PZL Bielsko SZD-30

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SZD-30

SZD-30 Pirat

Type glider
Manufacturer WSK-Świdnik
Designed by Jerzy Smielkiewicz
Maiden flight 19 May 1966

The SZD-30 Pirat was designed by Jerzy Smielkiewicz as a single-seat multi-purpose sailplane capable of fulfilling the needs of every area from training to competition flying. It is cleared for cloud flying, and basic aerobatics.

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[edit] Design and development

The prototype flew for the first time on 19 May 1966 and production started in 1967. A total of 776 of all versions had been built by the beginning of 1980, including 430 completed at the WSK-Świdnik works where production was undertaken until October 1977.

The Pirat is a T-tailed cantilever high wing monoplane of wooden construction, the initial production version having mass-balanced ailerons larger than those of the current improved SZD-30C, which has epoxy/glassfibre partially mass-balanced ailerons. The first SZD-30C made its maiden flight on 10 January 1978, and was preceded by the SZD-30B Pirat 75, which was only a prototype . The high-set wing has a rectangular centre section which is a plywood covered multi-spar structure, and ply-covered tapered outer panels of single-spar torsion box construction; there are double-plate air brakes in the centre section in both upper and lower surfaces.

The fuselage is a plywood monocoque, all versions having a glassfibre nose and cockpit floor, and the cantilever wooden tail unit has a tab in the elevator trailing edge. On the C variant the forward fuselage is reinforced with a thick layer of glassfibre, which replaces the removable front skid with shock absorber of the initial production SZD-30. The nonretractable monowheel of the later had a band brake instead of the C's disc brake, the C also having a tailwheel which can be replaced by a tailskid and a roomier cockpit with an enlarged canopy. The pilot sits under a jettisonable sideways-hinged blown Perspex canopy, and has an adjustable seat back rest and rudder pedals, as well as two baggage compartments; there is provision for radio and oxygen.

[edit] Operators

A Pirat at the Geelong Club in Melbourne, Australia
A Pirat at the Geelong Club in Melbourne, Australia

The type was operated by 24 countries including following:

[edit] Specifications

SZD-30 Pirat
Type designation SZD-30
Competition class Club, formerly Standard
Number built
Crew 1
Length 6.86 m (23 ft)
Height
Cockpit width
Cockpit height 0.96 m (3 ft)
Wingspan 15 m (49 ft)
Wing area 13.8 m²
Aspect ratio 16.3
Wing profile FX-61-168/60-1261
Empty mass ca. 260 kg
Maximum mass 370 kg
Wing loading ca. 25 - 27 kg/m²
Maximum speed 250 km/h (135 kts)
Rough air speed 140 km/h (75.5 kts)
Stall speed 60 km/h (32.5 kts)
Minimum sink rate ca. 0.7 m/s
Best glide ratio 33


[edit] References

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