Swift S-1

Swift S-1
Role	Aerobatic glider
Manufacturer	Swift Ltd.
Designer	Edward Marganski and Jerzy Cisowski
First flight	6 August 1991 (proof of concept glider: 11 January 1991)
Primary users	Jerzy Makula; see European and World Glider Aerobatic Championships for further users
Produced	1991–1997
Number built	30 (+ proof of concept glider)
Developed from	SZD-21 Kobuz

The Swift S-1 is a single seat aerobatic glider manufactured by Polish company Swift Ltd.

Design and development

Edward Margański, Jerzy Cisowski and Jerzy Makula developed the Swift at Bielsko-Biała from the SZD-21-2b Kobuz 3.^[1]^[2] The prototype first flew in 1991.

The glider is made of glass-fibre epoxy composite. It is very strong (stressed for plus and minus 10g) and manoeuvrable (a roll takes less than 4 seconds). Larger tips to increase the span to 15m were designed but not made. It has a retractable undercarriage.

Specifications

Data from ^[1]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 6.91 m (22 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 12.7 m (41 ft 8 in)
Wing area: 11.8 m² (127 sq ft)
Tailplane area: 1.65 m² (17.8 sq ft)
Fin area: 0.9 m² (9.7 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 14.3
Airfoil: NACA 64₁412
Tailplane airfoil: NACA 63₁012-63006
Fin airfoil: NACA 63₂015-63012
Empty weight: 280 kg (617 lb)
Gross weight: 390 kg (860 lb)

Performance

Never exceed speed: 320 km/h (200 mph, 170 kn) diving
Maximum manoeuvring speed: 228 km/h (142 mph; 123 kn)
g limits: +10 g / - 7.5 g
Maximum glide ratio: 30:1 at 107 km/h (66 mph; 58 kn)
Rate of sink: 0.9 m/s (180 ft/min)

Gallery

Swift S-1

Swift concludes its aerobatic display at Old Warden, England
Georgij Kaminski' demonstration flight on the 90th anniversary of the gliding sport of Russia. S-1 Swift glider.
The Swift Aerobatic Display Team at Kemble Battle of Britain Weekend 2009. A Swift S-1 is performing continuous rolls while towed by a Piper Pawnee