Alexander Schleicher
Encyclopedia
Alexander Schleicher was a German
pioneer of sailplane design. The company that he founded and which bears his name - Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co
- is today one of the world’s leading sailplane manufacturers.
Schleicher was born in Huhnrain, the son of a joiner
. From the time he was fourteen years old, he worked with his father and learned his trade. As an apprentice, he worked at a furniture factory before commencing work at the Weltensegler
aircraft factory in Baden-Baden
in 1923. Two years later, he arrived at the Wasserkuppe
and worked in the workshop of the Rhön-Rossitten Gesellschaft
building sailplanes. He also learned to fly, and in 1926 won a major prize in the annual gliding championships held on the Wasserkuppe. He used this money to found his own company, beginning in the Huhnrain dance hall, and later at a rented workshop in Remmerz.
Schleicher continued to design aircraft for the firm until the outbreak of World War II
, and again when German civil aviation resumed in 1951. During the years of the Allied occupation, he returned to his roots and designed furniture for the company to manufacture.
He personally managed the firm until his death in Fulda
in 1968.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
pioneer of sailplane design. The company that he founded and which bears his name - Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co is a major manufacturer of sailplanes located in Poppenhausen, near Fulda in Germany. It is also the oldest sailplane manufacturer in the world....
- is today one of the world’s leading sailplane manufacturers.
Schleicher was born in Huhnrain, the son of a joiner
Joiner
A joiner differs from a carpenter in that joiners cut and fit joints in wood that do not use nails. Joiners usually work in a workshop since the formation of various joints generally requires non-portable machinery. A carpenter normally works on site...
. From the time he was fourteen years old, he worked with his father and learned his trade. As an apprentice, he worked at a furniture factory before commencing work at the Weltensegler
Weltensegler
-External links:***...
aircraft factory in Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is a spa town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the western foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the Oos River, in the region of Karlsruhe...
in 1923. Two years later, he arrived at the Wasserkuppe
Wasserkuppe
The Wasserkuppe is a high plateau , the highest peak in the Rhön Mountains within the German state of Hessen. Between the first and second World Wars, during the era of the so-called Golden Age of Aviation, great advances in sailplane development were made there.Remark: The German wording takes its...
and worked in the workshop of the Rhön-Rossitten Gesellschaft
Rhön-Rossitten Gesellschaft
The Rhön-Rossitten Gesellschaft or Rhön-Rossitten Society was a German gliding organization, the first one in the world that was officially recognised...
building sailplanes. He also learned to fly, and in 1926 won a major prize in the annual gliding championships held on the Wasserkuppe. He used this money to found his own company, beginning in the Huhnrain dance hall, and later at a rented workshop in Remmerz.
Schleicher continued to design aircraft for the firm until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and again when German civil aviation resumed in 1951. During the years of the Allied occupation, he returned to his roots and designed furniture for the company to manufacture.
He personally managed the firm until his death in Fulda
Fulda
Fulda is a city in Hesse, Germany; it is located on the river Fulda and is the administrative seat of the Fulda district .- Early Middle Ages :...
in 1968.