Diamond HK36 Super Dimona
Diamond Aircraft Industries · Austria · first flew 1980 · light aircraft
The Diamond HK36 Super Dimona is a two-seat motor-glider capable of self-launch and sustained soaring, produced by Hoffmann (later Diamond Aircraft) in Austria. It is one of Europe's most widely used touring motor-gliders.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.28 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Low-wing motor-glider with tractor piston engine and long-span tapered wing
- Fixed undercarriage with characteristic wide-track tricycle gear
- T-tail and unswept long wings distinguish it from light aircraft
Identified by the long low wing without dihedral, fixed wide-track undercarriage, T-tail, and the side-by-side cabin with a large one-piece canopy. The single tractor propeller and smooth composite fuselage distinguish it from high-wing motor-gliders.
Specifications
- The Diamond HK36 Super Dimona has a length of 7.28 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.33 m (54 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 225 km/h (140 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (side-by-side).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from the original HK36 Dimona and first flown in updated Super Dimona form around 1980, the aircraft found a large market with gliding clubs wanting a touring two-seater that could operate independently of tow-planes. Diamond Aircraft acquired the type and continued development through the 1990s.
Variants
The HK36R uses a retractable undercarriage; the HK36TTS introduced a turbo-charged engine; later versions adopted Rotax 912 and 914 engines. The DA20-A1 Katana descends from the same design family.
Where you'll see it
Operated at gliding clubs and private airfields across Austria, Germany, France and the UK for touring motor-glider training and cross-country flights; popular as a self-fly-hire aircraft at smaller airfields.
Related aircraft
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