Schweizer SGS 2-32
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| Manufacturer | Schweizer Aircraft Corporation |
| Type designation | SGS 2-32 |
| Competition class | Open |
| Designer | Ernest Schweizer[1] |
| First flight | 1962[2] |
| Number built | 87 |
| Crew | 2 in tandem or one pilot and two passengers in the backseat |
| Length | ft ( m) |
| Height | ft ( m) |
| Wingspan | 57ft. (17.37 m) |
| Wing area | 180 sq. ft. (16.72 m²) |
| Aspect ratio | 18.05 |
| Wing profile | NACA 63(3)-618, NACA 43012A |
| Empty mass | 831 lb. (377 kg) |
| Water ballast | None |
| Maximum mass | Normal 1340 lb. (608 kg) Utility 1430 lb. (648 kg) |
| Maximum speed | Normal 158 MPH Utility 139 MPH |
| Maneuver speed | MPH |
| Stall speed | Solo 48 MPH Dual 50 MPH |
| Minimum sink rate | 2.0 fps at 46 MPH |
| Best glide ratio | 33 at 52 MPH |
The Schweizer SGS 2-32 is a United States two-seat, mid-wing, two or three-place glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.[3]
The 2-32 was designed to be the highest performance two-place glider available, when it first flew in 1962. The 2-32 has been used as a tourist glider, trainer, cross-country and high-altitude sailplane and has set many US and world records. A total of 87 aircraft were completed.[1][2][3][4]
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[edit] Background
The SGS 2-32 was conceived as a mass-produced sailplane of modest performance to act as a step-up from the SGU 2-22 trainer then in common use in North America. After careful examination of the potential market, the company decided to produce a higher performance sailplane with a greater wingspan instead.[2]
[edit] Development
The 2-32 design was started in 1961 and completed with certification under type certificate G1EA on 19 June 1964.[2][5]
The 2-32 is all-metal, with a semi-monocoque aluminum fuselage and cantilever wings of 57 foot (17.37 m) span. It has top-and-bottom divebrakes and an all-flying stabilator tail.[1][3]
The aircraft seats two or three, with one seat in the front cockpit and a double bench seat in the back suitable for two smaller people of 150 lbs each, maximum. The aircraft is often described a "2 1/2 seater".[1][2][3]
The ability to carry two passengers, plus its complete and comfortable interior has made the 2-32 a popular aircraft with commercial glider operators for conducting tourist flights. The ability to carry two passengers doubled profitability for rides.[2]
The first customer aircraft were delivered in 1964, shortly after certification was completed.[2]
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.[5][6]
[edit] Competition and Records
As soon as it entered service many pilots realized that this high performance two-place sailplane would be ideal to break many of the two-place records previously set by lower performance gliders.[2][3]
At one time the 2-32 held the two-place speed records over 100 km, 300 km and 500 km courses, as well as many distance, out and return and altitude records in both the men's and women's categories. 2-32s were also flown in the 1964 US Nationals.[2][3]
Some of the records set by pilots flying SGS 2-32s include:
- World record two-place out and return flight, 404 miles (654 km), May 23, 1970, Joe Lincoln and Cris Crowl. Lincoln's 2-32, named Cibola, had special longer wings of 67 foot span installed that increased performance further.[2]
- World record two-place speed over 100 km (63 miles) Triangle, 74 mph 120 km/hr), 1971, Joe Lincoln.[2]
- World record two-place feminine absolute altitude 35,463 feet (10,809 m) and altitude gain 24,545 feet (7848 m), 5 March 1975, Babs Nutt.[1][3]
[edit] In service
In May 2008 there were still 64 2-32s registered in the USA[7] and one in Canada.[8]
In USAF service at the United States Air Force Academy the 2-32 was known as the TG-5.
[edit] Derivative designs
The SGS 2-32 has been the basis of several derivative designs, including:[4]
- Bede BD-2 long range experimental aircraft designed by Jim Bede[4]
- Lockheed YO-3 quite surveillance aircraft[4]
- LTV Electrosystems L450F turboprop record setting aircraft[4]
[edit] Museum
The National Soaring Museum has two SGS 2-32s in its collection, N2767Z and N8600R.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Activate Media (2006). SGS 2-32 Schweizer. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Schweizer, Paul A: Wings Like Eagles, The Story of Soaring in the United States, pages 183-265. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1988. ISBN 0-87474-828-3
- ^ a b c d e f g Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 32. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ a b c d e Schweizer Aircraft Corp: The Aristocrat - The Schweizer 2-32. Schweizer Aircraft Corp, undated.
- ^ a b Federal Aviation Administration (September 2007). GLIDER DATA SHEET NO. G1EA. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
- ^ K & L Soaring (undated). K & L Soaring, LLC. Retrieved on 2008-04-05.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2008). FAA Registry. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
- ^ Transport Canada (May 2008). Canadian Civil Aircraft Register. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
- ^ Munson, J. (undated). Sailplanes in Our Collection. Retrieved on 2008-04-15.
[edit] External link
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