page_title: Schweizer SGS 1-26
section_title: One-Design competition
hierarchical_section_title: Schweizer SGS 1-26 / Design and development / One-Design competition
caption_attribution_description: English: Pilot's view when flying a Schweizer SGS 1-26
context_page_description: The Schweizer SGS 1-26 is a United States One-Design, single-seat, mid-wing glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.
  The SGS 1-26 enjoyed a very long production run from its first flight in 1954 until 1979, when production was ended. The 1-26 was replaced in production by the Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite. The 1-26 is the most numerous sailplane found in the US.
  In October 1963 a special issue of Soaring magazine was dedicated to the 1-26. Harner Selvidge wrote:
  "Much of the glamour of soaring lies in the realm of high performance, high aspect ratio open class sailplanes, but the backbone of the soaring movement in this country, and any other, lies in the local club operations. These are the weekend fliers who have fun around the airport, make some cross-country flights and enter local contests. For this sort of flying, the 1-26 is unexcelled."
context_section_description: Paul A Schweizer was a proponent of the One-Design concept and the 1-26 as the aircraft by which to establish a one-design class in the US. He wrote:
  The true measure of pilot ability and experience is usually shown by his final standing in a contest. What could be more indicative of this when pilots are flying identical sailplanes with identical performance. One design competition is the sure test of soaring skill.
  The design was a success as a one-design and became the most popular one-design class in the world.
  The 1-26 design gained weight through the evolution of the models, as the gross weight increased from 575 lbs to 700 lbs. Performance testing showed that there is very little difference between the models and that the one-design concept has been maintained throughout the aircraft's production life.
caption: View from a 1-26, flying north of Reno, Nevada
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