Mielec 2023-07-14
PZL M-26 Iskierka N2601M / SP-DIC, serial no 1AP002-01.
In 1999, the PZL M-26 Iskierka aircraft, serial number 1AP002-01, was bought by a private person in the USA after being built. After many years, the owner decided to sell the plane. In October 2020, the aircraft was put up for sale. A Polish entrepreneur from Nowy Sącz decided to buy the plane. The entire process of handling the purchase and import to Poland was taken care of by Plane4You. Company representatives arrived in the US in October 2020 and inspected the aircraft. In March 2021, the FAA organization issued a certificate of export airworthiness, with the right to fly over the Atlantic Ocean. On June 14, 2021, the plane took off for a staged flight from the USA to Poland, to Warsaw, and then to Mielec. The flight to Poland lasted eight days, had 13 stages, and the route was nearly 9,000 km long. The landing at Okęcie airport took place on June 23, 2021. An experienced pilot, Mr. Dominik Punda, was at the controls of the aircraft. The new owner decided to keep the original markings of the SP-DIC aircraft.
The history of the PZL M-26 Iskierka aircraft.
The first flight of the PZL M-26 prototype was made on July 15, 1986. The pilot was Mr. Zygmunt Osak. 9 copies were built, of which 7 machines were exported; 5 planes went to the USA, and 2 planes to Venezuela (bought by the military). Other sources state that a total of 20 were built. In the American market, the aircraft was called Air Wolf. All aircraft sold to America were transported in merchant sea chests. The planes were partially disassembled. There, technicians from Poland assembled, flew and delivered the planes to new owners.
A copy of the PZL M-26 Iskierka, serial number 1AP002-01, registration SP-DIC. The serial number means that it was the first aircraft of the second production series. Built in 1997. First registration in the USA – N2601M, made on August 17, 1999.
T-T data PZL M-26 Iskierka:
Total weight 1,400 kg. Cruising speed 290 km/h. Range 1,420 km. Avco Lycoming AEIO 540-L1B5D engine, 220 kW (299.12 HP) and a three-blade propeller. 377 liter fuel tank.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman