2 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences
- 1. Glider SZD-55-1: Luke Szczepaniak· CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2. Szybowiec SZD-55: Kawior· CC BY-SA 3.0
what is it?
The PZL Bielsko SZD-55 Nexus is a Standard Class sailplane produced by PZL Bielsko since 1988. It was built in direct competition with the Schempp-Hirth Discus. The SZD-55 is still in production with approximately 110 built.
base stats
Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).
fun facts
- First flew 38 years ago, in 1988.
- Wingspan of 15 m: about 3 cars parked nose to tail.
no engine: No engine: it glides on rising air.
spec sheet
- first flight
- 1988-08-15
- introduced
- 1988
- status
- in production
- number built
- 110
- role
- standard-class sailplane
- origin
- 🇵🇱 Poland
- makers
- PZL
- engines
- none (glider)
- crew
- 1
- length
- 6.9 m
- wingspan
- 15 m
- height
- 1.5 m
- max take-off weight
- 500 kg
- top speed
- —
- range
- —
Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.
Sources: Wikidata Q2044911, Wikipedia: PZL Bielsko SZD-55 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-24.