Diamond · 1994+
Diamond DA20 Katana / Eclipse
iSpecifications
MOSAIC eligiblePerformance
Cruise
138KTAS
Range
560nm
Climb
1000fpm
Ceiling
13,120ft
Fuel Burn
5.5gph
Fuel Cap.
24gal
MPG
28.9mpg
Stall (Vs0)
44KIAS
T/O roll
740ft
Ldg roll
420ft
Size & weight
Seats
2
Useful Load
598lbs
Full-fuel payload
454lbs
Max gross
1,764lbs
Wingspan
35.1ft
Length
23.5ft
Engine
Engine
Continental IO-240-B
Power
125hp
TBO
2,000hrs
Overhaul
$20k
Owning it
Hull insurance
$1k/yr
Parts
good
Mechanics
common
Gear
Fixed
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Full specification
V-speeds
Airframe
- Empty weight
- 1,166 lbs
- Max fuel weight
- 144 lbs
- Height
- 7.2 ft
- Wing position
- low
Obstacle performance
- Takeoff over 50 ft
- 1,270 ft
- Landing over 50 ft
- 1,100 ft
Paperwork
- Type certificate
- A41EU
- Certification basis
- Part 23
These figures are typical for the model, not a specification for any individual aircraft. Real-world numbers vary with year, installed equipment, weight, modifications and engine condition — often by more than you would expect. Use them to compare types, and confirm anything you would act on against the Pilot's Operating Handbook for that specific airframe and a prebuy inspection.
Pricing
Typical
$85k
Range
$55k – $140k
Annual all-in
~$18k/yr
All-in at ~100 flying hours a year, using the midpoint of each range — the same figures broken out under “Cost to own” below. Your number will differ, and mostly for two reasons. Experience sets your insurance: a 2,000-hour pilot with recent training pays 30–40% less than a 200-hour owner, and student owners pay 20–40% more — on the same aircraft that is often a doubling. Location sets your hangar: a T-hangar runs $200–400 a month in the Midwest against $400–1,500 in a coastal metro, and an outside tie-down is less again. Engine reserves move too — a local shop reusing your serviceable cylinders can come in 30–50% under the national specialty-shop pricing we quote, though you trade the warranty and turnaround that comes with it. Reserves are money set aside toward a future overhaul, not a bill this year, and the annual inspection figure is the shop’s labor to look — whatever they find is separate.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel, maintenance and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (5.5 gph)
- $3,575
- Engine reserve
- $1,000
- Maintenance, parts & wear items ($12/hr)
- $1,200
- Insurance
- $900–$2,150
- Hangar
- $4,949–$12,373
- Annual inspection (labor only)
- $1,200
- Databases & subscriptions
- $400
- Total per year
- $17,561
- Per flight hour
- $176
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 15,881 mi
- Cost per mile
- $1.11/mi
- Time in the air
- 2 hr 10 min
- Fuel burned
- 12 gal
- Out of pocket
- $126
Fuel, engine reserve and wear only. Insurance, hangar and the annual are already paid whether you make the trip or not, so they are not charged here.
Estimate, not a quote. Where a line shows a range, the total, per-hour and per-mile figures use its midpoint— insurance moves most with your experience and time in type, hangar with where you base the aircraft, so your own number could sit at either end. Annual inspection is the shop's labor to open and inspect — what they find is the maintenance line, which covers oil changes, plugs, tires, brakes, hoses, lights, a battery and vacuum pump amortised over their life, and the unscheduled squawks that are the largest and least predictable part of it. Reserves are sinking funds toward an overhaul, not a bill you pay this year — and note that a propeller is due on hours or calendar time, typically six years, so flying less does not put it off forever.
Strengths
- Exceptional fuel efficiency: 138 KTAS on 5.5 GPH—31 knots faster than Cessna 152 while burning less fuel
- Modern composite airframe with sliding bubble canopy and excellent visibility
- Excellent flight training platform with docile handling and low operating cost ($6,000–$10,000 annually)
- MOSAIC-eligible design; strong parts availability and active type club support
Weaknesses
- Two seats only—severely limits cross-country utility and family travel
- Minimal baggage capacity; not suitable for business or cargo missions
- Composite damage requires certified technicians; limited overhaul shops for IO-240 engine (Eclipse variant)
- Low-wing configuration reduces visibility for certain survey or observation tasks
Overview
The Diamond DA20 is an Austrian-designed, Canadian-built all-composite two-seat trainer that disrupted the flight training market when it arrived in the mid-1990s. Available in two variants — the DA20-A1 Katana with an 80HP Rotax 912 and the DA20-C1 Eclipse with a 125HP Continental IO-240 — it offered a modern alternative to aging Cessna 150/152 and Piper Tomahawk fleets.
The DA20's composite construction, sliding bubble canopy, and low-wing configuration give it a distinctly modern feel. It's significantly faster than competing trainers (138 KTAS on 125HP is remarkable) while burning only 5.5 GPH — making it one of the most fuel-efficient certified aircraft available.
The DA20-A1 Katana with Rotax 912 is MOSAIC eligible (Vs1 well under 54 KIAS, gross weight under 3,000 lbs), which may increase its relevance and value as MOSAIC takes effect. The DA20-C1 Eclipse is also MOSAIC eligible.
Total DA20 production exceeds 1,000 aircraft. The DA20 remains available from Diamond though production is limited.
Variants & History
| Variant | Years | Engine | HP | Gross Weight (lbs) | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DA20-A1 Katana | 1994-2003 | Rotax 912-A3 | 80 | 1,609 | Rotax-powered; lighter; European lineage |
| DA20-C1 Eclipse | 1998-present | Continental IO-240-B | 125 | 1,764 | More powerful; Continental engine; US market focus |
Performance
The DA20-C1 Eclipse at 138 KTAS on 5.5 GPH is extraordinarily efficient. For comparison, a Cessna 152 manages 107 KTAS on 6 GPH — the DA20 is 31 knots faster while burning less fuel.
The Katana (Rotax 912, 80HP) is slower at 115 KTAS but even more fuel-efficient at 4 GPH. The Rotax requires MOGAS or 91UL fuel, not 100LL.
The low wing provides good ground effect during landing and a stable ride in turbulence. The sliding canopy provides excellent visibility — superior to any high-wing trainer. Stall behavior is docile with good pre-stall buffet.
Payload & Range
DA20-C1 Eclipse (IO-240-B, 125HP, 24 gal fuel):
| Scenario | Fuel (gal) | Fuel Weight (lbs) | Payload (lbs) | Pax + Bags | Range (nm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full fuel, 2 pax | 24 | 144 | 454 | 2 × 200 + 54 bags | 560 |
| Full fuel, 2 large pax | 24 | 144 | 454 | 2 × 200 + 54 bags | 560 |
The DA20's 598 lbs useful load is adequate for two adults with full fuel. The 24-gallon fuel system provides 560 nm range on 5.5 GPH — impressive efficiency for a trainer.
1980 Cessna 152
Honest Trainer · Mid-Time Engine · Fresh Annual
Mission Suitability
- Flight Training (9): Excellent primary trainer. Docile handling, good visibility, low operating cost, modern feel. Many Part 141 schools operate DA20 fleets. The only deduction is the small cabin and two-seat limitation.
- Backcountry (1): Not applicable.
- Business Travel (1): Two seats, 138 KTAS, no baggage capacity for business.
- Aerobatics (1): Not aerobatic certified.
- Cross-Country (4): Capable of moderate cross-country trips. 560 nm range is adequate. But two seats and limited baggage constrain utility.
- Cargo Hauling (1): Minimal baggage area.
- Local Fun Flying (7): Fun, efficient, and affordable to fly. The sliding canopy and low wing make every flight enjoyable.
- Surveying (3): Two seats only. Low-wing limits some visibility.
Avionics Ecosystem
- Typical: Basic trainer panel with standard six-pack, single nav/com, basic GPS.
- Upgraded ($10K-$25K): Garmin G5 or GI-275 flight instruments, GTN 650Xi, ADS-B transponder.
- IFR capable: Possible but rarely justified on a $85,000 trainer.
STCs & Modifications
Very limited — composite construction restricts modifications:
- Engine upgrades: Not available. IO-240 is the only option for C1.
- Speed mods: Minimal aftermarket.
- What you see is what you get.
1989 Aviat Husky
Husky A-1 · Tundra Tires · Backcountry Ready
Maintenance & Support
- Annual inspection: $1,200-$2,500. Simple composite airframe.
- Parts availability: Good. Diamond maintains parts supply through service centers.
- Diamond Pilots Association: Active type club community.
- Annual all-in cost: $6,000-$10,000 — among the cheapest certified aircraft to operate.
Valuation Factors
- DA20-A1 Katana (Rotax 912): $45,000-$90,000.
- DA20-C1 Eclipse (IO-240): $55,000-$140,000.
Per Aircraft Valuation Methodology: Engine time and composite condition are the primary value drivers.
ADs & Common Problems
- Composite repair: Any damage requires certified composite technicians.
- Canopy mechanism: Sliding canopy track requires periodic lubrication and adjustment.
- IO-240 (Eclipse): Simple, reliable engine but limited overhaul shops specialize in this model.
- Rotax 912 (Katana): Requires Rotax-specific maintenance. Gearbox inspection is a recurring item.
Insurance Profile
Per GA Insurance Underwriting: $500-$900/year hull insurance. Among the cheapest GA aircraft to insure. Low pilot minimums — ideal for students.
For sale (0)
No listings for this model right now.
Also worth looking at
What buyers usually weigh against the Diamond DA20 Katana / Eclipse — aircraft flown for the same kind of mission.
