SZD-30 Pirat
PZL · Poland · first flew 1966 · glider
The SZD-30 Pirat is a Polish single-seat Standard Class glider developed by PZL in the mid-1960s and first flown in 1966. It became one of the most popular Polish gliders, used widely across Europe for club flying and competition soaring.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.86 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- Polish single-seat Standard Class glider
- Widely used for club and competition soaring in Europe
Mid-wing single-seat glider with a 15-metre straight wing, clean glassfibre and wood construction, a pointed nose, and a conventional tail — a classic Standard Class sailplane silhouette.
Specifications
- The SZD-30 Pirat has a length of 6.86 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
PZL Bielsko designed the Pirat to meet the 15-metre Standard Class requirements, producing a glider suitable for cross-country and competitive soaring. Over 250 examples were built, with exports to several European countries. It remained in production into the 1980s.
Variants
Minor production changes occurred across the manufacturing run but no formally designated sub-variants.
Where you'll see it
Operated by gliding clubs across Poland and throughout Europe, with examples still airworthy today.
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- Cessna 177 Cardinal
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