2008 | In January, Diamond Simulation GmbH & Co. KG was launching a new generation of flight simulators with numerous innovations. Diamond is expanding its international presence and started with two distributors in South America by the beginning of this year. On March 17th, Diamond Aircraft´s Chinese production facility, Shandong Bin Ao received EASA production certificate for the DA40. The first flight of the D-Jet S/N003 took place in April, in which several innovations have been tested. A further highlight was the first flight with the HK36 Super Dimona with fuel cell power plant. For the first time in aviation history, Boeing has flown a manned airplane powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Another milestone for Diamond was the first flight with the new DA50 Magnum, flown from Christian Dries on April, 14th. |
2007 | The maiden flight of the five-seater DA50 Superstar took place on the 4th of April. The DA42 Twin Star was awarded the Editor’s Choice from Flying magazine and was also named "Aircraft of the Year" for 2006 from Aviation Consumer as well as the "Best of the Best" from Robb Report. On July 11th, the 170 hp Turbo Diesel Engine made its initial test flight in a DA40 Diamond Star. This new engine has been developed in collaboration with Austro Engine GmbH, Diamond Aircraft Industries, MB-technology GmbH and other distinguished partners. The D-Jet has still been in development stage, S/N 002 had its first flight in September. On November 13th, the first DA42 MPP was delivered from Diamond Airborne Sensing to the customer. |
2006 | After several ground tests, Diamond's D-JET S/N 001 lifted off at 17:08 local time on April 18th, 2006 from London International Airport, Diamond Aircraft's North American facility. The opening of the Chinese joint venture, Shandong Bin Ao Aircraft Co., Ltd. takes place on December 8th, 2006. During the course of the opening ceremony an order for over 100 DA40 Diamond Stars is signed and handed over to Mr. Songlin, the director of the joint venture. The opening ceremony also marks the official start of production in China. Diamond Airborne Sensing GmbH was founded as a 100 percent subsidiary of Diamond Aircraft Industries. The company supplies Multi-Purpose Platform (MPP) aircraft for use as multi-purpose sensor carriers and markets these worldwide. It offers MPP aircraft with complete systems including the sensor equipment in turn-key solutions |
2005 | Delivery of the DA42 Twin Star to customers started end of March. French Premier Jacques Chirac visited on June 13, 2005 the exhibition stand of Diamond Aircraft Industries during the Paris air show at Le Bourget. Beginning of October the inauguration of the production facility of the DA40 Diamond Stars takes place in Binzhou- China |
2004 | January 23, 2004: Diamond Aircraft Industries opened a new production center: Diamond Composite GmbH & Co KG. On May 13th, 2004 Diamond’s new twin, the DA42 Twin Star, received its EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) certification. The type certificate was received at the Berlin International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA 2004) only 2 ½ years after launch of the program and 18 months after first flight. On July 23, 2004 Diamond's exciting new DA42 Twin Star arrived at the Canadian London Ontario factory on its way to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for its North American debut at EAA AirVenture and crossed the Atlantic non-stop on its way back to Europe on August 16, marking the first non-stop Atlantic crossing of a diesel powered aircraft. This flight represented the first non-stop transatlantic crossing by a diesel engine powered aircraft in general aviation and underlined the efficiency and reliability of the DA42 Twin Star TDI. In autumn Diamond received Chinese certification for its DA20 two seater and DA40 four seater. In December Beijing PanAm started commercial flight training with all glass DA40 Diamond Stars in China. On December 17, Diamond Aircraft Industries proudly announced its EASA IFR certification (Instrument Flight Rules) of the DA42 Twin Star. |
2003 | Project start: D-JET. June 16th, Diamond DA42 Twin Star wins 2003 "Aerospace Industry Award" in the category "General Aviation". June 18th, IFR certification DA40 TDI. Diamond Aircraft Austria expands and builds new production facility in Wiener Neustadt. |
2002 | JAA-NVFR certification for DA40 TDI November 22. December 9th, maiden flight DA42 Twin Star. |
2001 | The story of success continues. In April, Diamond Aircraft Industries was awarded FAA-Certification in the USA for the DA 40-180 Diamond Star, and in the same month it was awarded JAA-IFR Certification for Europe. Novemer 28, 2001 first flight with DA40 TDI, Project start: DA42 Twin Star. |
2000 | Serial production and delivery of the four-seat DA 40-180 Diamond Star. The DA40-180 was the first general aviation aircraft (below 2.000 kg) which received international JAA certification (according to JAR 23) on October 24, 2000. One requirement was the certification of Diamond Aircraft as a DOA facility (Design Organization Approval) by the JAA, which was granted at the same time. |
1999 | Consequent product improvement showed in the introduction of the Katana DA20-100, a DV 20 Katana equipped with a 100 HP Rotax 912 S engine. The airfield Wiener Neustadt-Ost (LOAN) has been extended. LOAN has considerably improved the infrastructure, making it equal to a regional airport, e.g. new taxiways, installation of a runway lighting system according to ICAO standards and a published NDB instroment approach. Simultaneously the new Diamond Airport Service Center with the Diamond Business Center, the Pilot Shop, the aircraft museum, new round hangars and a restaurant, was opened. Establishment of Diamond Aircraft Industries Deutschland GmbH in Egelsbach near Frankfurt. |
1998 | Indroduction of DA20-C1 Katana production in Canada. Powered by the Teledyne Continental IO-240-B3B engine, performance and utility have been enhanced. The airfield (LOAN) Wiener Neustadt-Ost. Taken over by Diamond Aircraft Austria |
1997 | Start of development DA40 Diamond Star |
1996 | Company was renamed into Diamond Aircraft Industries. Diamond Aircraft Austria has developed four new variants of the HK36 Super Dimona (TS, TC, TTS, TTC). Starting in 1996 the powered glider was available as tail dragger and with tricycle gear, each could be fitted with the Rotax 912 A3 engine or with the new Rotax 914 F3 turbo charged engine. |
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1994 | DA20-A1 Katana enters production in Canada. |
1993 | Katana DV20 enters production in Austria. |
1992 | In June 1992 the Canadian subsidiary of Diamond Aircraft Industries was founded, to develop, certify and manufacture a light, all-composite, two-seated aircraft, the DA20-A1 Katana, based on the already popular DV20 design, to serve the particular needs of the North American flight training market. To enhance the Katana's success as a primary trainer, Diamond has developed an integrated Private Pilot flight training system including training syllabus and materials, produced in association with ASA, a world-leading publisher of flight training materials. In the first year of production the Katana received the prestigious Flying Magazine Eagle Award for ‘Best Light Airplane’. |
1991 | The company was acquired by Diamond's present principal shareholders. Shortly following release of the HK36R, another project was undertaken by the company to develop a new flight training aircraft based on the motor glider. The Katana DV20 resulted from shortening the wings, adding flaps and adding a tricycle landing gear. |
1990 | Serial production of HK36 Super Dimona begins. This model, which is also known as "Katana Xtreme" achieved fame in North America and quickly became the best selling motor glider in Europe. |
1989 | Management buy-out and renamed HOAC-Austria Flugzeugwerk A new production facility was built in Wiener Neustadt. Start of HK36 Super Dimona development. |
1985 | Hoffmann Aircraft GesmbH was established as a 100 % subsidiary of Simmering-Graz-Pauker AG with its head office in Vienna. Start of Diamond MK II production. |
1981 | The history goes back to the year 1981, when Wolf Hoffmann founded the company Hoffmann aircraft construction in Friesach, Carinthia and began the production of H36 Dimona. |
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