The DA20 C1 is a single-engine, two-seat, advanced light aircraft. The airplane is renowned for its stable handling throughout a wide range of flight profiles and conditions. Due to its forgiving performance, the DA20 C1 is a favorite for flight instruction as well as general aviation. It was developed based on years of experience with designing and operating motorglider aircraft. The base airframe took its maiden flight in 1991 and it was introduced in 1992.
The DA20 C1 is built of all composite materials, providing excellent strength and weight characteristics. The wings and fuselage are a semi-monocoque design and feature glass reinforced plastic (GFRP) construction. This provides smooth, seamless surfaces for optimum boundary layer aerodynamics, resulting in increased efficiency and performance. The aircraft’s wing spars and bulkheads are built of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
The cockpit features side-by-side seating, a high-visibility bubble canopy, advanced flight controls, and state-of-the-art avionics with flat panel displays. Both students and experienced aviators appreciate the intuitive layout of the cockpit’s controls and diagnostic systems in such an exceptionally responsive aircraft.
The DA20 C1 has a high-aspect-ratio main wing for excellent lift and glide performance and tip devices to mitigate the formation of drag inducing vortices. It has a T-tail empennage and a fixed tricycle undercarriage with a castering nosewheel.
The DA20 C1 measures 23 feet, 9 inches in length, stands 7 feet, 1 inch tall, and has a wingspan of 35 feet, 9 inches. It is powered by a 4-cylinder, air-cooled piston engine that generates up to 125 horsepower and turns a 2-blade, fixed-pitch propeller. It has a range of 630 miles, a service ceiling of 13,100 feet above sea level, and it climbs at up to 1,000 feet per minute. It has a maximum cruise speed of 150 miles per hour, a stall speed of 52 mph, and a glide ratio of 11:1.
