PZL Krosno KR-03 Puchatek
The PZL Krosno KR-03 Puchatek is a Polish mid-wing, T-tailed, two-seats-in-tandem, glider that was designed by Jerzy Krawczyk and Eugeniusz Pelczar and produced by PZL Krosno, first flying in 1985.[1][2]
KR-03 Puchatek | |
---|---|
Role | Glider |
National origin | Poland |
Manufacturer | PZL Krosno |
Designer | Jerzy Krawczyk and Eugeniusz Pelczar |
First flight | 1985 |
Status | Production completed |
Number built | about 30 |
Design and development
The KR-03 was designed as an ab initio training glider.[1] The name Puchatek is Polish translation of Pooh Bear.[3]
The aircraft is made from aluminium with some parts covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. Its 16.4 m (53.8 ft) span wing employs a Wortmann FX S-02-158 airfoil. The wing features top and bottom Schempp-Hirth-style dive brakes. The landing gear consists of an oleo-pneumatic sprung, non-retractable main wheel, a tail wheel and a rubber sprung nose skid. The Puchatek has a baggage compartment with a capacity of 5 kg (11 lb) for soft baggage items.[1][2][4]
The aircraft was type certified in the United States on 6 August 1991, with Barry Aviation of Edgewater, Volusia County, Florida as the US certificate holder.[2]
Operational history
In 1993, a few examples were put into service with the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), totalling to three as of 2012. They are currently assigned to 2 Wing AAFC. They are still in service as of 2014.[5]
As of August 2011 there were 16 KR-03As registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration[6] and in August 2022 there were 10 KR-03As registered.[7]
Variants
- KR-03A
- Main production version.[1]
Specifications (KR-03A)
Data from Sailplane Directory, Type Certificate G56EU and The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage[1][2][4]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Wingspan: 16.4 m (53 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 19.44 m2 (209.3 sq ft)
- Airfoil: Wortmann FX S-02-158
- Empty weight: 350 kg (772 lb)
- Gross weight: 540 kg (1,190 lb)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 198 km/h (123 mph, 107 kn)
- g limits: +5.3/-2.65
- Maximum glide ratio: 27:1 at 88 km/h (55 mph)
- Rate of sink: 0.78 m/s (154 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 27.78 kg/m2 (5.69 lb/sq ft)
References
- Activate Media (2006). "KR-03A Puchatek PZL Krosno". Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- Federal Aviation Administration (November 2007). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. G56EU" (PDF). Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- Milne, A.A. (2012). Kubuś Puchatek (in Polish). Translated by Irena Tuwim (29th ed.). Wydawnictwo Nasza Księgarnia. ISBN 978-83-10-12033-5.
- Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- "PZLPUCHATEK". 6 May 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- Federal Aviation Administration (August 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- Federal Aviation Administration (August 2022). "Aircraft Inquiry". Retrieved 3 August 2022.