PZL
SZD-55
The SZD‑55, known as the Nymphea, is a high‑performance single‑seat sailplane developed in the early 1990s by the Polish design bureau Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny (SZD) and produced under the PZL‑Bielsko banner. Its roots trace back to the successful SZD‑48 Jantar series, but the SZD‑55 introduced a modern composite airframe that combined a 15‑metre wingspan with the optional 18‑metre extensions, meeting the International Gliding Commission’s (IGC) standards for the Standard and 18‑meter Class competitions. The aircraft’s wing employs a slender, laminar‑flow profile with carbon‑reinforced spar caps and full‑length flaps, delivering an excellent lift‑to‑drag ratio of roughly 45:1. A T‑tail and an ergonomic, side‑by‑side cockpit layout provide superior handling and pilot comfort, while the integrated ballast system allows fine weight adjustments for varying thermal conditions. The SZD‑55’s fiberglass‑epoxy construction reduced empty weight to about 260 kg, contributing to its reputation for rapid climb rates and long cross‑country capability. Over the past three decades the glider has secured numerous national titles in Poland and remains a favored machine in European club fleets, symbolising the transition of Polish sailplane design from steel‑tube constructions to advanced composite technology and cementing PZL’s legacy in sport aviation.
