This is definitely reflected in the Diamond DA40’s construction, that is built along the same lines as the two-seat Katana/Evolution/Eclipse series. When Diamond bought Hoffman, it paid attention to the company’s core expertise: building clean, strong glass structures. The base price of the CS was $259,950, while the XLS base was $334,950, or over $380,000 fully loaded. The XLS has a wider, higher canopy and a luxury interior while the CS is essentially an la carte model with a constant-speed prop that lets flight schools configure it with interiors and other options. In late 2007, yet more versions of the Diamond DA40 appeared, the XLS and the CS. Fully equipped, the XL model sold for $329,000. The airplane was clearly aimed at the upscale owner-flown market, which Cirrus was having good success serving. In 2006, the DA40XL appeared, which was basically just packaging of high-end options, such as the Garmin GFC 700 autopilot, Powerflow exhaust system, a composite three-blade MT prop, a 110-pound gross weight increase, electrically adjusted rudder pedals and a premium interior. The FP’s base price at the time of introduction was $187,800. This model was aimed specifically at the training market. Knowing it had found a niche, in 2005, Diamond announced the DA40-FP, a fixed pitch-only version of the airplane, with the carbureted Lycoming O-360. In 2004, Diamond announced that new Stars would have the Garmin G1000 EFIS system and that same year, Diamond announced a joint venture to sell and build DA40s for the Chinese market, primarily for training in that country’s burgeoning airline sector. Initial deliveries of DA40s were equipped with dual Garmin GNS430s and Bendix/King KAP140 autopilots. When it initially appeared in the 2000 model year, the DA40 sold for $189,900, typically equipped. Many flight schools found would-be students weren’t as price-sensitive as they once thought and wanted the option of two additional seats, which the Katana couldn’t provide. Sales were initially brisk, especially to the trainer market which, increasingly, was turning to Cessna 172s for new training aircraft. In 2000, the DA40-180 was certified with the Lycoming IO-360 and a year later, production began in the London plant. But the airplane clearly needed more power. In 1997, Diamond announced the DA40 Diamond Star at the big European show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, with the prototypes powered by the Rotax 914 and Continental IO-240. By the time the company changed its name from Dimona to Diamond in 1996, it realized that both the North American and world markets had room for a composite four-place airplane. In 1995, it began building Rotax-powered DA20-A1s in the London plant and selling these into what was then a lukewarm market for new trainers. market by importing the Austrian-built DV20 Katana. Ten years later, Christian Dries and family took over Hoffman and in 1992, it launched an effort at the North American market by opening a new plant in London, Ontario, in a converted World War II aircraft factory.ĭiamond-then called Dimona-got its feet wet in the U.S. Hoffman Flugzeugbau began life in 1981 in Friesach, Austria, producing the H36 Dimona motorglider, a popular recreational airplane in Europe. This yielded what we think can fairly be called a world airplane. Given its European roots, Diamond came at the DA40’s design as sort of hybrid between the sleek glass gliders the company started out producing when it was Hoffman Flugzeugbau and more traditional aircraft U.S. The cabin proved to be roomier than it looked with control sticks instead of panel-blocking yokes, even if they did have to be used with the wrong hand. We liked the control harmonization and how easy it was to land in a crosswind. The canopy provided superb visibility, the speed was impressive-newer models are even faster-and handling was just plain fun. We thought the canopy was a marketing ploy that would make emergency egress difficult, and the cabin looked small and uncomfortable. Our first reaction to what would become the Diamond Star was to be less than impressed. We’ve watched the evolution of the Diamond DA40 series with interest.
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