Schweizer SGS 2-32
Encyclopedia
The Schweizer SGS 2-32 is an American
two-seat, mid-wing, two or three-place glider
built by Schweizer Aircraft
of Elmira, New York
.
The 2-32 was designed to be the highest performance two-place glider available, when it first flew in 1962. The 2-32 has been used as a tourist glider, trainer, cross-country and high-altitude sailplane and has set many US and world records. A total of 87 aircraft were completed.
trainer then in common use in North America. After careful examination of the potential market, the company decided to produce a higher performance sailplane with a greater wingspan instead.
The 2-32 design was started in 1961 and completed with certification under type certificate G1EA on 19 June 1964.
The 2-32 is all-metal, with a semi-monocoque
aluminum fuselage and cantilever
wings of 57 foot (17.37 m) span. It has top-and-bottom divebrakes and an all-flying stabilator tail.
The aircraft seats two or three, with one seat in the front cockpit and a double bench seat in the back suitable for two smaller people of 150 lb (68 kg) each, maximum. The aircraft is often described a "2 seater".
The ability to carry two passengers, plus its complete and comfortable interior has made the 2-32 a popular aircraft with commercial glider operators for conducting tourist flights. The ability to carry two passengers doubled profitability for rides.
The first customer aircraft were delivered in 1964, shortly after certification was completed.
The 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.
At one time the 2-32 held the two-place speed records over 100 km, 300 km and 500 km courses, as well as many distance, out and return and altitude records in both the men's and women's categories. 2-32s were also flown in the 1964 US Nationals.
Some of the records set by pilots flying SGS 2-32s include:
In May 2008 there were still 64 2-32s registered in the USA and one in Canada.
In USAF service at the United States Air Force Academy
the 2-32 was known as the TG-5.
has two SGS 2-32s in its collection, N2767Z and N8600R, the prototype. N8600R is currently on loan to and on display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
two-seat, mid-wing, two or three-place glider
Glider (sailplane)
A glider or sailplane is a type of glider aircraft used in the sport of gliding. Some gliders, known as motor gliders are used for gliding and soaring as well, but have engines which can, in some cases, be used for take-off or for extending a flight...
built by Schweizer Aircraft
Schweizer Aircraft
The Schweizer Aircraft Corporation is a manufacturer of sailplanes, agricultural aircraft and helicopters located in Horseheads, New York. It was incorporated in 1939 by three Schweizer brothers , who built their first glider in 1930...
of Elmira, New York
Elmira, New York
Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York, USA. It is the principal city of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.The City of Elmira is located in...
.
The 2-32 was designed to be the highest performance two-place glider available, when it first flew in 1962. The 2-32 has been used as a tourist glider, trainer, cross-country and high-altitude sailplane and has set many US and world records. A total of 87 aircraft were completed.
Design and development
The SGS 2-32 was conceived as a mass-produced sailplane of modest performance to act as a step-up from the SGU 2-22Schweizer SGU 2-22
The Schweizer SGU 2-22 is a United States two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, training glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York....
trainer then in common use in North America. After careful examination of the potential market, the company decided to produce a higher performance sailplane with a greater wingspan instead.
The 2-32 design was started in 1961 and completed with certification under type certificate G1EA on 19 June 1964.
The 2-32 is all-metal, with a semi-monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
aluminum fuselage and cantilever
Cantilever
A cantilever is a beam anchored at only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and shear stress. Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs.This is in...
wings of 57 foot (17.37 m) span. It has top-and-bottom divebrakes and an all-flying stabilator tail.
The aircraft seats two or three, with one seat in the front cockpit and a double bench seat in the back suitable for two smaller people of 150 lb (68 kg) each, maximum. The aircraft is often described a "2 seater".
The ability to carry two passengers, plus its complete and comfortable interior has made the 2-32 a popular aircraft with commercial glider operators for conducting tourist flights. The ability to carry two passengers doubled profitability for rides.
The first customer aircraft were delivered in 1964, shortly after certification was completed.
The type certificate is currently held by K & L Soaring of Cayuta, New York
Cayuta, New York
Cayuta is a town in Schuyler County, New York, United States. The population was 545 at the 2000 census.The Town of Cayuta occupies the southeast corner of the county and is northeast of Elmira, New York.- History :...
. K & L Soaring now provides all parts and support for the Schweizer line of sailplanes.
Derivative designs
The SGS 2-32 has been the basis of several derivative designs, including:- Bede BD-2Bede BD-2|-See also:...
long range experimental aircraftExperimental aircraftAn experimental aircraft is an aircraft that has not yet been fully proven in flight. Often, this implies that new aerospace technologies are being tested on the aircraft, though the label is more broad....
designed by Jim BedeJim BedeJames R. "Jim" Bede is an aircraft designer, who is often credited with the creation of the modern kitplane market. He has designed well over a dozen aircraft since the 1960s, but a string of business failures have kept most of these designs out of widespread use. -Bede Aviation:Bede was raised in... - Lockheed YO-3 quiet surveillance aircraft
- LTV L450FLTV L450F-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-1972. London: Sampson Low Marston & Co, 1972. ISBN 354-000-942....
prototype quiet reconnaissance aircraft - LTV XQM-93LTV XQM-93-Notes:This article contains material that originally came from the web article by Greg Goebel, which exists in the Public Domain.-External links:* at Designation-Systems.Net...
turbopropTurbopropA turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
a remotely-piloted aircraft - Ryson STP-1 SwallowRyson STP-1 Swallow-See also:...
motor gliderMotor gliderA motor glider is a fixed-wing aircraft that can be flown with or without engine power. The FAI Gliding Commission Sporting Code definition is: A fixed wing aerodyne equipped with a means of propulsion ,... - X-26 Frigate US Navy yaw/roll coupling trainer
Operational history
As soon as it entered service many pilots realized that this high performance two-place sailplane would be ideal to break many of the two-place records previously set by lower performance gliders.At one time the 2-32 held the two-place speed records over 100 km, 300 km and 500 km courses, as well as many distance, out and return and altitude records in both the men's and women's categories. 2-32s were also flown in the 1964 US Nationals.
Some of the records set by pilots flying SGS 2-32s include:
- World record two-place out and return flight, 404 miles (654 km), May 23, 1970, Joe Lincoln and Cris Crowl. Lincoln's 2-32, named Cibola, had special longer wings of 67 feet (20.4 m) span installed that increased performance further.
- World record two-place speed over 100 km (63 miles) Triangle, 74 mph (120 km/h), 1971, Joe Lincoln.
- World record two-place feminine absolute altitude 35,463 feet (10,809 m) and altitude gain 24,545 feet (7848 m), 5 March 1975, Babs Nutt.
In May 2008 there were still 64 2-32s registered in the USA and one in Canada.
In USAF service at the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
the 2-32 was known as the TG-5.
Aircraft on display
The National Soaring MuseumNational Soaring Museum
The National Soaring Museum is an aviation museum whose stated aim is to preserve the history of motorless flight. It is located on top of Harris Hill near Elmira, New York, USA.The NSM is the Soaring Society of America's official repository...
has two SGS 2-32s in its collection, N2767Z and N8600R, the prototype. N8600R is currently on loan to and on display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon
McMinnville, Oregon
McMinnville is the county seat and largest city of Yamhill County, Oregon, United States. According to Oregon Geographic Names, it was named by its founder, William T. Newby , an early immigrant on the Oregon Trail, for his hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee...
.
Specifications
