DG Flugzeugbau

Slagorde · Vliegtuigfabrikanten · Duitsland

DG Flugzeugbau

Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH · DG Flugzeugbau GmbH · DG Aviation GmbH

An electrician and a glider designer started building sailplanes near Bruchsal in 1973; the DG name survived bankruptcy and now also makes parts for Volocopter’s electric air taxis.

1973Opgericht
ActiefStatus
10Vliegtuigen geregistreerd
Photo: FotofliegerHE / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
LandDuitslandOpgericht1973OprichtersGerhard Glaser, Wilhelm DirksHoofdkwartierBruchsal, Baden-WürttembergEigenaarVolocopter (since 2021)StatusActief
Het verhaal

DG Flugzeugbau: the company and the aircraft that made its name

An electrician and a designer

Glaser-Dirks was founded in 1973 in Untergrombach near Bruchsal by Gerhard Glaser, a master electrician, and Wilhelm Dirks, an aircraft designer. Their DG-100 Standard Class glider first flew in May 1974, and the DG-200 followed in 1977. The pair built a reputation on details pilots could feel: stronger front fuselages, bonded seat pans and low cockpit sills for easier bail-out. In 1981 the DG-400 motor glider added an engine with a control unit simple enough for non-mechanics, and two-seaters and 18-metre types followed.

Bankruptcy and rebirth

Engine supply trouble on the self-launching DG-800A delayed deliveries and pushed Glaser-Dirks into insolvency in spring 1996. In May that year investor Karl Friedrich Weber and his wife Eva-Marie founded DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, funding the DG-1000 two-seater and a new factory right on Bruchsal airfield, opened in December 2000. In 2003 DG absorbed the struggling Rolladen Schneider and took over its LS8 and LS10. The US Air Force Academy flies DG-1000s as the TG-16A.

Gliders meet air taxis

DG had helped Volocopter from its first prototype, lending composite and certification know-how, and in July 2021 Volocopter bought the manufacturing company, which now builds Volocopter parts. Glider development, service and sales moved to the new DG Aviation GmbH, and since 2023 the gliders are built by JSDG Production. DG Aviation looks after a fleet of more than 4,500 DG and LS aircraft.

An electrician and a glider designer started building sailplanes near Bruchsal in 1973; the DG name survived bankruptcy and now also makes parts for Volocopter’s electric air taxis.DG Flugzeugbau · verified 2026-10-03
In één oogopslag

DG Flugzeugbau in numbers

Het bedrijf

Kortom
Founded 1973

  • Founded as Glaser-Dirks by Gerhard Glaser and Wilhelm Dirks
  • Refounded as DG Flugzeugbau in 1996 after insolvency
  • Took over Rolladen Schneider in 2003

Productie

Het meest bekend om
DG-1000

  • DG-100 to DG-800 single-seaters and motor gliders
  • DG-1000 two-seater, TG-16A in US Air Force service
  • LS8 and LS10 from Rolladen Schneider

Vandaag

Nu
Owned by Volocopter

  • Manufacturing arm builds Volocopter parts
  • DG Aviation GmbH handles gliders, service and sales
  • Over 4,500 DG and LS aircraft supported

De cijfers

Aircraft supported
more than 4,500 DG and LS gliders
Het vliegtuig

Every notable DG Flugzeugbau aircraft

Vliegtuig Rol Eerste vlucht Gebouwd Status Opmerking
Glaser-Dirks DG-100 Standard Class glider May 1974 Gepensioneerd First series aircraft; also built by Elan in Slovenia
Glaser-Dirks DG-200 15 m Class glider 1977 Gepensioneerd
Glaser-Dirks DG-300 Standard Class glider Gepensioneerd
Glaser-Dirks DG-400 Self-launching motor glider 1981 Gepensioneerd
Glaser-Dirks DG-500 Two-seat glider Gepensioneerd
Glaser-Dirks DG-600 15 and 18 m glider Gepensioneerd
Glaser-Dirks DG-800 18 m glider and motor glider Gepensioneerd
DG-1000 Two-seat glider 2000 In productie DG-1001 neo variants; TG-16A for the US Air Force
LS8 Standard Class glider Gepensioneerd Rolladen Schneider design, built by DG after 2003
LS10 15 and 18 m glider Gepensioneerd Developed to production from a Rolladen Schneider prototype
Plaatsen, mensen, archieven

Where DG Flugzeugbau built, who led it, what it achieved

Fabrieken

  • Bruchsal airfield works · Bruchsal, Baden-Württemberg — Opened December 2000

Mensen

  • Wilhelm Dirks · co-founder, designer
  • Karl Friedrich Weber · investor — Refounded the company in 1996
Tijdlijn

DG Flugzeugbau, year by year

1973

Glaser-Dirks founded

May 1974

DG-100 first flight

1978

Licence deal with Elan of Slovenia

1981

DG-400 motor glider launched

1996

Glaser-Dirks insolvent; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH founded in May

2000

New factory at Bruchsal airfield opens; DG-1000S first flies

2003

Takes over Rolladen Schneider

2021

Acquired by Volocopter; DG Aviation GmbH founded

2023

Glider production moves to JSDG Production GmbH

Vragen en antwoorden

Everything people ask about DG Flugzeugbau

What does DG stand for in DG Flugzeugbau?
Dirks and Glaser, after founders Wilhelm Dirks and Gerhard Glaser.
Where are DG gliders made?
In Bruchsal, near Karlsruhe in Germany.
Who owns DG Flugzeugbau?
Volocopter has owned the manufacturing company since July 2021; gliders are handled by DG Aviation GmbH.
Which DG gliders are still built?
The DG-1000 family, as the DG-1001e neo, DG-1001s neo and DG-1001Club neo.

Vervolg de rondleiding

Around DG Flugzeugbau

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Geverifieerd op 3 oktober 2026.