AirDesign Crew
AirDesign was born in 2011.
Founders: Stephan Stieglair and Martin Gostner. Two men, one goal. To create the gliders they always wanted to fly.
Mahshad
This girl is a #trueXXS adventurer! Passionate about sports (skiing, swimming, free diving…), Mahshad fell in love with paragliding in 2016. As a former IT developer, she says: “I swapped the world of zeros & ones for the infinite skies”. At AirDesign, Mahshad is delighted to have found a paraglider that actually fits her XXS size and when she is not flying, she uses her sharp mind to take care of our Instagram account.
Michi
Raised in Langenthal, Switzerland, Michael has always had a soft spot for anything that flies. He earned his paragliding license in Grindelwald in 1998 — under the mighty Eiger North Face — and even became club champion before finishing his training. Years of national and international competitions followed, including the dream landing on the Monaco raft at the Red Bull X-Alps. He later founded the legendary Eigertour Hike&Fly race.
A mechanical engineer from ETH and experienced entrepreneur, Michael brings his clear vision and calm precision to AirDesign as CFO and Chairman of the Board. Having lived in Colombia and Panama, he’s a man shaped by nature, culture, and new horizons.
And when he’s not working on strategy or numbers? You’ll most likely find him back where he belongs: in the air.
Alexis
This guy has already had a thousand lives! Biology student, paragliding instructor, airship designer, test pilot, coach for the french aerobatic paragliding team, president of the Saint Hil Airtour since 2020… What could he possibly do to add a string to his bow? Well, designing harnesses for AirDesign was a good draw. A self-taught man, persistent and passionate, he says: “common preconceptions are made to be dismantled”. Here we go!
Gabi
Acro queen with heart and brains! Gabi isn’t just an Acro World Champion — she’s a true all-rounder with a life story as colourful as her manoeuvres in the sky. Coming from high-end hospitality, she chased her dream of flying and worked her way up to the top. Test pilot, tandem pilot, rescue packer… she knows the paragliding world from every angle.
When she’s not flying 100 km across Chile with a miniwing or scoring big on the Acro World Tour, you’ll find her building websites, helping launch companies or supporting people through tough moments — with empathy, structure and a touch of investigative instinct.
Her motto: Everything you want is on the other side of fear.
Mike
This guy could look insane on this pic but becomes very serious when talking about safety. Full time Test pilot since 2016, he works alongside Stephan. And they do complete each other: Mike is as talkative as Stephan can be silent. His best piece of advice: “you’re the pilot, don’t go if you don’t feel it.”
Stephan
Did you see that glint in his eyes? That beautiful moustache? He is The chief designer, a real game changer and paragliding champion. Sly as a fox and stubborn as a mule! AirDesign cofounder, his motto: don’t follow the others, let’s make the gliders we like: safe, durable and fun. “With an AD glider, just be what you are.” He says.
Martin
The nicest guy on earth is also a wise businessman. AirDesign CEO and cofounder, he keeps one word in mind: integrity. This is true for the product development and the relationship with partners and clients. He confides with a smile: “AD paragliders are made to create stories and memories.”
Hugo
Born at the foot of Saint-Hilaire, Hugo spent his childhood with his nose in the air. But it was his father’s passion for kitesurfing that led him to practice this first sailing sport, on water and snow, both recreationally and competitively. It was only in his late teens that he finally took up paragliding, and boy, have we rarely seen such a passionate pilot! To the point of making it his profession: Hugo is an engineer, apprentice designer, and paragliding instructor. His arrival in the team shakes up our preconceived notions and injects a great energy, just like his smile, always fixed on his face. Welcome Hugo!
Laurent
This mysterious man has more than one trick up his sleeve. His skills in design, IT and photography make him the mind behind the graphic design of our website, news and ads. His attention to the smallest detail is big as his size: huge!
Niko
Niko is a kid of Saint-Hilaire du Touvet, the famous flying site of the Coupe Icare. He grew up with his eyes turned to the sky. It must be said that the large bay windows of his school offered an unequivocal spectacle: the first paragliders! His thousands of hours of groundhandling give him a feeling that many pilots would envy. At AirDesign, Niko wears two hats: photographer and sales manager for the French market. Humble and talented, he’s the man for the job!
Masoud
This guy boldly says he prefers the sea to the sky! Especially the Persian Gulf. “My first favorite sport is free-diving, I can hold my breath for 5’20” ” Masoud explains. He also has been flying for 20 years and a paragliding instructor for 15 years. He was our importer in Iran since the start of AirDesign and in 2023 he joined our office in Absam to help expand global product sales. Enthusiastic and multitasking, Masoud hasn’t finished surprising you.
Simon
Born in the Drôme, not far from the Vercors, Simon has always had an appetite for the mountains and the outdoor environment. Looking for his first job, he got noticed by recruiters by setting himself a challenge that he called “I would apply to you by bike” by going door to door by bicycle to local outdoor companies that he liked. And it worked! This challenge is just like Simon: sporty, highly motivated and inventive! He has now settled down near Innsbruck where he comes to lend a hand to Martin in our Absam office when he is not enjoying the surrounding mountains to indulge in his favorite activities. Including paragliding of course!
Margret
AirDesign bookkeeper’s could have been an Egyptologist and deciphered hieroglyphics. Instead, she feels much better at AD, where she keeps figures under control and guarantees the financial balance of the company.
You!
Hey! You’ re part of it too! Pilots, dealers and importers… Mountaineers, athletes and rebels… You make AirDesign growing over the years thanks to your adventures. Let’s keep it that way: break your own rules!