PZL / WSK TS-11 Iskra

• TYPE: Two-seat basic jet trainer.
• PERIOD BUILT: 1964- ?
• COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Poland
• ENGINE: One OKL SO-1 turbojet of 2,337 lbs. s.t.
• DIMENSIONS:
  • Span: 33 ft. 0 in.
    Length: 36 ft. 7 in.
    Height: 11 ft. 5.75 in.

• WEIGHTS:

Weight: 5,654 lbs.
Max Takeoff: 8,466 lbs.

• PERFORMANCE:
  • Max. speed: 491 mph / 790 kph at 26,247 ft. / 8000 m.
  • Cruising speed: 342 mph / 550 kph
  • Range with overload fuel: 560 mls. / 900 km.
  • Initial climb: 4,528 ft./ 1380 m. per min
  • Service ceiling: 39,370 ft.
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• ACCOMODATION: Two

Design work on what became Poland 's TS-11 jet trainer began in 1957. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 5 February, 1960; and the first production aircraft flew in November 1962. Deliveries began in April 1964. More than 500 were built, with 50 of the Bis D version going to India .
The Iskra was often used as a fighter/bomber trainer, being fitted with four underwing hard-points on which could be mounted rocket pods, bombs, and/or guns, in addition to a nose-mounted 23mm cannon.
Over 500 of the type were built. When the aircraft became dated as a military machine, examples began to reach civilian owners, who knew it as the 'Sparky' (iskra is Polish for 'spark').