Schweizer SGM 2-37: Difference between revisions
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==Variants== |
==Variants== |
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[[File:Schweizer SA2-37B.jpg|thumb|SA2-37B of the Aerial Surveillance Squadron, 3rd Air Group, [[Mexican Air Force]] at [[Santa Lucia Air Force Base]].]] |
[[File:Schweizer SA2-37B.jpg|thumb|SA2-37B of the Aerial Surveillance Squadron, 3rd Air Group, [[Mexican Air Force]] at [[Santa Lucia Air Force Base]].]] |
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[[File:Schweizer RG-8A 85-0047 USCG OPA 11.11.89 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|RG-8A surveillance aircraft of the [[United States Coast Guard|US Coast Guard]] at Opa Locka, Miami, in 1989]]]] |
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;SGM 2-37 |
;SGM 2-37 |
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:Motor glider for USAF and civil use, 12 completed.<ref name="ActivateMedia"/><ref name="SoaringNov83"/> |
:Motor glider for USAF and civil use, 12 completed.<ref name="ActivateMedia"/><ref name="SoaringNov83"/> |
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Revision as of 18:24, 4 May 2014
| SGM 2-37 | |
|---|---|
| |
| USAFA TG-7A | |
| Role | Motor glider |
| National origin | USA |
| Manufacturer | Schweizer Aircraft Corporation |
| Designer | Leslie Schweizer[1] |
| First flight | 1982 |
| Introduction | 1982 |
| Retired | USAF service: April 2003[2] Still in civil use |
| Primary user | United States Air Force Academy - 9 |
| Produced | 1982-1988 |
| Number built | 12[1] |
| Developed from | Schweizer SGS 1-36 and 2-32 |
| Variants | RU-38 Twin Condor |
The Schweizer SGM 2-37 is a two-place, side-by-side, fixed gear, low wing motor glider.[1][3]
A total of twelve were produced between 1982 and 1988, including nine for the United States Air Force Academy, which designated it the TG-7A. The TG-7A was retired from USAFA service in April 2003.[1][2][4]
The basic airframe was later developed into the SA 2-37A and B covert surveillance aircraft.[5]
Development
Schweizer had flown a Schweizer SGU 1-19 as a motor glider in 1946 without putting the design into production. Later in 1958 the company carried out a design study of a motorglider based on the 1-26 designated as the Schweizer SA 1-30, but after some test flying and modification it was not put into production. A single motorglider prototype, the Schweizer 2-31 was completed, but no further motorgliders were built by the company until 1982.[6][7][8][9]
The SGM 2-37 was designed at the request of the USAF for use at USAFA, in both the powered and glider trainer role.[3]
To save both money and development time the aircraft used a number of existing aircraft components:
- Nose, cowling and engine installation adapted from the Piper PA-38 Tomahawk[2]
- Wings adapted from the Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite, including extensions to bring it from the Sprite's 46.2 feet (14.1 m) to 59.5 feet (18.1 m) and leading edge cuffs to improve stall characteristics[2]
- Tail from the Schweizer SGS 2-32[2]
The design was intended to be available as a civil aircraft as well as a military aircraft. The USAF version was delivered with a Lycoming O-235-L2C 4-cylinder aircraft engine of 112 hp (84 kW). The civil version offered the same engine or an option of a Lycoming O-320 of 150 hp or a Lycoming O-360 of 180 hp.[2][3]
The aircraft is of all-metal aluminum monocoque construction. The engine cowling is made from fiberglass and plastics are employed in some of the nonstructural components.[2]
The 2-37 features a 27 cu ft (760 L) baggage compartment behind the side-by-side seating. The aircraft does not have flaps, but instead has top-and-bottom wing-mounted balanced divebrakes, similar to other Schweizer glider designs.[3]
Performance includes a cruise speed of 114 mph while burning 4 US gal per hour with the O-235 engine. The 17.9 aspect ratio wing provides a glide ratio of 28:1 with the propeller feathered, and a minimum sink speed of 3.16 feet/sec (0.96 m/s).[1][3] The USAF Technical Orders indicate a glide ratio of between 19.3:1 and 19.7:1.[10]
The SGS 2-37 was marketed by the company as being suitable for the following roles:[1][3]
- Sailplane trainer
- Powered aircraft trainer
- Glider towplane (with larger horsepower engine option)
- Private touring aircraft
- Surveillance
- Aerial Inspection
The 2-37 was later developed into the SA 3-38, known in military service as the RU-38 Twin Condor.
Certification
The SGM 2-37 was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration under type certificate G1NE on March 22, 1983. The 2-37 type certificate is currently held by K & L Soaring of Cayuta, New York. K & L Soaring now provides all parts and support for the Schweizer line of sailplanes.[11][12]
Reception
Soaring, the journal of the Soaring Society of America, described the SGM 2-37 as: "Very versatile, very promising, very expensive". The publication's review noted that the USD$70,000 base price did not include a feathering propeller, gyro instruments, wheel fairings, long range fuel tanks or other optional extras.[3]
Operational history
There were nine aircraft still registered in the USA in April 2008. Current owners include the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum and designer Leslie E. Schweizer.[13]
Variants
]]
- SGM 2-37
- Motor glider for USAF and civil use, 12 completed.[1][3]
- SA 2-37A
- The SA 2-37A is a two-seat special-mission surveillance aircraft built for the Central Intelligence Agency and US Army and equipped with a Lycoming O-540-B powerplant of 235 hp (175kW) and first flown in 1982 and eight.[14] The US aircraft register records six SA-2-37As, including four belonging to Vantage Aircraft Leasing with serial numbers as high as 8. All are in the experimental exhibition category.[15]
- SA 2-37B
- The SA 2-37B is a development of the 2-37A equipped with a Lycoming TIO-540-AB1AD powerplant of 250 hp. The aircraft is optimized for covert surveillance missions and carries FLIR and electronic sensors. It has a 500 pound (231 kg) sensor payload in a 70-cubic-foot (2,000 L) fuselage bay. With a fuel capacity of 99 US gallons (370 L) it can remain on station for up to 12 hours. Gross weight is 4300 lbs (1950 kg).[5] The US aircraft registry records four SA 2-37Bs, all owned by Schweizer Aircraft. All are in the experimental Research and Development category.[16]
- TG-7A
- United States Air Force designation for the SGM 2-37.
- RG-8A
- In US Coast Guard service the SA 2-37 is designated RG-8A, indicating Glider, Reconnaissance.[17]
Operators
Specifications (SGM 2-37)
Data from Sailplane Directory,[1] USAFA,[2] Soaring magazine November, 1983[3] & FAA Aircraft Type Certificate G1NE[11]
General characteristics
- Crew: two in side-by-side seating
- Airfoil: Wortmann Fx 61-163
Performance
- Power/mass: 16.51 lb/hp (0.100 kW/kg)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Activate Media (2006). "SGS 2-37 Schweizer". Retrieved 2008-06-03. Cite error: The named reference "ActivateMedia" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c d e f g h United States Air Force Academy (May 2008). "TG-7A". Retrieved 2008-05-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 131. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (June 2008). "FAA Registry". Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ^ a b Schweizer Aircraft Corp (2006). "Reconnaissance Aircraft: SA 2-37B". Archived from the original on 2008-04-14. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ^ Schweizer, Paul A: Wings Like Eagles, The Story of Soaring in the United States, page 120. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1988. ISBN 0-87474-828-3
- ^ Smithsonian Institution (2004). "Directory of Airplanes". Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2008). "FAA Registry Make/Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2008-05-27.
- ^ Savetz Publishing (2008). "SCHWEIZER 2-31 Profile". Retrieved 2008-05-27.
- ^ USAF: USAF T.O. 1G-7(T)A-1 Issue C - 30 April 2002, pages 3-11 and 3-12.
- ^ a b Federal Aviation Administration (September 2007). "TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. G1NE". Retrieved 2008-05-26.
- ^ K & L Soaring (undated). "K & L Soaring, LLC". Retrieved 2008-04-05.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Federal Aviation Administration (April 2008). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2008-04-29.
- ^ World Aircraft Directory (undated). "Schweizer SA 2-37A". Retrieved 2008-06-03.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help); Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Federal Aviation Administration (June 2008). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (June 2008). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ Stoll, Alex (September 2001). "Schweizer RU-38A Twin Condor". Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ unknown photographer (undated). "Photo of SA 2-37 in Columbian Air Force markings". Retrieved 2008-11-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Garcia, Sergio Echeverria (November 2005). "Picture of the Schweizer SA2-37A Condor aircraft". Retrieved 2009-11-08.
