Bielsko Biała 2015-09-07
12th International Aviation Picnic of the Euroregion Beskidy.
Aviation Picnic at Aleksandrowice Airport (Bielsko Biała) 2015.
August 29-30, 2015.
The Aviation Picnic at the Airport in Bielsko Biała is an event that has become a permanent fixture in the air show calendar. It is one of those events that end the amateur aviation season. The main organizer and host of the picnic was Aeroklub Bielsko-Bialski. The second organizer was the Bielsko Biała Commune. A picnic is really fun and relaxing. Well organized, with a good program. This is a picnic for all families. For children, teenagers and adults. Everyone can find something for themselves here. And those who only occasionally view aircrafts and those who live by aviation every day. Like any such event, only good weather is necessary. And this year was the weather. It was warm, with no rain and the sun that appeared from time to time from behind the clouds. Importantly, admission to the picnic was free. In addition, the organizers provide about 500 parking spaces in a separate part of the take-off area, for a small fee of PLN 6, as a contribution to the activities of the Bielsko-Bialski Aero Club. Apparently, nearly 1,500 cars were crammed into this parking lot. This year, about 50,000 people visited the picnic on both days.
One more note for spoters. As in Radom or Giżycko, air shows take place on the south side, which is why viewers often watch them against the sun. Since the Aleksandrovice Airport is not very large, it is worth choosing the eastern or western edge of the landing area for better light and therefore better photos. And the best photos are taken in the sunset.
This year’s 12th International Aviation Picnic of the Beskidy Euroregion was held on August 29-30, 2015. (Saturday Sunday).The core of the event is the performances of aerial acrobatics stars. Pilots fly here a lot and willingly, because there are no such restrictions as, for example, in Czyżyny (collision with the approach path to landing commercial aircraft at the Balice Airport, high-voltage power lines, high skyscrapers), or for German citizens (exceeding noise emission standards). As every year, sightseeing flights over the Beskids and the City of Bielsko Biała were organized for those willing. The local An-2 passenger and transport aircraft, SP-FVO registration, was used for this purpose.
As the event is local, each edition is different from the previous one, because it depends on the invited participants of the shows. This year there were two main attractions: The performance of the band Biało-Czerwony Sparks and an extraordinary group from the Czech Republic showing the staging of warfare during the Great World War 1914-1918.
Biało-Czerwone Iskry appeared in Bielsko-Biała after a few years of absence. Six TS-11 Iskra aircraft were demonstrated on Saturday around 3:30 p.m., and on Sunday around 2:00 p.m. planes took off from Balice Airport. The group did a beautiful show in which not all the tall figures were shown due to the lower cloud base.
The Czech group Pterodactyl Flight has performed in Poland several times this year. They started in Rybnik and ended in Bielsko Biała. The performance of this group is a kind of theater on the ground and in the air. The group uses replicas of WWII Sopwith 1½ Strutter and Fokker E-III airplanes. For this there is a truck, a cannon, a tent with a staff. All participants are dressed in appropriate costumes from that period (i.e. 100 years ago); airmen, mechanics and even a paramedic. There are tons of pyrotechnic effects during the performance: explosions, flashes, fire and smoke.
It is worth summarizing the performance scenario. The British Sopwith 1½ Strutter plane flies over the front with a Germanic manned cannon. From this cannon, fire is opened towards the plane. The crew of the plane opens fire from their heavy machine gun towards the enemy. Bullets hit the ground. They are "killed and wounded." A military convoy, represented by a moving truck, appears on the road. British plane is about to attack. Eventually the truck is hit and it burns. Another destination for a British plane is to fly at the airport. The crew manages to attack him successfully. The plane is on fire. Another Fokker E-III plane rises into the air. There is one-on-one air combat. After a fierce battle, the Fokker E-III plane is hit. It starts to smoke, quickly approach the ground to "crash" on it, which results in a large explosion on the ground. The plane actually lands on the edge of the airport and its pilot pulls it to the base by pulling its tail. The show ends with a steaming truck driving the participants alongside the gathered audience. There is applause and cheers. Everyone says hello. It’s a very good show and it’s worth seeing.
Among the military points of the show, one should mention the presentation of the M-28 Bryza Nb 1118 of the Polish Navy at the static exhibition and in the air. It is worth noting that there is only a ground runway at the airport, which apparently does not bother this machine.
There was also the An-2 Nb 7447 aircraft, registration of SP-MLP "Wiedenczyk", which was carrying parachute jumpers. There was also the RWD-5 R and the Piper Cup. The Dromader plane also appeared at the airport. The elite among agricultural planes. The highlights of the program were solo performances by aerobatic pilots on airplanes, helicopters and gyroplanes. Of course, there were gliders in Bielsko-Biała, because it couldn’t be missing. Let me remind you that the plant in Bielsko Biała was the largest glider factory in the world and the best gliders.
The program of the event included music bands and orchestras on a set stage. There were contests with prizes funded by sponsors. There are many attractive games for children. There were carousels, queues and other attractions for children and adults. There was a fireworks show in the evening. There was a rich offer of numerous catering stands. There were numerous stalls; military, toys and more.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman