To start with, let me recapitulate project time frames: having initiated sailplane design in the begin of 1988, in the end of 1990 sailplane made its maiden flight.
Until now, after ten or so years from project start, SZD-56 "Diana" is still the lightest in the world, technologically most advanced high-performance sailplane among 15-meter Racing Class competition machines.
These keen on novelties in sailplane technology could notice the SZD-56-0 already at Sailplane World Championships '91, Uvalde, Texas. In those days, however, it was sooner a design study on the potentials of 15-meter Racing Class, with ambitious goal to provide a performance level exceeding this offered previously by any other 15-meter sailplane.
To accomplish this, over the possibly widest range of operating conditions, the "Diana" project has been oriented uncompromisingly on best performance as well as on widest range of available wing loading. Result was the lightest in the world, Racing Class competition sailplane with advanced wing of very high aspect ratio. This could only be achieved by the bold application of top technologies and materials, accompanied by unconventional design concept.
The new, production version of SZD-56-1 has gained Type Certificate No BG-203/1 - in accordance with JAR-22 standards.
The interior of pilot cockpit for new sailplane version has been rearranged completely. In this modification, opinions from hitherto operators of first prototype - prevailingly competition pilots participating in high range international competition (the greater part of hitherto collected over 1400 flying hours) - have been taken into account. Unanimously emphasized were the easy and correct piloting qualities, reliable also in uncommon flight conditions, while the newly introduced flaperon additionally improved the lateral controllability.