SZD 55
John Giddy
I am looking for information on the handling characteristics of the SZD
55 glider. Some comparison with, say, LS4 from the point of view of
"delight to fly", and also its suitability for low-hours pilots.
Thanks in anticipation...
John G. (Mangalore Gliding Club, Victoria, Australia)
Kai Lindenberg
Hi John,
I have been flying my fiftyfife since March/1996 for about 500h.
I fly it with the center of gravity at the back.
Some facts:
weight (with basic intruments) : 215kg
water ballast in the wings : 190kg
water ballast in the tail : 10kg
wing load possible between 30kg/m2 and 53kg/m2
Performance at 30kg/m2 43 at 88 km/h
at 53kg/m2 44 at 122 km/h
this performance is the result of the factory and of a measurement
in the US. (German IDA-Flieg got worse results)
Empty you can circle at 80km/h with bank at 40 deg.
Full you need 110-120km/h (depending on wing pollution) with 40 deg.
The glider is made for flying competitions at any weather conditions.
For normal weather you have to fill in water or you will fly like a
ballon.
Here my impressions:
1. It is a very maneuverable glider
2. There is no glider in the standard class that climbes faster.
3. If you want to be adapted to the rest of the standard class you
need about 40liters of water. With the right amount of water there
is no difference to other modern german standard class gliders.
4. The glider has a good over all performance.
5. The behaviour at stall speed is easy to handle.
6. If you want to get into a spin you can. It is easy to initiate and
easy to stop. It spins fast. But I never got in the near of a
spin if I didn't want to.
7. It is Easy to fly and easy to land !
8. I started the glider under (nearly) all conditions including winch
launch with 200 liters of water. Towing by aircraft is no problem
with an empty or full glider. It isn't easy (but possible) to do
that with e.g. 100 liters because of moderate effectiveness of the
ailerons on ground. If the water begins to flow you won't be able
to lift the wing by aerodynamic power. Winch launching is no
problem.
9. The glider is easy to rig. All controls are connected automatically.
10. The brakes work very well.
Summary:
In my opinion it is a modern glider with modern performance. It is easy
to handle on ground and airborne. It has some few _small_ bugs. E.g.
the Elevator trim rope disrupted after 150h. The surface is very good.
I would not hesitate to buy it again.
Kai Lindenberg _______ SZD-55/1, D-9551, LY
___________________^_________________________
V
ka...@fmr.maschinenbau.th-darmstadt.de
Wings and Wheels
> John Giddy wrote:
> >
> > I am looking for information on the handling characteristics of the SZD
> > 55 glider. Some comparison with, say, LS4 from the point of view of
> > "delight to fly", and also its suitability for low-hours pilots.
> > Thanks in anticipation...
> > John G. (Mangalore Gliding Club, Victoria, Australia)
I too have an SZD55 and after flying several different types including new
ships from SH and Schleicher I
believe it is one of the nicest flying standard class ships available. EASY
to fly, better yet, let it fly and you go along for the ride!
I suspect The 55 will climb and perform as well as any of the new standards
(at equal weights) though I've had little chance to fly side by side with
many of them..
The quality of workmanship and finish is excellent
It assembles in 5 minutes from a Cobra trailer (wings are only 120
pounds!), all connections are automatic..
In short, I think the only people you might find that don't like this
glider are the ones who might be selling a different brand........
tim