Sailplanes and Towplanes

The PA-25 Pawnee was an agricultural aircraft produced by Piper Aircraft between 1959 and 1982. It remains a widely used aircraft in agricultural spraying and is also used as a tow plane, or tug, for launching gliders or for towing banners.

The Citabria was designed and initially produced by Champion Aircraft Corporation, and was a derivative of designs the company had been building since acquiring the 7-series Champ from Aeronca in 1954. The model 7ECA Citabria entered production at Champion in 1964. The 7GCAA and 7GCBC variants, added in 1965, were joined by the 7KCAB in 1968.

It is often used for advanced training. The Duo Discus replaced the Janus as Schempp Hirth's high performance two seater trainer. Although it shares its name with the highly successful Standard Class Discus, any resemblance is only superficial. It first flew in 1993 and is still in production at the factory in Orlican in the Czech Republic. It has a 20 meter four piece wing that is slightly swept forward so that the rear pilot is close to the center of gravity. Its best glide ratio was measured as 45:1

It is often used for recreational soaring. The G 103 C Twin III is a development of the Twin II with a new ‘Discus’ plan wing of slightly increased span and modified airfoil section. The cockpit has detailed improvements including better ventilation, relocated airbrake levers to give better purchase, and canopies restrained by gas-filled struts. The unpowered sailplane is cleared for aerobatics similar to the Twin II Acro. Its best glide ratio was measured as 36:1

The Super Blaník is an improved version of the original LET L-13 Blanik. To save weight, the new wings were made without flaps, which were rarely used. LET also moved the tailplane to the top of the vertical stabilizer for better protection in case of outlanding. It has a new instrument suite and a new two-piece canopy (with different framing from that on the original L-13) to improve vision.

The Super Blaník is an improved version of the original LET L-13 Blanik. To save weight, the new wings were made without flaps, which were rarely used. LET also moved the tailplane to the top of the vertical stabilizer for better protection in case of outlanding. It has a new instrument suite and a new two-piece canopy (with different framing from that on the original L-13) to improve vision.

An all-metal flush riveted sailplane with fabric covered control surfaces, the Blanik is stressed for aerobatics and has held many two-seat records. It is equipped with DFS type airbrakes and Fowler-type flaps. The main wheel has an oleo strut shock absorber and is partially retractable.

An all-metal flush riveted sailplane with fabric covered control surfaces, the Blanik is stressed for aerobatics and has held many two-seat records. It is equipped with DFS type airbrakes and Fowler-type flaps. The main wheel has an oleo strut shock absorber and is partially retractable.

The Astir CS [Club Standard] is of composite (fiberglass/resin) construction, has a large wing area, a T-tail and water ballast tanks in its wings. The large wing area gives good low-speed handling characteristics but its high-speed performance is inferior to other Standard-class gliders. In early versions some of the fuselage frame was wood, but this was replaced with a light alloy casting which sometimes cracks after heavy landings. The tail dolly is unusual by being plugged into a vertical hole.