Category: Gliding

Article from Geoff Grayer

The names  PZL Bielsko choose for their gliders is somewhat bizarre. Yes, they are birds, but what birds?

We all know that Puchacz is Polish for an owl. But it is not just any owl; it is the Eagle Owl. I happen to have met an Eagle Owl fairly recently; there was one on display at RAF Fairford, when I visited in September 2019 for its 75th anniversary (on invitation). They use one to clear the runway of small birds before the really big ones take off (like the B-52, which we got very close to, and the B-2 Spirit, which I was allowed to admire and photograph, but not approach too closely !). Incidentally, if you take a look at Google Earth, you will see both planes parked there on the latest aerial photos.

I had the offer to hold the owl on my hand; this huge bird (I estimate about 60cm from top to tail) looked very friendly, and was completely unphased by its many admirers; but I declined. This is what Wiki says about this imposing species: “The wings are reportedly the smallest in proportion to the body weight of any European owl, when measured by the weight per area of wing size, was found to be 0.72 g/cm2. Thus, they have quite high wing loading.” I leave you to translate this to glider wing loading yourself ! (Yes, I have done it.)

But what about its successor, the Perkoz? You may not have seen one at Shalbourne, but I am sure you know of it, and I have actually flown one. This translates to “Grebe”. To quote Wiki, “Grebes have narrow wings, and some species are reluctant to fly; indeed, two South American species are completely flightless.”

You may draw your own conclusions.