What a magnificent glider. Well balanced and responsive controls, nice cockpit layout and a joy to do aerobatics with. Not too fancy for cross country training though.
@agsmithwindows I think you will find that the fatal accidents occured soon after the introduction of this type of glider(plastic as opposed to wood and canvas). Since the difference in handling characteristics has been identified the problem has been to a large extent eradicated. Speed control on a winch launch is the most critical safety point with this aircraft.
spin practice was the best part of my primary glider course, I also did it on puchacz. I was really afraid before, but after the first spin practice flight I couldn't stand waiting for the next one :)
Funny fact, in Poland, old wooden Bocian are used as winch training workhorses, but being too old for aerobatics, Puchacz serves as spin and aerobatics trainer. In Wroclaw some 30 new pilots are spinning on Puchacz, 2 flights 15min each per person. This is their 45th flight, with instructor. There is also Puchatek glider that is said to be spinless glider, whatever it may mean in practice.
What a magnificent glider. Well balanced and responsive controls, nice cockpit layout and a joy to do aerobatics with. Not too fancy for cross country training though.
KarriKoivusalo 1 month ago
puchacz have killed at least twoC.F.I s im sure they knew how to recover from spins
agsmithwindows 2 years ago
@agsmithwindows I think you will find that the fatal accidents occured soon after the introduction of this type of glider(plastic as opposed to wood and canvas). Since the difference in handling characteristics has been identified the problem has been to a large extent eradicated. Speed control on a winch launch is the most critical safety point with this aircraft.
keegan773 1 year ago
There is no danger in spinning this aircraft as long as your recovery is positive.
keegan773 3 years ago
Yup, full opposite rudder, pause, stick forward, centralise rudder, eeeease it up. Done =D
I've yet to do them at my club, but i think it's one of the next things on my list!
whiternoise2 3 years ago
HAHA Did you see the ASI!!
Saynotothestoneage 3 years ago
spin practice was the best part of my primary glider course, I also did it on puchacz. I was really afraid before, but after the first spin practice flight I couldn't stand waiting for the next one :)
Kudel12 3 years ago
more then 17 people died in the puchacz since it was launched in the late 70's
Anton1941 3 years ago
The puchacz is a good aerobatics plane but with a low VNE, and a deadly record.
About 17 peoples were killed since it was first launched in the 1970's.. most of them durning spinns.
It spinns like crazy, i give you that
Anton1941 4 years ago
Funny fact, in Poland, old wooden Bocian are used as winch training workhorses, but being too old for aerobatics, Puchacz serves as spin and aerobatics trainer. In Wroclaw some 30 new pilots are spinning on Puchacz, 2 flights 15min each per person. This is their 45th flight, with instructor. There is also Puchatek glider that is said to be spinless glider, whatever it may mean in practice.
krbosak 3 years ago
BUT i you fly without mistakes the Puchacz won`t come in a spin at al ;)
flightstar1 2 years ago
Great training aircraft. Spins predictably and comes out when you tell it to!
weaville 4 years ago 3
Famous last words..
gift2thecokpit 4 years ago 7
I love the way the puchacz spins
sosapilot 4 years ago