The PW-4 “Pelikan” motor glider was designed in 1989-1990 at the Scientific Research Team for Composite Aircraft Structures at the Institute of Aeronautics and Applied Mechanics of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology.
Its general concept was tested on the PW-3 “Bakcyl”, a one-of-a-kind two-seat training glider. It is a composite construction, with fabric-covered wings.
Two examples were built, including one for static testing. The PW-4 “Pelikan” prototype was first flown on 23 December 1990, and the test programme was completed in July 1995. It turned out that the motor glider’s characteristics did not meet market requirements and its development was discontinued.
On 2 November 2012, the PW-4 “Pelikan” motor glider (SP-8050) crashed near the Babice airfield in Warsaw. The exhibited example was repaired after this accident.
| Wingspan | 16.20 m |
| Length | 8.00 m |
| Wing area | 18.8 m2 |
| Empty weight | 525 kg |
| Total weight | 720 kg |
| Glide ratio | 19.4 at 89 km/h |
| Sink rate | 1.25 m/s at 82 km/h |
| Minimum speed | 65 km/h |
| Economy speed | 82 km/h |
| Maximum permitted speed | 180 km/h |
| Range | 450 km |
| Powerplant | 4-cylinder air-cooled flat (boxer) piston engine Limbach L2000 EC1 of 80 hp |
