SGS 1-26 Revisited
A self-launching SGS 1-26 with a jet engine? Now you can say you've seen it all. Let's take a second look at the venerable glider. It's a good transition to your first single-seat experience and competitive. Yes, it's competitive!
Some may say that at 1-26 is no fun because it can't go Cross Country. But take a look here at the 4th longest handicapped flight in the world just over a 1000km. Daniel's flight was a declared 1000 km diploma flight. But most of the time a 1-26 is the transition sailplane out of a 2-seater. It is like strapping into a little fighter jet, you have been flying a 2-33 and learning to fly. But now you are learning on your own, you are really trying to stay aloft for the first time for as long as you want. It is what soaring is all about.
The 1-26 Nationals are taking place right now, with today being their last day. Results are on the SSA page and you can check out the more interesting paint schemes then solid white.
At Sky Sailing after the student gets 2-3 solo flights in the 2-33 we transition them into the 1-26. The jump in handling is similar to flying solo vs dual, well it's is more but that is the best way to explain it to a new student. They read some handouts and the manual and we do a cockpit check-out. This mainly consists of reminding them to keep there arm on their leg to dampen any PIO tendency. We can tell after lift-off if they were listening.
Everyone lands with a huge grin and after a short time, they are excited that now they have doubled their flight time and have their longest flights. Performance wise it was similar to the 2-33, but now they are not limited to the instructor's schedule and can stay up longer. Many students start targeting their B, C, and Bronze badges.
There is still an active 1-26 Association promoting the 1-26 for first-timers and experienced pilots alike. We have an active 1-26 group here self-named "Skid Row", it's a social club with a flying problem. They go together on safaris and have even been known to compete on weak days by the first one to land and catch a fish wins the day. For under $10,000 these pilots are having more fun on the weekend than anyone else.
Photo from and more details on the SGS 1-26 jet project http://csanders2775.wix.com/turbineschweizer126
Gliding Mentor Series by Bob Wander will make a significant contribution to enhancing the safety of flight for every glider pilot who makes the effort to read and to understand the series.
FlarmView 57 shows traffic information provided by FLARM or ADS-B devices. It displays also climb rate, altitude, and distance for the selected target. It uses FLARMNET database for friendly target names. All pages and settings are completed with a rotary encoder and push button.
Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.
