Schweizer SGU 2-22
Encyclopedia
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
.
The 2-22 was designed to replace the two-place training gliders surplussed at the end of World War II
. Production was started in 1946 and it was produced until 1967, when it was superseded by an improved version, the SGS 2-33
. From the 1940s until the 1960s it was the most numerous two-pace training glider in the USA.
, Schweizer TG-2s
and Schweizer TG-3s
. Most of the surplus gliders sold were not ideal trainers for ab initio civilian student flying, as they had high wing loading
s and faster stall speeds. This made them suitable for aero-tow, but not for winch or auto-tow launches. Furthermore many of these surplus two-place gliders had poor visibility from the rear seat where the instructor sat. Due to restrictions on the use of aluminum in training aircraft, many surplus gliders had wooden wings, making them unsuitable to be kept outdoors on tie-downs.
Schweizer Aircraft decided to design a two-place trainer that would address these deficiencies and provide a trainer that was easy to fly and would be easy for students to progress quickly on. The new two-place was intended to be a complement to the single-place training glider then in production, the SGU 1-19
.
The SGU 2-22, indicating Schweizer Glider, Utility, 2 Seats, Model 22, was designed by Ernest Schweizer. The aircraft was based on the SGU 1-7
single place glider of 1937. It used the 1-7's metal wing, single spar and single strut arrangement.
The prototype 2-22 was flown in March, 1946. To gain publicity for the new design company test pilot Frank Hurtt and company engineer Dick Powell used the prototype to set a new two-place duration record of 10 hours 9 minutes on April 10, 1946.
The 2-22 was produced in seven variants and remained in production for 21 years. Production was only curtailed when the Schweizer SGS 2-33
was put into production as a replacement. The 2-33 was essentially a refined 2-22, incorporating a longer semi-tapered wing.
The 2-22 received type certificate G-18 on 4 October 1946.
The type certificate is currently held by K & L Soaring of Cayuta, New York
who now provide all parts and support for the Schweizer line of sailplanes.
A number of 2-22s were delivered as kits to the purchaser. These were accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration
as certified aircraft and not amateur-builts, subject to conditions:
The 2-22 has a welded steel
tube fuselage covered in aircraft fabric. The single-spar, constant-chord aluminum structure wings feature spoilers on the top surface only and are covered in aircraft fabric. The tail surfaces are made from welded steel tube covered in aircraft fabric.
SGU 2-22A
SGU 2-22B
SGU 2-22C
SGU 2-22CK
SGU 2-22E
SGU 2-22EK
and a number were supplied as foreign aid to Indonesia
.
Distance flying in the 2-22 is challenging, given its 17:1 glide ratio. One 2-22 was flown by Al Parker 200 miles (324 km) to complete a Gold distance and Diamond goal leg.
In May 2008 there were still 123 SGU 2-22s registered in the USA. These included:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, training 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 2-22 was designed to replace the two-place training gliders surplussed at the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Production was started in 1946 and it was produced until 1967, when it was superseded by an improved version, the SGS 2-33
Schweizer SGS 2-33
The Schweizer SGS 2-33 is a United States two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, training glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York....
. From the 1940s until the 1960s it was the most numerous two-pace training glider in the USA.
Design and development
The end of World War Two resulted in a large number of military training gliders being sold as surplus. These included Frankfort TG-1sFrankfort Cinema
|-References:*...
, Schweizer TG-2s
Schweizer SGS 2-8
The Schweizer SGS 2-8 is a United States two-seat, mid-wing, strut-braced, training glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.The 2-8 was originally known simply as "The Schweizer Two-Place" when it first flew in June 1938...
and Schweizer TG-3s
Schweizer SGS 2-12
The Schweizer SGS 2-12 is a United States two-seat, low-wing, training glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.The 2-12 was a development of the Schweizer 2-8 two place training glider, with an all-wooden wing...
. Most of the surplus gliders sold were not ideal trainers for ab initio civilian student flying, as they had high wing loading
Wing loading
In aerodynamics, wing loading is the loaded weight of the aircraft divided by the area of the wing. The faster an aircraft flies, the more lift is produced by each unit area of wing, so a smaller wing can carry the same weight in level flight, operating at a higher wing loading. Correspondingly,...
s and faster stall speeds. This made them suitable for aero-tow, but not for winch or auto-tow launches. Furthermore many of these surplus two-place gliders had poor visibility from the rear seat where the instructor sat. Due to restrictions on the use of aluminum in training aircraft, many surplus gliders had wooden wings, making them unsuitable to be kept outdoors on tie-downs.
Schweizer Aircraft decided to design a two-place trainer that would address these deficiencies and provide a trainer that was easy to fly and would be easy for students to progress quickly on. The new two-place was intended to be a complement to the single-place training glider then in production, the SGU 1-19
Schweizer SGU 1-19
The Schweizer SGU 1-19 and Schweizer SGU 1-20 are a family of United States single-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, utility gliders built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York....
.
The SGU 2-22, indicating Schweizer Glider, Utility, 2 Seats, Model 22, was designed by Ernest Schweizer. The aircraft was based on the SGU 1-7
Schweizer SGU 1-7
|-See also:-External links:**...
single place glider of 1937. It used the 1-7's metal wing, single spar and single strut arrangement.
The prototype 2-22 was flown in March, 1946. To gain publicity for the new design company test pilot Frank Hurtt and company engineer Dick Powell used the prototype to set a new two-place duration record of 10 hours 9 minutes on April 10, 1946.
The 2-22 was produced in seven variants and remained in production for 21 years. Production was only curtailed when the Schweizer SGS 2-33
Schweizer SGS 2-33
The Schweizer SGS 2-33 is a United States two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, training glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York....
was put into production as a replacement. The 2-33 was essentially a refined 2-22, incorporating a longer semi-tapered wing.
The 2-22 received type certificate G-18 on 4 October 1946.
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 :...
who now provide all parts and support for the Schweizer line of sailplanes.
A number of 2-22s were delivered as kits to the purchaser. These were accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
as certified aircraft and not amateur-builts, subject to conditions:
The 2-22 has a welded steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
tube fuselage covered in aircraft fabric. The single-spar, constant-chord aluminum structure wings feature spoilers on the top surface only and are covered in aircraft fabric. The tail surfaces are made from welded steel tube covered in aircraft fabric.
Variants
SGU 2-22- The original 2-22 is referred to as a "standard". It featured a 450 lb (204 kg) empty weight and an 830 lb (376 kg) gross weight. The aircraft had a windshield, but no canopy, rear windows or door. Fifty-one "standards" were built. The type was certified on 4 October 1946.
SGU 2-22A
- The "A" model was a re-design to meet the requirements of the United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force AcademyThe 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...
. It incorporated a lengthened nose and a full canopy, along with a gross weight increase to 900 lbs (408 kg). It was certified on 24 May 1957. A total of three were completed.
SGU 2-22B
- The "B" model was a "standard" with the gross weight increased to 900 lbs (408 kg). It was certified on 24 May 1957.
SGU 2-22C
- The "C" model incorporated the changes from the "A" and "B" models and also introduced smaller ailerons. It was certified on 24 May 1957 and 103 were built.
SGU 2-22CK
- The "CK" model was a "C" model completed by the buyer from a kit. Twenty-eight "CK" kits were completed.
SGU 2-22E
- The "E" model was the last production model and incorporated larger spoilers, a bigger cockpit, a new-design canopy and changes to the wing rootWing rootThe wing root is the part of the wing on a fixed-wing aircraft that is closest to the fuselage. On a simple monoplane configuration, this is usually easy to identify...
to allow a skylight to be fitted. The "E" was certified on 10 April 1963.
SGU 2-22EK
- The "EK" was the kit version of the "E" model. The "EK" was certified on 7 February 1964.
Operational history
Aside from the 2-22As that were delivered to USAFA, later model 2-22s were also supplied to the USAFUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and a number were supplied as foreign aid to Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
.
Distance flying in the 2-22 is challenging, given its 17:1 glide ratio. One 2-22 was flown by Al Parker 200 miles (324 km) to complete a Gold distance and Diamond goal leg.
In May 2008 there were still 123 SGU 2-22s registered in the USA. These included:
- 2-22 - 19
- 2-22A - 1
- 2-22B - 0
- 2-22C - 28
- 2-22CK - 14
- 2-22E - 55
- 2-22EK - 6
