Quicksilver Aircraft

What Quicksilver Aircraft does

Quicksilver Aircraft is a Temecula, California-based manufacturer of ultralight and Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) founded in 1972 (originally as Eipper Formance in the late 1970s). The company designs, manufactures, and sells both unassembled bolt-together kits (Build & Fly) and FAA-certified ready-to-fly aircraft, with a portfolio spanning the MX open-cockpit single and two-seat trainers, the GT 400/GT 500 enclosed-cockpit series, and the Sport 2S/2SE side-by-side two-seaters. All aircraft use tube-and-fabric construction with 6061-T6 aluminum alloy airframes, 4130N Chromoly steel components, pre-sewn polyester fabric coverings, and Rotax-Bombardier engines, with build times ranging from 30-40 hours (single-place MX) to 160-190 hours (GT 500). Quicksilver has sold more than 15,000 aircraft worldwide, holds an FAA Production Certificate, and was the first kit manufacturer to achieve FAA Primary Category Type Certification (GT500, 1993) and Special Light Sport Aircraft acceptance (Sport 2SE, 2014).

The company monetizes through one-time sales of kits and ready-to-fly aircraft, recurring replacement-parts revenue, agricultural spray conversion equipment for the GT 500 AG, and water-sport float attachments. Go-to-market is predominantly channel-led via an authorized dealer network of 20+ countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, supplemented by direct website sales and aviation-event presence (notably EAA AirVenture Oshkosh). End customers are primarily individual pilots, flight training schools, adventure tourism operators, and a niche base of agricultural aviation users, with the global dealer footprint serving as both sales channel and after-sales support infrastructure.

Quicksilver's core strategic assets are its 42-year operating history, brand recognition as the world's largest sport-aircraft manufacturer by cumulative units, its FAA certifications (Type Certificate, Production Certificate, SLSA acceptance), and its exclusive use of Rotax engines supported by Rotax's worldwide service network. The business remains privately held with no disclosed institutional investment, modest headcount (11-50), and material data gaps around current revenue, post-2015 strategic activity, and the implications of the October 2015 factory closure announcement.

Name

Quicksilver Aircraft

Legal name

Quicksilver Aircraft

Website

https://quicksilveraircraft.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Quicksilver Aircraft is a privately held, Temecula, California-based manufacturer of ultralight and FAA-certified Special Light Sport Aircraft kits and ready-to-fly planes, serving individual pilots, flight schools, adventure tourism operators, and agricultural users across more than 20 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC), Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAE)

Keywords

• Ultralight aircraft kits
• Light sport aircraft
• Recreational aviation
• Sport pilot training
• Aerial crop spraying

Headquarters

HQ city

Temecula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Kit Sales: Complete kit aircraft sold to customers for home assembly. Includes all components needed to build a flyable aircraft. Models include MX series (open cockpit), GT series (enclosed cockpit), and Sport 2S (side-by-side seating).
2. Ready-to-Fly (RTF) Aircraft Sales: Fully assembled and tested aircraft sold to customers. Includes SLSA (Special Light Sport Aircraft) certified aircraft like the Sport 2SE that can be flown without pilot certification for Part 103 operations.
3. Replacement Parts and Components: Sales of original replacement parts, sail sets, and components for all Quicksilver models. Separate contact channels for GT 500 parts vs. other aircraft models.
4. Flight Training Programs: Dealer-based flight training using Quicksilver aircraft. Training centers offer lessons for Sport Pilot License certification and flight checkout programs.
5. Agricultural Spray Equipment: Crop spraying conversion kits and specialized spray equipment for GT 500 AG model aircraft. Includes CDA spray system with 24-gallon tank capacity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Quicksilver Aircraft manufactures and sells ultralight and Light Sport Aircraft in two primary forms: complete bolt-together kit aircraft (Build & Fly) for home assembly, and ready-to-fly FAA-certified SLSA aircraft. The product lineup spans the open-cockpit MX series (single and two-seat trainers), the enclosed-cockpit GT series (GT 400 single-seat and GT 500 tandem), and the side-by-side Sport 2S/2SE models, all powered by Rotax-Bombardier engines. The company also sells replacement parts, agricultural spray systems for the GT 500 AG, and water-sports float attachments.

Product overview

Quicksilver Aircraft is a manufacturer of ultralight and light sport aircraft offering both unassembled kit aircraft (Build & Fly) and ready-to-fly SLSA-certified aircraft. The product portfolio includes: the GT series (GT 400 single-seat and GT 500 tandem) featuring enclosed cockpits with fiberglass fairings; the MX series (MX Sprint, MX Sport, MX II Sprint, MX II Sport) with open cockpit designs; and the Sport 2S/2SE side-by-side two-seaters with strut-braced wings. All models use Rotax-Bombardier engines and feature tube-and-fabric construction with pre-drilled aluminum and pre-sewn polyester sail sets. The company also offers agricultural spray systems for the GT 500 and water sports float attachments. Build times range from 30-40 hours for single-place kits to 160-190 hours for the GT 500.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GT 400 Single-seat enclosed cockpit ultralight aircraft with strut or cable bracing, powered by a Rotax 447 engine (42 hp) with B-type reduction gearbox. Designed as an entry-level enclosed-cockpit ultralight for personal flight.
• GT 500 Tandem two-seat enclosed cockpit ultralight with strut bracing, powered by a Rotax 582 engine (65 hp) or optional Rotax 912 (80-100 hp). The first aircraft kit manufacturer to receive an FAA Primary Category type certificate in 1993.
• GT 500 AG Agricultural Sprayer Agricultural variant of the GT 500 with a 24-gallon (91 liter) aerial spray tank and Controlled Droplet Application (CDA) technology developed over 20+ years. Capable of covering over 96 acres per load for crop spraying and aerial application.
• Sport 2S Side-by-side two-seat open cockpit ultralight with strut-braced wing, powered by a Rotax 582 engine. Designed for shared flight experiences with passenger visibility similar to a car, sharing few parts with cable-braced predecessors.
• Sport 2SE SLSA FAA-certified Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) version of the Sport 2S, meeting FAA and ASTM standards for ready-to-fly training, commercial operations, demo flights, and adventure tourism. Enables flight without requiring a pilot certificate under Part 103 operations.
• MX II Sprint Open cockpit single-seat ultralight with ailerons, powered by Rotax 50 (503) or 65 (582) hp engines, featuring cable bracing for traditional ultralight flying characteristics.
• MX II Sport Open cockpit two-seat trainer ultralight with side-by-side seating and shared control stick, powered by a Rotax 582 engine. Built time 60-80 hours.
• MX Sprint Single-place open cockpit ultralight with cable bracing and 3-axis control. Build time 30-40 hours. The original Quicksilver MX was the aircraft around which FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules were developed.
• MX Sport Two-place open cockpit ultralight with side-by-side seating, designed for student-instructor training pairs and recreational shared flights. Build time 60-80 hours.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96 acres per load spray capacity for GT 500 AG crop spraying
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Quicksilver Aircraft of AustraliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Quicksilver Aircraft in Australia, providing aircraft sales, service, and support. Located in New South Wales with facilities at Wallsair Airport.
• Air Tech (Louisiana)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFull Service Dealer in Reserve, Louisiana, USA offering flight training, maintenance, demo flights, landing strip, hangar storage, QS Club, assembly center, and modifications.
• Mindanao Saga Flying ClubregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer in the Philippines located at Mati National Airport, providing aircraft sales and flight services.
• Pegasus Aero Club IndonesiaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer in Indonesia located in BSD City, Tangerang, providing aircraft sales and support for the Southeast Asian market.
• Quicksilver of SouthAfricaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for South Africa located in Tzaneen, serving the African market.
• Skyrider UltralightscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQuicksilver's Premier Approved Flight Training Center in California with over 18,000 hours flight experience, providing dealer sales and comprehensive flight training.
• Rotax-BombardiercoreTechnology or IntegrationAustrian engine manufacturer providing exclusive power plants for Quicksilver aircraft. Engines include Rotax 447 (42hp), 503 (50hp), 582 (65hp), and 912 (80-100hp) models. Quicksilver uses Rotax exclusively as engines are light, powerful, reliable, and supported by a worldwide distribution network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CubCrafters: US manufacturer of STOL backcountry kit and LSA aircraft (Carbon Cub series), competing with Quicksilver's MX and Sport lines for sport pilots seeking short-field, recreational flying.
• Rans Aircraft: US kit aircraft manufacturer (S-series, S-6 Coyote) producing tube-and-fabric ultralights and light sport kits, directly comparable to Quicksilver's MX and Sport lines in build experience and target market.
• Zenith Aircraft: Manufacturer of kit aircraft (STOL CH 750, Zodiac) that compete head-to-head with Quicksilver in the experimental/LSA kit market. Both sell pre-fabricated bolt-together kits aimed at sport pilots and recreational builders.
• Tecnam Aircraft: Italian manufacturer of light sport and general aviation aircraft (P92, P2002, P2008) with global dealer presence, competing with Quicksilver in the LSA trainer and recreational segments.
• Icon Aircraft: Manufacturer of the Icon A5 LSA amphibian, a premium-priced recreational LSA that competes for the same affluent sport-pilot buyer as Quicksilver's GT 500 and Sport 2SE.
• Flight Design USA: German-origin LSA manufacturer (CTLS series) selling ready-to-fly SLSA-certified aircraft through a US dealer network, directly competing with Quicksilver's Sport 2SE in the training and recreational LSA segment.
• Evektor-Aerotechnik: Czech LSA and general aviation manufacturer (SportStar, Harmony) selling SLSA-certified aircraft in global markets including the US, competing with Quicksilver's SLSA Sport 2SE.

Broad incumbents

• Cirrus Aircraft: Leading personal aviation manufacturer (SR20, SR22) in the broader recreational/private pilot market. Anchors the premium end of the market Quicksilver's SLSA products approach from the low-cost end.
• Piper Aircraft: Established general aviation manufacturer (Cherokee, Archer) with certified aircraft positioned above ultralights. Represents the higher-priced segment that Quicksilver's SLSA line approaches from below on price while serving similar pilot use cases.

Others

• BRP-Rotax: Austrian engine manufacturer and exclusive supplier of Rotax engines to Quicksilver. Critical infrastructure provider — engine supply and worldwide support network are foundational to Quicksilver's product offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/QuicksilverNE

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quicksilver Aircraft