M.Hardy. Gliders & Sailplanes of the world

Schweizer SGU 2-22

  In the same category as the Slingsby T31 Tandem Tutor, this two-seater utility and training sailplane first flew in 1947 and entered service the following year, going on to become the most popular type in its class in the States; altogether 258 were built, including kits sold for amateur construction. The SGU 2-22A which appeared in 1957 featured several changes in the cockpit section, and was succeeded by the SGU 2-22B, C and D variants, the final production version, the SGU 2-22E, featuring a longer nose. Of all-metal construction with metal and fabric covering, the 2-22 has strut-braced constant chord aluminium alloy high-set wings, with a metal D-tube leading edge ahead of the main spar and fabric covering aft of it; there are no flaps or spoilers. The fuselage is a welded chrome-molybdenum steel tube structure with fabric covering, and there is a non-retractable and unsprung Goodyear monowheel with brake immediately aft of a nose skid mounted on rubber blocks; there is also a rubber-mounted tailskid. The fin and rudder are of aluminium with fabric covering, while the strut-braced tailplane and elevators are steel tube frameworks with fabric covering. The two pilots are seated in tandem with dual controls under a transparent, sideways-opening canopy, and in its initial form the 2-22 had tandem open cockpits with provision for an enclosed canopy.


Data: SGU 2-22E
Span: 43 ft 0 in
Length: 25 ft 8 1/2 in
Height: 9 ft 0 in
Wing area: 210 sq ft
Aspect ratio: 8.81
Empty weight :450 lb
Max weight: 900 lb
Max speed: 89 mph (in smooth air)
Min sinking speed: 2.8 ft/sec (solo)
Best glide ratio: 18:1



Schweizer SGS 2-33

  The SGS 2-33 two-seater is a slightly larger version of the SGS 2-22, of improved performance, developed to meet the need for a medium-priced sailplane for general soaring and training; it first flew in prototype form in the autumn of 1966 and received FAA Type Approval in February 1967. Production began in January that year and a total of 570 had been built by January 1980; the type is also available in kit form for amateur constructors, and the current production version is the SGS 2-33A. Of the same all-metal construction as the 2-22, the 2-33 has strut-braced aluminium alloy high-set wings of slightly greater span than its predecessor, with metal skinning and all-metal ailerons; there are spoilers in both upper and lower wing surfaces. The fuselage is of welded chrome-molybdenum steel tubing and is covered with Ceconite fabric except for the nose, which is covered with glassfibre. Landing gear is a non-retractable Cleveland monowheel mounted just aft of the nose skid, which is mounted on rubber blocks for shock absorption; there is also a small wheel mounted under each wing tip. The tail unit is a steel tube structure covered with Ceconite fabric, the tailplane being braced. The two pilots sit in tandem, with dual controls, under a one-piece cockpit canopy hinged to port, and there is a door to starboard for the rear pilot's exit; he also has windows at the side and a transparent panel above him.


Data: SGS 2-33A
Span: 51 ft 0 in
Length: 25 ft 9 in
Height: 9 ft 3 1/2 in
Wing area: 219.48 sqft
Aspect ratio: 11.85
Empty weight :600 lb
Max weight: 1,040 lb
Max speed: 98 mph (in smooth air)
Max aero-tow speed: 98 mph
Min sinking speed: 3.00 ft/sec (with two pilots)
Best glide ratio: 22.25:1