Schweizer SGS 1-34

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The Schweizer SGS 1-34 is a United States Standard Class, single-seat, high-wing glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.Said, Bob: "1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine", page 32. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920]

The 1-34 was designed over a number of years in the mid-1960s and first flew in 1969. cite web|url = http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?planeID=316|title = SGS 1-34 Schweizer |accessdate = 2008-05-25|last = Activate Media|authorlink = |year = 2006]

By the time the 1-34 was introduced it was no longer competitive in the Standard Class, but has proven very successful as a club aircraft.Schweizer, Paul A: "Wings Like Eagles, The Story of Soaring in the United States", page 241. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1988. ISBN 0-87474-828-3]

Development

The 1-34 was designed over several years to spread out the development costs. At the time the design work on the aircraft was started the Standard Class was new and described a very simple aircraft with terminal velocity dive brakes, fixed landing gear and no water ballast. By the time the 1-34 had flown in 1969 the Standard Class rules had changed to allow essentially unrestricted sailplanes with a 15 metre (49.2 feet) wingspan.

The SGS 1-34 is of all metal aluminum semi-monocoque construction. All surfaces are aluminum covered, with the exception of the rudder which is covered in aircraft fabric.

The 1-34 has the originally specified terminal velocity dive brakes, that limit the glider to below redline speeds in a vertical dive. Developing and testing these proved expensive and time consuming and this also extended the aircraft's development time.

The 1-34 was the first Schweizer design to depart from using a NACA airfoil. The 1-34 has no wing washout and instead uses a Wortmann FX 61-163 airfoil at the wing root transitioning to a Wortmann FX 61-126 airfoil at the wing tip. The tip airfoil stalls at a higher angle of attack, ensuring that the wing root stalls first.

The one company concession to the changing Standard Class rules was the development of a retractable landing gear version of the 1-34, designated as the SGS 1-34R.

The 1-34 also features in-flight adjustable rudder pedals and a two-way adjustable seat to accommodate pilots of different heights.

The 1-34 was flown in Standard Class competitions, but was out-performed by the new fiberglass European gliders, such as the Glasflügel H-201 Standard Libelle.

During the protracted development process, Schweizer Aircraft was aware that the 1-34 would be overtaken by the changes in class rules and also by the performance of the newer European fiberglass sailplanes, but continued development of the SGS 1-34 anyway. The company identified that there was demand from private owners and especially clubs and commercial operations for a simple, rugged single seat glider with greater performance than the 1-26.

In service the 1-34 has proven to be a popular club aircraft and ideal for completing badge flights in. If a greater number of 1-34s had been built, Schweizer indicated that it would have become another one-design class, similar to the 1-26.

The 1-34 type certificate is currently held by K & L Soaring of Cayuta, New York. K & L Soaring now provides all parts and support for the Schweizer line of sailplanes. cite web|url = http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/fb6c9201442f366e862573b8004c7a10/$FILE/g3ea.pdf|title = GLIDER DATA SHEET NO. G3EA |accessdate = 2008-05-25|last = Federal Aviation Administration|authorlink = |year = 2007|month = September] cite web|url = http://klsoaring.com/|title = K & L Soaring, LLC|accessdate = 2008-04-05|last = K & L Soaring|authorlink = |year = undated]

Variants

;1-34

:The original 1-34 model was certified under type certificate G3EA on 16 October 1969.

;1-34R

:The retractable gear 1-34R was added to type certificate G3EA on 15 June 1971.

Modifications

At least one 1-34 has been highly modified.

Bob Park's 1-34R, registered N17974, was damaged when a hurricane passed through Georgia and resulted in a hangar collapse. The 1-34R was rebuilt with a V-tail and ballast tanks mounted in the wings that hold 230 lbs (105 kg) of water. The aircraft was subsequently registered in the experimental "Racing - Exhibition" category.Said, Bob: "1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine", page 63. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920] [ cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNumSQL.asp?NNumbertxt=17974&cmndfind.x=10&cmndfind.y=9|title = FAA Registry|accessdate = 2008-05-31|last = Federal Aviation Administration|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = May]

In service

In May 2008 there were still 63 1-34s and six 1-34Rs registered in the USA [ cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/acftinqSQL.asp?striptxt=SGS134&mfrtxt=&cmndfind.x=19&cmndfind.y=14&cmndfind=submit&modeltxt=SGS+1-34|title = FAA Registry|accessdate = 2008-05-25|last = Federal Aviation Administration|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = May] and 5 SGS 1-34s in Canada. [ cite web|url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/activepages/ccarcs/aspscripts/en/menu.asp|title = Canadian Civil Aircraft Register|accessdate = 2008-05-25|last = Transport Canada|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = May]

The USAF designation for the SGS 1-34 is TG-6.

pecifications

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wing area sqm=14.0
wing area sqft=151
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volume m3=
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aspect ratio= 16
wing profile= Root: Wortmann FX 61-163, Tip: Wortmann FX 61-126
empty weight kg=259
empty weight lb=570
gross weight kg=381
gross weight lb=840
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max speed kmh=227
max speed mph=142
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glide ratio= 33 at 55 mph (88 km/h)
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sink rate ms= 0.73
sink rate ftmin= 144

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ee also

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* List of gliders

References

External links

* [http://soarboulder.org/ssb_fleet_sgs_1_34.htm Soar Boulder - 1-34 data and photos]
* [http://soarboulder.org/Documents/Aircraft/BC/SGS%201-34%20POH.pdf SGS 1-34 Flight, Erection and Inspection Manual (542 kB)]

Photo gallery