Mielec 2025-06-30
Mielec Air Show. 2025
On June 28-29, 2025 (Saturday-Sunday), the Mielec Air Show took place at the Mielec airport. This year’s event (2025) was planned for two days. Entry to the show was ticketed. Tickets were sold online and on the days of the event at the ticket office at the entrance to the show. A regular ticket cost PLN 20. Additionally, the Mielec city authorities provided bus transport for spectators. The show enjoyed great interest not only among Mielec residents, but also many aviation enthusiasts from all over Poland. Thousands of spectators came to the show, and the most were young families with many children. The weather was good on both days; the maximum temperature was up to 25 degrees Celsius, it was sunny, with a light wind. The gate to the show area was opened at 12:00. Even before the official opening of the event, spectators could admire the show participants who were training for the main performance. Mielec is a great place for photographers, because the sun shines behind them. Mielec is the aviation capital of Poland, where for many decades various aircraft were produced; combat, transport, agricultural, as well as parts for other aircraft, such as doors for Boeing B-757 aircraft. Currently, in Mielec, the Sikorsky-Mielec company produces Black Hawk S-70i helicopters.
During the event, the following entities had their stands: the Polish Army, the Air Force, modeling and sports associations, as well as numerous stalls. The most numerous were catering stands. There was a town for the youngest. Along the barriers set up on the take-off field, the vast majority of aircraft and helicopters were presented, which also presented themselves in the air.
The main point that started the show was the landing of several parachutists from the board of the PZL An-2 aircraft, registration SP-KBA. The aircraft has belonged to the White and Red Wings Foundation since 2017 and was renovated by members of the foundation. In 2018, this aircraft was presented at the Air Show Radom. All the jumpers who took part in the landing belong to the Mielec Parachutists Association.
The star of the show was the Baltic Bies team, which presented itself on four L-39 Albatros aircraft. The aircraft are presented in blue and yellow colors. The aircraft took off in one formation. In the air we could see difficult figures; three-on-one passing, separation, and above all, separation with the Jordan figure. There was no shortage of heart.
The Polish Sparks team, which flies PZL TS-11 Iskra aircraft, was also a star. On July 27, 2022, after 58 years of service, the PZL TS-11 Iskra aircraft ended their service in the Polish Air Force. Therefore, we will be able to admire these aircraft in the air less and less often. We can be grateful to aviation enthusiasts from Mielec for maintaining three TS-11 nb 1214, 1402, 1713 aircraft in flight efficiency. The pilots gave a team acrobatics show. But the biggest impression was made by the team landing of three aircraft. A very difficult maneuver, dangerous and proving excellent mastery of piloting techniques.
In the air we could see a formation of 3 AT3 aircraft. There were 3 aircraft in the air. The AERO AT3 aircraft belong to the so-called ultra-light, take two people on board and are powered by ROTAX piston engines, which run on automotive gasoline.
In the sky there were 2 x Piper Cup aircraft, which are known from many air shows throughout Poland.
There was the Cellfast Flying Team, which for many years has been presenting team acrobatics in Poland on aircraft not adapted for acrobatics; Morane Rallye, registrations SP-PIC, SP-FIK, SP-CYC. This aircraft is almost identical to the PZL-110 Koliber aircraft, which was manufactured in Poland under the license of the Rallye 100 ST aircraft. The license was purchased in 1976.
The Firebirds team was in the air. The team was formed in 2014. The team consists of three pilots: Adam Labus (Zlin 50LC), Łukasz Świderski (Extra 330SC), Sebastian Nowicki (Extra 330LC). There were also other acrobatic pilots in individual performances.
In the sky we could admire the PZL M-26 Iskierka plane, registration SP-DIC. This plane has an extraordinary history and was operated in the USA.
There were three PZL M-18 Dromader planes, agricultural and firefighting planes, which demonstrated the dropping of water bombs; white and red.
In the air was the PZL M-28 plane. The plane is painted white.
In the air was the Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter, which is a legend of the Vietnam War.
There was a Bolkow BO-105PL helicopter, which took part in night shows with pyrotechnic effects.
A Black Hawk helicopter with temporary registration SP-YVB. The helicopter was built in Mielec and will be handed over to a foreign recipient within a few days.
There were two replicas of Albatros Oeffag D.III aircraft, nb “3” and “6”. These aircraft were used during the Great World War.
The aircraft presented was Hat Classic registration SP-YWG.
There was a Yakovlev Yak-18 registration SP-YYY. The aircraft is flying and is owned by the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow.
There was a replica RWD-5 R registration SP-AJU. This specimen has a very interesting history and in its career it crashed, after which it was rebuilt. The colors and registration were changed at that time.
There was a Beach C-45H aircraft.
The North American P-51 Mustang aircraft.
The Yak-12 aircraft registration SP-KLA.
The Yakovlev Yak-3 fighter aircraft registration D-FYGJ.
The Harvard nb 58 FHI53 aircraft.
Three aircraft were shown that are very similar to each other, yet different. One aircraft Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II registration SP-ROY and two aircraft PZL M-20 Mewa registration SP-KMS and SP-FME. PZL M-20 Mewa aircraft were manufactured in Mielec since 1979.
There was a King Air C-90 aircraft registration SP-MMS. It is an 8-person, business aircraft powered by two turboprop engines. The aircraft is owned by Magnat, which provides commercial transport services.
On the stand was a PZL I-22 Iryda nb 301 aircraft, not flying. There are plans to restore the aircraft to a flying exhibit.
There were Antonov An-2 aircraft registration OM-MXK, SP-AOU.
The sightseeing flights were operated by two R-44 Robinson helicopters, registrations SP-GWS and SP-WAY.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman