Schweizer SGS 1-26
Encyclopedia
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:
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.
was a proponent of the One-Design
concept and the 1-26 as the aircraft by which to establish a one-design class in the US. He wrote:
The design was a success as a one-design and became the most popular one-design class in the world.
The 1-26 design gained weight through the evolution of the models, as the gross weight increased from 575 lbs to 700 lbs. Performance testing showed that there is very little difference between the models and that the one-design concept has been maintained throughout the aircraft's production life.
, often coming from a Schweizer 2-33
two-seat trainer.
In April 2008 there were still 524 1-26s registered in the USA and 23 in Canada.
The 1-26 was used by the United States Air Force Academy
under the designation TG-3A, until it was replaced by the TG-10D Peregrine in October 2002.
Thirty 1-26s were supplied to Indonesia
as part of a United States foreign aid package.
soaring badges, given its low glide performance.
Rose Marie Licher set the US National Feminine distance record of 273.28 miles while flying a 1-26. Jean Arnold set the US National Feminine goal record of 96.4 miles in a 1-26.
US pilot Wally Scott
flew a distance of 443.5 miles in a 1-26.
Among other US pilots Tom Knauff and Bill Creary earned all three of their diamond badges in 1-26s.
In 1969 a 1-26 Sweepstakes was organized by the 1-26 Association and sponsored by Schweizer Aircraft. The seven month contest held across the US and Canada
encouraged pilots to earn badges in the 1-26 to be eligible for prizes. These included 28 barograph
s as well as trophies. The contest resulted in many badges earned as well as three flights over 300 miles (486 km). Canadian Harold Eley earned all three Diamonds in a 1-26.
1-26A
1-26B
1-26C
1-26D
1-26E
1-30
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
One-Design
One-design
One-Design is a racing method where all vehicles or boats have identical or very similar designs or models. It is also known as Spec series. It is heavily used in sailboat racing. All competitors in a race are then judged based on a single start time...
, single-seat, mid-wing glider
Glider (sailplane)
A glider or sailplane is a type of glider aircraft used in the sport of gliding. Some gliders, known as motor gliders are used for gliding and soaring as well, but have engines which can, in some cases, be used for take-off or for extending a flight...
built by Schweizer Aircraft
Schweizer Aircraft
The Schweizer Aircraft Corporation is a manufacturer of sailplanes, agricultural aircraft and helicopters located in Horseheads, New York. It was incorporated in 1939 by three Schweizer brothers , who built their first glider in 1930...
of Elmira, New York
Elmira, New York
Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York, USA. It is the principal city of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.The City of Elmira is located in...
.
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
Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite
The Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite is a United States, single-seat, mid-wing glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.The 1-36 was first flown in 1979 and a total of 43 were built by the time production was completed in 1982...
. 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."
Design and development
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
Schweizer SGS 1-23
The Schweizer SGS 1-23 is a United States Open and Standard Class, single-seat, mid-wing glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York....
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:
- available as a kit
- small and light weight for ease of storage and construction
- rugged design with a focus on pilot protection
- launched by autotow, winch and aerotow
- enough performance for Gold distance flights (300 km)
- low minimum sink speed ability to soar in light conditions
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:
- No critical parts would be fabricated by the builder to ensure reliability, minimize jigs and simplify construction.
- Assembly in six months, so it could be built over one winter.
- A complete kit, so the builder would not have to waste time sourcing his own parts.
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
Soaring Society of America
The Soaring Society of America was founded at the instigation of Warren E. Eaton to promote the sport of soaring in the USA and internationally. The first meeting was held in New York City in the McGraw-Hill building on February 20, 1932. Its first objective was to hold a national soaring...
'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
Cayuta, New York
Cayuta is a town in Schuyler County, New York, United States. The population was 545 at the 2000 census.The Town of Cayuta occupies the southeast corner of the county and is northeast of Elmira, New York.- History :...
K & L Soaring now provides all parts and support for the Schweizer line of sailplanes.
One-Design competition
Paul A SchweizerSchweizer brothers
Paul, William , and Ernest Schweizer were three brothers who started building gliders in 1930. In 1937, they formed the Schweizer Metal Aircraft Company. Their first commercial glider sale was an SGU 1-7 glider to Harvard University's Altosaurus Glider Club. At that time, Eliot Noyes was a...
was a proponent of the One-Design
One-design
One-Design is a racing method where all vehicles or boats have identical or very similar designs or models. It is also known as Spec series. It is heavily used in sailboat racing. All competitors in a race are then judged based on a single start time...
concept and the 1-26 as the aircraft by which to establish a one-design class in the US. He wrote:
The true measure of pilot ability and experience is usually shown by his final standing in a contest. What could be more indicative of this when pilots are flying identical sailplanes with identical performance. One design competition is the sure test of soaring skill.
The design was a success as a one-design and became the most popular one-design class in the world.
The 1-26 design gained weight through the evolution of the models, as the gross weight increased from 575 lbs to 700 lbs. Performance testing showed that there is very little difference between the models and that the one-design concept has been maintained throughout the aircraft's production life.
Operational history
The 1-26 is used by many soaring clubs in the United States and is often the first single place glider that a student flies immediately after soloFirst solo flight
The first solo flight of a new pilot comprises that pilot completing a take off, and usually a short flight and safe landing, by him or herself...
, often coming from a Schweizer 2-33
Schweizer SGS 2-33
The Schweizer SGS 2-33 is a United States two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, training glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York....
two-seat trainer.
In April 2008 there were still 524 1-26s registered in the USA and 23 in Canada.
The 1-26 was used by the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
under the designation TG-3A, until it was replaced by the TG-10D Peregrine in October 2002.
Thirty 1-26s were supplied to Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
as part of a United States foreign aid package.
Records & badges
The 1-26 has been seen as a challenging aircraft to set records in and to achieve FAIFédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
soaring badges, given its low glide performance.
Rose Marie Licher set the US National Feminine distance record of 273.28 miles while flying a 1-26. Jean Arnold set the US National Feminine goal record of 96.4 miles in a 1-26.
US pilot Wally Scott
Wally Scott
Wallace Aiken Scott was an American aviator and author, a holder of several international sailplane records, and a multi-time recipient of the Lewin B. Barringer trophy awarded for the longest, free-distance, sailplane flight of each year made in the United States...
flew a distance of 443.5 miles in a 1-26.
Among other US pilots Tom Knauff and Bill Creary earned all three of their diamond badges in 1-26s.
In 1969 a 1-26 Sweepstakes was organized by the 1-26 Association and sponsored by Schweizer Aircraft. The seven month contest held across the US and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
encouraged pilots to earn badges in the 1-26 to be eligible for prizes. These included 28 barograph
Barograph
A barograph is a recording aneroid barometer. It produces a paper or foil chart called a barogram that records the barometric pressure over time....
s as well as trophies. The contest resulted in many badges earned as well as three flights over 300 miles (486 km). Canadian Harold Eley earned all three Diamonds in a 1-26.
Variants
1-26- The original 1-26 model is also referred to as a "standard". It features a welded steel tube fuselage and aluminum framed wings, all covered in aircraft fabric.
- Gross weight is 575 lbs. There were 22 "standards" completed.
1-26A
- The 1-26A is a "standard" that was completed by the builder from a kit and licenced as a certified aircraft, instead of an amateur-builtHomebuilt aircraftAlso known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, homebuilt aircraft are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch," from plans, or from assembly kits.-Overview:...
. There were 114 completed. - Like the "standard", the "A" also has a gross weight of 575 lbs.
1-26B
- The "B" model was introduced in 1956 as a factory built aircraft. It improved on the "standard" by introducing metal-covered wings. This resulted in the empty weight increasing by 25 lbs. The gross weight was increased to 600 lbs to account for the loss of useful load.
- Starting in 1965 the "B" was available with a swept tail to replace the rounded tail.
1-26C
- The "C" is a kit-built "B" model. Like its factory built counterpart it also had a gross weight of 600lbs.
1-26D
- The 1-26D was introduced in 1968 and incorporated some evolutionary improvements to make the aircraft simpler and easier to construct. These include a new monocoqueMonocoqueMonocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
nose forward of the main spar, top and bottom dive brakes to replace the top surface only spoilers of earlier models, new aileronAileronAilerons are hinged flight control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. The ailerons are used to control the aircraft in roll, which results in a change in heading due to the tilting of the lift vector...
s and a gross weight increased to 700 lbs. - The "D" model also introduced a one-piece canopy and a lower profile fuselage. The swept tail was standard on the "D" model. A total of 77 "D" models were produced.
1-26E
- The "E" model was introduced in 1971.
- The 1-26E incorporates a complete monocoque metal fuselage, entirely replacing the welded tube construction of the earlier models. It also has a revised fin assembly with new style attachments.
- The "E" has a gross weight of 700 lbs. 213 were built.
1-30
- The Schweizer SA 1-30 used the wings and tail surfaces from the 1-26 to produce a powered aircraft.
Aircraft on display
- National Soaring MuseumNational Soaring MuseumThe National Soaring Museum is an aviation museum whose stated aim is to preserve the history of motorless flight. It is located on top of Harris Hill near Elmira, New York, USA.The NSM is the Soaring Society of America's official repository...
- 1-26 serial number 001 The NSM also has SGS 1-26E serial number 700 in its display collection. - US Southwest Soaring MuseumUS Southwest Soaring MuseumThe US Southwest Soaring Museum is an aviation museum, located at the Moriarty airport, in Moriarty, New Mexico, United States that focuses on the history of gliding in the western United States....
- 1-26A
Specifications (1-26E)
See also
External links
- http://www.retroplane.net/soaring_museum/schweizer_sgs_1-26e/accueil.htmDetailed SGS 1-26E photos serial number 700 in the National Soaring MuseumNational Soaring MuseumThe National Soaring Museum is an aviation museum whose stated aim is to preserve the history of motorless flight. It is located on top of Harris Hill near Elmira, New York, USA.The NSM is the Soaring Society of America's official repository...
.] - http://www.usafa.edu/tu/306ftg/94fts/tg-3a.cfmPictures of the TG-3A in service with the United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force AcademyThe United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
.]