Death of Jean-Marie Klinka

Little known in the microlight world, this talented engineer devoted his whole career to light aviation. Few of us knew him, but he knew our federation well, even attending our General Assemblies regularly.

Jean-Marie Klinka has left us © Magazine Aviation Civile - DGAC

First an employee of the Mudry company at Bernay, he designed a number of aerobatic aircraft that carried many French pilots to the highest steps of the podium.

He continued his career as a consultant to many French manufacturers while teaching at several aeronautical schools. His study of wood-carbon spar technology revitalised wooden construction by allowing considerable structural weight savings without increasing the price. The principle has since been adopted by all designers of wooden aircraft who, as anyone can easily see, work mostly for microlighting.

On a personal level, he was working on a two-seat aerobatic microlight that he will not have had time to complete. We lose a skilled technician in a field where they have become far too rare. I recommend reading his book “To fly or not to fly, that is the question”, published and printed by the DGAC, where he ended his professional career in 2012.

Philippe Tisserant