13,120 ft)
- Take-off run: 390 m (1,280 ft)
- Take-off distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 500 m (1,640 ft)
- Landing run: 202 m (663 ft)
- Landing distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 415 m (1,362 ft)
- Range with 30 mins reserve: 1,014 m (630 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 91 litres (20 Imp gals)
- Useful load: 272 kg (600 lb)
- Loaded weight: 800 kg (1,764 lb)
History:
The Diamond DA-20 series was introduced to the Diamond range of training aircraft, being a two-seat trainer aimed at the market for trainers before the DA-40 and DA-42 aircraft. Power was provided by a 93 kw (125 hp) Continental IO-240 engine driving a two-blade wood Sensenich propeller. It was registered in the utility category and was spin certified. It cruised at 213 km/h (132 mph) at 610 m (2,000 ft) at 65 per cent power using 22 litres (4.8 Imp gals) per hour.
The DA-20 was developed from the HOAC Katana, which was powered by a Rotax 912 engine, The Katana being produced in Canada in 1994. Production of the DA-20 commenced in 1998 and was certified in Canada under CAR-523 and in the USA under FAR-23. In 2004 it received certification in China, and it has held JAA certification. It was a low-wing monoplane of composite construction, with a single fuel tank, a T-tail and a castering nosewheel.
Variants which have been available over the years have included the DV-20A-1 with a 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912 engine certified in 1993; the DA-20A-1 which was introduced in 1995; the DA-20-100 Katana 100 which appeared in 1999 fitted with a 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912S engine; the most popular model, the DA-20C-1 which was introduced in 1998 with an IO-240 engine with slotted flaps necessary to bring the stalling speed to JAR-VLA specifications; the DA-20C-1 Evolution which was a cheaper model for flight schools for use as a trainer, with no rear windows, fitted with a Continental IO-240-B engine; the DA-20C-1 Eclipse which was released in 1999 aimed at the private aircraft market; and later the DA-20C-1 Falcon which was released aimed at the military market.
The DA-20 has sold well to training organisations, one large operator being the US Air Force Academy which operated a fleet for the introductory flight training program, these aircraft operating with US civil registrations. In August 2000 this Academy called for manufacturers to compete in a fly-off in Colorado Springs and 13 aircraft manufacturers entered, the DA-20-C1 being the winner. The air force of Ecuador in 2012 received 20 examples for pilot training.
The type has been popular with larger pilot training organisations in Australia and New Zealand.