Jonker Sailplanes 2026 “An Exciting Year Ahead” – Through the eyes of CEO Uys Jonker
Happy New Year to all! After our summer break, JS is back in full swing and looking forward to an exciting year ahead. We are completing new product lines, introducing fresh projects into our development pipeline, and commissioning our new production facilities, where the production of the DG 1000 fuselage under the JSDG production organisation is already running at full speed.
2025 was a challenging year, as for the first time we had to ground one of our propulsion systems due to two reported operational incidents. We are fully aware of the frustration and speculation this has caused regarding propulsion systems and certification timelines. Rumours often grow when information is incomplete, so we want to provide clarity by sharing some key facts.
First and foremost, safety remains non-negotiable for us. The current grounding of the JS3 RES system is the result of an internally issued service bulletin supported by the EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive making compliance binding. This process has taken far longer than anyone expected, despite engineering teams at SOLO, Jonker Sailplanes, and M&D dedicating most of their technical and certification resources to resolving the underlying issues.
While this situation has been frustrating for owners, the purpose of the EAD is clear: it is about preventing accidents—not assigning blame—and we fully support that objective.
During this period, type certification work on the JS2 and JS5 was largely paused and has only recently resumed, now that the technical requirements to close the EAD are nearing completion. The improvements implemented jointly by all parties have already demonstrated a significant increase in system reliability. These enhancements will also benefit all modern aircraft with electric propulsion systems. Today, what remains is primarily final administrative coordination with EASA, as all technical issues have been fully resolved and successfully tested.
We also recognise that resolving such issues takes time, effort, and financial resources. Complex technical changes, validation testing, and regulatory approval cannot happen overnight—especially in a certification environment where authorities rightly place safety above all other considerations. Jonker Sailplanes is doing everything possible to support and accelerate this process, while respecting the regulatory framework we operate within.
Jonker Sailplanes is in the hands of a highly capable management team operated under a formal corporate governance structure with an active Board of Directors that approves strategy, oversees execution, and ensures that financial, operational, and technical risks are continuously monitored and managed. Importantly, the company is financially solid and properly equipped to navigate and overcome the recent technical and certification challenges—something we know many customers rightly care about.
In 2024, Jonker Sailplanes produced more gliders than any other sailplane manufacturer worldwide. Production was intentionally reduced in 2025 and 2026—as a liberate decision to lean operations, reduce work-in-progress, and align production with the completion of the SOLO 2625 02i NEO Silent engine programme.
Our R&D capability is substantial and often underestimated. A dedicated team of approximately 40 specialists, including 18 engineers, works across product development, certification, and advanced aerospace engineering services. In parallel, around 140 skilled production employees are dedicated every day to building reliable, high-quality, and highly sought-after gliders for customers worldwide.
Our main operations are conducted from 12,000 m² of modern facilities, including one of the most advanced composite manufacturing environments in the sailplane industry. In addition, we have approximately 6,000 m² of industrial storage space for molds, and a further 4,000 m² dedicated exclusively to R&D activities.
The SOLO 2625 02i NEO S engine, co-developed by On Track Technologies and SOLO, was specifically designed to address vibration-related issues seen in earlier propulsion systems and delivers significantly higher power than previous certified alternatives. Jonker Sailplanes has placed already the first batch of 50 SOLO engines and is supporting this programme with substantial advance payments, demonstrating our long-term commitment to securing the propulsion supply chain for customer deliveries.
We understand that trust is built through results. While the past period has tested the patience of both customers and the company, we are confident that the outcome will be safer, more reliable propulsion solutions and a stronger foundation for future development.
Jonker Sailplanes remains fully committed to engineering integrity, transparency, and the gliding community we serve. We would like to especially thank our JS3 RES customers for their patience while we worked with SOLO to resolve the RES technical issues, as well as our JS2 and JS5 customers who are awaiting the new SOLO engine and supporting us during this process. We look forward to letting results—not rumours—define the next chapter.
Kind regards,
Uys Jonker
Managing Director, obo the Board of
Jonker Sailplanes Pty Ltd.
