Politechnika Warszawska PW-2

PW-2 Gapa
PW-2D Gapa on display in the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków, Poland
Role Glider
National origin Poland
Manufacturer DWLKK
Designer Warsaw University of Technology
First flight 25 July 1985[1]
Introduction early 1990s
Status Production completed

The Politechnika Warszawska PW-2 (English: Warsaw Polytechnic PW-2), also called the PW-2 Gapa, is a Polish lightweight high-wing, strut-braced single-seat, glider that was designed and built at the Warsaw University of Technology and also produced by DWLKK in the early 1990s.[2][3] Total number of 19 gliders were built, including variant PW-2D bis.[4][5][6]

Design and development

The PW-2 was designed as a lightweight glider of modest performance with an open cockpit. The aircraft was intended to be produced as both a completed aircraft and as a kit for amateur construction.[2]

The aircraft is made from composite material, with its control surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. Its 11.0 m (36.1 ft) span wing employs an American-designed NACA 4415 airfoil. The maximum glide ratio is 16:1 at 69 km/h (43 mph)[2][7]

Operational history

In August 2011 five PW-2Ds were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration. All were in the Experimental - Exhibition/Racing category and all produced in 1992 or 1993.[3]

Specifications (PW-2D)

Data from Sailplane Directory,[2] Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89[8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in)
  • Height: 2.45 m (8 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 12.7 m2 (137 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 9.52:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 4415, (PW-2D - NN 18-17)
  • Empty weight: 110 kg (243 lb)
  • Gross weight: 220 kg (485 lb)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 50 km/h (31 mph, 27 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 150 km/h (93 mph, 81 kn) in smooth air
120 km/h (65 kn; 75 mph) in rough air
120 km/h (65 kn; 75 mph) on aero-tow
100 km/h (54 kn; 62 mph) on winch launch
  • g limits: +5.3 -2.65
  • Maximum glide ratio: 16:1 at 69 km/h (43 mph)
  • Rate of sink: 1.1 m/s (220 ft/min) at 58 km/h (36 mph)
  • Wing loading: 17.32 kg/m2 (3.55 lb/sq ft)

See also

Related lists

References

  1. ^ Puchalski, Piotr. "PW-2 Gapa (Tölpel)". piotrp.de (in German). Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Activate Media (2006). "PW-2D DWLKK". Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  3. ^ a b Federal Aviation Administration (August 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results PW2D". Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  4. ^ Piechowski, Piotr. "PW-2 Gapa" (in Polish). Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  5. ^ Piechowski, Piotr. "PW-2 Gapa" (in German). Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  6. ^ Żaczek, Jarosław. "Primary Training Glider PW-2 Gapa". Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  7. ^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  8. ^ John W.R. Taylor, ed. (1988). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. London: Jane's Information Group. p. 628. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.