SZD-22-MUCHA STD

SZD-22 Mucha Standard was a Polish, single-seat, training and sports glider with a fully wooden structure in a medium wing configuration. The glider was developed at Szybowcowe Zakłady Doświadczalnych (SZD) based in Bielsko-Biała. The prototype flight took place in February 1958. Serial production started shortly after, which led to the creation of approx. 290 examples of this glider. The curb weight of the SZD-22 was 236 kilograms. Work on the SZD-22 Mucha Standard began in 1956-1957, and the pace of research and development on the new glider was relatively high. The preliminary design was developed by MSc. Władysław Nowakowski, and the final construction solutions and design are made by a team led by Rudolf Grzywacz. The new glider was based on two other gliders: SZD-12 Mucha 100A and IS-2 Mucha. However, in relation to these two designs, many changes were introduced: first of all, the aerodynamics of the new sailplane were significantly improved, the geometry of the wings, the cockpit cover, the interior of the cockpit itself, as well as many improvements to the fuselage and tail structure were also changed. Ultimately, the SZD-22 turned out to be a highly successful design that was exported to many countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Greece and the USA. In the course of serial production, several development versions of the glider were created, among which it is worth mentioning, for example, the SZD-22E with an improved wing structure.