ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER

Alexander Schleicher (May 22, 1901 – April 26, 1968) was a German pioneer in sailplane design. He founded Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co, which is now one of the leading sailplane manufacturers in the world. Schleicher began his career in furniture making and later worked at the Weltensegler aircraft factory. He also learned to fly and won a significant prize in the annual gliding championships. He used the money to start his own company, which he managed until his death in 1968. He designed aircraft for the company until the outbreak of World War II and again after German civil aviation resumed in 1951. During the Allied occupation, he designed furniture for the company. References to Schleicher’s achievements can be found in the sources linked below.