Schweizer SGS 1-26

SGS 1-26
SGS-1-26B
Role 1-26 class sailplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Schweizer Aircraft Corporation
Designer Ernest Schweizer[1]
First flight 16 January 1954[2]
Number built 700

The Schweizer SGS 1-26 is a United States One-Design, single-seat, mid-wing glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.[3]

The SGS 1-26 enjoyed a very long production run from its first flight in 1954 until 1979, when production was ended. The 1-26 was replaced in production by the Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite. The 1-26 is the most numerous sailplane found in the US.[1][4]

In October 1963 a special issue of Soaring magazine was dedicated to the 1-26. Harner Selvidge wrote:

"Much of the glamour of soaring lies in the realm of high performance, high aspect ratio open class sailplanes, but the backbone of the soaring movement in this country, and any other, lies in the local club operations. These are the weekend fliers who have fun around the airport, make some cross-country flights and enter local contests. For this sort of flying, the 1-26 is unexcelled."[5]

  1. ^ a b Activate Media (2006). "SGS 1-26 A,B,C & D Schweizer". Archived from the original on 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  2. ^ Schweizer, Paul A: Wings Like Eagles, The Story of Soaring in the United States, pages 138-139. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1988. ISBN 0-87474-828-3
  3. ^ Schweizer Aircraft Corp: The 1-26 Sailplane Flight - Erection - Maintenance Manual, Models A thru E, page 1. Schweizer Aircraft Corp, undated.
  4. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (June 2008). "FAA Registry". Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  5. ^ Schweizer, Paul A: Wings Like Eagles, The Story of Soaring in the United States, page 201. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1988. ISBN 0-87474-828-3