The Politechnika Warszawska PW-6U is a Polish two-seat training
sailplane
A glider or sailplane is a type of glider aircraft used in the leisure activity and sport of gliding (also called soaring). This unpowered aircraft can use naturally occurring currents of rising air in the atmosphere to gain altitude. Sailplan ...
designed at the
Warsaw University of Technology
The Warsaw University of Technology () is one of the leading institutes of technology in Poland and one of the largest in Central Europe. It employs 2,453 teaching faculty, with 357 professors (including 145 titular professors). The student body ...
for basic flight instruction and transition training to the
PW-5
The Politechnika Warszawska PW-5 ''Smyk'' (Polish language, Polish: "Little rascal") is a single seater sailplane designed at the Warsaw University of Technology (Polish: "Politechnika Warszawska") and manufactured in Poland. It is a monotype FAI ...
single-seater. It was manufactured at
PZL Świdnik PZL, may refer to:
Places
* PZL, an IATA airport code for Phinda Airfield in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
* PZL, a location code for the Złotów County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland, in the system of the vehicle registration plates of Polan ...
from 2000 and at ZS Jezow from 2007.
Development
The PW-6 was designed to be an ab initio trainer with the capability of providing cross-country training as well. It has handling and performance characteristics similar to the
Politechnika Warszawska PW-5
The Politechnika Warszawska PW-5 ''Smyk'' ( Polish: "Little rascal") is a single seater sailplane designed at the Warsaw University of Technology (Polish: "Politechnika Warszawska") and manufactured in Poland. It is a monotype World Class glider. ...
. In this way, it was envisaged that the transition to solo flying in the single-seater could be made sooner.
The prototype of the PW-6, built at the Politechnika Warszawska, PZL Świdnik and
DWLKK, made its maiden flight from
Bemowo
Bemowo is a district of Warsaw located in the western part of the city. Its territory covers the western belt of the former district of Wola
Wola () is a district in western Warsaw, Poland. An industrial area with traditions reaching back to ...
Airfield,
Warsaw
Warsaw, officially the Capital City of Warsaw, is the capital and List of cities and towns in Poland, largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the Vistula, River Vistula in east-central Poland. Its population is officially estimated at ...
, in July 1998. Type certification was granted in September 2000, after Jerzy Kedzierski and
Maciej Lasek
Maciej Grzegorz Lasek (born. 15 June 1967 in Elbląg) is a Polish engineer, specializing in flight mechanics, PhD, Chairman of the Committee for Investigation of National Aviation Accidents. He was the head of a commission that investigated th ...
completed the test flights. Serial production started at PZL Swidnik soon afterwards, with first deliveries to Egypt, New Zealand, Belgium, Canada, United States, Portugal and Germany. Production at PZL Swidnik ceased after approximately 26 aircraft had been completed, but resumed at Zaklad Szybowcowy Jezow in 2007.
Design
*Classical shoulder-wing, two seater, tandem layout, designed in accordance with the requirements of
JAR-22 Utility Category
In economics, utility is a measure of a certain person's satisfaction from a certain state of the world. Over time, the term has been used with at least two meanings.
* In a normative context, utility refers to a goal or objective that we wish ...
.
*Wing shape and profile are similar to the PW-5 design: trapezoid plan with bow-shaped ends, shoulder-set on the fuselage, having a single-spar structure with sandwich shells. Schempp-Hirth-type air brakes extend on the upper wing surface only.
*Fuselage shell of glass-epoxy composite monocoque structure, stiffened with frames. Fabric-covered rudder.
*Fixed undercarriage consisting of main wheel behind the rear pilot, with shock absorber and drum brake, a smaller front wheel and a tail wheel to prevent ground scraping if over rotation takes place during take off or landing.
*Two tow releases, for aerotowing and winch-launching.
Variants
The following derivatives were projected, though not built:
*PW-7 Motorglider project: two seater side-by-side motorglider, with PW-6 wing geometry.
*PW-9A Aerobatic Training Glider, with automatic control connections and tail ballast compartment.
*PW-9M Self Launching Training Glider, with Solo engine and folding propeller.
Specifications
See also
References
*Ewald J, Flight Test: PW-6, Sailplane and Gliding, Feb-Mar 2001
The World Class Soaring Association
{{PZL aircraft
1990s Polish sailplanes
Glider aircraft
Warsaw University of Technology
PZL aircraft
Shoulder-wing aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1998