SZD-50 Puchacz

PZL · Poland · first flew 1976 · glider

The SZD-50 Puchacz (Eagle Owl) is a Polish two-seat tandem training glider that became one of the most widely used glider trainers in Europe, valued for its robust construction, benign handling, and ability to demonstrate aerobatics and spin recovery.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × none, embedded-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.38 m fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

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Spot it by:

Unpowered sailplane — no engine
Two-seat tandem training glider with T-tail
Widely used as a standard ab-initio glider across Europe

T-tail, tandem two-seat cockpit with separate canopies, and a moderately tapered mid-mounted wing. The white GRP construction and broad fuselage are typical of PZL training sailplane design.

Specifications

The SZD-50 Puchacz has a length of 8.38 m (27 ft).
It has a wingspan of 16.67 m (55 ft).
Typical crew: 2 (tandem).

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

History

Designed at PZL in the 1970s and first flown in 1976, the Puchacz was intended to replace older Polish gliders in flight schools across Eastern Europe. After Polish certification in 1979, it was adopted by gliding clubs throughout Europe and beyond. Its aerobatic approval and good spin recovery characteristics made it ideal for advanced training.

Variants

SZD-50-3 Puchacz is the main production version; minor production improvements over the run. Some aircraft have been fitted with sustainer motors.

Where you'll see it

Standard training glider at gliding clubs throughout Poland, Germany, UK, France, and many other European countries; widely exported and one of the most recognised training gliders in the world.

Related aircraft

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