Mielec 2025-07-02
PZL I-22 Iryda nb 301 in Mielec.
For a dozen or so years, on the POLOT.net website, we have been cultivating the memory of a good Polish training and combat aircraft, the PZL I-22 Iryda, which was briefly operated at the Eaglets School in Dęblin.
However, the political atmosphere around the aircraft was unfavorable. In 2008, the Polish government formed by the Civic Platform party and the Polish People’s Party sent 16 PZL I-22 Iryda training and combat aircraft to the scrapyard. When the aircraft were taken from Mielec to Kutno, the residents of Mielec felt like they were at a funeral. The new owner of part of the PZL Mielec property also contributed to the removal of the aircraft from Mielec. Only thanks to the involvement of many people of good will, several aircraft were saved. They were sent to museums or hidden in “bushes” so that no money could be found for scrapping.
For many years, the idea of returning (at least one aircraft) the PZL I-22 to Mielec and restoring it to a flying condition has been born in Mielec. The initiative was taken by the White and Red Wings Foundation. The foundation has its headquarters in Mielec. All thanks to the joint initiative of the Regional Development Agency MARR S.A., as well as the support of the President of Mielec, Mr. Jacek Wiśniewski. The support was also expressed by the Mielec Aeroclub.
The Foundation found the PZL I-22 Iryda aircraft, No. 1 ANA 003-01 registration SP-PWI nb 301, in the former Air Force Institute of Technology in Warsaw. In the 1990s, the aircraft underwent various tests for several years, especially of electronic equipment from Western Europe. The Institute had its headquarters at Bemowo Airport. After the cancellation of the “Iryda” program, the aircraft was literally placed in the bushes. For many years, there was no interest in the aircraft.
In mid-2021, the PZL I-22 Iryda nb 301 aircraft was transported to Mielec by road. Theoretically; even if the aircraft could fly, it would not be able to take off from Bemowo Airport, because the airport infrastructure and its surroundings have changed.
In Mielec, the foundation has a hangar where it intends to renovate the PZL I-22 Iryda aircraft to bring it to a flying condition. The official presentation of the PZL I-22 Iryda aircraft in Mielec took place on July 4, 2021. The foundation occupies hall “C”, which was intended for aviation-related companies, because it has direct access to the airport and the runway (RWY), which is very important.
The foundation has flying aircraft, PZL An-2 and two PZL TS-11 Iskra aircraft. The aircraft have already been presented at several Air Shows. These are aircraft presented as part of the Flying Museum. Support for the development of the flying museum of the aviation industry was declared by the Marshal of the Podkarpackie Province Władysław Ortyl and the President of the City of Mielec Jacek Wiśniewski. The foundation also plans to transfer the Biało-Czerwone Iskry military group to Mielec, which ceased its operations as part of the Polish Armed Forces in 2022. It is also planned to acquire the PZL TS-8 Bies and PZL M-26 Iskierka aircraft. All of the above-mentioned aircraft were manufactured at PZL WSK Mielec.
History of PZL I-22 Iryda nb 301.
The aircraft has No. AN (ANA) 003-01, nb 0301, version M-93 K, with Polish K-15 engines. The aircraft belonged to the third production series. The first flight was performed in February 1995. At the time of the test flight, which took place in February 1995, the aircraft was prepared for transfer to the army, as version M-93 K. The aircraft had Martin-Baker PL 10 R class 0-0 seats, but it was with old avionics. The aircraft had Nb 301, painted checkerboards and the emblem of the school in Dęblin. In March 1995, it went to Dęblin, as the 7th machine. Then from Dęblin the aircraft (registration SP-PWI) went to Warsaw to the Air Force Institute of Technology, which currently (2022) does not exist.
SP-PWI, M-93 K, K-15 engines. In 1996, the aircraft returned to Mielec. The emblems, checkerboards and side numbers were painted over, and the aircraft received a black registration number SP-PWI, an orange top of the vertical tail. The aircraft was sent for tests in Mielec and then back to Warsaw.
M-93 M, K-15 engines. Around 2000, the aircraft received some elements of the M-96 version, namely: a raised vertical tail and turbochargers. This version was designated M-93 M and was to be the standard version. In June 2021, the aircraft was transported to Mielec. Time will tell what the future of the aircraft will be.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman