The DA20’s graceful lines and sporty looks belie its utility and durability. An incredibly fun aircraft to fly, the DA20-C1 earns its stripes in worldwide high utilization flight training day in and day out. It has been the standard and sole US Airforce pilot candidate initial flight screening aircraft for the past decade – enough said?
At Encore Flight School we appreciate the DA20’s robustness, performance, ramp appeal and economy of operation. It’s used to train from first flight through night VFR and IFR (in VMC), including instructor ratings, thanks to the spin certification.
Its generous useful load, even well equipped, ample fuel capacity and comfortable cockpit make it a favorite of instructors, students and flight school operators alike. In continuous production for over 20 years, the DA20 has more than proven itself, with the accumulated experience of millions of flight hours, flown in all operating extremes, shaping the current model. Unless you absolutely need 4 seats, the DA20-C1 is the best trainer value on the market, bar none.
With a fighter-like canopy, offering easy access to the cockpit, responsive center-stick pushrod controls and comfortable bucket seats, the DA20 will put a smile on any pilot’s face. It has pleased some of the world’s toughest customers, including the United States Air Force for over 15 years. Boasting a sea-level climb rate of 1,000 fpm, a cruise of over 130 ktas, and a take-off distance of only 1,600 feet over a 50 foot obstacle, the DA20’s performance shines, even at high density altitudes. Spin certified and with a slow 45 kcas stall speed, the DA20 is not only sporty, but stable – and has a demonstrated cross wind landing component of 20 knots!
The sporty cockpit is one of the most comfortable and intuitive in its class thanks to ergonomically designed seats, available leather or sheepskin seating surfaces with 4 point inertia reel safety harnesses and a professional instrument panel with top quality equipment and materials throughout. The DA20 canopy and rear windows, together with a forward seating position relative to the wing, offer incredible outward visibility to help you navigate, spot other traffic and above all, enjoy the flight. Composite construction means strength and durability for the long run – including no defined structural life limit airframe. The smooth, rivet free construction dramatically reduces drag, saves weight and resists bumps and scrapes. The low maintenance polyurethane topcoat and underlying epoxy primer will keep your DA20 looking sharp for years. Far more resistant to hangar rash than sheet aluminum aircraft, the DA20’s composite airframe is easily repaired if the unexpected happens.
