Swift Aerobatic Display Team : About Us : The Aircraft

About Us: The Aircraft

S-1 Swift G-IZII
Only 35 Swift gliders were produced in Poland between 1992 and 1997 and they remain the strongest, most aerobatic glider ever built, with an unparalleled roll rate and immensely strong but slender composite wings, Wingspan 12.67m Manoeuvre Limits +10/-7.5 g VNE 155 Kts s/n 110, 'G-IZII' built 1993, completely refurbished 2006 The only glider in UK fitted with a 'Double Smoke' system, capable of firing four wingtip smoke flares simultaneously. The Swift is capable of rolls, flick rolls, loops, outside loops tailslides and tumbles.

MDM-1 Fox G-CFOX
The MDM-1 Fox the two seat big sister of the Swift. Like the Swift, it's construction is largely composite keeping the weight down while retaining unparalleled strength. Wingspan 14m Manoeuvre Limits +9/-6 g VNE 151 kts G-CFOX was imported into the UK by Guy Westgate in 1997 and has been a stalwart of glider aerobatic competitions ever since. G-CFOX (previously JKC) has been flown on the display circuit since 1999 by team leader Guy Westgate and is now often flown by Mike Newman in displays. The strength of the design is the second seat, so it is perfect for training and sharing the thrill of glider aerobatics

Silence SA1100 Twister G-TWST/G-RIOT
The SA180 Silence Twister is the brain child of a model making family in Germany who had the first Twister prototype flying in 2003. The design takes much of its inspiration form the Spitfire, but in a modern context of a super smooth wing profile and efficient 100hp UL260iSA engine. Wingspan 7.5m Max all-up weight 400Kg Manoeuvre Limits +6/-4 g VNE 162 Kts "G-TWST" was orginally built built in 2005 by Peter Wells from a PFA Kit. "G-RIOT" was completed in 2008 and was the first twister powered by the UL260iSA and "G-TWST" was subsequently modifed to a similar standard. Both have an engine smoke system, burning Ondina oil in the exhaust to form an environmentally friendly smoke trail. The Jabiru engine does not have an inverted fuel and oil system, so pilot Peter Wells has mastered a stunning repertoire designed to get the best from his stunning aircraft.

Piper PA25 Pawnee G-BDPJ
The Piper PA-25 was designed to be a rugged and easy to maintain agricultural aircraft. When combined with the powerful Lycoming O-540 engine the aircraft has proved to be a useful glider tugging aircraft and is in use around the world. Wingspan 11.02m Power 250 hp VNE 135 kts Pawnee G-BDPJ is part of the Royal Air Force Gliding and Soaring Association's fleet based at RAF Halton. It is unique amongst Pawnees in the UK as it's fitted with an engine exhaust smoke system for flying displays.