SZD 56 Diana

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SZD-56 Diana
Type designation SZD-56 Diana
Competition Class 15 Meter
Crew 1
Length 6.88 m
Height 1.35 m
Wingspan 15 m
Wing area 8.64 m²
Aspect ratio 26.04
Empty mass ca. 182 kg
Water ballast 240 kg
Maximum mass 500 kg
Wing loading ca. 28 – 58 kg/m²
Maximum speed 270 km/h
Stall speed 60 km/h
Minimum sink rate ca. 0.45 m/s
Best glide ratio approx. 50:1


The SZD-56 Diana is a 15 metre class glider originally designed by Bogumil Beres at PZL-Bielsko. However PZL Bielsko went bankrupt before it could be put into production. The rights to the design were taken over by a new entity, Diana Sailplanes, which developed the design further and called it the Diana 2. This glider first flew on 12 January 2005.

At 2006 World Gliding Championships in Eskilstuna, Sweden Janusz Centka flew a Diana 2 and won the 15 metre class.

The Diana 2 features a number of structural innovations, including a spar-less wing. It also has an unusual side-stick control system to accommodate the pilot in its unusually narrow cockpit. It has the highest maximum wing loading of any 15 metre competition sailplane.


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