Junkers Offers Modern Take on Classic Light Aircraft

The century-old Junkers aviation brand is back in vogue with new versions of the German company’s iconic light aircraft now in production. Junkers Aircraft has come to the Dubai Airshow from its home in the Black Forest region to display an eye-catching A60 two-seater featuring a modern rework of its corrugated metal airframe.

While the A60 on display features side-by-side seating, Junkers also offers an A50 model in which the pilot sits in front of a passenger in tandem mode. The company offers a “Heritage” version of the A50 that is even closer to the oval fuselage cross-section of the 1929 model, featuring a distinctive 124-hp Verner Scarlett 7U radial engine.

According to Junkers, aviation enthusiasts can now benefit from the modern technology incorporated into the new versions, while retaining the old-school look. Safety features include a Garmin avionics suite with G3X touchscreen displays in the cockpit, Beringer brakes, and a Galaxy whole-aircraft parachute rescue system.

Apart from the A50 Heritage model, the A60 and the other reborn Junkers aircraft are powered by Rotax 912 engines with power ratings of 100 or 130 horsepower. The A60 has a maximum speed of 112 knots and a cruise speed of 86 knots.

The Junkers team crafts each aircraft by hand, a task that requires 2,500 person-hours. The process involves milling, pressing, and assembling more than 1,000 pieces and more than 10,000 rivets.

Hugo Junkers founded the original company in 1895 to make thermal and heating equipment before designing his first aircraft, the Junkers J1, in 1915 for use in World War I. He was a pioneer in switching aircraft production to metal, conceiving the corrugated shape to make the thin airframe panels more rigid.

In the 1920s, what was then the Junkers Flugzeugwerke company developed early airliners that flew in regions including Turkey, South America, and what is now Iran. In 1933, its founder was forced to hand over the company, without compensation, to the Reich Aviation Ministry and was banned from his own factories. In 2015, Dieter Morszeck founded the new Junkers Aircraft company in Switzerland. It flew the first A50 model in 2021.

Customers have several choices to make when specifying their aircraft, such as whether to retain the original open-air Cabriolet cockpit or have a canopy. They can also specify the color of the fuselage and opt for accessories such as a baggage compartment.

According to Junkers, its customer base includes retired commercial airline pilots seeking a more authentic flying experience. Dominique Boesch, the company’s head of sales and marketing, told AIN that the company is also attracting young pilots, including some who are completely new to flying.