Wolf Hoffmann designed the Wolf Hoffmann Flugzeugbau KG H-36 Dimona motor glider at Günzburg, Bayern, Germany. The first of three prototypes flew from there on October 9, 1980. In 1981 the series production was undertaken under the new company name Hoffmann Flugzeugbau GmbH at Friesach, Kärnten, Austria.
In 1985 the company became a subsidiary of Simmering-Graz-Pauker AG, was renamed Hoffmann Aircraft Ltd., and moved to Vienna, Austria. New production facilities were established at Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria, Austria, in 1987. In 1991 the control of the company was taken over by the Dries family and again the name was changed to HOAC AG.
To supply the North American market a full production facility was established in London, Ontario in 1992. This new company was named Dimona Aircraft, what was changed to Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. in 1996. Diamond established a new Diamond Flight Center, including training facilities, at the London Airport in 1997.
In 1998, in order to align with the North American operation, HOAC in Austria was renamed Diamond Aircraft GmbH. It acquired the Wiener Neustadt - East Airport and extended the production facilities at the airport significantly in 1999. The same year Diamond also opened a factory sales, service and flight training center in Egelsbach, Hessen, Germany. In 2004 a composites facility was added to the main company at Wiener Neustadt.