TS - 11 ''Iskra''
The PZL TS-11 Iskra (English: Spark) is a Polish jet trainer, developed and manufactured by aircraft company PZL-Mielec. It was used by the air forces of Poland and India. It is notable as being the first domestically developed jet aircraft to be produced by Poland, its service for over 50 years as the principal training aircraft of the Polish Air Force, and at the time of its retirement was the oldest jet-propelled aircraft still in service in Poland.
As a part of efforts to preserve Poland's ability to independently develop aircraft in an era of political and economic subservience to the neighbouring Soviet Union, during the 1950s, Polish engineers at the Poland's Aviation Institute (IL) commenced early work upon the design of what would become the first jet aircraft to be developed in Poland. Following the death of Joseph Stalin, work on the initiative could be performed more openly and government officials became supportive of such a venture. The fledgling design was heavily influenced by the requirements specified by the Polish Air Force, who had formalised a requirement for a jet-propelled aircraft for training purposes. On 5 February 1960, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight, powered by an imported British Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbojet engine.
Specifications
Spotlights
- KornAerospace 11 months ago
General Characteristics
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- Wingspan 39.1ft (11.9m)
- Length 43.5ft (13.2m)
- Height 12.9ft (3.9m)
- Empty Weight 5,620lbs (2,549kg)
- Loaded Weight 8,149lbs (3,696kg)
Performance
- Power/Weight Ratio 0.413
- Wing Loading 26.5lbs/ft2 (129.6kg/m2)
- Wing Area 307.0ft2 (28.5m2)
- Drag Points 2749
Parts
- Number of Parts 38
- Control Surfaces 7
- Performance Cost 227