Diamond Aircraft has officially delivered the first new production European-made DA20i Katana since resuming production lines earlier this year. The aircraft was handed over to the Austrian Aviation Academy (AAA) at a ceremony held at Diamond’s headquarters in Wiener Neustadt on November 28.
The delivery marks a major step for the Austrian manufacturer, which announced in October that it would resume European production of the two-seat trainer aircraft after a hiatus of more than a decade. While the DA20-C1 has continued to be produced at Diamond’s Canadian facility for the North American market, new demand from flight schools and private owners in continental Europe looking for a modern, fuel-efficient entry-level trainer aircraft has driven the DA20-C1’s return.
The newly delivered aircraft is the first of two DA20i Katanas ordered by AAA, with the second scheduled to arrive in early 2026. The academy is a long-term operator of Diamond aircraft and already has a fleet of seven older DA20i models, four DA40 NG and two DA42 NG-VI twins.
“We are delighted to welcome the new DA20i Katana to our fleet,” said Oliver Karall, CEO of the Austrian Aviation Academy. “This aircraft is perfectly aligned with our mission to provide state-of-the-art training solutions. It combines proven design with cutting-edge technology and will allow our students to experience the best in modern flight training.”
The refreshed European DA20i differentiates itself from its predecessors through significant avionics and powerplant upgrades. The new model is powered by the Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport engine, which is converted from the Continental IO-240-B32B engine in the Canadian-made C1 engine.
The cockpit interior was modernized with a Garmin G500 TXi Glass Cockpit, which replaced traditional instruments and provided students with a touch-screen interface to better prepare them for advanced avionics platforms.
“Restarting production of the DA20i Katana and delivering the first aircraft in Europe marks the beginning of another exciting chapter for Diamond Aircraft and our customers,” said Jane Wang, Sales and Marketing Director at Diamond Aircraft Austria. “The DA20i blends tradition with innovation, making it an ideal choice for flight schools like AAA who are committed to shaping the next generation of pilots.”
The post Diamond Aircraft hands over European-made DA20 for first time since resuming production appeared first on Planes & Pilots