Diamond DA20-C1

Overview

The Diamond DA20-C1 is a two-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear trainer powered by the fuel-injected Continental IO-240-B. The flight manual describes a 125 hp engine at 2,800 rpm and a composite airframe with a canopy cockpit. Its two-seat layout makes it a different loading problem from four-seat trainers such as the DA40 NG.

This page follows the DA20-C1 Airplane Flight Manual, Document DA202-C1, Revision 29, and the standard 24.5-gallon fuel installation. The manual also describes an optional 20.5-gallon system. Equipment, fuel system, serial number, and the individual aircraft weight report must be checked before applying any page value.

Performance

The flight manual states a maximum cruising altitude of 13,120 ft under standard conditions. It also specifies different climb speeds by flap setting. With cruise flaps at sea level, the best angle speed is 60 KIAS and the best rate speed is 75 KIAS. Takeoff flap speeds in the manual use a different schedule. Those configuration details matter when interpreting a speed value.

The AFM contains the aircraft's own performance charts for weight, altitude, and atmospheric conditions. Do not infer a cruise speed or range from the service altitude or engine rating. Those figures are not included here because the cited specifications do not establish one number that applies to every DA20-C1 configuration.

V-speeds

The Revision 29 limitations list VNE 164 KIAS, VNO 118 KIAS, and VA 106 KIAS. Flap extension has two limits: 100 KIAS in the takeoff position and 78 KIAS in the landing position. The manual lists clean and landing stall speeds of 42 KIAS and 34 KIAS, respectively.

The VX, VY, and VA glossary entries explain these terms. For climb speeds, preserve the flap and altitude conditions in the AFM rather than treating the value as a configuration-free target.

Weight and balance

The manual sets maximum takeoff weight at 1,764 lb. Its sample loading form includes one specific example empty weight, but useful load is the difference between takeoff weight and the empty weight of an individual airplane. That example should not be published as a model-wide useful load.

The standard fuel system holds 24.5 gal total and 24 gal usable. The manual describes a separate optional system with a lower total capacity. Use the current aircraft's fuel-system configuration and weight report alongside occupant and baggage weights. The weight and balance calculator is for training and reference only.

Training notes

The DA20-C1 gives students a two-seat low-wing cockpit, canopy visibility, fuel-injected engine, and flap schedule with separate takeoff and landing limits. The DA20-A1 Katana uses a different engine basis, so training material for one model should not be silently transferred to the other. Use the AFM revision carried for the aircraft and its actual equipment list.

Variants

The DA20-A1 and DA20-C1 are distinct models with separate engine and performance documentation. The optional reduced-capacity fuel system within the C1 is an equipment configuration, not a new aircraft model page; verify which system is installed before using the fuel figure.

Sources

The structured data and operating limitations on this page come from the Diamond DA20-C1 Airplane Flight Manual, Document DA202-C1, Revision 29. Confirm the manual revision, serial number, installed fuel system, and aircraft records before using any figure.