Does anyone know of a Polish glider that wont spin?

Nick.


On 2/12/07, Kittel, Stephen W (ETSA) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

 Jonoh, Jarek (and others).

I never meant that it wouldn't spin, just that the German club who owned
the speciment that I flew preferred that us aussies didn't spin their
aircraft (which I subsequently found out was due to a fatal accident the
week before we arrived). Cathy and I spun their Bocian, but when flying with
one of the senior club instructors in the DG1000, he was very reluctant to
spin that too. I hasten to add, it wasn't because the"Germans don't teach
spinning" which is an untrue meme often found in Australia. Their reluctance
was a combination of what had recently happened and the unknown quantity of
us "spin mad" Aussies descending on their club.
From my incipients etc in the Pirat, I would expect it to behave "like any
60s wooden glider" ie _slightly_ more spin/departure prone than most latter
glass gliders, but in a spin (and during recovery) behave in a text book
manner (ie honest, no surprises).

Regards
SWK


 ------------------------------
*From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *Jonoh
*Sent:* Saturday, 10 February 2007 5:22 PM
*To:* Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.
*Subject:* Re: [Aus-soaring] Pirat



I flew several hundred hours in a club owned Pirat, from 1975 to 83.
There were two others based in the vicinity and I have a photo somewhere of
the 3 of them lined up on the Upper Valley club Strip near Wellington NZ.



I can likewise confirm that the Pirat will spin.  A long time ago now but
I think it had fairly benign characteristics, and standard recovery
techniques resulted in a quick exit from the spin.  Like its stable mates,
the SZD Foka and Cobra, it was good for a reasonable range of aerobatic
maneuvers.  The Cobra was the pick of the 3 for aerobatics, but the Pirat
wasn't too bad.  Its repertoire included a maneuver called, I think, the
snap half roll, but I only knew one club member brave enough to attempt
it.



It was strongly built (and fairly heavy, especially the center section!),
and if I recall correctly it was rated for +6/-3.5g.  Unfortunately one
club member, around 1984, discovered the limits of its strength and didn't
live to tell the tale.  Shortly after release on a strong wave day it
seems he got into cloud and lost control.  The tow pilot descended down
through the cloud gap until below cloud base at around 5000' and then headed
back the field.  He saw the fuselage of the Pirat minus wing emerge from
the cloud heading vertically for the ground.  Fragments of the wing
fluttered to the ground for some time afterwards.



The cause of the accident wasn't definitely determined, although the pilot
had made no attempt to bail out and there was a suspicion of heart attack.
 He had suffered an early cardiac event which he failed to mention during
his medical.  The barograph trace showed the rapid descent had commenced
at 7000' and a meaningful autopsy could not be performed.



I remember my hours in the Pirat with much affection but I don't think I
could describe it as delightful to fly.  Its controls were not well
harmonized and it had quite heavy ailerons.  After a 5 ½ hour flight in
wave one day my right arm was still feeling the effects 24 hours later!  The
Foka was nicer, but it was a big contrast after flying the Pirat to climb
into a K6.  In comparison that *was* delightful to fly.



 RKM



----- Original Message -----

*From:* Jarek Mosiejewski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
*To:* Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in 
Australia.<[email protected]>
*Sent:* Friday, February 09, 2007 7:22 PM
*Subject:* Re: [Aus-soaring] Pirat


Hi,

It does spin. Among other duties, it's been used in Poland for basic
aerobatic training - spin, loop, wingover...

There is one in Bacchus Marsh (VH - XLS), owned by a syndicate of Geelong
Gliding Club members.

Regards
Jarek

----- Original Message -----
*From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED]
*To:* [email protected]
*Sent:* Friday, February 09, 2007 9:40 AM
*Subject:* Re: [Aus-soaring] Pirat


SZD 30 = Polish?? I rigged one and definitely a three person job. Didn't
spin, not my club.
 GH

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 3:58 PM
Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] Pirat


http://toohardtodo.blogspot.com/2004/07/257-klix-official-practice-day_25.html

A very upright seating position from memory, but was pretty comfortable.
The Germans were a bit worried about spinning (for other reasons). I didn't
spin it but did some mushy stall things. Not much different to any 60s
wooden aircraft. They seemed to be inordinately popular in the old East
Germany. The rigging was awkward (3 piece wing, you can see the kink in the
wing in the photo where the join is), but overall an honest aeroplane.

Sadly the photo is not so clear, the glider carries a shark face.

SWK



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