M&D Flugzeugbau
M&D Flugzeugbau is an EASA-certified German aeronautical engineering company that designs, manufactures, and maintains gliders, motor gliders, and the proprietary MD-TJ42 turbine jet engine, while serving as the European type certificate holder for Jonker Sailplanes JS-MD gliders and the PSR-T01 turbine.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersFriedeburg, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What M&D Flugzeugbau does
M&D Flugzeugbau GmbH & Co. KG is an EASA-certified German aeronautical engineering company founded in 1995 by pilots Tim and Rinelde Markwald and headquartered in Friedeburg, Germany. The company operates under three EASA approvals (Part 21J design, Part 21G manufacturing, and CAO continuing airworthiness) and functions as the European type certificate holder for the Jonker Sailplanes JS-MD glider family and the PSR-T01 turbine engine, in addition to holding the type certificate for its proprietary MD-TJ42 turbine jet engine.
The core technology stack centers on GFK/CFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic / Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) lightweight construction applied to gliders, motor gliders, and turbine jet propulsion systems. The company's flagship product, the MD-TJ42 turbine jet engine, has over 250 certified units in operation worldwide and is integrated via Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) programs into multiple glider platforms including the LS4, LS8, and ASW-27. The company also develops electric self-launch propulsion (JS-MD 3 RES using EMRAX 208 motor) and provides a full service ecosystem: maintenance, repairs, custom manufacturing, recoating with Standox acrylic paint, and a monitored airworthiness environment program.
Revenue is generated across six streams: one-time sales of complete aircraft and STC conversions; recurring CAO-managed airworthiness services; recurring spare parts (minimum €75 net per order, worldwide dispatch); professional maintenance and overhaul services; and contract manufacturing. Go-to-market is direct enterprise/field sales targeting individual pilots, aviation clubs, and flight schools, primarily in Europe but with global spare parts reach. The company is part of the MD Group, alongside M&D Composites (industrial composites, spun off in 2015) and MD Aircraft (electric aviation). Ownership remains entirely with the founding Markwald family, with no disclosed external institutional capital.
M&D Flugzeugbau firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- M&D Flugzeugbau
- Legal name
- M&D Flugzeugbau GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://md-flugzeugbau.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- M&D Flugzeugbau is an EASA-certified German aeronautical engineering company that designs, manufactures, and maintains gliders, motor gliders, and the proprietary MD-TJ42 turbine jet engine, while serving as the European type certificate holder for Jonker Sailplanes JS-MD gliders and the PSR-T01 turbine.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
M&D Flugzeugbau industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aircraft Manufacturing and Aviation Engineering
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Glider & Sailplane Manufacturing (IMABAAAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Propellers, Rotors & Open-Rotor Propulsors (IMABADAI), Nacelles, Fairings & Aerodynamic Structures (IMABAEAE)
Keywords
Where M&D Flugzeugbau is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Friedeburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
M&D Flugzeugbau business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Aircraft Manufacturing and Sales: Manufacturing and sale of complete aircraft including JS-MD Single series gliders, Samburo motor gliders, and STC jet conversions. Revenue generated from new aircraft sales with EASA certification.
- Maintenance and Repair Services: EASA-approved CAO (Continuing Airworthiness Organisation) providing comprehensive maintenance services for gliders and motor gliders up to 1200kg MTOW. Includes cell and engine maintenance, 6-yearly checks, overhauls, and inspections.
- Spare Parts Sales: Direct spare parts sales through website ordering system with minimum order value of 75,00€ net. Worldwide dispatch from their warehouse.
- Modifications and STC Conversions: Supplemental Type Certificate conversions including LS4-JET, LS8-JET, ASW-27 JET installations, winglets, avionics conversions, and custom modifications up to 1200 kg aircraft.
- Monitored Environment Services: Controlled environment airworthiness management where MD takes responsibility for maintaining airworthiness. Customers present aircraft for physical inspection every 3 years instead of annual inspection.
- Recoating and Overhaul Services: Complete aircraft repainting using Standox acrylic paint, cockpit refurbishment, and structural repairs with 2K filler application and high-gloss finish.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Minimum spare parts order |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
M&D Flugzeugbau product offering
Product offeringCore offering
M&D Flugzeugbau designs, manufactures, and certifies EASA-approved gliders, motor gliders, and turbine jet propulsion systems, with the MD-TJ42 turbine engine and STC jet conversions for sailplanes (LS4, LS8, ASW-27) as flagship products. The company serves as the European type certificate holder for Jonker Sailplanes JS-MD series gliders and provides comprehensive EASA-approved maintenance, repair, recoating, and monitored airworthiness management services for gliders and motor gliders up to 1200 kg MTOW.
Product overview
M&D Flugzeugbau is a EASA-certified aircraft manufacturer specializing in gliders, motor gliders, and jet engine systems. The product portfolio centers on turbine jet engines (MD-TJ42) and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) conversions that retrofit sailplanes (LS4, LS8, ASW27) with jet propulsion systems. The company also serves as European type certificate holder for Jonker Sailplanes JS-MD series gliders (JS-MD 1C, JS-MD 3, JS-MD 3 RES electric version). Supporting the aircraft products are comprehensive services including maintenance, repairs, manufacturing, recoating, and a monitored environment program for continuing airworthiness management. The company operates as a Part 21J design organization, Part 21G manufacturing organization, and CAO for continuing airworthiness under EASA approvals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MD Group: Parent group of companies including MD Flugzeugbau, MD Composites, and MD Aircraft.
- MD Aircraft
- MD Composites
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 250 MD-TJ42 turbine jet engines certified and operating worldwide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use M&D Flugzeugbau
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
M&D Flugzeugbau technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
M&D Flugzeugbau partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Jonker SailplanescoreMain partner from South Africa. M&D Flugzeugbau fulfils key functions for European certification of the JS-MD Single. M&D is the type certificate holder for all JS models in Europe. All JS aircraft with EASA type certification are manufactured under M&D's production authorisation. M&D conducts final quality control and prepares all JS aircraft arriving in Europe for handover.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
M&D Flugzeugbau competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Extra Aircraft: German aerobatic and high-performance piston aircraft manufacturer. Comparable as a German EASA-certified composite aircraft OEM serving specialized aviation niches, though focused on aerobatics rather than gliding.
Broad incumbents
- Rolls-Royce Electrical (formerly Siemens eAircraft): Major propulsion provider with electric aviation programs (e.g., the Extra 330LE). Comparable on the electric aviation propulsion development axis, though operating at vastly larger scale than M&D.
- Diamond Aircraft Industries: Austrian/Canadian composite aircraft manufacturer known for all-composite builds (similar GFK/CFRP orientation). A broader incumbent with a much wider portfolio, but comparable on composite airframe design philosophy and EASA-certified manufacturing.
Emerging players
- Pipistrel (Textron eAviation): Slovenian electric light aircraft manufacturer (now part of Textron), known for the Velis Electro. Comparable on the electric propulsion and lightweight construction intersection that M&D's JS3 Rapture RES targets.
- Electra.aero: Developer of hybrid-electric short takeoff aircraft. Comparable as an emerging player at the intersection of electric propulsion and lightweight aviation, thematically aligned with M&D's electric self-launch direction.
Direct peers
- DG Flugzeugbau: German manufacturer of high-performance competition gliders. Comparable in product category (FAI-class sailplanes), customer base (competition pilots), and EASA type certificate operations similar to M&D.
- Jonker Sailplanes: South African sailplane manufacturer and original developer of the JS-MD sailplane family. M&D licenses and certifies these gliders for the European market, making them the closest direct technical and commercial counterpart to M&D's premium product line.
- Alexander Schleicher GmbH: German sailplane manufacturer with a deep portfolio of gliders and motor gliders. Comparable as a German EASA-certified glider OEM in the same niche, with overlap on STC and maintenance-driven aftermarket revenue.
- Schempp-Hirth: Leading German sailplane and motor glider manufacturer producing high-performance Open and FAI class gliders. Directly comparable as a German-based, EASA-certified glider manufacturer serving the same competition and club flying customers as M&D.
- Stemme AG: German producer of powered sailplanes and motor gliders (e.g., Stemme S10). Directly comparable as a German-based motor glider manufacturer with EASA approvals and a similar self-launch / touring customer segment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
M&D Flugzeugbau social profiles
Digital presenceM&D Flugzeugbau compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
M&D Flugzeugbau financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
M&D Flugzeugbau leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
M&D Flugzeugbau funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
M&D Flugzeugbau M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about M&D Flugzeugbau
What does M&D Flugzeugbau do?
M&D Flugzeugbau designs, manufactures, and certifies EASA-approved gliders, motor gliders, and turbine jet propulsion systems, with the MD-TJ42 turbine engine and STC jet conversions for sailplanes (LS4, LS8, ASW-27) as flagship products. The company serves as the European type certificate holder for Jonker Sailplanes JS-MD series gliders and provides comprehensive EASA-approved maintenance, repair, recoating, and monitored airworthiness management services for gliders and motor gliders up to 1200 kg MTOW.
Is M&D Flugzeugbau a public or private company?
M&D Flugzeugbau is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was M&D Flugzeugbau founded?
M&D Flugzeugbau was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is M&D Flugzeugbau based?
M&D Flugzeugbau is headquartered in Friedeburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does M&D Flugzeugbau make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Aircraft Manufacturing and Sales are the primary driver. The others are maintenance and Repair Services, spare Parts Sales, modifications and STC Conversions, monitored Environment Services and recoating and Overhaul Services.
Who are M&D Flugzeugbau's main competitors?
Extra Aircraft is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Rolls-Royce Electrical (formerly Siemens eAircraft) and Diamond Aircraft Industries. Emerging players are Pipistrel (Textron eAviation) and Electra.aero. Direct peers are DG Flugzeugbau, Jonker Sailplanes, Alexander Schleicher GmbH, Schempp-Hirth and Stemme AG.
Does M&D Flugzeugbau have an API?
No public API is recorded for M&D Flugzeugbau.
What industry is M&D Flugzeugbau in?
M&D Flugzeugbau's product category is Aircraft Manufacturing and Aviation Engineering. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAG, Glider & Sailplane Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMABADAI, Propellers, Rotors & Open-Rotor Propulsors. Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3720.