| PIK-3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| PIK-3a in Finnish Aviation Museum | |
| Role | Sailplane |
| National origin | Finland |
| Manufacturer | Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho |
| Designer | Lars Norrmen and Ilkka Lounama |
| First flight | 1950 |
| Number built | 40 |
The PIK-3 (Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho – Finnish institute of technology students flying club) was a sailplane produced in Finland in the 1950s and 60s.[1] It was designed to be a cheap and easy-to-build aircraft[2] to equip the country's gliding clubs as their standard single-seat machine.[3] It was a conventional design for its day, with a high wing and conventional empennage.[2][3] Construction was of wood throughout, skinned in plywood.[2][3]
Design work commenced in 1942,[4] but the prototype did not fly until 1950.[2][3] Antti Koskinen refined the design for production as the PIK-3A and then further modified the design by replacing the flaps with air brakes, which was designated the PIK-3B.[2][3][4]
By the end of the 1950s, a third modification of the original design was carried out by Olavi Roininen[4] as the PIK-3C. This had completely new wings of 15 m (49 ft 3 in) to allow it to compete in the Standard Class.[2] The prototype flew on 20 May 1958,[2][3] and the design was then modified for production by Suomen Ilmailuliitto.[3]