FAQ

Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from interested students.

What do you have to study to join the Akaflieg?

In summary: We are open to all degree programs.

As an aircraft manufacturer, we are naturally a group with a passion for technology. Engineering students are therefore naturally strongly represented in our team, and a large proportion of our tasks fall into this area. But we also welcome students from all other disciplines! We will teach you everything you need to know in the workshop, and there are also many interesting tasks to do outside the workshop.

In which semester should I join the Akaflieg?

In summary: You can join in any semester, but it's worth getting involved early on.

As we don't require any previous knowledge, you can start with us in your first semester. If you're worried that you won't find enough time alongside your studies, just give it a try. The start with us is very relaxed and you don't have to commit to anything at the beginning. Of course, the earlier you start with us, the longer you can be an active member.

At which point in time can I join you?

In summary: You can start working in the workshop or design office at any time, independently of the flight training. The theoretical flight training always starts in November and the practical training at the beginning of April.

We don't actually have an application phase, just send us a short e-mail and we'll help you with the next steps. There is plenty of interesting work all year round, not just in the workshop.
Only for the flight training is it important that you take part in the theory lessons in November and December. Once you have done this and collected 200 hours of work over the winter, you can start the practical part of the training (flying!) at the start of the season in spring.
In case you have missed the first theory lessons, you can probably still catch up on them, just contact us by e-mail or directly with our aspirant representative. If you start with us at a completely different time, then you simply have a few months longer to collect the necessary working hours.

My German is not good. Can I still take part?

In summary: To start working with us, basic knowledge of German (around A2) is sufficient, but for flight training you will need an advanced level (around B2).

Overall, our working language is German, so you should have at least some basic knowledge (around A2 level). This is sufficient for simple tasks in the workshop, as we can also answer all of your questions in English. However, you should definitely have the motivation to learn German in order to be able to take on more complex tasks later on. An advanced level is also required for the flight training (we recommend around B2), as all lessons and the exam are held in German. However, the training is independent of the work in the workshop, and you can simply start a year later if you don't feel ready yet.
A bonus of working at the Akaflieg is that it is a great motivation to learn the language. Many of our members have massively improved their German level in a short period of time.

What are the first steps for joining the Akaflieg?

In summary: After you have sent us an e-mail, you will receive information about how you can get an instruction to the workshop and how to take part in the flight training.

The first step is to send us a short informal e-mail. For more information about that, simply click on ”Join us”.
You will then receive all the important information you need to get started. This includes how to sign up for our email distribution list, how to join our Slack workspace (this is how we organize our work), how to get an introduction to the workshop and where you can register your working hours. If you are on the e-mail distribution list and on Slack, you won't miss a thing!
We also have a group meeting once a week, which you are welcome to attend. The topics there are usually quite technical and not relevant for new aspirants, but after the official part it's a good opportunity to get to know us better.

How does the admission to the club work?

In summary: You first join us as an aspirant and can then become an official member a few months later.

When you start to work with us, you are initially a so-called aspirant (Anwärter). This is like a trial period in which you don't have to commit to anything yet, but you can't take part in votes either.
Once a year in July, the Junge Gruppe (the active members) decides which aspirants will be officially accepted into the Akaflieg. Among other things, we pay attention to who has worked actively and in a cooperative manner and who is prepared to take on responsibility. This is important because we have to be able to trust our aircraft and therefore the work of our colleagues entirely.
By the way, you can already start flying as an aspirant, as long as you have taken part in the theory lessons.

What open positions are you currently offering?

In summary: You can get started very easily in our team, and only later do you specialize in one area.

We do not recruit for specific positions. Instead, you can start with us is a relaxed way and then specialize over time in the tasks that you find most interesting. This way, you don't have to commit to anything at the beginning and can take a look at all areas. Feel free to contact us if you would like to find out what we have to offer in your favorite field!

Can I do my pre-study internship at the Akaflieg?

In summary: We offer to provide you with a confirmation of your working hours and areas. However, it depends on your degree program whether it will be counted as a pre-study internship.

We can provide you with a confirmation for your work with us, which is accepted by some universities and degree programs a pre-study internship (Munich University of Applied Sciences is one of them). Please contact your faculty to find out whether they accept student groups as internships and which areas must be covered in the internship.
Overall, the internship with us works differently than with a company. There are no fixed working hours, instead you work with us like any other member. This has the advantage that you can easily do it on the side during your studies, although it will naturally take much longer than working full-time for a company. Of course, you can also exchange your working hours for a flying permit with our aircraft at the end.

Can I write a thesis with you?

In summary: Yes, we can supervise bachelor's theses and term papers.

We regularly have topics that can also be taken on as bachelor or semester theses. We will be happy to discuss the exact topic and will try to meet your needs. You will be credited with 200 working hours for the completed thesis, except of course in the case of gross negligence. Unfortunately, we cannot supervise Master's theses.

How many hours do I have to work at the Akaflieg?

In summary: In order to use our aeroplanes, as a newcomer you need 200 hours once, after that it's 330 hours/year.

There is no minimum number of working hours to participate in our workshop and club life. Nor is there a minimum to take part in the theory lessons for the SPL license. However, in order to be able to use our airplanes, newcomers must complete 200 hours of work, at least 100 of which must be in the workshop. You can exchange these 200 hours for a flying license, which is then valid for one year. After that, 330 hours are required to extend your license for another year.
That sounds like a lot of work and, to be honest, it is. However, it's much more manageable than it sounds at first when you break it down into a week. We are also very flexible about when you collect your hours, so there is no minimum number per week or per month.

By which date do I have to collect the working hours? What happens if I don't have enough hours in time?

In summary: You can exchange the full 200 hours of work for a flying license at any time. However, it is worthwhile being ready by the start of the flying season at the end of March.

There is no rule as to when the working hours have to be full. However, in the two weeks before the start of lectures at TUM, we always have our training weeks (Schulungswochen) at the airfield, during which there are flight operations every day, even during the week. Later in the year, there is usually only flying at weekends, unless someone organizes a flight instructor, a flight controller and a winch driver during the week. The Schulungswochen are therefore a fantastic opportunity to collect many launches right at the beginning of the season and to perhaps even get to your first solo flight. We therefore highly recommend that you collect the necessary hours by the start of the flying season at the end of March.
You can still submit your full working hours at a later date without any problems, but then you will miss out on this great opportunity to get a lot of starts.

Gliding sounds expensive. How much does it cost?

In summary: The only costs for flight training are the fee per take-off and the membership fee for the Bavarian Air Sports Association. For the entire training, this amounts to around €800–1000.

As we do everything ourselves in the club, from flight instruction to maintenance, flight training with us is significantly cheaper than with a normal gliding club. Membership in the Akaflieg is free of charge; there is no membership fee or admission fee. We pay for the use of the airplanes with our working hours and the flight instructors work on a voluntary basis. The only costs incurred for flight training are the fee per take-off with the winch or tow plane and the membership fee for the Luftsport-Verband Bayern (Bavarian Air Sports Association) which includes insurance. As a rule, the entire training costs no more than 800–1000 euros in total.

How long does the training take to obtain the license?

In summary: It depends on your motivation, but two years is a realistic amount.

Training always begins in November with the theory lessons. The practical part of the training begins the following spring with the training weeks. From then on, your progress depends mainly on how often you come to the airfield. In the two training weeks in particular, you can already collect a lot of take-offs, after which there is mainly flying on the weekends. If you come to the airfield frequently, you can obtain your SPL license in two flying seasons.

I already have a license. Which airplanes can I use at the airfield?

In summary: In addition to our self-built prototypes, we also own three two-seater and four single-seater gliders.

The Akaflieg München builds its own aircraft, four of which (Mü 17, Mü 22, Mü 28, Mü 30) are currently in regular operation and one (Mü 31) is in the final stages of flight testing. Another prototype (Mü 26) has been in the possession of some of our old men since an extensive restoration. To be allowed to fly our prototypes, however, you have to be officially accepted into the club first.
We also have a number of purchased aircraft. The flight students have priority access to the two two-seater Schleicher ASK 21 (the first model for most students), the Grob Astir CS and the Schleicher ASW 19. The club also owns a two-seater DG-1000S, an LS6 from Rolladen Schneider and a Schleicher ASW 28.
Many of our senior members also have their own airplanes. If you ask nicely, you have a good chance of being able to join them on a flight or even borrow the aircraft.

How can I get to the airfield without a car?

In summary: with other Akaflieg members or, if necessary, by public transport

Many of our members have their own car and are happy to take people with them. You can usually find a reliable ride to Königsdorf on any day with flight operations. If that doesn't work out, you can also get to the airfield by public transport. It takes about 1.5 hours by S-Bahn and bus from Donnersbergerbrücke.
It is also possible to stay overnight in our hangar. Spending the night in the mattress camp is not particularly comfortable, but it saves you the trip to Munich and back for longer stays, and the view over the planes when waking up is priceless.