SZD-28

The SZD-28 (Latające laboratorium - Flying Laboratory) was a research glider designed in Poland from 1960.

Development

The SZD-28 (Latające laboratorium - Flying Laboratory) was a twin hulled derivative of the SZD-9 Bocian 1D with two Bocian fuselages, outer wings from a Bocian and a new centre-section for testing aerofoils and other wing parts. The pilot occupied the front seat of the port fuselage with an optional observer in the starboard fuselage front seat. Equipment for test measurements was also to be carried in the rear cockpits of both hulls. Due to pressure of work at the department, work on the SZD-28 was discontinued, but the SZD-28 designation was reused as the SZD-28 Kondor, but little is known of this project.

Specifications (SZD-28)

Data from http://www.piotrp.de/SZYBOWCE/pszd28.htm

General characteristics

Performance

SZD

SZD may refer to:

SZD-19 Zefir

SZD-50 Puchacz

The PZL Bielsko SZD-50 Puchacz (Polish: "eagle owl") is a Polish two-place training and aerobatic sailplane.

Development

The Puchacz was designed by Dipl-Ing Adam Meus based on the prototype SZD-50-1 Dromader. It was intended to serve as the successor to the popular Bocian for training. Its first flight was April 13, 1979.

Being a moderately-priced, versatile, modern two-seater with good handling qualities on the ground and in the air, the Puchacz has become a very popular two-seater sailplane in many countries both for ab-initio and aerobatic instruction.

A large number of fatal accidents involving spins have occurred with the Puchacz. Investigations have failed to uncover a common design flaw, but the type's reputation has nevertheless been tainted. Its supporters point out that it was designed to obey faithfully all control inputs - including foolish ones. Partial failures at the rudder bar and control sticks have been known to occur, but Airworthiness Directives have been issued for modifications.