SZD Pirat

DEVELOPMENT and DESCRIPTION

The single-seat Pirat was designed by Jerzy Smielkiewicz as a multi-purpose sailplane capable of fulfilling the needs of every area from training to competition flying and is cleared for cloud flying, and basic aerobatics. 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-Swidnik works where production was undertaken until October 1977. Production has now ended. The type had been exported to 24 countries, including Argentina, Australia, 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. 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 latter's nonretractable 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 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.

PERFORMANCE DATA

 

Three Axis View SZD Pirat

GGC's Syndicate – VH-GXL

Probably the most distinctive glider at Bacchus Marsh with it's "Dayglo Red" finish the pirat is owned by a syndicate of four Geelong members.

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