SZD-Innovations at the AERO 2024

„I always like to see electric gliders and how they fly.“

 Stefan Langer talks about the SZD-55-2 Nexus-e-motion at the Allstar PZL Glider Stand AERO 2024 in an interview with Felix Pfannes.

This sentence exemplifies the definitive theme of this year's major gliding exhibition in Friedrichshafen: the electrification of gliding. Numerous green balloons marking the "Sustainable Aviation Trail" were spread out in Hall A1. Sustainability (Sustainable Propulsion) has definitely arrived in gliding.

We brought our newly developed electrified standard class glider SZD-55-2-NEXUS-e-motion and two other gliders – the SZD-54-2 and SZD-51-1 – to the AERO 2024 in Friedrichshafen. Gliding was presented in a diverse and prominent way in the large Hall A1 after a long absence of five years. All members of the gliding scene and glider manufacturers welcomed you warmly.

Our Polish-German team enjoyed the intense and detailed discussions at the exhibited gliders with experienced pilots, flight students, gliding instructors, aerobatic pilots and partners .

The prototype of the SZD-55-2-NEXUS-e-motion with electric propulsion system came straight from the airfield. Three days earlier, we still conducted test flights of the certification programme. The Allstar-e-motion sustainer is the latest development by Allstar PZL Glider for the well-known standard class aircraft SZD-55 in collaboration Breunig Aerospace. During the revision of the SZD-55-2, the model was significantly improved further, e.g. with enlarged ailerons and winglets.  

Many took the opportunity to take a seat in the cockpit. The two design engineers explained the electric propulsion system in detail and demonstrated how intuitively the sustainer is operated.

We shared further details from our  know-how and experience  in electrification during the "Gliding Expo" conference on the stage in Hall A1. On the second day of the trade fair, Dr. Elias Breunig gave a presentation entitled "The new SZD-55-2 & electric drive systems at Allstar PZL Glider". He talked e.g. about the conceptual design of the drive system, the safety architecture of the battery at cell-, module-, pack-, and system- level and showed videos and measuring data from the thermal runaway test of the certification programme.

On the same day, the two creators Stefan Langer and GliderQueen visited us to get a full picture of our latest innovations, gliders, and the company history. In this video, you can see what they spotted and what Stefan liked most about the SZD-55-2 NEXUS-e-motion:

Interview by Stefan Langer with Felix Pfannes at AERO 2024
(Excerpt from the YouTube video "Best Inventions at AERO 2024 Gliding Expo" by Stefan Langer / SteFly, produced by Jonathan Steinhoff) Data protection notice: By playing this video, you will be redirected to the Vimeo website. Allstar PZL Glider has no control over the amount of data stored by this provider

Watch the entire gliding expo report on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xq64bo8sh0

 

Our training two-seater SZD-54-2 PERKOZ covered the entire exhibition stand with the impressive 20 metres wing span of its  cross-country version wingtips. Often, a group of prospective young club pilots gathered around the cockpit, putting their heads together and discussing. Some took heart, sat down and tested the controls themselves. Our team explained in detail the flight characteristics of the PERKOZ and its aerobatic capabilities with the shorter wingspan of 17.5 metres to the young pilots.
The hand control system for the rudder on the left side of the cockpit stirred the interest of private pilots and club members who are involved in inclusion projects in particular. The ground tests for the control system are currently being carried out and the certification is expected this year.

All those involved in club training or young pilots, who have just obtained their pilot's licence, could take a closer look to the SZD-51-1 JUNIOR. Our JUNIOR is the uncomplicated training glider for pilots who are gaining experience in their first own long cross-country flights. The constant demand for this aircraft confirms that this model is an indispensable element in gliding training and will be produced continuously by us.

See you again at the AERO in Friedrichshafen in 2026!