DA20 Katana
Diamond Aircraft · Austria · first flew 1991 · light aircraft
The Diamond DA20 is a two-seat composite training aircraft prized for its efficiency, docile handling and excellent visibility.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.16 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Sleek composite two-seat trainer
- Long tapered glider-like wing
- Bubble canopy over side-by-side seats
Note the smooth white composite finish, low tapered wing with pronounced dihedral, T-tail and a large frameless bubble canopy.
Specifications
- The DA20 Katana has a length of 7.16 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.87 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Derived from the earlier DV20/HK36 motor-glider heritage, the type first flew in 1991 and quickly became a mainstay of flight schools. Rotax-powered A1 Katanas gave way to the Continental-powered DA20-C1 Eclipse.
Variants
The DA20-A1 Katana uses a Rotax 912 engine, while the DA20-C1 adopts a Continental IO-240 with a longer nose and larger canopy. Both share the same slender composite airframe.
Where you'll see it
Widely used by civilian flying clubs and ab-initio schools, the DA20 is a common sight on the UK light-aircraft scene and has been used for military screening abroad, though not by the RAF directly.
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