Comco Ikarus
Comco Ikarus is a privately held German manufacturer of two-seater ultralight aircraft (IKARUS C42 series in B, C, and CS variants), producing certified Rotax-powered shoulder-wing aircraft for flight schools, private pilots, tow operations, and specialized applications, distributed through 28 dealers across 30 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersMenges, Slovenia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Comco Ikarus does
Comco Ikarus GmbH is a privately held German manufacturer of two-seater shoulder-wing ultralight aircraft, headquartered at Mengen-Hohentengen airfield in Upper Swabia (production facility of approximately 640 sqm). Founded in 1977 originally as a kite manufacturer, the company pivoted to microlight aviation in 1982 with the SHERPA type and the introduction of the IKARUS FRS, the world's first rocket-powered flight rescue system for ultralight aircraft. The firm is now in its second generation of family ownership under Managing Director Horst Lieb and produces the IKARUS C42 series across three variants — C42 B (540 kg MTOW, allrounder), C42 C (560 kg MTOW, agile), and C42 CS (560 kg MTOW, fastest in the line).
The C42 platform is built around Rotax 912-series piston engines (80 HP / 100 HP / 100 HP iS) integrated with a proprietary coupled oil/water cooling system, counter-flow heat exchanger, and NACA inlet, and integrates safety systems including the FRS ballistic parachute and optical AEROGLAS XPC cockpit windows. The company holds LTF-UL 2019 (Germany), BCAR S (UK), and ASTM LSA (U.S.) certifications. Distribution is channel-led: 28 authorized sales partners across approximately 30 countries handle international sales, complemented by 18 ISC Service Centres and ITB Technical Bases across Germany for certified maintenance, spare parts, and Rotax-trained service. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales of aircraft (price lists valid from January 2025), ongoing spare-parts sales managed by a dedicated department, and maintenance/service contracts. Total lifetime sales exceed 1,600 units, with approximately 35% market share in Germany against 10 notable domestic manufacturers.
Comco Ikarus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Comco Ikarus
- Legal name
- Comco Ikarus GmbH
- Website
- https://comco-ikarus.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Comco Ikarus is a privately held German manufacturer of two-seater ultralight aircraft (IKARUS C42 series in B, C, and CS variants), producing certified Rotax-powered shoulder-wing aircraft for flight schools, private pilots, tow operations, and specialized applications, distributed through 28 dealers across 30 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Comco Ikarus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ultralight Aircraft Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aircraft Painting & Surface Treatment (IMABALAI)
Keywords
Where Comco Ikarus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Menges
- HQ country
- Slovenia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Comco Ikarus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Aircraft sales: Sale of ultralight aircraft models (C42 B, C42 C, C42 CS) including standard and optional configurations. Prices are available via downloadable price lists (valid from 01.2025).
- Spare parts and wear parts: Replacement parts service for all C42 models, managed by dedicated spare parts department (Gerald Heidt).
- Service and maintenance: Maintenance, hourly checks, minor and major repairs, and periodic inspections performed through a network of 18 ISC Service Centres and ITB Technical Bases across Germany.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | C42 B model pricing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | C42 C model pricing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | C42 CS model pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Comco Ikarus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Comco Ikarus GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells the IKARUS C42 series of two-seater shoulder-wing ultralight aircraft (C42 B, C42 C, C42 CS) at its Mengen-Hohentengel airfield production facility in Germany. The company also provides spare parts and maintenance/repair services through its domestic and international dealer and service centre networks.
Product overview
Comco Ikarus is a German ultralight aircraft manufacturer producing the IKARUS C42 series of two-seater shoulder-wing light aircraft. The product line consists of three distinct models: C42 B (the versatile allrounder with 540 kg MTOW), C42 C (agile variant with 560 kg MTOW featuring aerodynamic optimizations), and C42 CS (the fastest variant with composite landing gear). All models share standard equipment including ROTAX engines, rescue systems, stainless steel exhaust, hydraulic disc brakes, and cabin heating. The aircraft are used as tourers, tow planes, trainers, float planes, ski aircraft, and crop-spraying aircraft. The company operates a network of 18 service centers and technical bases across Germany, with international dealerships in approximately 30 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IKARUS C42 B
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,600 C42 aircraft sold worldwide, with presence in 30+ countries
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Comco Ikarus
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Comco Ikarus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration13 records
Feature5 records
Comco Ikarus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- German Light Aircraft LtdcoreAuthorized sales partner for China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan markets. Located in Berlin, Germany, with contact available through Mrs. Yeng Cheng.
- AviatX GmbHcoreAviation company and authorized IKARUS dealer for Austria. Contact: Martin Steßl, Übersbachgasse 51, A-8280 Fürstenfeld, Austria.
- DKL Light Sport Aircraft SarlcoreAuthorized IKARUS dealer for France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Located in Pétange, Luxembourg.
- Flugschule BaselcoreAuthorized IKARUS dealer and flight school for Switzerland. Contact: Thierry Spichtin, CH-4030 Basel-Flughafen.
- Ikarus Flight Center (South Africa)coreAuthorized IKARUS dealer for South Africa, operated by Kuns & Vliegwerk (Pty) Ltd. Directors: Jan Koornneef and Fokelien Wijngaarden, Robertson, South Africa.
- TFASA (South Africa)minorIKARUS sales contact for South Africa. Contact: Ulf Spindler, Tower Road, Cape Town.
- Gehling Flugtechnik GmbHcoreISC IKARUS Service Centre in Stadtlohn (EDLS), Germany. Contact: Dieter Gehling. Services include maintenance, hourly checks, wear and spare parts service, and minor repairs.
- Fly Winx GmbHcoreISC IKARUS Service Centre in Neresheim (EDPA), Germany. Contact: Andreas Kaufmann. Located at Flugplatz Elchingen.
- A.M. FLUGWELT GmbHcoreISC IKARUS Service Centre covering Bodenwöhr, Schwandorf, and Bayreuth areas. Contact: Anton Moll. Services include maintenance, hourly checks, and repairs.
- IKARUS Flugbetrieb (Weimar)coreISC IKARUS Service Centre at Flugplatz Weimar-Umpferstedt (EDOU). Contact: Sören Gathemann. Services include maintenance, hourly checks, spare parts, and repairs.
- ASW Aero-Service-Worms GmbHcoreITB IKARUS Technical Base in Worms (EDFV), Germany. Contact: Andreas Scheuermann. Provides major repairs and overhaul, Class 5 UL inspector services, and Rotax-trained services.
- Aeroservice GrilzcoreITB IKARUS Technical Base in Kamenz (EDCM), Germany. Contact: Marko Grilz. Provides major repairs and overhaul and Rotax-trained services.
- Flugschule Herkules (Kassel Calden)coreITB IKARUS Technical Base at Kassel-Calden airfield (EDVK). Contact: Rainer Bettenhausen. Provides major repairs, overhaul, and Rotax-trained services.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Comco Ikarus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AutoGyro GmbH: German manufacturer of gyroplanes and Calidus/Cavalon tandem ultralight aircraft. Adjacent competitor in the German ultralight market sharing the same domestic dealer channel and pilot customer base.
- Flight Design GmbH: German manufacturer of the CT series ultralight/Light Sport Aircraft (CT2K, CTLS). Direct competitor to Comco Ikarus in the European two-seat shoulder-wing LSA segment with overlapping flight-school and private-owner customer base.
- Jabiru Aircraft: Australian manufacturer of Jabiru LSA/ultralight aircraft and Rotax-replacement Jabiru engine line. Competes with C42 in international LSA markets and overlaps on training-aircraft positioning.
- Czech Sport Aircraft: Czech producer of the PS-28 Cruiser and SportCruiser LSA/ultralight aircraft. Competes with C42 in flight training and private ownership with lower-cost Central European production.
- Pipistrel (Textron eAviation): Slovenian ultralight and Light Sport Aircraft manufacturer (Virus, Velis Electro) serving the same flight-school, touring, and trainer customer segments; comparable product positioning in European LSA/ultralight markets.
- Tecnam Aircraft: Italian manufacturer of two-seat and four-seat Light Sport and ultralight aircraft (P92, P2002, P2008). Competes head-to-head with C42 in flight training and private touring across Europe and globally.
- Evektor Aircraft: Czech manufacturer of the SportStar and Harmony LSA/ultralight family. Direct C42 competitor in European flight schools with comparable two-seat configuration and Rotax-powered lineup.
- TL-Ultralight s.r.o. Czech producer of the Stream and Sting ultralight/Light Sport aircraft. Direct competitor in European flight training and touring with similar two-seat shoulder-wing configuration and Rotax propulsion.
Broad incumbents
- Diamond Aircraft Industries: Austrian-Canadian manufacturer of composite two-seat and four-seat aircraft (DA20, DA40, DA42). Targets the same training and private-owner market as C42 but at higher price points with broader product portfolio and OEM scale.
Others
- BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG: Engine supplier to Comco Ikarus across all C42 variants. Critical supplier dependency rather than a competitor, but its strategic direction (e.g., electric propulsion) shapes the technology roadmap for the entire ultralight industry.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Comco Ikarus social profiles
Digital presenceComco Ikarus compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Comco Ikarus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Comco Ikarus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Comco Ikarus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Comco Ikarus 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 Comco Ikarus
What does Comco Ikarus do?
Comco Ikarus GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells the IKARUS C42 series of two-seater shoulder-wing ultralight aircraft (C42 B, C42 C, C42 CS) at its Mengen-Hohentengel airfield production facility in Germany. The company also provides spare parts and maintenance/repair services through its domestic and international dealer and service centre networks.
Is Comco Ikarus a public or private company?
Comco Ikarus is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Comco Ikarus founded?
Comco Ikarus was founded in 1977. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Comco Ikarus based?
Comco Ikarus is headquartered in Menges, Slovenia, in the Europe region.
How does Comco Ikarus make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Aircraft sales are the primary driver. The others are spare parts and wear parts and service and maintenance.
Who are Comco Ikarus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AutoGyro GmbH, Flight Design GmbH, Jabiru Aircraft, Czech Sport Aircraft, Pipistrel (Textron eAviation), Tecnam Aircraft, Evektor Aircraft and TL-Ultralight s.r.o.. Diamond Aircraft Industries is listed as a broad incumbent. BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG is listed as an others.
Does Comco Ikarus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Comco Ikarus.
What industry is Comco Ikarus in?
Comco Ikarus's product category is Ultralight Aircraft Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAC, Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMABALAI, Aircraft Painting & Surface Treatment. Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.