Albastar Ltd
A Slovenian manufacturer of gliders, motor gliders, light aircraft, and aircraft components.
Last updated August 25, 2026
History
Albastar Ltd was established in Slovenia in 1993 by Pavel Potočnik, who had previously worked for Elan. The company initially operated from Zgornje Gorje. From its early activities, Albastar combined the development of its own light aircraft with specialized manufacturing work for other aviation businesses. The company created several proprietary designs. Among the earlier aircraft associated with the brand were the Albastar A1 motorglider and the Albastar Apis sailplane. Both became part of the company’s historical product range and are identified as out of production in the available reference material. Albastar subsequently developed the Albastar AS, a self-launching sailplane intended for two FAI competition-related configurations: a 13.5-metre version for the FAI 13.5 m Class and an 18-metre version for the FAI Open Class. Albastar also developed a substantial collaborative and subcontracting role. In cooperation with Pipistrel, it contributed most of the aerodynamic work for the Pipistrel Sinus motor glider. The company has also produced wings for Pipistrel’s Sinus, Virus, and Taurus aircraft. These relationships positioned Albastar as both an aircraft designer and a manufacturing partner supplying major structural or aerodynamic assemblies. Its manufacturing activities have not been limited to conventional sailplanes and light aircraft. Albastar has produced propellers for ultralight trikes and wind-turbine blades for electric-power generation, reflecting the company’s use of aviation-oriented design and manufacturing capabilities in adjacent aerodynamic applications. The company later relocated from its original Zgornje Gorje base to Begunje na Gorenjskem. The available sources describe Albastar as continuing to produce the Albastar AS and aircraft components, but provide little verified information about its ownership, management after the founding period, sales, production volumes, workforce, distribution network, or financial condition. Accordingly, the documented history supports a concise account of its founding, location change, proprietary aircraft, and collaborations, but not a broader corporate chronology.
- 1993Company founded
Pavel Potočnik founded Albastar in Slovenia after working for Elan.
- Original base established at Zgornje Gorje
Albastar initially operated from Zgornje Gorje before later moving to Begunje na Gorenjskem.
- Albastar A1 and Apis introduced
The company produced the A1 motorglider and Apis sailplane as proprietary aircraft designs; both are now out of production.
- Pipistrel collaboration expanded
Albastar contributed most of the aerodynamic work for the Pipistrel Sinus motor glider and produced wings for the Sinus, Virus, and Taurus families.
- Move to Begunje na Gorenjskem
The company’s base moved from Zgornje Gorje to Begunje na Gorenjskem.
Products and positioning
A specialized Slovenian aerospace manufacturer focused on sailplanes, motor gliders, lightweight aerodynamic structures, and subcontract aircraft-component production.
Albastar ASSelf-launching sailplane
Albastar’s current production aircraft in the supplied reference material is the AS self-launching sailplane. It is available in a 13.5-metre wingspan configuration associated with the FAI 13.5 m Class and an 18-metre configuration associated with the FAI Open Class. The aircraft represents the company’s continuing proprietary sailplane program.
Albastar ApisSailplane
The Apis was an Albastar-designed sailplane. It is part of the company’s earlier proprietary aircraft range and is identified in the available reference material as no longer being in production.
Albastar A1Motorglider
The A1 was an Albastar motorglider developed and manufactured under the company’s own name. It is an earlier product and is no longer in production according to the supplied reference material.
Pipistrel Sinus wingsAircraft component
Albastar produced wings for the Pipistrel Sinus motor glider and participated in the aircraft’s development, including most of the aerodynamic work described in the reference material.
Pipistrel Virus and Taurus wingsAircraft component
The company also produced wings for Pipistrel’s Virus and Taurus aircraft families, forming part of its subcontract aircraft-component manufacturing activity.
Ultralight-trike propellersPropulsion component
Albastar has produced propellers for ultralight trikes. The available source does not provide model names, specifications, production dates, or customer details.
Wind-turbine bladesRenewable-energy component
Albastar has also produced blades for wind turbines used in electricity generation, extending its lightweight aerodynamic manufacturing capabilities beyond aviation.
Flagship businesses
- Albastar AS self-launching sailplane
- Albastar Apis sailplane
- Albastar A1 motorglider
- Wings for Pipistrel Sinus, Virus, and Taurus aircraft
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Pavel Potočnik | Founderformer | 1993– |
Sources
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