Wolfsberg Aircraft Sparrow ML (c/n 011, OK-YUL 36) waiting for permission to take-off from Roudnice nad Labem airfield, June 2019.
The beginnings of Wolfsberg Aircraft aviation manufacturer date back to 1995, when the company was founded in Belgium by Alec N. Clark – an aviation engineer previously working for Hawker Siddeley, as well as co-designer of well-known light airliner Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander and Clark-Norman Aircraft Triloader cargo aircraft.
Initially, Wolfsberg Aircraft Corporation NV focused on development of a universal light utility aeroplanes. And for this purpose, Clark began cooperation with two Czech aviation companies, Evektor Aerotechnik and Letov Air.
In 1997, the consortium launched a project of twin-engine cargo aircraft designated Wolfsberg Raven 257 (later also as Corvus 1F). However, in the following year, Letov a.s. – the mother company of Letov Air – declared bankruptcy that affected also its subsidiaries.
Shortly afterwards, Wolfsberg Aircraft acquired Letov Air by creating the new entity named Letecká továrna s.r.o. (Aviation Factory Ltd.) and then ended cooperation with Evektor. Works on the Raven project were continued for a few next years, but finally the idea was abandoned in the mid-2000s (more about unrealised aviation developments in the Czech Republic in our article – Failed dreams – unfinished projects of Czech aviation industry).
At the beginning of the 2010s, Clark revealed its new development, an ultralight aeroplane made of carbon fibre and designed in rare configuration of twin boom pusher with two tandem seats. On 24th August 2010, the aeroplane successfully performed its maiden flight and two years later it went into serial production, designated Sparrow ML.
In 2013, the Czech branch of Wolfsberg Aircraft was re-named Wolfsberg Letecká Továrna (WLT). In March of the same year, the Sparrow ML received Czech certification and the first six examples of the aeroplane were completed. At the beginning of next year, the Sparrow ML was for the first time introduced to general public, during the AERO Friedrichshafen trade show.
The Sparrow ML was offered in two main configurations, designated Clubman and Trainer. The latter was intended for flight training and was equipped with dual controls and instruments, while the Clubman was operated from the first seat only. The aeroplane was powered by Rotax 912 ULS engine, generating 80 or 100 hp, depending on its variant. In addition, both classic and glass cockpit versions were available.
In 2017, all production and further development of the Sparrow ML aircraft was acquired by new entity, Wolfsberg Aircraft, which continues with manufacturing of the aeroplane until today.
The Sparrow ML is a very interesting UL aircraft of a rare design. Its cabin is a kind of follow-up to the classic aeroplane design from the 1940s, somewhat resembling Aero Ae 45 or Siebel 204, as well as offering great views due to being placed in front of the wings.
Additionally, the Sparrow ML is also a very unique aeroplane, as only sixteen examples were built so far (as of end of 2024).
