| SZD-30 Pirat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| SZD-30 Pirat at EPSU, August 2007 | |
| Role | Club-class, formerly Standard-class sailplane |
| National origin | Poland |
| Manufacturer | PZL Bielsko |
| Designer | Jerzy Smielkiewicz |
| First flight | 19 May 1966 |
| Introduction | 1967 |
| Number built | 776 (1967-1980) |
The SZD-30 Pirat is a single-seat multipurpose glider aircraft from the Polish firm PZL Bielsko which first flew in 1966 [1] , and began production in 1967 [2] .
The SZD-30 is largely constructed out of wood [1] . The high-mounted wing incorporates air brakes on both the upper and lower surfaces. The inner section of the wing is constant-chord and the outer section is tapered [3] .
The forward section of the otherwise all-wood fuselage is made of fiberglass [1] . The single-wheel main landing gear is fixed, the formed one-piece canopy is side-mounted [4] , the fuselage can be equipped with radios and an oxygen system. There are also two baggage compartments [4] .
In 2011, following a number of cases of glue failure in the wooden joints, leading to structural failure, the type certificate holder issued a bulletin which reduced a number of the limiting speeds of the aircraft. Specifically, the maximum speed (VNE) was reduced to 195 km/h (121 mph, 105 knots) and aerobatic flight was prohibited.
Data fromAustralian Gliding Museum [7]
General characteristics
Performance
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