Schweizer SGS 1-26B

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: One
• Length: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
• Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.2 m)
• Height: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
• Wing area: 160 ft² (14.9 m²)
• Aspect ratio: 10
• Wing profile: NACA 4301 2A
• Empty weight: 445 lb (202 kg)
• Gross weight: 700 lb (318 kg)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 114 mph (182 km/h)
• Maximum glide ratio: 23 at 53 mph (84 km/h)
• Rate of sink: 174 ft/min (0.88 m/s)

Description

First flown in 1954, the Schweizer SGS 1-26 was designed to be a safe, lightweight, low-cost sailplane.  700 were built (ours is number 356).

The SGS 1-26 was used as the TG-3 by the USAF Academy for cross-country and spin training until 2002.

Empty weight of the Standard was 348 pounds with a maximum gross weight of 575 pounds. Flown at 500 pounds, the minimum sink was 2.5 fps at 30 mph. Maximum L/D of 23:1 came at 44 mph. At 575 pounds minimum sink was 2.6 fps at 32 mph with maximum L/D at 48 mph. The A Model had an empty weight of 355 pounds, but many of the kit versions probably weighed closer to 375 pounds due to changes in bulkheads and formers by the builders to make them stronger.

Schweizer wanted to upgrade the 1-26 in keeping with trends in sailplanes and aircraft construction but without changing the basic design or performance. The B Model was produced with metal covered wings and some refinements for pilot comfort and visibility. Along with the metal covered wings came another 25 pounds in both empty weight and maximum gross weight. The minimum sink went up to 2.7 fps and maximum L/D was 23:1 at 49 mph.

Come fly a piece of Sailplane history!