Diamond DA20

DA20
Flying Colors Precision Flight Team (DA20-A1-K100 Katana)
Role Flight training and personal use aircraft
Manufacturer Diamond Aircraft
Introduction 1992
Produced 1992-present
Unit cost $184,980 (2009 base price)[1]
Developed from Diamond HK36 Super Dimona
Developed into 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

Development

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.[3]

The DA20-A1 and C1 are both certificated under CAR 523[4] 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.[5] In 2004, Diamond received Chinese certification for the DA20. Both models also hold JAA certification.[6]

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]

Design

The DA20 features control sticks (as opposed to yokes), composite construction, a canopy, low-mounted wings, a single fuel tank, a T-tail, and a castering nosewheel. All models have composite airframes constructed of glass- and carbon-fiber reinforced plastic.[2] The nose wheel of the DA20 is not linked to the rudder pedals and turns while taxiing are made with differential braking, with rudder steering becoming more effective as airspeed increases.[7]

The DA20 is equipped with a bubble canopy. 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. The DA20's seats are reclined 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. 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]

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.[8]

In November 2008 the company announced that it would be offering an Aspen Avionics glass cockpit primary flight display as an option on the DA20. Diamond indicated the Aspen PFD was easy to incorporate into the existing instrument panel design because it mounts in a standard round instrument hole. In October 2009 the company introduced the Garmin G500 glass cockpit as an option.[9]

Operational history

USAF

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 DA-20s at the Academy.[10] The AFS program was discontinued in 2007.

Doss Aviation, under contract for the US Air Force, currently operates a fleet of DA-20s at the Pueblo Memorial Airport in the Initial Flight Screening (IFS) program.[11]

Variants

DV20 A-1 "Katana"
A development of the Diamond HK36 Super Dimona motorglider, powered by a 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912 and certified in 1993[12]
DA20 A-1 "Katana"
Developed from the DV20. Powered by a 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912 and introduced in 1995[12]
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.[12]
DA20 C-1 "Katana" and "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[13]
DA20 C-1 "Evolution"
Stripped down C-1, intended for flight schools as a trainer. No rear windows. Powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Continental IO-240-B engine[12][13]
DA20 C-1 "Eclipse"
Better equipped C-1 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.[12][13]
DA20 C-1 "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. This puts the stick in the student's right hand and throttle in the left, similar 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.[13]

Specifications (DA20-C1)

Data from DA20 webpage[14]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related lists

References

  1. ^ Diamond Aircraft (undated). "Diamond DA20C1". http://www.diamondaircraft.com/build/index.php?id=20. Retrieved 2009-09-17. 
  2. ^ a b c d Diamond Aircraft (undated). "DA20-C1 Multi-mission Machine". http://www.diamondaircraft.com/. Retrieved 2008-05-04. 
  3. ^ Diamond Aircraft website
  4. ^ Transport Canada NICO website accessed 15 September 2007
  5. ^ "Operating Limitations". DA 20 Flight Information Manual (DA202/11 FIM). 1997-02-12. pp. 2–7. 
  6. ^ Diamond Aircraft (December 2004). "Beijing PanAm starts commercial flight training with all glass DA40 Diamond Stars". http://www.diamondaircraft.com/news/news-article.php?id=84&search=. Retrieved 3 October 2010. 
  7. ^ "Normal Operating Procedures". DA 20-A1 Flight Information Manual (DA202/11 FIM). 1997-02-12. pp. 4–13. 
  8. ^ "Emergency Procedures". DA 20-A1 Flight Information Manual (DA202/11 FIM). 1997-02-12. pp. 3–13. 
  9. ^ Niles, Russ (November 2008). "DA20 With Aspen Glass". http://www.avweb.com/news/aopa/AOPAExpo2008_DA20WithAspenGlass_199156-1.html. Retrieved 2008-11-08. 
  10. ^ "Embry-Riddle Wins Contract to Train Air Force Pilots". http://www.erau.edu/er/newsmedia/newsreleases/2002/airforce.html. Retrieved 2008-012-16. 
  11. ^ "Doss Initital Flight Screening (Aircraft)". http://www.dossifs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=83. Retrieved 16 October 2010. 
  12. ^ a b c d e Diamond Aircraft (2009). "DIAMOND AIRCRAFT. A History...". http://www.diamondaircraft.com/why/index.php?id=1. Retrieved 2009-04-14. 
  13. ^ a b c d Marsh, Alton K. (undated). "Diamond Eclipse - Delivery for the Air Force". Archived from the original on 2008-06-21. http://web.archive.org/web/20080621062759/http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/articles/diamond0308.cfm. Retrieved 2009-04-14. 
  14. ^ "Diamond Aircraft DA20 webpage". http://www.diamondaircraft.com. Retrieved 2006-12-23. 

External links