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Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 1:03 am
by Steven
That's sad. I really like the DA20's, even the original Rotax model. I think if Diamond had really tried they could have had a monopoly on the flight training market. In 1996, it looked like that would be true. Now 20 years later DA20's are all but extinct at flight schools. And what replaced them? C172s and Warriors. Sad.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 2:47 pm
by CFIDave
Don wrote:Perhaps the factory floor space is much more valuable to Diamond for building $1.2m DA-62's vs $200k DA-20's. Sounds to me like good business planing.
All DA62 production has shifted to Diamond Canada, which will soon possess the Type Certificates for both the DA62 and DA40. They have a healthy backlog of both DA62 and DA40 orders (they can build either Lycoming XLT or Austro NG models). I was just there a week ago, and the Canadian factory is busier than it has been in years.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 3:10 pm
by Steven
CFIDave wrote: They have a healthy backlog of both DA62 and DA40 orders (they can build either Lycoming XLT or Austro NG models). I was just there a week ago, and the Canadian factory is busier than it has been in years.
That's good news! There's not much competition for twins. Maybe that's a good business decision assuming there is a large enough customer base for them.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 1:58 am
by 1911Tex
Steven: I agree with you 100% ! I truly believe that if Diamond Canada would get their act together and provide superior product support with a much faster response to parts availability, the New DA20's would again quickly fill the training void as it initially did. Our country needs this type of trainer without a doubt ! It is perfect! The reimagined 172's and 150's are trying again for strong foothold. Once trained in a DA20, the DA40/42, etc. would be the next step up as these aircraft (as I am sure was Diamonds original intent), in my opinion (not asked for) the Diamond line are the best products in the market, hands down. As everyone is aware, schools are beginning to churn out new students across the country, to fill the enormous demand for short term pilots. It's marketing, marketing, marketing.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 4:26 am
by thefoxx
I trained in a DA20...and guess what... I now own a DA20 and will likely be a Diamond customer for life. I believe in the product THAT MUCH as all of us probably do.

You have to think that all the brainpower that developed these incredible aviation machines, would have the brainpower to maintain a strong market presence! It truly hope that the backlog of DA62 and DA40's will increase the ability for marketing and getting their product to the masses! This is great news if they can keep up this momentum!

The biggest and cheapest form of advertising is all of us here - CUSTOMERS! Keep us happy, and we'll be proud to recommend this product and scream it from the clouds!

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:23 pm
by TJS
Not sure where i heard it but for what its worth I heard that they are moving the production of the wing for the 20s to a factory in China and until they can produce and ship them to Canada the assembly of new 20s will be on hold, early 2018.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 9:05 pm
by thefoxx
TJS wrote:Not sure where i heard it but for what its worth I heard that they are moving the production of the wing for the 20s to a factory in China and until they can produce and ship them to Canada the assembly of new 20s will be on hold, early 2018.
Oh - this isn't good. Sure hope they don't move production to China for long-term. Although with the recent investment, this sure seems like a possibility, doesn't it.

Would sure like to see those jobs staying in Canada - it's a proud thing to boast that our machines are manufactured here!

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 5:01 pm
by YCCA
I’m just about to get, a new to me, 2001 DA-20.. The inspection found a hairline crack in the nose strut and we have been waiting over 2 weeks for Canada to ship the part.. It seems like this is common based on what I’ve read on here from you guys.. I haven’t introduced myself formally, ill wait till she’s mine officially.. The DA-20 will be put in a small flight school I own in Biddeford, Maine and will be used for personal, training and rental. I look forward to getting to know the group and learning from you guys..

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:03 pm
by Pascal
Hello Jeffrey, welcome to the wonderful world of Diamonds. I own a 1999 DA20-C1 and I like it a lot. Just an hour ago, I was flying back from a 100$ breakfast and I just had a grin on my face as I was flying faster than the other GA airplanes in the sky around me, burning 6 gallons per hour, in my little fun airplane. Life is good.

As an aside, I tend to go have breakfast at CYRQ, which happens to be a popular stop for the military. A month ago after I landed there four black helicopters stopped by to eat lunch on their way back from the G5 summit and today I stumbled upon the CF18 demo team : https://www.facebook.com/CF18Demo

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2018 1:54 am
by TJS
gotta love the Diamond for what it does best, fly fast cheap. best of all safe.