PZL Bielsko SZD-59

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The SZD-59 Acro is a single-seat glass composite glider for aerobatics and cross-country flying by PZL Allstar of Bielsko-Biala. [http://www.szd.com.pl/products/59_acro_en.html Official SZD-59 Acro website] - accessed 2008-02-23] [http://www.szd.com.pl/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_en.pdf Technical description of the SZD-59 Acro on SZD's website] - accessed 2008-02-23; unavailable 2008-08-06, but equivalent to: [http://www.szd-segelflugzeuge.de/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_de.pdf Technical description of the SZD-59 Acro on the website of the German dealer (in German)] - accessed 2008-08-06 ] [http://www.sagach.ch/Deutsch/Flugzeuge/SZD-59Acro.htm SAGA: SZD-59 Acro website (in German)] - accessed 2008-02-23]

The SZD-59 can be flown with a 13.2m span or a 15.0m span. Attaching or detaching the wing-tips takes only a few minutes. [http://www.szd.com.pl/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_en.pdf Technical description of the SZD-59 Acro on SZD's website] - accessed 2008-02-23] [http://www.piotrp.de/SZYBOWCE/dszd59.htmPiotr Piechowski: SZD-59 Acro (German)] - accessed 2008-02-23] With 15m wing-tips it is a competitive Club Class glider, while it is a competitive aerobatic glider in the 13.2m configuration. [http://www.sagach.ch/Deutsch/Flugzeuge/SZD-59Acro.htm SAGA: SZD-59 Acro website (in German)] - accessed 2008-02-23]

Design and certification

The SZD-59 Acro was derived from the SZD-48-3 Jantar Standard 3 [http://www.szd.com.pl/products/59_acro_en.html Official SZD-59 Acro website] - accessed 2008-02-23] [http://www.sagach.ch/Deutsch/Flugzeuge/SZD-59Acro.htm SAGA: SZD-59 Acro website] - accessed 2008-02-23] in 1990-91 mainly by Jan Knapik. [http://www.sagach.ch/Deutsch/Flugzeuge/SZD-59Acro.htm SAGA: SZD-59 Acro website] - accessed 2008-02-23] [http://www.piotrp.de/SZYBOWCE/dszd59.htm Piotr Piechowski: SZD-59 Acro (German)] - accessed 2008-02-23] The fuselage is only a slightly modified version of the one used in the Jantar Standard 3. However, the T-tail has been replaced by a cross-tail with larger rudder and the elevator of the SZD-42-2 Jantar 2. [http://www.sagach.ch/Deutsch/Flugzeuge/SZD-59Acro.htm SAGA: SZD-59 Acro website (in German)] - accessed 2008-02-23]

The design life is 15,000 hours, though at present it is approved for only 4,000 hours of operation. [http://www.szd.com.pl/products/59_acro_en.html Official SZD-59 Acro website] - accessed 2008-02-23] [http://www.szd.com.pl/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_en.pdf Technical description of the SZD-59 Acro on SZD's website] - accessed 2008-02-23] In 15m configuration, the SZD-59 is approved in the utility category of JAR 22 (sailplanes) of the Joint Aviation Authorities, and in the 13.2m configuration it is approved according to the aerobatics category of JAR 22. [http://www.piotrp.de/SZYBOWCE/dszd59.htm Piotr Piechowski: SZD-59 Acro (German)] - accessed 2008-02-23] British_Gliding_Association: [http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/technical/easa/tcds/5501_2.pdf Segelflugzeug-Kennblatt Nr.: 415 (German)] by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt - accessed 2008-08-05]

Manufacturer

The prototype was first demonstrated during the 1991 FAI World Glider Aerobatic Championships in Zielona Góra. Twelve Acros were built until the production stopped in 1996 due to economic problems. [http://www.sagach.ch/Deutsch/Flugzeuge/SZD-59Acro.htm SAGA: SZD-59 Acro website] - accessed 2008-02-23]
Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. in Bielsko-Biala (Poland) [http://www.szd.com.pl/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_en.pdf Technical description of the SZD-59 Acro on SZD's website] - accessed 2008-02-23] restarted production of the SZD-59 Acros in 2004. [http://www.sagach.ch/Deutsch/Flugzeuge/SZD-59Acro.htm SAGA: SZD-59 Acro website] - accessed 2008-02-23] Currently, it is the only "unlimited" glider in serial production. [http://www.sagach.ch/Deutsch/Flugzeuge/SZD-59Acro.htm SAGA: SZD-59 Acro website] - accessed 2008-02-23]

oaring

With a handicap factor of 100, according to the 2008 handicap list of the Deutscher Aero Club e.V., [http://www.daec.de/se/downfiles/2008/DMSt-WO2008.pdf 2008 DAeC Handicap list] - accessed 2008-02-23] the SZD-59 in 15m-configuration is a typical Club Class glider. With 15m wing-tips with or without winglets glide performance can be enhanced by increasing its wing loading with up to 150 litres of water ballast [http://www.szd.com.pl/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_en.pdf Datasheet of the SZD-59 Acro on the SZD-Website] - accessed 2008-02-23] , but water ballast is not allowed in the 13.2m configuration.Flight handbook of the SZD-59 Acro]

Aerobatics

In the 13.2m configuration, the SZD-59 is certified for unlimited aerobatics [http://www.szd.com.pl/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_en.pdf Technical description of the SZD-59 Acro on SZD's website] - accessed 2008-02-23; unavailable 2008-08-06, but equivalent to: [http://www.szd-segelflugzeuge.de/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_de.pdf Technical description of the SZD-59 Acro on the website of the German dealer (in German)] - accessed 2008-08-06 ] , whereas with the 15m wing-tips only basic aerobatic maneuvers (looping, turn, chandelle, spin) are permitted.Flight handbook of the SZD-59 Acro]

While international aerobatic championships in the unlimited category are dominated by Swift S-1 and MDM-1 Fox FAI World and European Glider Aerobatic Championships - accessed 2008-08-05] , pilots have competed successfully with SZD-59 Acros in national and regional championships. [http://www.sagach.ch/Deutsch/Flugzeuge/SZD-59Acro.htm SAGA: SZD-59 Acro website] ] Recently, Wolfgang Kasper placed 4th in the German Nationals 2008. [http://www.flugplatz-rothenburg-goerlitz.de/Termine/DM_Segelkunstflug_2008/Ergebnisse/8_MST_Gesamt.pdf Results of the German Glider Aerobatic Championships 2008 (unlimited)] - accessed 2008-08-02]

pecifications in utility configuration

aerospecs
ref= [http://www.szd.com.pl/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_en.pdf Datasheet of the SZD-59 Acro on the SZD-Website] - accessed 2008-02-23] , maximum and maneuver speed according to British_Gliding_Association: [http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/technical/easa/tcds/5501_2.pdf Segelflugzeug-Kennblatt Nr.: 415 (German)] by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt - accessed 2008-08-05]
met or eng?= met
crew=One
capacity=
length m=6.85
length ft=22
length in=5.69
span m=15.00
span ft=49
span in=2.55
swept m=
swept ft=
swept in=
rot number=
rot dia m=
rot dia ft=
rot dia in=
dia m=
dia ft=
dia in=
width m=
width ft=
width in=
height m=1.50
height ft=4
height in=11.06
wing area sqm=10.66
wing area sqft=114.74
swept area sqm=
swept area sqft=
rot area sqm=
rot area sqft=
volume m3=
volume ft3=
aspect ratio= 21.01
empty weight kg=270
empty weight lb=595.24
gross weight kg=540
gross weight lb=1190.48
lift kg=
lift lb=
eng1 number=
eng1 type=
eng1 kw=
eng1 hp=
eng1 kn=
eng1 lbf=
eng1 kn-ab=
eng1 lbf-ab=
eng2 number=
eng2 type=
eng2 kw=
eng2 hp=
eng2 kn=
eng2 lbf=
eng2 kn-ab=
eng2 lbf-ab=
max speed kmh=265
max speed mph=164.67
max speed mach=
cruise speed kmh=
cruise speed mph=
stall speed kmh=82^*
stall speed mph=50.95
range km=
range miles=
endurance h=
endurance min=
ceiling m=
ceiling ft=
g limits = +5.30 / -2.65
glide ratio=40 at 124 km/h
climb rate ms=
climb rate ftmin=
sink rate ms=0.77^**
sink rate ftmin=151.57
armament1=
armament2=
armament3=
armament4=
armament5=
armament6=
*Maneuver speed: 200 km/h
*water ballast: 150l
*wing loading range: 31.00-50.70 kg/m^2* at 540 kg
^** at 97 km/h

pecifications in aerobatic configuration

aerospecs
ref= [http://www.szd.com.pl/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_en.pdf Datasheet of the SZD-59 Acro on the SZD-Website] - accessed 2008-02-23] , maximum and maneuver speed according to British_Gliding_Association: [http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/technical/easa/tcds/5501_2.pdf Segelflugzeug-Kennblatt Nr.: 415 (German)] by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt - accessed 2008-08-05]
met or eng?= met
crew=One
capacity=
length m=6.85
length ft=22
length in=5.69
span m=13.20
span ft=43
span in=3.69
swept m=
swept ft=
swept in=
rot number=
rot dia m=
rot dia ft=
rot dia in=
dia m=
dia ft=
dia in=
width m=
width ft=
width in=
height m=1.50
height ft=4
height in=11.06
wing area sqm=9.80
wing area sqft=105.49
swept area sqm=
swept area sqft=
rot area sqm=
rot area sqft=
volume m3=
volume ft3=
aspect ratio= 17.80
empty weight kg=265
empty weight lb=585.22
gross weight kg=380
gross weight lb=837.75
lift kg=
lift lb=
eng1 number=
eng1 type=
eng1 kw=
eng1 hp=
eng1 kn=
eng1 lbf=
eng1 kn-ab=
eng1 lbf-ab=
eng2 number=
eng2 type=
eng2 kw=
eng2 hp=
eng2 kn=
eng2 lbf=
eng2 kn-ab=
eng2 lbf-ab=
max speed kmh=285
max speed mph=177.10
max speed mach=
max speed mach=
cruise speed kmh=
cruise speed mph=
stall speed kmh=74^*
stall speed mph=45.98
range km=
range miles=
endurance h=
endurance min=
ceiling m=
ceiling ft=
g limits = +7.00 / -5.00
glide ratio=36 at 115 km/h
climb rate ms=
climb rate ftmin=
sink rate ms=0.70^**
sink rate ftmin=137.80
armament1=
armament2=
armament3=
armament4=
armament5=
armament6=
*Maneuver speed: 200 km/h
*water ballast: 0l
*wing loading range: 33.7-38.8 kg/m² calculated from data in [http://www.szd.com.pl/pdf/szd-59_acro_doku_en.pdf Datasheet of the SZD-59 Acro on the SZD-Website] - acessed 2008-02-23 - assuming a pilot weight of 55kg and 10kg trim weight] ^* at 380 kg
^** at 80 km/h

ee also

Comparable aerobatic gliders

The aerobatic performance of the SZD-59 13.2m is comparable to:
*MDM-1 Fox and Solo-Fox
*Swift S-1
*Cirrus K
*Start & Flug H101 Salto
*Vogt Lo-100

Gliders with comparable cross-country performance

The soaring performance of the SZD-59 15m is comparable to Schleicher ASW 19, Glaser-Dirks DG-100, Rolladen-Schneider LS1f, Glasflügel H206 Hornet, PZL Bialsko Jantar Standard, Grob G-102 Standard Astir, Bölkow Phöbus B3, Schempp-Hirth Cirrus/Cirrus VTC 17,74m, Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus 16m, Bölkow Phöbus C1, Akaflieg Darmstadt D37, Akaflieg Braunschweig SB 7, Neukom Elfe 17m, Standard Libelle 17m and the Delphin 1 by Fritz Mahrer [http://www.delphineins.de Das Projekt "Delphin 1" (German)] - accessed 2008-08-05] . [http://www.daec.de/se/downfiles/2008/DMSt-WO2008.pdf 2008 DAeC Handicap list] - acessed 2008-02-23]

References