A Brief History

This top performing unlimited aerobatic aircraft was conceived, designed and built by Mr. Jon Staudacher of Kawkawlin Michigan, hence, the name Staudacher.  A total of approximately 2 dozen aircraft have been built since 1990 with the first aircraft built for Mike Goulian. Jon made design and performance improvements to each subsequent aircraft he built.  However, the design has always used the same airfoil and is constructed using a unique combination of wood reinforced with carbon fiber. The fuselage and tail feathers are metal tube construction. The design first flew in 1990. The Staudacher (pronounced Stawd-a-ker) was designed to be a world class unlimited capable aerobatic aircraft and is intended to be America's answer to the Russian Sukhoi and the German Extra. The record proves that the Staudacher has met that challenge very successfully!

Above are photos taken at Jon Staudacher's shop in Kawkawlin, Michigan in 1991.

 Photo taken at 1993 US Nationals where 7 Staudachers competed!

             Planes and Pilots                  

Following are photos of Chris Panzl with his Staudacher S-300D. Chris competed in Unlimited category in 1999 and won a position on the U.S. unlimited world team.

Diane Hakala has owned two Staudachers. The Staudacher pictured at the far left is her first airplane which she flew in 1993. She qualified for the 1994 US Unlimited Team in this airplane. Unfortunately, Diane suffered an emergency off-airport landing after her engine failed while practicing for the World Championships and the airplane was destroyed. Diane suffered injuries that kept her from competing at the WAC in 1994. She subsequently had Jon build another Staudacher for her. She won the title of US National Champion in her new model S-300D in 1997 (also pictured here). Diane went on to compete in the 1998 World Competition where she won the Gold Medal for the 4 Minute Free Style Program!