Diamond DA20
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| DA20 | |
|---|---|
 Flying Colors Precision Flight Team (DA20-A1-K100 Katana) |
|
| Type | Flight training and personal use aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft |
| Introduction | 1992 |
| Produced | 1992-present |
| Unit cost | $169,389 (base price)[1] |
| Developed from | DV20 Katana |
| Variants | Diamond DA40 |
The Diamond DA20 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation aircraft designed for flight training. In addition to its role as a civil and military training aircraft, it is also used for personal flying by pilot-owners.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Models
There are two basic models of the DA20. The A1 Katana, based on the DV20 Katana, is powered by a Rotax 912 engine rated for 80 or 100 hp (60 or 75 kW) and has a constant-speed propeller. The C1 Eclipse/Evolution is powered by a Continental IO-240 engine rated for 125 hp (93 kW) and has a fixed-pitch propeller.
Early 1998 Production DA20 C1 models were called the Katana.[citation needed]
Both models have composite airframes constructed of glass- and carbon-fiber reinforced plastic.[2]
[edit] History
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. Please note during 1998 Diamond sold the new DA20 C1 under the name of Katana which would later be chaged to the Evolution and finally the Eclipse.
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 2007[3].
[edit] Features
The DA20 is intended for a similar role as the Cessna 150, but there are many differences between the two aircraft. The DA20 has a higher cruise speed and rate of climb, control sticks (as opposed to yokes), composite construction, a canopy, low wings, a single fuel tank, a T-tail, and a castering nosewheel. Performance is significantly increased by the liberal use of composites and tapered wingtips which reduces the effects of induced drag.[2]
[edit] Certification
The DA20-A1 and C1 are both certificated under CAR 523[4] in Canada and under FAR 23 in the USA.
In 2004, Diamond received Chinese certification for the DA20. Both models also hold JAA certification, too.[5]
Although the DA20 is available with instrumentation and avionics suitable for flight under instrument flight rules (IFR), its plastic airframe lacks lightning protection and thus does not qualify for IFR certification.[2]
The DA20 is certified in the utility category, and it is permissible to intentionally spin it with flaps in the full up position.[6]
[edit] Handling
Because the nose wheel of the DA20 is not linked to the rudder pedals, turns while taxiing must be made with differential braking, with rudder steering becoming more effective as airspeed increases.[citation needed]
The DA-20 possesses a higher glide ratio than many of its competitors. The glide ratio of the DA20-C1 is 11:1 and the DA20-A1 is 14:1.[citation needed] For comparison, the Cessna 150, another two-seat trainer, has a glide ratio of 7:1. The DA20's high glide ratio can pose a challenge for students if a no-flap landing is necessary. This can be greatly lessened with a moderate forward slip.
The higher glide ratio is a significant advantage in the event of an engine failure as it allows the aircraft to reach a greater number of potential landing areas from the same altitude.
[edit] Crew accommodation
The DA20's bubble canopy provides good visibility. Small windows on either side of the canopy can be opened on the ground and in flight to provide cockpit ventilation. This canopy design, however, lets in an above-average amount of sunlight into the cockpit, increasing the cockpit's initial temperature.[2]
The DA20's seats are recumbent and are not adjustable, instead the rudder pedals are adjustable fore and aft to accommodate pilots of different height. The fixed seats provide better occupant crash protection.[2]
The seats in the C1 variant have a less obtuse angle, but, like the A1, are not adjustable. Both models are available with cloth or leather seat coverings.[2]
[edit] US military use
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University provided the Academy Flight Screening (AFS) program for the United States Air Force Academy in DA20-C1 "Falcons" which were specially ordered with slightly smaller fuel tanks to save weight and primary flight instruments on the right side of the aircraft. Embry-Riddle operated a fleet of 18 DA20s at the Academy.[citation needed] The AFS program is being discontinued in 2008.
Doss Aviation, after being awarded a contract for US Air Force Introductory Flight Screening (IFS) in Pueblo, CO, has ordered 42+ DA20s. This program provides screening for all US Air Force pilot candidates, Combat Systems Officer (CSO) candidates, and Weapons System Officer (WSO) candidates before their follow-on training, including Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Laughlin AFB, Vance AFB, and Columbus AFB, Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB, Undergrate CSO/WSO Training (formerly UNT - now at Randolph AFB and Pensacola, FL). IFS is also taking over the Academy's AFS program in the next few years so that all Air Force pilots attend the same training.[citation needed]
[edit] Type Clubs
The Diamond family of aircraft is supported by two active aircraft type clubs, The Diamond Aviators Association[7] and the Diamond Aircraft Owners Free Forum.[8]
[edit] Specifications (DA20-C1)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.Data from DA20 webpage[9]
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 7.16 m (23 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 10.87 m (35 ft 8 in)
- Height: 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 11.61 m² (125 ft²)
- Empty weight: 529 kg (1,166 lb)
- Useful load: 271 kg in the USA and Canada; 221 kg elsewhere (597 lb / 487 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 800 kg in the USA and Canada; 750 kg elsewhere (1,764 lb / 1,653 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× Continental IO-240-B Fixed pitch Hoffman, Sesenich, 93 kW (125 hp)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 304 km/h, (164 knots, 189 mph)
- Cruise speed: 138 knots (256 km/h) @ 5.5 gal/hr
- Stall speed: 42 knots (CAS) (78 km/hr)
- Range: 1013 km (547 nm, 623 mi)
- Service ceiling 4,000 m (13,120 ft)
- Rate of climb: 5.08 m/s (1,000 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 64.6 kg/m² (13.2 lb/ft²)
- Power/mass: 124 W/kg (0.0756 hp/lb)
[edit] References
- ^ Mgt Communications (undated). The Ultimate Fleet. Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
- ^ a b c d e f g Diamond Aircraft (undated). DA20-C1 Multi-mission Machine. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
- ^ Diamond Aircraft website
- ^ Transport Canada NICO website accessed 15 September 2007
- ^ Diamond Aircraft (December 2004). Diamond Aircraft In China. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
- ^ (1997-12-19) "Operating Limitations", DA 20-C1 Flight Information Manual, 2-7.
- ^ Diamond Aviators Association (undated). Diamond Aviators Association. Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
- ^ Diamond Aircraft Owners Free Forum (March 2008). Diamond Aircraft Owners Free Forum. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ Diamond Aircraft DA20 webpage. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
[edit] External links
- Diamond Aircraft Industries
- Katana Review by Philip Greenspun
- The Diamond Aviators Association aircraft type club
- Diamond Aircraft Owners Free Forum aircraft type club
[edit] See also
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