|
Diamond aircraft history, performance and specifications
The Diamond
Story began in 1981 with the introduction of
the certified H 36 all composite motorglider.
In the 25 years since then, Diamond has
grown into an international company with
over 500,000 sq ft of modern production
facilities, over 800 employees, five
distinct product lines, and company owned
facilities on 3 continents.
|
1981
|
Hoffmann Flugzeugbau is founded in
Friesach, Austria, to produce the newly certified H36 Dimona
motorglider.
|
|
1985
|
Hoffmann Aircraft Ltd., now a 100%
subsidiary of Simmering-Graz-Pauker AG moves to Vienna and introduces
the Dimona Mk II.
|
|
1987
|
Production facilities are established at
the Wiener Neustadt airport, just south of Vienna. The airport has a
long history, dating back to before the first world war.
|
|
1991
|
The Dries family acquires 100% control of
the company, now named HOAC AG. Immediately, development of the HK36R
Rotax 912 powered motorglider and its derivative, the DV20 "Katana",
are started.
|
|
1992
|
With a view to supplying the US market
with its new technology training aircraft, a full production facility
is established in London, Ontario. The company is named Dimona
Aircraft.
|
|
1993
|
The Austrian built DV 20 Katana is
certified. The first, DV20, OE-CPU goes on demo tour in the US and
Canada.
|
|
1995
|
The first Canadian built production
DA20-A1 is delivered to Central Missouri State University and serial
production is ramped up.
|
|
|
The DA20-A1 Katana receives the
prestigious Flying Magazine Eagle Award, for best light aircraft.
|
|
1996
|
The company is named Diamond Aircraft
Industries Inc.
|
|
|
HOAC introduces 4 new versions of the HK36
motorglider: taildragger or tricycle gear, either with the Rotax 912 or
turbo 914 engine.
|
|
1997
|
The 4 seater DA40 program is announced at
the AERO EXPO in Friedrichshafen. The first experimental aircraft are
powered by Rotax 914 and TCM IO-240 engines, a testament to the
efficient airframes! The Lycoming IO360 is selected for the production
version.
|
|
|
The Rotax powered Katana, after production
of 500 units, is replaced with the all new TCM IO240 powered DA20-C1,
featuring improved performance, useful load and comfort.
|
|
|
Diamond opens its new Diamond Flight
Centre, including training facilities and the Katana Kafé restaurant,
at the London Airport.
|
|
1998
|
HOAC is renamed Diamond Aircraft GmbH, to
align with the North American operation.
|
|
|
Diamond Austria acquires the Wiener
Neustadt - East Airport (LOAN).
|
|
1999
|
The Wiener Neustadt airport and company
facilities undergo significant expansion, with the addition of new
taxiways, runway lighting, NDB approach, construction of a new
administration building, pilot shop, restaurant, and maintenance
facilities.
|
|
|
The DA20-100, a factory refurbished and
reengined (Rotax 912S-100hp) Katana, is introduced and proves very
popular, particularly in Europe.
|
|
|
Diamond opens a factory sales, service and
flight training centre in Egelsbach (Frankfurt).
|
|
|
The DA20-C1 Eclipse, an improved and
enhanced version of the DA20-C1, enters production.
|
|
2000
|
The IFR certified DA40-180 Diamond Star is
certified and enters production.
|
|
|
The HK36TTC-ECO, a specialized aerial
camera platform enters service.
|
|
2001
|
The DA40-180 receives FAA type
certification and production for the North American market starts in
London, Ontario.
|
|
|
Diamond Austria flies the world's first
modern production GA diesel powered aircraft, the DA40-TDI.
|
|
2002
|
The DA42-TDI Twin Star project is
announced at the Berlin International Airshow in May. Company CEO,
Christian Dries makes the first test flight on December 9th.
|
|
|
The DA40-TDI turbo diesel powered Diamond
Star receives European certification.
|
|
2003
|
The D-Jet single engine personal jet
project is announced.
|
|
|
The DA42 Twin Star wins the Flight
International "Aerospace Industries Award".
|
|
2004
|
Diamond Austria's facility expand with the
addition of the state of the art 100,000 sq ft Diamond Composites
facility.
|
|
|
The DA42 Twin Star, equipped with the
Garmin G1000, receives European certification and serial production is
started.
|
|
|
The Garmin G1000 is certified for the
DA40-180.
|
|
|
The company's DA42 demonstrator crosses
the Atlantic nonstop, direct from St. John's, Newfoundland to Porto,
Portugal, with a total fuel burn of only 72 gallons of jet fuel.
|
|
|
DA20 and DA40 receive Chinese CAAC
certification and first G1000 equipped DA40's are delivered to PanAm
Beijing.
|
|
2005
|
The DA40FP, a carburetted fixed pitch
version of the DA40 is certified.
|
|
|
Diamond announces a Chinese joint venture
to produce the DA40 Diamond Star for the Chinese market.
|
|
|
The DA40-180 receives Aero-News.net "Best
Certified Aircraft of 2005" award.
|
|
|
The DA42 Twin Star receives FAA
certification and first US delivery is made.
|
|
|
The D-Jet Prototype is shipped to London
for final system integration and assembly, prior to first flight.
|
|
aircraft database
history and gallery
