One of the “founding fathers” of the ultralight industry, US company Quicksilver Aircraft, has ceased manufacturing.
But while rising costs and falling sales have forced closure of its California manufacturing facility, Quicksilver representatives say the company is exploring ways to keep the name alive, and continue support for existing owners.
“They want to continue is some shape or other moving forward,” said Australian Quicksilver authorised factory dealer Bert Moonen. “There will be an auction to sell off the parts and equipment so that they can pay their current debts, but they are committed to the long term with Quicksilver.”
Quicksilver has been an industry icon since 1972, when founder Dick Eipper modified one of his own rigid-wing hang glider designs with an engine as a self-launching glider for American pilots living in areas without suitable launching hills. The design evolved in to an ultralight aircraft for powered cross country flying, first with two-axis control (elevators and rudder) and finally three axis control with control column and pedals. Quicksilver has sold various versions, from semi-enclosed to float equipped, delivering more than 15,000 kits to customers around the world, nearly all of which the company believes are flying.
But high fixed costs and ageing manufacturing machinery have recently coincided with a downturn in aircraft sales in the United States, pushing Quicksilver over the edge of the cashflow precipice, even after attempting to restructure. While it may eventually prove to be the end of the Quicksilver name, the owners are not giving up yet and may look to long-term dealers as potential saviours, as the official legal explanation describes.
“The international corporation Flying Spirit Aircraft, that owns the intellectual property rights, is working through third party suppliers to make it possible for customers to continue receiving support including technical support for its SLSA,” an official release stated.
“It is contemplated to provide replacement parts through third party companies and based on demand, these third party companies may elect to supply full kits later on.”