Designed by Egon Scheibe, this series of self-launching gliders was introduced in 1968 by the German firm, Scheibe, which commenced production of a side-by-side two-seat dual-control training version of the SF-24A Motorspatz.

The Vivat, a motor glider, made its first flight at Uherske Hradiste in Czechoslovakia in May 1987, production beginning five years later, and more than 200 entered service with gliding clubs throughout Europe.