Manufacturer

Distar Air

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Společnost DISTAR CZ a.s.

Distar Air is a Czech aircraft manufacturer based in Ústí nad Orlicí. The privately held company specializes in the design and manufacture of light aircraft in the form of kits for amateur construction as well as ready-to-fly aircraft.

Distar Air was formed to continue the production of Urban Air designs, including the Distar Samba XXL touring aircraft and the Distar UFM-13 Lambada motorglider.

The company is owned by Společnost DISTAR CZ a.s., a diversified manufacturing concern that also produces machinery, engines and stone quarrying.

Distar Air has licensed production of the Samba to Airo Aviation in Dubai who produce the aircraft as the Airo 5.

Direct Fly sro

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The company Direct Fly s.r.o. was founded in 2006. The main subject of enterprise of the company is batch production of the ultralight sport aircraft ALTO. The aircraft factory is situated near Uherské Hradiště – Kunovice, in region with 70 years tradition of aircraft production.

Dietrich / Dietrich-Gobiet

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Richard Dietrich first built a monoplane at his Hanuske works in 1912, and learned to fly a year later. In 1922 produced the DP.1, one of the first light aircraft in Germany. About that time the name was changed to Dietrich-Gobiet, of Kassel. In 1924 built a cantilever biplane resembling a Fokker D.VII, as well as other designs, but by 1925 (when company reverted to original name) was in serious financial trouble, becoming bankrupt in 1927.

Diepen

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In 1946 Frits Diepen founded the Frits Diepen Aircraft Co Ltd, which was to deal with the sale, repair and overhaul of aircraft, the transport passengers by air taxis, publicity flightsand the running of Ypenburg Airfield.
On February 16th, 1954 Avio Diepen ¬became a subsidiary of Fokker

Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH / Hoffman Aircraft / HOAC

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Hoffmann Flugzeugbau-Friesach GesmbH
Wolf Hoffinann Flugzeugbau KG
Hoffmann Aircraft Ltd
HOAC AG
HOAC-Austria, Flugzeugwerk Wiener Neustadt Gesellschaft mbH
Dimona Aircraft
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH

Hoffmann Flugzeugbau-Friesach GesmbH was founded in Friesach, Austria, in 1981 to produce the newly certified H36 Dimona motorglider.
1983: Wolf Hoffinann Flugzeugbau KG, Sportflugplatz, D 8870 Gfinzburg; West Germany.
By 1985, Hoffmann Aircraft Ltd, was a 100% subsidiary of Simmering-Graz-Pauker AG, and in 1985 moved to Vienna and introduces the Dimona Mk II.
Production facilities are established at the Wiener Neustadt airport, just south of Vienna in 1987. The airport has a long history, dating back to before the first world war.
The Dries family acquired 100% control of the company, now named HOAC AG, in 1989, thereafter being known as HOAC-Austria, Flugzeugwerk Wiener Neustadt Gesellschaft mbH. Immediately, development of the HK36R Rotax 912 powered motorglider and its derivative, the DV20 “Katana”, were started.
With a view to supplying the US market with its new technology training aircraft, a full production facility was established in London, Ontario, Canada, in 1992. The company was named Dimona Aircraft.
The Austrian built DV 20 Katana is certified in 1993 and the first, DV20, OE-CPU went on a demo tour in the US and Canada.
The first Canadian built production DA20-A1 was delivered to Central Missouri State University in 1995 and serial production was ramped up. The DA20-A1 Katana receives the prestigous Flying Magazine Eagle Award, for best light aircraft.
Named Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH since March 1996, Diamond Aircraft Industries Canada division produced the HK 36 Super Dimona motorglider in four versions, but stopped production of the DV 20 Katana two-seat lightplane in Austria (first flown March 1991 as the HOAC LF 2000, becoming LF2 before DV 20), which is now produced in Canada as the DA 20 Katana. Latest aircraft is the four-seat DA 40 Katana (first flown 1998). HOAC introduces 4 new versions of the HK36 motorglider: taildragger or tricycle gear, either with the Rotax 912 or turbo 914 engine.
The 4 seater DA40 program is announced in 1997 at the AERO EXPO in Friedrichshafen. The first experimental aircraft are powered by Rotax 914 and TCM IO-240 engines. The Lycoming IO360 is selected for the production version.
The Rotax powered Katana, after production of 500 units, is replaced with the all new TCM IO240 powered DA20-C1, featuring improved performance, useful load and comfort.
Diamond opens its new Diamond Flight Center, including training facilities and the Katana Kafé restaurant, at the London Airport.
HOAC is renamed Diamond Aircraft GmbH, to align with the North American operation, and Diamond Austria acqired the Wiener Neustadt – East Airport (LOAN). In 1998 Diamond Aircraft maintained two research and de¬velopment centres, located in London, Ontario, Canada, and Weiner Neustadt, Austria. Diamond’s primary manufacturing facilities are located at their Canadian base, where the Con¬tinental powered Katana C1 is produced. The new Diamond DA40, four-place aircraft was also to be manufactured in this facility. Production of Diamond’s Katana Xtreme, high performance motor glider/glider tug aircraft takes place at the company’s Austrian facilities.
By 1999 over 1250 Diamond aircraft were flying worldwide. The Wiener Neustadt airport and company facilities undergo significant expansion, with the addition of new taxiways, runway lighting, NDB approach, construction of a new administration building, pilot shop, restaurant, and maintenance facilities.
The DA20-100, a factory refurbished and re-engined (Rotax 912S-100hp) Katana, is introduced and proves very popular, particularly in Europe.
Diamond opens a factory sales, service and flight training center in Egelsbach (Frankfurt).
The DA20-C1 Eclipse, an improved and enhanced version of the DA20-C1, enters production.
The IFR DA40-180 Diamond Star is certified in 2000 and enters production. The HK36TTC-ECO, a specialized aerial camera platform also enters service.
The DA40-180 receives FAA type certification and production for the North American market starts in London, Ontario in 2001.
Diamond Austria flies the world’s first modern production GA diesel powered aircraft, the DA40-TDI, in 2001.
The DA20-C1 was selected for the USAF Introductory Flight Training Program in 2002. The DA42-TDI project is announced at the Berlin International Airshow in May 02. Company CEO, Christian Dries makes the first test flight on December 9th. The DA40-TDI turbo diesel powered Diamond Star receives European certification.
In 2004 the DA42, equipped with the Garmin G1000, receives European certification and serial production is started. The company’s DA42 demonstrator crosses the Atlantic nonstop, direct from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Porto, Portugal, with a total fuel burn of only 72 gallons of jet fuel. DA20 and DA40 receive Chinese CAAC certification and first G1000 equipped DA40’s are delivered to PanAm Beijing.
The DA40 FP, a carburated fixed pitch version of the DA40 was certified in 2005. Diamond announces a Chinese joint venture to produce the DA40 Diamond Star for the Chinese market. The DA42 receives FAA certification and first US delivery is made.
In 2006 the DA20-C1 was selected for new USAF training program, D-JET completes first flights, the first Diamond Brilliance Center opens in Naples, FL, and DA40 XL introduced.
The DA50 Super Star made its first flight in 2007 and the DA40 XLS/CS Launch at AOPA Expo.
2008: 1560 Crumlin Sideroad, London N5V 1S2, Ontario, Canada.
Diamond DA42 is certified for Known Icing in 2008 and in 2009 the Turbo diesel Austro Engine AE 300 is certified.

It was in 2017 that China-based Wanfeng Aviation Industry acquired full ownership of the Austria-based Diamond Aircraft Group, founded in 1981 and maker of single- and twin-engine piston aircraft, including the four-seat DA40, four-seat DA42, and seven-seat DA62 models. Wanfeng’s acquisition also included Diamond’s sister company and diesel aerospace engine maker Austro Engine.

DFS / Deutsche Forschungsinstitut Für Segelflug / German Research Institute for Gliding / Rhon-Rossiten-Gesellschaft

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Established as the Rhon-Rossiten-Gesellschaft at Wasserkuppe in 1925.
Became DFS on moving to Darmstadt in 1933 and undertook glider research. Designed and built the successful DFS 230 assault glider in the Second World War, and the DFS 228, an air-launched rocket aircraft used as a research vehicle for the DFS 346, a swept-wing reconnaissance project expected to reach 1,650mph (2,655kmh) at 66,000 ft (20,120 m). Also undertook development of Me 163 and Mistel composite bomber. Experimented with delta designs by Dr. Alexander Lippisch and evolved piloted V-1. In 1946 the DFS 346 project and its engineering design staff were taken by the Soviets to Podberczhye, where the project was said to have been completed.