Finsterwalder

Finsterwalder GmbH is a German aircraft manufacturer specializing in hang gliders, paragliders and related accessories. The company is headquartered in Munich.[1]

This article is about the German aircraft manufacturer. For other uses, see Finsterwalder (disambiguation).
Finsterwalder GmbH
Private company
IndustryAerospace
Founded1974
FounderThomas Finsterwalder
Headquarters
Munich
,
Germany
ProductsHang gliders, Paragliders and accessories
DivisionsCharly-Products
Websitewww.finsterwalder-charly.de

Most of the company's hang glider designs are intended to be folded down to a small size for man-packing up mountains.[1]

Finsterwalder GmbH is made up of two divisions. The headquarters is in Munich and focuses on hang glider design, production and repair along with helmet design and production. Charly Products is located in Seeg and produces paragliders, harnesses and rescue systems.[2]

History

The company was formed in 1974 by Thomas Finsterwalder as a kayak design and production enterprise. The first hang glider designed and produced was the Finsterwalder Bergfex (English: Mountain Freak), which weighed 11 kg (24 lb) and could be broken down in 8 minutes to a package 1.80 m (5.9 ft) long for ground transport.[2]

In 1985 the factory and all equipment were destroyed by a fire, delaying production until the following year.[2]

Charly Products logo

In 1990 the company bought out Charly Products adding paragliders and parachute systems to the company line. Since the take-over the company has done business as Finsterwalder & Charly. In 1994 Charly started a partnership with Nova Paragliders.[2]

Aircraft
Summary of aircraft built by Finsterwalder
Model name First flight Number built Type
Finsterwalder Airfex hang glider
Finsterwalder Bergfex 300+ hang glider
Finsterwalder Funfex hang glider
Finsterwalder Jetfex hang glider
Finsterwalder Lightfex hang glider
Finsterwalder Minifex hang glider
Finsterwalder Perfex hang glider
Finsterwalder Skyfex 6 prototypes only hang glider
Finsterwalder Speedfex hang glider
Finsterwalder Superfex 680 hang glider
Finsterwalder Topfex hang glider
Finsterwalder Windfex 900 hang glider
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References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 44. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Finsterwalder (2011). "About Us". Retrieved 17 February 2012.
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