PZL
M26 Iskierka
The PZL‑M26 Iskierka is a single‑seat training glider developed in the late 1970s by the state‑run Polish aircraft manufacturer PZL‑Bielsko. The program began in 1975 as a response to growing demand for cost‑effective, easy‑handling sailplanes to replace aging wooden trainers in Poland’s aeroclubs and the Soviet‑aligned bloc. First flight took place on 22 May 1979, and after a brief certification period the M26 entered series production in 1980, with a total of 146 units built before the line closed in 1992.
Key features include a wooden‑foam sandwich wing with a 15‑meter span, a streamlined fiberglass pod for the pilot, and a conventional cruciform tail. The glider’s low wing loading (≈ 15 kg/m²) and generous stall margin give it forgiving handling, making it ideal for novice pilots and for aerobatic training. Its simple, maintenance‑light construction and modest launch requirements allowed clubs to operate it from basic grass fields using winch or aerotow.
The Iskierka’s significance lies in modernising the Eastern European gliding fleet, introducing composite techniques to Polish design, and fostering a generation of pilots who later propelled Poland’s resurgence in competitive sailplane sport during the 1990s. Its legacy endures in club inventories across Central Europe, where it remains a cherished stepping‑stone aircraft.
Key features include a wooden‑foam sandwich wing with a 15‑meter span, a streamlined fiberglass pod for the pilot, and a conventional cruciform tail. The glider’s low wing loading (≈ 15 kg/m²) and generous stall margin give it forgiving handling, making it ideal for novice pilots and for aerobatic training. Its simple, maintenance‑light construction and modest launch requirements allowed clubs to operate it from basic grass fields using winch or aerotow.
The Iskierka’s significance lies in modernising the Eastern European gliding fleet, introducing composite techniques to Polish design, and fostering a generation of pilots who later propelled Poland’s resurgence in competitive sailplane sport during the 1990s. Its legacy endures in club inventories across Central Europe, where it remains a cherished stepping‑stone aircraft.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1986