The Diamond DA-20 A1 Katana is a two-seat single engine Very Light Aircraft in low-wing configuration with a T-tail. The design
makes considerable use of composites for the structure. Its roots can be traced back to the Hoffman Dimona, a powered glider
built by Wolf Hoffman Flugzeugbau KG at Ulm in Germany and at Weiner Nieustadt in Austria, the prototype of which flew first on
9 October 1980. In 1989, the company was bought out and renamed HOAC-Austria Flugzeugwerk. Two years later, HOAC was acquired by
Diamonds current owners, a family well-established in the automotive business in Europe. In 1989, HOAC-Austria Flugzeugwerk
in Vienna, Austria, began with the development of the HK36 Super Dimona a two-seat powered glider made of fibre-reinforced high-tech
composite based on the Hoffmann H36 Dimona. Series production of the HK36 Super Dimona began in 1990. Two years later and using the
motorglider designs as its foundation, the company began work on the DV20 Katana. The DV20 design differed from the HK36 in a number
of important respects: it had a reduced wingspan, was equipped with flaps, and made use of a tricycle landing gear arrangement. In 1991,
the Katana conducted its maiden flight; during May 1993, the type received certification and entered production in Austria. In June 1992,
the Canadian branch of Diamond Aircraft Industries was founded, the Canadian branch operated under the name Dimona Aircraft, in 1996 this was
changed to Diamond Aircraft Industries. In 1994, series production of the Diamond HK36 TTC Super Dimona, in the US and Canada known as Katana
X-treme series, started at the company's Canadian plant in London, Ontario. Dimona Aircraft developed the DA20-A1 from the popular
DV20 Katana. This was specifically tailored to the needs of the American aircraft market. The development of the DA-20 was extensive, with
over 40 different changes: new features include electric trim, doubling the electrical system's power, and a flatter and larger panel for
more instruments. The canopy locking mechanism was also modified. The external appearance of the Katana remained virtually unchanged. On 29
June 1994, the DA20-A1 took off for its maiden flight in London, Ontario. On 28 July 1994, the aircraft received type certification from the
Canadian Department of Transport (DOT). The American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted certification in December of the same year.
In 1994, the DV-20 A1 entered production at the company's Canadian plant in London, Ontario. Over 1000 Diamond DA-20 aircraft are built
so far. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Diamond DA-20 A1 Katana is DV20
On 26 September 1994, the 1994-built Diamond DA-20A1 Katana s/n 10002 was registered C-FJTB with Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., London, Ontario, Canada.
On 11 July 2002, registration C-FJTB was cancelled as exported to Austria. In 2002, the aircaft was registered OE-CPR. In Austria, the aircraft served with
Top Speed, Vienna, and was transferred to Langsteiner Flugbetrieb, Salzburg, where it served until June 2011. That month the OE-CPR was sold to Guido Buisman,
Hardenberg, Netherlands, and moved to Hoogeveen airfield (EHHO). In 2012, the Hoogeveen based aircraft was re-registered D-ECPU. At Hoogeveen the Diamond DA-20A1
Katana D-ECPU was not only used by several privat pilots but also by Fly-online. In 2023, Diamond DA-20A1 Katana D-ECPU was sold to FlightLevel and the aircraft
arrived on 17 November 2023 at its new home Drachten airfield (EHDR). Since, is was repainted in FlightLevel colors. On 8 April 2018, Diamond DA-20A1 Katana
D-ECPU was seen at Hoogeveen airfield (EHHO).
