Diamond DA20

DA20/DV20 Katana
Flying Colors Precision Flight Team (DA20-A1-K100 Katana)
Role	Two-seat light aircraft
National origin	Austria (DV20) Canada (DA20)
Manufacturer	Diamond Aircraft
First flight	1991
Introduction	1992
Status	Active
Produced	1994–present
Number built	1,000+
Unit cost	$184,980 (2009 base price)
Developed from	Diamond HK36 Super Dimona
Developed into	Diamond DA40

The Diamond DV20/DA20 Katana is an Austrian-designed two-seat tricycle gear general aviation light aircraft. Developed and manufactured by Austrian aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft, it was originally produced in Austria as the DV20.

The DV20 shares many features from the earlier Diamond HK36 Super Dimona. It was introduced to service during 1993. During the 1990s, production of the type was commenced at a new facility in Canada in order to meet demand for the type within the North American market. The Canadian-produced aircraft are designated as the DA20. It has been a relative success on the market, having sold in excess of 1,000 aircraft by 2008 and multiple improved variants of the DA20 have been developed. Additionally, it has been further developed into the four-seat Diamond DA40 Star.

In 1981, a new company, Hoffmann Flugzeugbau, was formed in Austria with the aim of becoming a major aircraft manufacturer for general aviation purposes. During the late 1980s, management at the firm continued to rapidly expand its range of products; it also underwent several changes in name and ownership, eventually becoming Diamond Aircraft. It was decided to develop a new two-seat aircraft, later designated as the DV20 Katana, using the earlier and successful Diamond HK36 Dimona as a basis.

The DV20, while owing much of its design and sharing many features of the Dimona, had several major differences as well. In particular, it had a reduced wingspan, was equipped with flaps, and made use of a tricycle landing gear arrangement. The Katana has also been developed with a philosophy of offering aircraft that weren't equivalent in terms of performance to any major existing product from competing manufacturers, consciously avoiding instances of direct head-to-head competition. In 1991, the Katana conducted its maiden flight; during May 1993, the type received certification. In 1993, the Katana was first displayed to the general public at the Paris Air Show.