Schweizer SGU 2-22

The end of World War Two resulted in a large number of military training gliders being sold as surplus. These included Frankfort TG-1s, Schweizer TG-2s and Schweizer TG-3s. Most of the surplus gliders sold were not ideal trainers for ab initio civilian student flying, as they had high wing loadings and faster stall speeds. This made them suitable for aerotow, but not for winch or auto-tow launches. Furthermore, many of these surplus two-place gliders had poor visibility from the rear seat where the instructor sat. Due to restrictions on the use of aluminum in training aircraft, many surplus gliders had wooden wings, making them unsuitable to be kept outdoors on tie-downs. A number of 2-22s were delivered as kits to the purchaser. These were accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration as certified aircraft and not amateur-builts, subject to conditions: ==Variants==

;SGU 2-22 :The original 2-22 is referred to as a "standard". It featured a 450 lb (204 kg) empty weight and an 830 lb (376 kg) gross weight. The aircraft had a windshield, but no canopy, rear windows or door. Fifty-one "standards" were built. The type was certified on 4 October 1946. ;SGU 2-22A :The "A" model was a re-design to meet the requirements of the United States Air Force Academy. It incorporated a lengthened nose and a full canopy, along with a gross weight increase to 900 lbs (408 kg). It was certified on 24 May 1957. A total of three were completed. ;SGU 2-22B :The "B" model was a "standard" with the gross weight increased to 900 lbs (408 kg). It was certified on 24 May 1957. ;SGU 2-22C :The "C" model incorporated the changes from the "A" and "B" models and also introduced smaller ailerons. It was certified on 24 May 1957 and 103 were built. ;SGU 2-22CK :The "CK" model was a "C" model completed by the buyer from a kit. Twenty-eight "CK" kits were completed. ;SGU 2-22E :The "E" model was the last production model and incorporated larger spoilers, a bigger cockpit, a new-design canopy and changes to the wing root to allow a skylight to be fitted. The "E" was certified on 10 April 1963. ;SGU 2-22EK :The "EK" was the kit version of the "E" model. The "EK" was certified on 7 February 1964. ==Operational history==

Aside from the 2-22As that were delivered to USAFA, later model 2-22s were also supplied to the USAF and a number were supplied as foreign aid to Indonesia. • 2-22 - 19 • 2-22A - 1 • 2-22B - 0 • 2-22C - 28 • 2-22CK - 14 • 2-22E - 55 • 2-22EK - 6 ==Aircraft on display==

• US Southwest Soaring Museum ==Specifications (SGU 2-22)==