PlaneFox tracks 2 IS-28 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A IAR Brasov IS-28 costs about EUR 212 a month to run, or about EUR 17 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The IAR Brasov IS-28 is a Romanian two-seat sailplane designed by Iosif Silimon and built at Brașov by ICA, later IAR Brasov. It first flew in the early 1970s and was produced primarily as an all-metal club and training glider. The type matters because it offered a robust alternative to composite sailplanes of the same era, with side-by-side instruction, straightforward systems and durable metal construction suited to aero club use.
The standard IAR Brasov IS-28 is an unpowered glider, so engine cruise speed, fuel range and powerplant data do not apply. Performance is normally assessed by soaring figures: the IS-28B2 version is commonly associated with a best glide ratio of about 34:1 and a minimum sink rate of about 2.2 ft per second. Published maximum permitted speed is about 135 knots, with lower limits for aero tow and winch launch. Typical maximum takeoff weight is about 1,300 lb, with useful load dependent on empty weight, equipment and national certification records. Practical ceiling is governed by launch method, weather, oxygen rules and local operating approval rather than a powered-aircraft service ceiling.
The IS-28 uses a two-seat, side-by-side cockpit under a broad canopy, a layout valued for instruction because both occupants have good forward visibility and direct communication. Cabin equipment is simple by powered-aircraft standards: dual flight controls, mechanical glider instruments, ventilation, tow release controls and basic electrical equipment where fitted. Original avionics were minimal. Used examples may have been updated with an airband radio, transponder, modern variometer, GPS logger or FLARM-type traffic awareness equipment. Integrated suites such as Garmin Perspective or G1000 are not typical for this aircraft.
Prospective buyers should verify the exact designation and paperwork, since IS-28 records may be confused with related Romanian IS-28 motor gliders and later variants. For the unpowered IS-28, review airframe total time, launch history, corrosion protection, canopy condition, control cable and pulley wear, tow hook status, landing gear condition and compliance with applicable airworthiness directives or national service bulletins. Documentation quality is especially important on imported or club-operated aircraft. Market positioning is generally in the affordable used training-glider segment, below newer composite two-seaters, with value driven by condition, certification status, trailer availability and installed glider avionics.