Jump to content

Diamond Aircraft Industries

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ahunt (talk | contribs) at 22:12, 25 July 2010 (Cleaning up type club information as per WP:TYPECLUB). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Diamond Aircraft Industries
IndustryAerospace
PredecessorHOAC
Founded1991
Headquarters
Wiener Neustadt
,
Austria
Number of locations
2
ProductsGeneral Aviation Aircraft
Very Light Jets
Number of employees
2000[1]
WebsiteDiamondaircraft.com

Diamond Aircraft Industries is an Austrian-based manufacturer of general aviation aircraft and motor gliders.

History

The company was founded in Friesach, Austria, in 1981, under the name Hoffmann Flugzeugbau to produce the H36 all-composite motor glider. Becoming Hoffman Aircraft Limited in 1985, the company moved its headquarters to Vienna, Austria and introduced the MkII model. In 1987, the aerodrome at Wiener Neustadt, Austria, became the new home for the company. In 1991 the parent company was renamed HOAC AG and purchased by the Dries Family. In the same year, Diamond started development of the HK36R and Rotax 912 powered motorglider, which were the precursors to the DV20 Katana (Diamond's first production series GA single-engine aircraft).

In 1992, to supply the North American market more directly, the company opened a second manufacturing facility in London, Ontario, Canada. This operated under the name Dimona Aircraft until it was changed to Diamond Aircraft in 1994.

The Austrian-built DV20 Katana was certified in 1993, and the first Canadian-built DA20 model was delivered in 1995. It received the Flight magazine's Eagle Award, for best light aircraft in the same year. 1997 marked the delivery of the 500th DV20 and the introduction of the DA20-C1, which had improved performance and load capabilities. The DA20-C1 Eclipse (an improved version of the DA20-C1) also entered production.

The DA40, a four-place IFR aircraft was certified in 2000, followed by the twin diesel engine DA42 in 2004.

The D-JET, a personal jet aircraft with a military trainer version, is in development.[2]

The company informed employees by mail in December 2008 that due to the economic situation they would be laying off 100 workers from the company's Austrian facility in Wiener Neustadt. That facility employs 700 of the company's 2100 worldwide workforce.[1]

Products

Diamond HK36 Super Dimona
Diamond DA20-A1 Katana
Diamond DA40-TDI Diamond Star, which burns diesel or jet fuel
Diamond DA42 TwinStar, a diesel engined aircraft
File:D-jet in ATP livery-2.jpg
Diamond D-Jet (artist's rendering)

Aircraft

Simulators

  • D-SIM-20
  • D-SIM-40
  • D-SIM-42
  • D-SIM-D-JET

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b Heinz, Astrid (2009). "Diamond Aircraft: 100 Mitarbeiter bangen (German language)". Retrieved 2009-01-07. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ "FARNBOROUGH: Diamond to develop military jet version of D-Jet". Retrieved 2010-07-25.
Bibliography

External links