One of the most successful small airplane companies in the world is located in Slovenia - and it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Pipistrel was founded in 1987 as a private workshop for powered hang-glider assembly. Back then, Pipistrel was the first and only Yugoslavian aircraft producer.
In 1992 the company was registered as a limited liability (Ltd.), keeping the name of Pipistrel. By that time more than 300 powered hang-gliders were produced.
Demonstrating interesting new ways of company leadership, the company moved forward to aircraft manufacturing. At first, units under third party license were being assembled, then, in 1995, development and production of own Sinus ultralight motor-glider was launched. Soon after, Virus a fast cruiser with unprecedented flight safety features, also an in-house design went into production. The company's range of activity, as well as its sales' network have been spreading at a staggering rate ever since.
During the year 2004, the company moved to new premises, a total of more than 2.000 square meters of most modern production- and maintenance-facilities, which allowed us to boost the production.
Pipistrel, including subcontractors which produce parts for Pipistrel d.o.o. Ajdovscina exclusively, now employs almost 50 people. The production is fully booked for 10 months ahead and judging by current demand the future looks promising.
Already in 2004, the maiden flight of a new 2-seat-high-performance powered glider with a lift/drag ratio of 1:40 was conducted. Taurus is now already in serial production with high demand on the market. Furthermore, a light, super-fast microlight capable of reaching speeds over 400 km/h will be presented to public in the upcoming years.
Over 1.200 our planes are flying in Albania, Arab Emirates, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech republic, Denmark, Eritrea, Equador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Republic of Macedonia, Mexico, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Islands, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Quatar, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela, and of course Slovenia.
Pipistrel's 3-axis aircraft have received permits to fly as ultralight aircraft in: Arab Emirates, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary , Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland and Slovenia.Iin all other countries the permit to fly is arranged according to the local rules for non-certified aircraft or where possible - like local certified motor glider (Australia, South Africa, Hungary, India).
There are eight aircraft families in production, Apis, Sinus ultralight motorglider, Virus 912, Virus SW, Taurus and Taurus Electro, Alpha Trainer and 4-seat Panthera.
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