Diamond Aircraft Industries is a worldwide operating composite aircraft manufacturer with offices in major centers across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. There are two production facilities: one located in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, where head office, research and development operations are conducted, and one in London, Ontario, Canada. At both facilities innovative aircraft solutions, of the highest level and quality are produced for flight schools and private operators.

The company employs 1200 people, and has already produced over 3,500 aircraft. Diamond Aircraft Industries (Canada) is the largest general aviation manufacturer of single engine aircraft in Canada, and the third largest in North America. Diamond Aircraft Austria is approved as a Design Organization (DOA) under (DOA No. EASA.21J.052 according to EASA Part 21 Subp. J) and is therefore authorized to largely independently develop internationally accepted aircraft design and modifications. As a manufacturer the corporation holds a "Production Organization Approval"(POA) (under (POA No. AT.21G.001 according toEASA Part 21 Subp. G) and the authorization to produce and inspect new aircraft and to deliver these with an Aircraft Statement of Conformity within the entire EASA area. Diamond Aircraft Canada holds Canadian Manufacturing Approval.

Diamond Maintenance has achieved EASA Part 145 approval (No. AT.145.044) and is now expanding its scope of work to perform maintenance on the DA42 Twin Star. Known as an international specialist in composite technology, Diamond Aircraft Industries is actively involved in many areas of material research, development and application. The company's expertise in advanced composite technology is being used to develop products for aerospace and defense applications which are in use worldwide.

History

The company was founded in Friesach, Austria, in 1981, under the name Hoffmann Flugzeugbau to produce the H36 all-composite motor glider. Becoming Hoffman Aircraft Limited in 1985, the company moved its headquarters to Vienna, Austria and introduced the MkII model. In 1987, the airport at Wiener Neustadt, Austria (the oldest in Europe)[citation needed], became the new home for the company. In 1991 the parent company was renamed HOAC AG and purchased by the Dries Family. In the same year, Diamond started development of the HK36R and Rotax 912 powered motorglider, which were the precursors to the DV20 Katana (Diamond's first production series GA single-engine aircraft).

In 1992, to supply the North American market more directly, the company opened a second manufacturing facility in London, Ontario, Canada. This operated under the name Dimona Aircraft until it was changed to Diamond Aircraft in 1996.

The Austrian-built DV20 Katana was certified in 1993, and the first Canadian-built DA20 model was delivered in 1995. It received the Flight magazine's Eagle Award, for best light aircraft in the same year. 1997 marked the delivery of the 500th DV20 and the introduction of the DA20-C1, which had improved performance and load capabilities. The DA20-C1 Eclipse (an improved version of the DA20-C1) also entered production.

The DA40, a four-place IFR aircraft was certified in 2000, followed by the twin diesel engine DA42 in 2004. A personal jet aircraft, the D-JET is in development.