On February 1, 2026, a beautiful, factory-fresh Storch ultra-light landed at Turin/Aeritalia Airport. It was certainly not an exceptional event. However, this time the aircraft bore the inscription Gryphen Aircraft Industries on its nose. Since 2024, this company has taken over production of the Storch from Fly Synthesis, as well as the Texan, the Syncro, and the Catalina ultra-light amphibian. Fly Synthesis was founded in 1984 in Aiello del Friuli, where it produced its first aircraft, the Kangaroo, a single-engine tube-and-canvas aircraft which was followed by the unconventional Wallaby. The Storch made its debut in 1990, selling over a thousand units. The low-wing Texan ultra-light aircraft followed in 1999. In 2006, the company moved to the decommissioned Lavariano air base (Mortegliano), where the North American Mustang III and IV fighter-bombers of No. 250 RAF Squadron were stationed in 1946 during their demobilization. In 2009, the manufacturer developed from the Storch the new Syncro, featuring a higher aspect ratio wing, powered by a 100 HP engine and being also available in the Light Sport Aircraft category.
In the picture: Gryphen Aircraft Industries Storch I-E763, arriving from "Il Picchio" (The Woodpecker) airfield in Borgo Ticino (Novara), parked at Turin/Aeritalia Airport. (Aeromedia)
(Aeromedia, February 2026)
