Mielec 2022-02-03
PZL I-22 Iryda nb 301 in Mielec.
For over a dozen years, on the POLOT.net website, we have been cultivating the memory of a good Polish training and combat aircraft PZL I-22 Iryda, which was briefly operated at the School of Eaglets in Dęblin.
But the political atmosphere around the plane 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 for scrap. When the planes were taken from Mielec to Kutno, the inhabitants of Mielec felt like they were at a funeral. The new owner of some of the property after PZL Mielec also contributed to the transport of planes from Mielec. It was only thanks to the involvement of many people of good will that several planes were saved. They were taken to museums or hidden in "bushes" so that no money was found for cassation.
For many years, the idea of returning (at least one plane) PZL I-22 to Mielec and restoring it to a volatile state was born in Mielec. The initiative was taken by the Biało – Czerwony Skrzydła Foundation. The Foundation is based in Mielec. All thanks to the joint initiative of the Regional Development Agency MARR S.A., as well as with the support of the Mayor of Mielec, Mr. Jacek Wiśniewski. The Mielec Aero Club also provided support.
The Foundation found the PZL I-22 Iryda No. 1 ANA 003-01 aircraft, SP-PWI nb 301 registration at the former Air Force Institute of Technology in Warsaw. In the 90s of the twentieth century, the aircraft underwent various tests for several years, especially electronic equipment from Western Europe. The institute was based at the Bemowo Airport. After the cancellation of the "Iryda" program, the plane was literally positioned in the bushes. For many years, there was no interest in the plane.
In mid-2021, the PZL I-22 Iryda nb 301 plane was taken to Mielec by road. Theoretically; If the plane could even fly, it would not be able to take off from Bemowo Airport, because the infrastructure of the airport and its surroundings changed.
In Mielec, the foundation has a hangar in which it intends to repair the PZL I-22 Iryda aircraft in order to bring it to a flying state. 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, as it has direct access to the airport and runway (RWY), which is very important.
The Foundation has at its disposal flying planes, PZL An-2 and two PZL TS-11 Iskra planes. Airplanes have already been showcased at several Air Shows. These are the planes presented as part of the Flying Museum. Support for the development of the flying museum of the aviation industry was declared by Władysław Ortyl, the Podkarpackie Marshal, and Jacek Wiśniewski, the Mayor of Mielec. The foundation also plans to transfer the military team Biało – Czerwone Iskry to Mielec, which in 2022 ended its activities as part of the Polish Armed Forces. It is also planned to acquire the PZL TS-8 Bies and PZL M-26 Iskierka aircraft. All the above-mentioned planes were manufactured at PZL WSK Mielec.
History of PZL I-22 Iryda nb 301.
The aircraft has the number AN (ANA) 003-01, nb 0301, version M-93 K, with Polish K-15 engines. The plane belonged to the third production series. The first flight was made in February 1995. At the time of the test flight in February 1995, the plane was ready to be handed over to the military as the M-93 K version. The plane had Martin-Baker PL 10 R 0-0 class seats, but with the old avionics. The plane had Nb 301, painted chessboards and the emblem of the school in Dęblin. In March 1995, it was transferred to Dęblin as the 7th machine. Then the plane from Dęblin (SP-PWI registration) 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 plane returned to Mielec. Coats of arms, chessboards and side numbers were painted over, and the plane received a black registration number SP-PWI, an orange top of the vertical tail. The plane was sent for tests in Mielec, and then again to Warsaw.
M-93 M, K-15 engines. Around 2000, the plane received some elements of the M-96 version, namely: increased vertical tail and turbolizers. This version was designated M-93 M, which was to be the standard version. In June 2021, the plane was taken to Mielec. Time will tell what the fate of the plane will be.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman