| SZD-Jantar (Standard Class) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | Poland |
| Manufacturer | SZD |
| Designer | W. Okarmus |
| First flight | 3 October 1973 |
| Number built | 159 |
| Developed from | SZD-38 Jantar 1 |
| Variants | SZD-48 Jantar Standard 2/3 |
The SZD-41 Jantar Standard was a Standard Class glider designed and produced in Poland from 1973.
Development of the SZD-41 Jantar Standard was relatively quick due to using the fuselage and tail unit of the SZD-38 Jantar 1 and fitting 15 m span wings complying with the Standard class specification. The prototype SZD-41, limited to 235 km/h, no winch launching or aerobatics, first flew in October 1973 piloted by Adam Zientek. The two prototypes, SZD-41-1 SP-2685 (construction number X-110) and SZD-41-2 SP-2686 (c/n X-111), were entered in the 1974 World Gliding Championships at Waikerie in Australia, taking 3rd and 7th places in the Standard class. In 1976, at Räyskälä in Finland, SZD-41As took 4th, 6th and 18th places in the World Gliding Championships Standard Class. Competition results and measured flight tests revealed that the SZD-41A was more or less the equal of direct competitors, such as the Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus and Schleicher ASW 19. [1] Unfortunately, the production methods left the epoxy laminates prone to shrinkage which drastically affected performance due to the sensitive aerodynamics of the aerofoil sections used. [1]
The SZD-41A Jantar Standard was built primarily of fibreglass–epoxy resin composite with local strengthening from welded steel tube in the fuselage centre-section, foam ribs in the wings and plywood at equipment mounting points. The skin was composed of fibreglass laminates laid up in moulds to attain accurate profiles. The monowheel manually retractable landing gear hung from the steel tube centre section structure which also mounted the towing hook and wing attachments. Large plate style airbrakes aft of the mainspar extend from the top and bottom surfaces, with the gaps sealed by spring-loaded covers when closed, also operating the disk brake on the monowheel at full extension. The cantilever fibreglass–epoxy tailplane is attached to the top of the fin, trimming of the elevator was achieved by spring loading the control stick and adjusting the neutral loading position. 80 litres (later 100) of water ballast could be carried in plastic tanks in the wings and jettisoned as required. The semi-reclining seat is in a comfortable cockpit enclosed by a two-part canopy, the front part fixed and the rear hinged to open rearwards for entry/exit. After modifications to remove restrictions on the prototypes and improvements required after flight testing, production of the SZD-41A and SZD-41B Jantar Standard commenced, continuing until 1978 when 159 had been built, many of which were exported worldwide. In common with many SZD products, the aircraft was delivered with a full range of basic instruments from Polish suppliers, which led to the famous punch-line: "There I was, 50ft, inverted, nothing on the clock but the makers' name, and that was in (expletive redacted) Polish" used in gliding club bars throughout the world to humourise recovery from perilous situations.
Data from http://www.piotrp.de/SZYBOWCE/pszd41.htm
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
The Schempp-Hirth Discus is a Standard Class glider designed by Schempp-Hirth. It was produced in Germany between 1984 and 1995 but has continued in production in the Czech Republic. It replaced the Standard Cirrus. It was designed by Klaus Holighaus.
The Schempp-Hirth Ventus is a sailplane produced during 1980–1994 by Schempp-Hirth, a German sailplane manufacturer. It was designed by Klaus Holighaus and replaced the Schempp-Hirth Mini-Nimbus. Schempp-Hirth manufactured 613 Ventus sailplanes.
The Schempp-Hirth Mini Nimbus is a 15 Metre-class glider designed and built by Schempp-Hirth GmbH in the late 1970s.
The Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3 is a glider built by Schempp-Hirth.
The ASW 28 is a Standard Class glider with a fifteen-metre span built of modern fibre reinforced composites. The manufacturer of the ASW-28 is Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. The 'W' indicates this is a design of the influential and prolific German designer Gerhard Waibel. Serial production started in 2000.
The ASW 19 is a single-seat glider built by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co, first flying in 1975. It was originally designed as a Standard Class glider, but now mainly competes in the Club Class. The ASW 19 is known for its pleasant handling and some clubs use it as a training glider. It was succeeded by the all-new Schleicher ASW 24.
The PZL Bielsko SZD-55 Nexus is a Standard Class sailplane produced by PZL Bielsko since 1988. It was built in direct competition with the Schempp-Hirth Discus. The SZD-55 is still in production with approximately 110 built.
The Glasflügel 206 Hornet is a Standard Class sailplane produced in Germany between 1975 and 1979. Of conventional sailplane design with a T-tail, it replaced the Standard Libelle, featuring composite construction throughout. Differences from the earlier aircraft included a redesigned canopy, retractable monowheel landing gear, and provision for 100 kg (220 lbs) of water ballast.
The SZD-59 Acro is a single-seat glass composite glider for aerobatics and cross-country flying by PZL Allstar of Bielsko-Biała, Poland.
The Glasflügel BS-1, sometimes called the Björn Stender BS-1 or the Stender BS-1, is a West German, high-wing, single seat, T-tailed, FAI Open Class glider that was designed by Björn Stender and produced by Glasflügel.
The SZD-12 Mucha 100 was a single-seat glider aircraft that was designed and built in Poland from 1953.
The SZD-14X Jaskółka M was a single-seat glider designed and built in Poland at Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny - Glider Experimental Works in Bielsko-Biała in 1954. This was an experimental prototype, and only one unit was constructed.
The SZD-17X Jaskółka L was a single-seat high-performance competition glider designed and built in Poland at Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny in Bielsko-Biała in 1955.
The SZD-22 Mucha Standard was a single-seat aerobatic glider designed and built in Poland from 1957.
The SZD-38 Jantar 1 (Amber) is a glider designed and produced in Poland from 1971.
The SZD-48 Jantar Standard 2 is a Standard Class glider that was designed and produced in Poland starting in 1977.
The SZD-40x Halny is an experimental two-seat glider designed and built in Poland in 1971.
The IS-2 Mucha was a single-seat training glider designed and built in Poland starting in 1947.
The FVA-20 F. B. Schmetz was a single seat, Standard Class sailplane, built as a one-off aircraft, to explore the application of glass fibre to glider construction. Built over a long period, it finally flew in late 1979.
The SZD-42 Jantar 2 is a single seat Open Class competition glider, designed and produced in Poland in the 1970s. It features a span of over 20 m (66 ft) and elastic, camber changing flaps. It was placed second, third and seventh at the 1976 World Gliding Championships. Over one hundred were built and more than ninety remain registered.
