PZL Krosno KR-03 Puchatek

The KR-03 was designed as an ab initio training glider.^[1] The name Puchatek is Polish translation of Pooh Bear.^[3]

The aircraft is made from aluminium with some parts covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. Its 16.4 m (53.8 ft) span wing employs a Wortmann FX S-02-158 airfoil. The wing features top and bottom Schempp-Hirth-style dive brakes. The landing gear consists of an oleo-pneumatic sprung, non-retractable main wheel, a tail wheel and a rubber sprung nose skid. The Puchatek has a baggage compartment with a capacity of 5 kg (11 lb) for soft baggage items.^[1][2][4]

The aircraft was type certified in the United States on 6 August 1991, with Barry Aviation of Edgewater, Volusia County, Florida as the US certificate holder.^[2]

In 1993, a few examples were put into service with the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), totalling to three as of 2012. They are currently assigned to 2 Wing AAFC. They are still in service as of 2014.^[5]

As of August 2025 there were 10 KR-03As registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration^[6] and 1 KR-03A registered in Canada.^[7]

KR-03A

Main production version.^[1]

Data from Sailplane Directory, Type Certificate G56EU and The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage^[1][2][4]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Wingspan: 16.4 m (53 ft 10 in)
• Wing area: 19.44 m² (209.3 sq ft)
• Airfoil: Wortmann FX S-02-158
• Empty weight: 350 kg (772 lb)
• Gross weight: 540 kg (1,190 lb)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 198 km/h (123 mph, 107 kn)
• g limits: +5.3/-2.65
• Maximum glide ratio: 27:1 at 88 km/h (55 mph)
• Rate of sink: 0.78 m/s (154 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 27.78 kg/m² (5.69 lb/sq ft)

Related lists

• List of gliders