After the FAI Standard class rules had been created and then modified in the early 1970s the FAI decided to add a new 15m class, for gliders with a maximum span of 15m but no other restrictions other than airbrakes limiting the speed to Vne or less. Władysław Okarmus set about designing a new wing, with flaps, for use with the SZD-48-3 fuselage, the resulting offspring was named SZD-49 Jantar K. First flight of the prototype, (SP-2583, X-143), took place at Bielsko in October 1978. All was not well with the SZD-49 during the flight trials and further development was abandoned. The sole prototype was later used as a live teaching aid for advanced students and was successfully modified twice with some success by groups of students from Warsaw University of Technology.[3]
Constructed almost entirely from glassfibre using epoxy resin, the SZD-49 had a welded steel tube centre-section truss to accept the loads from the wings, undercarriage and towing hook. A one-piece forward-opening canopy with integral glare-shield gave access to the cockpit for entry/egress and maintenance. The wings are fitted with full-span flaps with drooping ailerons as well as single-leaf airbrakes extending from top and bottom surfaces of the wing. Ailerons are driven through a patented linkage entirely enclosed inside the wing.
A standard instrument fit and an oxygen system were provided by the manufacturer.