Composite construction, a bubble canopy, and glider-derived aerodynamics made the Diamond DA20 one of the most recognizable two-seat trainers of the past three decades.
This low-wing single, first flown in 1991 and built in Canada from 1994, carries a student and instructor on modest fuel while delivering the visibility and control feel that flight schools and private owners both prize.
The type serves civil training fleets, university aviation programs, and military screening operations across North America and beyond.
This page covers the DA20’s specifications, development history, variants, and the approved tire fitments for its main and nose gear.
Diamond DA20 Specifications
Figures below reflect the current Continental-powered DA20-C1, the definitive production variant, with Rotax-powered DA20-A1 and DA20i differences noted where they matter.
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft Industries, London, Ontario, Canada (originally HOAC, Austria) |
| Type | Two-seat single-engine light trainer, all-composite airframe |
| First flight | 1991 (DV20 prototype, Austria) |
| Certification | FAA type certificate 1994; certified under CAR 523 (Canada) and FAR 23 (USA), utility category |
| Production status | DA20-C1 in continuous production (Canada); DA20i Katana relaunched in Austria, 2025; DA20-A1 ended |
| Units built | More than 1,000 across the series |
| Engine (DA20-C1) | 1x Continental IO-240-B (125 hp), Sensenich fixed-pitch propeller |
| Engine (Rotax models) | DA20-A1: Rotax 912 (80 hp); DA20-100 and DA20i: Rotax 912S / 912 iSc3 Sport (100 hp) |
| Max range | 547nm (1,013km), 30-minute reserve (DA20-C1) |
| Cruise speed | 138 KTAS at 75% power (DA20-C1) |
| Max operating altitude | 13,120ft |
| Takeoff ground roll | ~1,280ft (DA20-C1, sea level ISA) |
| Landing ground roll | ~661ft (DA20-C1, sea level ISA) |
| Max takeoff weight (MTOW) | 1,764 lb (800 kg) US/Canada; 1,653 lb (750 kg) elsewhere (DA20-C1) |
| Empty weight | ~1,166 lb (529 kg) |
| Useful load | ~600 lb (US/Canada, DA20-C1) |
| Fuel capacity | 24 US gal usable |
| Seating | 2 side by side (1 pilot, 1 student or passenger) |
| Price | New DA20-C1 ~$150,000-$175,000 (mid-2000s reference); used market ~$50,000-$130,000 by year, hours and avionics |
| Operating cost | ~$90-$130/hr variable, fuel-dominant at ~6 gph 100LL; varies by operator and utilization |
History and Overview
Development and Background
The DA20 began in Austria as the DV20, a two-seat development of the HK36 Super Dimona motorglider built by HOAC, the company that later became Diamond Aircraft. The DV20 first flew in 1991, gained certification in May 1993, and made its public debut at the 1993 Paris Air Show.
To serve the large North American market, Diamond built a purpose-designed factory in London, Ontario. The first Canadian-built aircraft, the Rotax 912-powered DA20-A1, was completed in 1994 and became the first Diamond model sold in North America.
The Canadian DA20 carried roughly 40 detail improvements over the Austrian DV20. Between 1994 and 1999, Diamond invested more than C$100 million in the London plant, laying the groundwork for the later DA40 and DA42.
Design and Performance
The DA20 is a low-wing cantilever monoplane of all-composite glass and carbon fiber construction, with a T-tail, a large bubble canopy, and a fixed tricycle undercarriage. Its glider lineage shows in the long, slender tailboom and a high glide ratio, roughly 14:1 on the Rotax A1 and about 11:1 on the heavier C1.
The aircraft is certified in the utility category and is approved for intentional spins with the flaps up, a useful trait for a primary trainer. Excellent all-round visibility and light, responsive controls are what pilots most often single out.
The DA20-C1 introduced the 125 hp Continental IO-240-B in place of the Rotax, along with slotted flaps to hold the stall speed down and improved brakes. A relocated battery offsets the heavier engine for center-of-gravity control, and the result is a near-140-knot cruise on about 6 gallons per hour.
Variants
- DV20-A1 Katana — Austrian-built original, Rotax 912 (80 hp), certified 1993.
- DA20-A1 Katana — Canadian-built version, Rotax 912 (80 hp), introduced 1995.
- DA20-100 Katana 100 — re-engined with the 100 hp Rotax 912S, introduced 1999.
- DA20-C1 (Evolution, Eclipse, Falcon) — Continental IO-240-B (125 hp) with slotted flaps, from 1998; Evolution is the economy trainer, Eclipse the private-market model, Falcon the military screening variant.
- DA20i Katana — 2025 European relaunch built in Wiener Neustadt with the Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport (100 hp) and a Garmin G500 TXi glass cockpit.
Operators
The DA20 is a mainstay of civilian flight schools, university aviation programs, and private owners worldwide. Its best-known military role is US Air Force initial pilot screening: the Falcon variant entered service in 2002 and DA20s are operated under contract by Doss Aviation at Pueblo, Colorado, for the Initial Flight Training program.
Overseas military users include the Ecuadorian Air Force, which took delivery of DA20-C1 aircraft for its academy at Salinas. The four-seat DA40 Diamond Star was developed directly from the DA20 airframe.
Current Status
The DA20-C1 has stayed in continuous production at Diamond’s Canadian facility and remains the only DA20 offered to US buyers. In October 2025, Diamond relaunched European production of the DA20i Katana at Wiener Neustadt, adding a Rotax engine and Garmin glass to the line after a decade-long pause.
The used market is active and healthy. With more than 1,000 aircraft across the series and both production lines running, airframe parts, wheels, and tires remain readily available. Values run roughly $50,000 to $130,000 depending on year, hours, and avionics.
Diamond DA20 Landing Gear and Tires
Landing Gear Configuration
The DA20 uses a fixed tricycle undercarriage with composite spring main gear legs and a free-castering nosewheel; there is no nosewheel steering, so directional control on the ground comes from differential braking. Each position carries a single wheel, and the mains use hydraulic disc brakes.
The DA20’s tyre sizes are modest, and many aircraft fly with wheel fairings, or speed pants, which can rule out oversize or some retread options. No landing-gear airworthiness directive affects tire selection on the type.
Diamond DA20 Tire Specifications
| Main gear tire size | 5.00-5, 6-ply rating |
| Nose wheel tire size | 5.00-4, 6-ply rating |
| Ply rating | 6PR main / 6PR nose |
| Speed rating | To 120 mph (Type III general aviation fitments) |
| Approved brands | Goodyear (Flight Custom III, Flight Special II, Aircraft Rib); Michelin (Air, Condor, Pilot) |
| Primary part numbers | Main: 505C66-5, 505C61-8, 070-312-0, 072-312-0. Nose: 504C61-2 |
Always verify specifications against the aircraft’s Airworthiness (Maintenance) Manual and any applicable airworthiness directives before ordering. Serial number, wheel fairing fitment, and configuration can affect tire choice, and inflation pressures are AMM-controlled values that should be taken from the manual for the specific aircraft.
Main Gear Tires
The DA20 mains take a 5.00-5 6-ply tire, a light-duty Type III size shared with many two-seat trainers. Training aircraft see frequent touch-and-goes, so main gear tires are usually retired on tread wear rather than age. The Goodyear application chart lists the 5.00-5 6PR against both the Katana and the DA20-C1 Eclipse.
Approved options include the Goodyear Flight Custom III and Flight Special II and the Michelin Air and Condor. Owners flying with speed pants should confirm clearance before selecting a retread or a larger-section tire.
Nose Wheel Tire
The nose carries a smaller 5.00-4 6-ply tire. Because the nosewheel free-casters and is lightly loaded, it tends to wear slowly, though the small size makes it comparatively expensive per unit. The Goodyear Aircraft Rib 504C61-2 is the commonly cataloged nose fitment for the DA20.
Goodyear’s chart also lists a 15×6.0-5 6PR (Goodyear 385M61-1, also written G380x150-5) as an alternate main for the Katana. Confirm eligibility for the specific serial number, wheel and fairing combination before fitting.
Approved and Compatible Brands
The following fitments apply to the Diamond DA20 in the correct size and ply rating:
- Goodyear — 505C66-5 (Flight Custom III, 5.00-5 6PR), 505C61-8 (Flight Special II, 5.00-5 6PR) — main gear
- Michelin — 070-312-0 (Air, 5.00-5 6PR), 072-312-0 (Condor, 5.00-5 6PR), 025-309-0 (Pilot, 5.00-5 6PR) — main gear
- Goodyear — 504C61-2 (Aircraft Rib, 5.00-4 6PR) — nose wheel
- Goodyear — 385M61-1 (15×6.0-5 / G380x150-5 6PR), a charted alternate main for the Katana — main gear (verify eligibility)
- 5.00-5 and 5.00-4 6PR from Specialty Tires of America (Air Hawk, Air Trac) and other approved manufacturers in the correct size and ply rating
FAQs
Is the Diamond DA20 still in production?
Yes. The Continental-powered DA20-C1 has been built continuously in Canada, and in October 2025 Diamond restarted European production of the Rotax-powered DA20i Katana in Austria. Parts and tires remain widely available for the whole series.
What are the Diamond DA20 specifications?
Key DA20-C1 figures: 125 hp Continental IO-240-B, 138 KTAS cruise, 547nm range, 13,120ft ceiling, 1,764 lb MTOW, and two seats. See the specifications table above for the full list.
What is the range of the Diamond DA20?
The DA20-C1 has a range of about 547nm (1,013km) with a 30-minute reserve at economical cruise. Rotax-powered A1 and DA20i aircraft return broadly similar figures on lower fuel burn.
What is the Diamond DA20 price?
A new DA20-C1 listed around $150,000 to $175,000 in the mid-2000s, and current new pricing is quoted by Diamond on request. Used examples typically trade from roughly $50,000 to $130,000 depending on year, hours, and avionics.
What does the Diamond DA20 cost to operate per hour?
Variable operating costs are low for a certified aircraft, on the order of $90 to $130 per hour, driven mainly by fuel at about 6 gallons per hour of 100LL. Actual costs vary with utilization, maintenance, and local fuel prices.
Where can I find a Diamond DA20 for sale?
Listings appear regularly on Controller, Trade-A-Plane, AircraftForSale, and similar marketplaces, reflecting the type’s popularity as a trainer and time-builder.
What is the Diamond DA20 landing distance?
The DA20-C1 has a landing ground roll of about 661ft at typical weight, sea level and ISA conditions, with total landing distance over a 50-foot obstacle correspondingly longer. Confirm figures in the flight manual for your configuration.
What tire size does the Diamond DA20 use?
The DA20 uses a 5.00-5 6-ply main gear tire and a 5.00-4 6-ply nose wheel tire. Always verify the size and ply rating against the AMM for your serial number and configuration.
Which tire brands are approved for the Diamond DA20?
The DA20 is compatible with Goodyear and Michelin tires in the correct 5.00-5 and 5.00-4 sizes and 6-ply rating, including the Goodyear Flight Custom III, Flight Special II and Aircraft Rib and the Michelin Air, Condor and Pilot.
How long do Diamond DA20 tires last?
Tire life depends on operation. Training aircraft with heavy touch-and-go use may replace main tires after a season, while lightly flown private aircraft can run several years on a set. Nose tires generally last longer because the wheel free-casters and is lightly loaded. Follow the AMM and your maintenance program for wear limits.
What is the tire pressure for the Diamond DA20?
Inflation pressures are set in the aircraft’s Airworthiness (Maintenance) Manual and should be taken from that document for the specific serial number and tire size, since values differ between the main and nose positions.
How often should Diamond DA20 tires be changed?
Replace tires when tread reaches the wear indicators, when cuts or flat spots exceed limits, or when a licensed engineer determines the tire is unserviceable. There is no fixed calendar interval; condition and the AMM govern replacement.
