DG announced this week that it has taken over 2 new companies active in the recreational aviation market.

First was the announcement that the developers of the Silence single place ultralight had joined DG to produce both kits and finished aircraft. This aircraft uses the Jabiru 2200 4 cylinder engine to give a useful top speed of 140kts. It is built from a honeycomb sandwich which is light and very strong.  DG have announced the price for this aircraft and in kit form it is very affordable.

The second announcement is the takeover of Rolladen-Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH, maker of LS sailplanes. The reasons for this are stated to be as a result of the difficult economic conditions in the aviation market over recent years.

These two acquisitions will create a lot of work for the team in Bruchsal. It is inevitable that news will take a little while to filter through to us here in New Zealand. However, the following is clear from the initial press releases.

• The Silence is ready for production.  The price has been set and the factory notes that orders can be taken and delivery will start this calendar year.
• LS production will be moved from Egelsbach to both Bruchsal and the AMS facility in Slovenia.

HPCA will keep you up to date with progress on these developments as they happen.