Schweizer SGS 1-26
| SGS 1-26 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| SGS-1-26B | |
| Role | 1-26 class sailplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Schweizer Aircraft Corporation |
| Designer | Ernest Schweizer |
| First flight | 16 January 1954 |
| Number built | 700 |
The Schweizer SGS 1-26 is a United States One-Design, single-seat, mid-wing glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.
The SGS 1-26 enjoyed a very long production run from its first flight in 1954 until 1979, when production was ended. The 1-26 was replaced in production by the Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite. The 1-26 is the most numerous sailplane found in the US.
In October 1963 a special issue of Soaring magazine was dedicated to the 1-26. Harner Selvidge wrote:
"Much of the glamour of soaring lies in the realm of high performance, high aspect ratio open class sailplanes, but the backbone of the soaring movement in this country, and any other, lies in the local club operations. These are the weekend fliers who have fun around the airport, make some cross-country flights and enter local contests. For this sort of flying, the 1-26 is unexcelled."
Schweizer Aircraft originally proposed the idea of a simple, inexpensive, one-design class sailplane at the 1945 Motorless Flight Conference.
This concept was revived in 1954. At that time the Schweizer SGS 1-23 was the only sailplane in production in the United States and demand for it had dropped off, due to its high price. At the same time the number of people participating in soaring had increased and there was a clear market for a low cost sailplane.
Design goals for the new glider included:
Schweizer Aircraft felt that the best way to produce a low cost sailplane was with a new design that could be made available as a kit.
The resulting kit sailplane design had three main features:
Schweizer initially envisioned production to be restricted to kits, with the possibility of full production of completed aircraft if demand warranted.
Initial reception of the new model was very positive. A complete review of the aircraft was published in the March–April 1954 issue of the Soaring Society of America's Soaring Magazine. Sufficient orders were forthcoming that full production soon commenced.
The 1-26 received type certificate 1G10 on 14 December 1954. The type certificate is currently held by K & L Soaring of Cayuta, New York K & L Soaring now provides all parts and support for the Schweizer line of sailplanes.
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Wikipedia