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The AUTOFLUG Story

1891

Gerhard Sedlmayr (1891-1952)

Gerhard Sedlmayr (1891-1952)

An aviator started the company: Aviation pioneer Gerhard Sedlmayr was a pilot trainee of the Brothers Wright and a record holder

1913

non-stop flight record

non-stop flight record

Gerhard Sedlmayr succeededto make an over six hours long non-stop flight at the Johannisthaler Herbstflugwoche in 1913.

1919

The foundation of AUTOFLUG

The foundation of AUTOFLUG

In 1st October 1919 Gerhard Sedlmayr founded his “Spezialhaus für das AUTOmobil und FLUGwesen, AUTOFLUG” in Berlin-Johannisthal – the cradle of German aviation

1928

Cooperation with IRVIN

Cooperation with IRVIN

Cooperation with IRVIN starts, as a result of which AUTOFLUG develops into the leading manufacturer of rescue chutes in Germany

1931

Innovation and growth

Innovation and growth

In 1931, AUTOFLUG began the manufacture of parachute systems under the licence of IRVIN and Introduced the unique AUTOFLUG Quick Release Connector. Within the next years, AUTOFLUG grew to one of the leading manufacturers of rescue parachutes in Germany

1955

Reconstruction

Reconstruction

In 1955, Dr. med. Gerhard Sedlmayr – who was the son of the company´s founder and who had a medical doctor´s degree – began to reconstruct the company in Hamburg after the Second World War

1958

The Introduction of Martin-Baker Ejection Seats in Germany

The Introduction of Martin-Baker Ejection Seats in Germany

During the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA 1958 in Hannover, AUTOFLUG employee Rolf Bullwinkel ejected himself at zero altitude by means of a Martin-Baker ejection seat. Since 1958, AUTOFLUG has been performing repair and maintenance for Martin-Baker ejection seats in Germany as well as has been manufacturing under licence components and…

Move to Rellingen

Move to Rellingen

In 1958, the company´s headquarters moved to Rellingen in the North-German state of Schleswig-Holstein

The closeness to Sir James Martin

The closeness to Sir James Martin

The friendship between Dr. med. Gerhard Sedlmayr and Sir James Martin (company founder and chief designer of Martin-Baker Aircraft Ltd., U.K.) proves to be ground breaking for further AUTOFLUG development

1968

German STARFIGHTER Fleet with Martin-Baker Ejection Seats

German STARFIGHTER Fleet with Martin-Baker Ejection Seats

In 1968, all STARFIGHTER F-104 G of the Bundeswehr were converted to fully-automatic Martin-Baker ejection seats type MkGQ7A in a combined efort of AUTOFLUG and Martin-Baker. Some 900 STARFIGHTER aircraft were converted within an enormously tight schedule that could be met only because a trained team with long years of…

1989

Safety seats for helicopters

Safety seats for helicopters

Start of development and production of safety systems for helicopters

1992

Fuel measuring and control systems

Fuel measuring and control systems

Start of development of fuel measuring and control systems

2000

Protective equipment

Protective equipment

Start of development of protective equipment for aircraft crews

2002

Textile safety seats

Textile safety seats

Start of development of textitle safety seats for military land vehicles

2006

Cabin Solutions

Cabin Solutions

Since 2006 AUTOFLUG develops modular equipment concepts for aircraft cabins

2009

A400M

A400M

Start of series production of safety seat system for the A400M transport aircraft program

2014

Gerhard Sedlmayr Lecture Course

Gerhard Sedlmayr Lecture Course

See a lecture given by Andreas Sedlmayr, full of remarkable moments from 100 years of flying history – with emotional moments and a lot of smiles. You can find videos from the evening at the video link: www.autoflug.net/GS  

2019

100 Years of AUTOFLUG

100 Years of AUTOFLUG

AUTOFLUG has turned 100 years, because Gerhard Sedlmayr founded his “AUTOFLUG, Spezialhaus für das AUTOmobil- und FLUGwesen, Gerhard Sedlmayr” company on October 10, 1919. The anniversary party bound by the motto „A CENTURY OF THINKING SAFETY“ was on 25th of October 2019.