M.Hardy. Gliders & Sailplanes of the world

SZD-30 Pirat

  This Standard Class single-seater, designed by Ing Jerzy Smielkiewicz, is intended to be suitable for a wide range of tasks from training to competition flying, and is cleared for cloud flying, spinning and basic aerobatics. ДальшеMore>>> The prototype Pirat first flew on 19 May 1966 and production started the following year; a total of 776 of all versions had been built by the beginning of 1980, including 430 completed at the WSK-Swidnik works where production was undertaken until October 1977. Production has now ended. The type had been exported to 24 countries, including Argentina, Egypt, North Korea, New Zealand, the USA, the Soviet Union and Venezuela amongst others. 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 a prototype only. 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 latter's non-retractable monowheel 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 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. 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.


Data: SZD-30C
Span: 49 ft 2 1/2 in
Length: 22 ft 8 1/2 in
Height: 5 ft 5 3/4 in
Wing area: 148.5 sqft
Aspect ratio: 16.3
Empty weight: 562 lb
Max weight: 816 lb
Max speed: 155 mph (in smooth air)
Max aero-tow speed: 87 mph
Min sinking speed: 2.30 ft/sec at 47 mph
Best glide ratio: 34:1 at 52 mph