PZL M26 Iskierka

PZL Mielec · Poland · first flew 1986 · light aircraft

The M26 Iskierka is a Polish tandem-seat piston military trainer, developed from Piper design roots to provide aerobatic ab-initio and basic flying training.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• Piper-derived tandem-seat military trainer
• Tapered low wing with retractable gear
• Long framed canopy over stepped tandem cockpits

Note the tandem stepped cockpits under a long framed canopy, a tapered low wing and retractable tricycle gear. Its trainer proportions and single piston nose recall its Piper ancestry.

Specifications

• The PZL M26 Iskierka has a length of 8.3 m (27 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 8.6 m (28 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 330 km/h (205 mph).
• Typical crew: 2 (student and instructor).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

PZL Mielec flew the Iskierka (Little Spark) in 1986, drawing on licence experience with Piper aircraft to produce a purpose-built trainer. Both Lycoming- and PZL-powered versions were developed to broaden its appeal.

Variants

The line included the M26 00 with a domestic engine and the M26 01 with a more powerful Lycoming, differing mainly in powerplant. Production was limited and the type did not achieve wide adoption.

Where you'll see it

The Iskierka saw only marginal service and never reached the UK, where the RAF's basic training was handled by the Tucano and later Texan. It remains an obscure Polish trainer with a handful of airframes.

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