Summary Diamond Aircraft started with motor gliders in 1981, with the H36 as its first model. Improvements with the HK36 include a carbon fiber construction. The HK36 saw several variants with different engine and wing configurations.
Diamond Aircraft Industries is a manufacturer of general aviation aircraft based in Austria. Today, it produces a range of single and twin-piston engine aircraft, with its most popular models including the DA20 and DA40 single-engine monoplanes and the DA42 TwinStar twin-engine monoplane. The manufacturer started out with lighter single-engine motor gliders, with the Diamond HK36 launched in 1989.
This has proved a popular and well-designed aircraft, with over 900 built and still remaining in production today. There have been several modifications and variants, with the basic design unchanged significantly over the years. Starting with motor gliders in 1981 The company started out as Hoffmann Flugzeugbau in 1981.
A new aircraft manufacturing company was founded by aircraft designer Wolf Hoffmann in Freisach, Austria. The aim was to develop new light aircraft based on modern technology and avionics – seen as a gap in the market with most aircraft based on older designs and technology. Hoffmann Flugzeugbau quickly launched its first light aircraft, the H36 single-engine motor glider.
This was a full fiberglass construction, with folding wings to allow for easy storage. It is a two-seater motor glider with side-by-side seating and a bubble canopy.