Historical Klemm aircraft: Pilot training started in Böblingen!

Historical Klemm aircraft: Pilot training started in Böblingen!

The Air Sports Association Hanns Klemm e.V. in Böblingen shows how tradition and modern hand can go in hand. The association currently has a pilot training on historical clamp aircraft, a unique offer throughout Germany. Training manager Trudpert Schweikart is proud of training on the charming machines that not only breathe history, but also promote interest in aviation history. The main actors of this trip through the airy, light times are the Klemm 107 C, built in 1959, as well as another machine of the same name from 1958. The Klemm 25 from 1934, the third oldest-approved machine in Germany, also protrudes, even though it is no longer used for the training.

With the training, not only the private pilot license PPL-A should be obtained, but also the UL note to make flying accessible to everyone. In addition to the historical machines, ultra-light aircraft and classic aircraft of the Echo-Class are also used in training. The positive impression of the first flight student, Katharina Mittler, shows that the training on the old machines is both instructive and fascinating. For technology lovers, there is also the exciting perspective that another Klemm 107 C is currently being restored. So the dream of flying reality.

background to the Klemm aircraft story

What many do not know: The history of the Klemm aircraft is closely linked to the name Hanns Klemm, which was born on April 4, 1885 in Stuttgart. He is considered the father of light aircraft building and already developed the idea of ​​making flying possible for everyone in 1919. He designed some remarkable aircraft across his career, including the Klemm L25, which became the most popular sports plane in Germany in the 1930s. In total, over 2000 Klemm aircraft were produced in the Böblingen plant between 1928 and 1943, and the Klemm company grew rapidly. In 1932, Klemm managed to increase production to 25 aircraft per month.

The challenges that the entrepreneur had to deal with in the course of his career were enormous. After the First World War, when aircraft construction was severely restricted by the Versailles Treaty, he had to fight for his professional existence. Many of his associated aircraft were among the most successful of their time, despite a non -spectacular engine output. With the seizure of power of the National Socialists, he lost numerous export orders, and his production was also massively hindered. Ultimately, he defended himself against the regime, which led to him out of the NSDAP in 1943, which led him to the Gestapo.

After the war, Klemm experienced tragic strokes of fate: his life's work was almost completely lost, and many construction plans were also lost in the turmoil. But the Klemm aircraft continued to live, and the love of ventilation makes the restoration project, as well as the training on the historical machines, particularly valuable. In his book about Klemm aircraft, Paul Zöller deals in detail with these aspects and shows what an immense role these aircraft played in German aviation history.

summarized the work of the Hanns Klemm air sports community is an exciting connection to a glamorous past and at the same time an offer to develop the fascination of flying. It is only to be hoped that many other aviation enthusiasts will take the chance to hold the tax of a clamp plane in their hands.