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PW-2 Gapa

Country:Poland
Type:training glider
Year:1985

A training glider intended for single-seat training, launched by winch or bungee cords.

It was designed in 1984 by the Composite Structure Technology Team at the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering of the Warsaw University of Technology, consisting of: Dr. Eng. Roman Świtkiewicz, MSc. Eng. Krzysztof Drabarek, MSc. Eng. Jan Filipiak, MSc. Eng. Andrzej Gozdalik, MSc. Eng. Jerzy Kędzierski, MSc. Eng. Krzysztof Pierzchanowski, MSc. Eng. Przemysław Pleciński, technician Stanisław Skrzypek, and students: Jerzy Tiereszko, Mariusz Brożek, Wojciech Frączek, Jacek Gadomski, Radosław Pochylski, Jakub Tabiszewski and Piotr Śmietanko.

Initially named ULS-Zestaw, it was later renamed PW-2 Gapa. It is a single-seat, strut-braced high-wing glider of composite construction. The prototype was first flown by January Roman on 25 July 1985 in Warsaw. Series production of the PW-2D version began a year later. A total of 19 units were produced, of which 6 were exported to the USA, 3 to Japan, 1 to Mexico and 2 to Colombia.

The exhibited aircraft, serial number U-07, registration SP-8020, was donated to the Museum collection by the Double Gull Aviation Association in 2006.

Technical data:

Wingspan11 m
Length5.5 m
Wing area12.7 m2
Empty weight110 kg
Takeoff weight220 kg
Glide ratio12.5 at optimal speed of 61 km/h
Sink ratemin. 1 m/s at economy speed of 61 km/h
Minimum speed50 km/h
Permissible speed150 km/h