Schweizer SGS 2–32

Flight Notes - how to fly the Schweizer 2–32 Sailplane

Through the late 1960s and much of the 1970s, one aircraft stood apart as the world's highest performance multi–seat sailplane: the Schweizer SGS 2–32. Many world soaring records were set in 2–32s in both men's and women's categories, including a distance run of 505 miles.

In the early 1960s, it was apparent that European manufacturers were beginning to cut into SAC's position as the premier builder of high-performance sailplanes. The European companies could build quality aircraft at 50 percent of the labor costs of the U.S. manufacturer and deliver them to U.S. shores at a price that Schweizer couldn't match. In order to compete, Schweizer had to produce a superior aircraft.

In 1962, SAC began development of the 2–32. This aircraft took twice as many hours to design, tool, and build as previous Schweizer sailplanes. Initially priced at $8,000, the production and development costs of the meticulously designed aircraft eventually pushed the price tag up considerably.

The 2–32's 57-foot wingspan provided a glide ratio of 34 to 1, which meant that at an altitude of 1 mile, the plane could glide a distance of 34 miles. The interior was luxurious and comfortable for a sailplane. It had dual flight controls, and though technically a two-seater, it could actually carry two people in the rear in addition to a pilot in the front. A large bubble canopy provided excellent visibility.

The highly efficient wing and aerodynamically clean fuselage of the 2–32 made it a candidate for an early attempt at nonstop flight around the world. Although that record was not set for many years (in 1986 by the Burt Rutan-designed Voyager), a modified 2–32, sporting a small engine, did set a nonstop distance record of 8,974 miles (14,442 kilometers) in 1969.

When the 1,000th Schweizer sailplane (a 2–32) was built, SAC held 57 percent of the sailplane business in the United States. But this was not to last. The all-metal SAC planes last indefinitely, and by the mid 1970s, they had nearly saturated the market. Sleek new European fiberglass sailplanes had lower prices and carried a certain cachet that domestic sailplanes did not. SAC eventually ceased production of their sailplane line.

When manufacture of the model ended in 1976, a total of only 87 had been delivered. Nevertheless, the 2–32 had already earned a permanent place in soaring history, and remarkably, a 2–32 in good condition today can fetch as much as $50,000. The model is still a popular choice for commercial soaring rides, and if you go to a local soaring center to take a ride, you may find yourself in a Schweizer 2–32.

Specifications

 

	U.S.	Metric
Maximum Speed	137 knots 158 mph	254 km per hour
Engine	none
Glide Ratio	34 to 1
Empty Weight	1000 pounds	454 kilograms
Length	26.75 ft	8.78 meters
Wingspan	57 feet	18.7 meters
Wing Area	180 square feet	19.37 square meters
Aspect Ratio	18.05
Maximum L/D	~57 knots ~66 mph	~106 km per hour
Minimum Sink	~47 knots ~54 mph	~87 km per hour
Seating	Up to 2
Useful Load	430 pounds	195 kilograms