History of DG Group
1973 Company Foundation
Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH is founded and the company moves into the workshop in Bruchsal-Untergrombach at the foot of Michelsberg.
1974 DG-100 Maiden Flight
Only one year after founding Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH the DG-100 has its maiden flight. It is built 327 times until 1983, in the versions DG-100, DG-100G, DG-101 and DG-101G. Nowadays the first DG glider still is a popular ship in the club class.
1981 DG-400 Maiden Flight
The DG-400, the world’s first self-launching glider which is produced in a series, has its maiden flight. During the following years almost 300 units roll off the production line. The glider pioneers a new generation of auxiliary powered sailplanes, “self-launchers”.
1996 Business under the Name of K.-F. Weber
After Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH had filed for bankruptcy, Karl-Friedrich Weber takes over the business and continues it as DG Flugzeugbau GmbH.
2000 Reloacation
The elderly manufacturing facilities in Untergrombach are outmoded and have turned out to be too small. DG Flugzeugbau decides to build a new production plant next to Bruchsal’s airfield.
2003 Acquisition of LS
DG absorbs the insolvent Rolladen-Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH in Egelsbach and takes over the type certificate and support for all LS models. From now on LS8 and LS10 are produced in Bruchsal.
2005 DG Composites GmbH
DG Kunststofftechnik GmbH is established in 2005. Experience gained from DG Flugzeugbau’s labor can now be utilized for other branches of industry. In 2016 DG Kunststofftechnik GmbH changes its name into DG Composites.
2009 DG-1001Club for the USAF
The “Club” version of the DG-1001 wins two calls for bids by the US Air Force Academy. During the next two years DG Flugzeugbau produces 19 gliders to be shipped to the Academy in Colorado Springs. Since the 1980s this is the largest order to be placed to a solitary sailplane manufacturer.
2013 CNC-Milling Machine and Cutting Table
Major investments follow and a 3-axis CNC milling machine along with a large plotter, measuring 7m are purchased. Consequently DG’s production gets more flexibility and the economic viability grows. Gradually more and more components are digitalized and automatically processed.
2016 DG Group
DG AeroTEC is founded. From now on the subdivision takes care of the continuously growing demand for engineering services. All three companies are united under one umbrella – DG Group.
