AMS Flight

AMS Flight is an aircraft manufacturer based in Begunje na Gorenjskem in northwestern Slovenia. The company specializes in sailplanes, powered sailplanes, ultralight aircraft, and composite aircraft structures. Its industrial roots lie in the aircraft division of the Slovenian company ELAN, which produced gliders under licence from the German Glaser-Dirks organization and later DG Flugzeugbau. This lineage connected the Begunje factory to several important high-performance glider types, including the DG-100, DG-300, DG-500, and DG-1000 families. The first aircraft associated with the Begunje production operation was a licence-built DG-100, completed in 1978 by an ELAN team at Glaser-Dirks in Bruchsal, Germany. Production subsequently became established at the ELAN factory in Slovenia. Over time, the Begunje operation manufactured complete aircraft and major composite structures for a number of sailplane programs. The business was reorganized as AMS Flight d.o.o. in 1999, when it took over the former ELAN FLIGHT division on 1 September. This transaction allowed aircraft production in Begunje to continue under an independent company after ELAN's aviation activities were separated. AMS retained manufacturing relationships connected with the DG product family and continued work on types such as the DG-1000. In 2001, it acquired the production of the Carat motorglider from Technoflug GmbH. The Carat is a single-seat powered glider with a nose-mounted engine, designed for both long-distance cruising and soaring. AMS became the sole owner and manufacturer of the type. A two-seat, side-by-side derivative known as the Magnus was also under development, although the available reference material does not establish that it entered series production. The company expanded its product portfolio in 2003 by acquiring the Apis ULA and Sport Class motorglider program from the Slovenian manufacturer Albastar. AMS continued Apis production through serial number 52. In 2005 and 2006, it took over licences for the German-designed Rolladen-Schneider LS4 and LS6 sailplanes. These programs were intended to succeed the DG-300 and DG-500 lines as those aircraft moved toward the end of their production runs. In 2007, production of the Apis and Bee gliders was transferred to Pipistrel. AMS Flight's manufacturing activity has included aircraft assembly, composite fabrication, finishing, and the production of replacement parts. The company has also supplied composite components such as wings, tailplanes, and rudders for aircraft including the Sky Arrow 450, Sky Arrow 650TC and 650TCN, Sinus, and Virus. It continues to support legacy aircraft programs by supplying spare parts for the DG-300, DG-500, and Apis. Available production information records dozens or hundreds of aircraft across several ELAN and AMS-associated types, but does not provide a current employee count, revenue figure, ownership structure, or detailed distribution footprint. AMS is therefore best characterized as a specialist Slovenian aerospace manufacturer whose capabilities center on composite glider construction, licensed aircraft production, and long-term support for established sailplane designs.

AMS Flight's history is rooted in ELAN's aircraft operation at Begunje na Gorenjskem, Slovenia. In 1978, an ELAN team built the first DG-100 aircraft under licence from the German Glaser-Dirks company. The work initially involved cooperation and production activity in Germany, while the Begunje factory became the continuing Slovenian manufacturing base. The aircraft division later produced several members of the DG family, including the DG-100 ELAN, DG-300 ELAN, DG-500 ELAN, and DG-1000 series. AMS Flight d.o.o. was established in 1999 to continue this aircraft-production activity. On 1 September of that year, it took over the ELAN FLIGHT division of ELAN. The new company inherited the factory's production knowledge, tooling, and licensing relationships. Its facilities are located in northwestern Slovenia, near the country's borders with Austria and Italy. A significant portfolio change occurred on 14 November 2001, when AMS acquired production of the Carat motorglider from Technoflug GmbH. The Carat is a single-seat powered glider with an engine installed in the nose. Its design is intended to combine powered cruising with soaring capability. AMS became the sole owner and manufacturer of the type. A two-seat side-by-side development called the Magnus was associated with the Carat program, but the available material does not confirm series production. On 30 July 2003, AMS acquired the Apis ULA and Sport Class motor-glider program from Albastar, another Slovenian company. The Apis remained in AMS production until serial number 52. The company's licensed portfolio expanded again in 2005 and 2006, when it took over the German-designed Rolladen-Schneider LS4 and LS6 programs. These aircraft and their planned developments were positioned as successors to the DG-300 and DG-500 production lines, which were being phased down. In 2007, production of the Apis and Bee gliders moved to Pipistrel. AMS nevertheless retained broader manufacturing and support activities. Its recorded work includes composite components for the Sky Arrow 450, Sky Arrow 650TC and 650TCN, Sinus, and Virus aircraft. The company also participated in DG-1000 production, including fuselage lamination and work associated with rough assembly, surface finishing, and final assembly. It has continued to supply spare parts for older DG-300, DG-500, and Apis aircraft. The production record associated with ELAN and AMS includes 58 DG-100 ELAN sailplanes, 164 DG-101 ELAN aircraft, 444 DG-300 ELAN sailplanes, 67 DG-303 aircraft, 139 DG-500 ELAN gliders, 121 DG-505 gliders, and 48 DG-1000S and DG-1000T sailplanes or associated completed aircraft. The same record lists 37 Carat A motorgliders, 40 Apis and Bee gliders, and two LS4-b sailplanes, as well as more than 230 sets of composite components for other aircraft programs. These figures describe historical production and should not be interpreted as current annual output. Publicly available reference material provides limited information about AMS Flight's present ownership, management, financial performance, and sales markets.

• 2007

  Apis and Bee production transferred

  [1]AMS Flighten.wikipedia.org

  Production of the Apis and Bee gliders was transferred to Pipistrel.

• 2005

  LS4 and LS6 licensing added

  [1]AMS Flighten.wikipedia.org

  AMS took over licences for the German-designed Rolladen-Schneider LS4 and LS6 sailplanes during 2005–2006.

• 2003

  Apis program acquired

  [1]AMS Flighten.wikipedia.org

  On 30 July, AMS acquired the Apis ULA and Sport Class motorglider program from Albastar.

• 2001

  Carat production acquired

  [1]AMS Flighten.wikipedia.org

  On 14 November, AMS took over production of the Carat motorglider from Technoflug GmbH.

• 1999

  AMS Flight established

  [1]AMS Flighten.wikipedia.org

  AMS Flight d.o.o. was created to continue aircraft production and took over the ELAN FLIGHT division on 1 September.

• 1978

  First DG-100 licence-built for ELAN

  [1]AMS Flighten.wikipedia.org

  An ELAN team built the first licence-produced DG-100 aircraft in cooperation with Glaser-Dirks in Bruchsal, Germany, establishing the manufacturing lineage later continued at Begunje.

A specialist aircraft manufacturer focused on composite sailplanes, motorgliders, licensed production, aircraft structures, and lifecycle support for established glider designs.

• Sailplane

  DG-100 ELAN

  The DG-100 ELAN was among the early sailplanes produced through the ELAN aircraft operation in Slovenia under the Glaser-Dirks/DG licensing lineage. The production history associated with ELAN and AMS records 58 aircraft of this type.

• Sailplane

  DG-300 and DG-303 ELAN

  The DG-300 ELAN and DG-303 were high-performance sailplane programs manufactured at the Begunje facility. Recorded production totals are 444 DG-300 ELAN aircraft and 67 DG-303 aircraft. AMS later phased down the DG-300 line as other licensed designs entered the portfolio.

• Sailplane

  DG-500 and DG-505 ELAN

  The DG-500 ELAN and DG-505 were glider variants produced through the ELAN and AMS manufacturing operation. Historical production records list 139 DG-500 ELAN aircraft and 121 DG-505 aircraft. AMS continues to be associated with spare-parts support for the DG-500 family.

• Sailplane

  DG-1000S and DG-1000T

  AMS participated in production of the DG-1000S and DG-1000T, including fuselage lamination and stages covering rough assembly, surface finishing, and final assembly. The cited production record lists 48 aircraft associated with AMS work.

• Motorglider · 2001

  Carat A

  The Carat A is a single-seat powered glider with a nose-mounted engine. The design is intended for long-range cruising as well as soaring. AMS acquired the program from Technoflug in 2001 and is identified as the type's sole owner and manufacturer. Historical production records list 37 Carat A motorgliders.

• Ultralight glider and motorglider · 2003

  Apis and Bee

  AMS acquired the Apis ULA and Sport Class motor-glider program from Albastar in 2003 and continued Apis production through serial number 52. Production of the Apis and Bee programs later moved to Pipistrel in 2007. The combined historical production record lists 40 aircraft.

• Sailplane · 2005

  LS4-b and LS6

  AMS took over licences for the German-designed Rolladen-Schneider LS4 and LS6 programs during 2005–2006. These types and planned developments were intended to replace the DG-300 and DG-500 as those lines were wound down. The cited production record lists two LS4-b sailplanes.

• Aircraft structures

  Composite aircraft components

  AMS has produced composite aircraft parts including wings, tailplanes, and rudders. Recorded programs include the Sky Arrow 450, Sky Arrow 650TC and 650TCN, Sinus, and Virus. The available production account lists more than 230 component sets across these programs.

• 2005

  Expansion into LS4 and LS6 licensed productionStrategy

  Background

  The DG-300 and DG-500 production lines were being reduced, creating a need for successor sailplane programs.

  Action taken

  AMS took over licences for the Rolladen-Schneider LS4 and LS6 during 2005–2006.

  Aftermath

  The licensed LS programs were positioned to replace the declining DG-300 and DG-500 manufacturing activity, although the available material gives limited information about their subsequent output.

  Source

• 2003

  Acquisition of the Apis ULA and Sport Class programM&A

  Background

  Albastar's Apis ULA and Sport Class motor-glider program provided an opportunity for AMS to broaden its portfolio beyond the inherited DG-related production.

  Action taken

  AMS acquired the program from Albastar on 30 July 2003 and continued Apis production until serial number 52.

  Aftermath

  The Apis and Bee programs were later transferred to Pipistrel in 2007.

  Source

• 2001

  Acquisition of the Carat production programM&A

  Background

  Technoflug GmbH had developed and produced the Carat powered glider program.

  Action taken

  AMS took over Carat production from Technoflug on 14 November 2001 and became the sole owner and manufacturer of the type.

  Aftermath

  The Carat became a core AMS motorglider offering, while a two-seat Magnus derivative was developed but is not documented here as entering series production.

  Source

• 1999

  Continuation of ELAN aircraft production under AMS FlightStrategy

  Background

  The former ELAN FLIGHT division needed a continuing corporate structure for aircraft manufacturing after its separation from ELAN.

  Action taken

  AMS Flight d.o.o. was established and took over the ELAN FLIGHT division on 1 September 1999.

  Aftermath

  Aircraft production continued at Begunje under the AMS Flight name, retaining the factory's glider manufacturing and composite-production capabilities.

  Source

1. 1AMS Flighten.wikipedia.org
2. 2AMS Flight official websiteams-flight.si