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Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 6:33 am
by Ultrapilot1
I had an opportunity to stop by the factory a few weeks ago and while having work done I got a factory tour. The factory seems quite busy with several DA62's being readied for delivery. I was told they expect to produce 25 planes this year. The big news is that production of the DA20 is stopped and not planned to restart until the end of 2018. I could not extract a reason for this. Perhaps someone else may know why. I asked about the new wingtips and was told they will fit the old DA40's but are not certified. They have no plan to certify them unless there is a decent demand. I was told they would not affect performance.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:22 pm
by krellis
Ultrapilot1 wrote:I had an opportunity to stop by the factory a few weeks ago and while having work done I got a factory tour. The factory seems quite busy with several DA62's being readied for delivery. I was told they expect to produce 25 planes this year. The big news is that production of the DA20 is stopped and not planned to restart until the end of 2018. I could not extract a reason for this. Perhaps someone else may know why. I asked about the new wingtips and was told they will fit the old DA40's but are not certified. They have no plan to certify them unless there is a decent demand. I was told they would not affect performance.
Wow that is disappointing, but not surprising. I suspect Diamond is having a hard time convincing flight schools that a $200K 2 seat trainer is worthwhile.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:38 pm
by 1911Tex
Perhaps its the psychology of demand and supply? Tightening/eliminating the supply of DA20 trainers in the growing super high demand for training commercial airline pilots, will increase the the $$ value of current trainers, thereby making new $200k trainers look more appealing? If Diamond can't, someone else will once the current inventory of trainers are aging fast, as they are.

Our KGTU airport has 4 schools, operations are now well over 100k a year.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 3:57 pm
by Don
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.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 4:23 pm
by krellis
That's certainly possible, but there was a time where Diamond Canada was building DA20's, 40's and 42's simultaneously and working on the prototype D-Jets. So I don't think floor space is at a premium. Granted, the margins are probably better on the 62's but there are precious few of us that can or will plunk down that kind of cash.

Personally, I think the demand just isn't there for the DA20 - partly due to the price, but I suspect some schools are hesitant to risk the lack of factory support. Note the numerous orders for Cessnas, Pipers and Cirri from the various flight schools around the country - almost all for 4 seaters. I've flown them all and both the DA20 and DA40 are much better airplanes from the handling qualities standpoint, but Diamond just isn't getting the lions share of the orders.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 5:13 pm
by shorton
Ultrapilot1 wrote:I had an opportunity to stop by the factory a few weeks ago and while having work done I got a factory tour. The factory seems quite busy with several DA62's being readied for delivery. I was told they expect to produce 25 planes this year. The big news is that production of the DA20 is stopped and not planned to restart until the end of 2018. I could not extract a reason for this. Perhaps someone else may know why. I asked about the new wingtips and was told they will fit the old DA40's but are not certified. They have no plan to certify them unless there is a decent demand. I was told they would not affect performance.
Did you see any DA40's on the production line or just 62's? If so, NG's or XLT? Thanks.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 6:14 pm
by Ultrapilot1
There were some DA40 on the line

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 6:46 pm
by Colin
There are some things going on at the factory that they can no longer show you. They take up space, but you can't see them.

There are also some things which MIGHT be coming which take up space and they probably have to plan accordingly.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 11:13 pm
by Sandy
Don wrote:... good business planing.
I trust that business "planing" is what one does when planning to build planes.

Re: Recent Factory Visit

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 1:21 am
by 1911Tex
Talked with a flight school at our airport today; they have 2 DA20's on the flight line. Their original intention was to purchase 7 DA20's. Note: If a plane is down for any reason that is $$ loss and irritated students. Simple example, one DA20 had a crack in the prop spinner (Sensenich). So far 2 weeks, still no parts. This is not an exception. All the Diamond dealers in the U.S. were contacted for used or new...still waiting for Canada to ship. Again, one simple very small example among many. I hope someone at Diamond is reading this. Diamond ships only to dealers, who then ship to the customer, which delays another week. The flight school is now purchasing used Piper Warriors to replace the Diamonds. Parts are aplenty and quick, used aircraft prices are low. Very frustrating!