Tomaszowice 2023-04-04
WSK PZL Kania SN-52XP G-002 in the service of the Police.
247a Section 3.06.1979 year.
During communist Poland, the Citizens’ Militia (Milicja) did not have helicopters. The tasks of protecting public safety and protecting the communist authorities were performed by helicopters belonging to the 103rd Air Regiment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Warsaw. After the socio-economic changes in 1989, the Militia was transformed into the Police, which dates back to the Second Polish Republic.
The Police Aviation received its first and only two PZL Kania helicopters in 1996. They were intended for two new Police bases: in Poznań at Ławica Airport and in Kraków on the premises of the current Polish Aviation Museum in Czyżyny. A metal hangar, one of two of this type, was designed for the helicopter. The police also had a small building and other rooms at their disposal. It should be added that in 1996, two other PZL Kania helicopters were handed over to the Border Guard service.
The PZL Kania Nb SN-51XP G-020 helicopter No. 90.03.01 was based in Krakow. The helicopter was built in 1990, in the third production series, as the first copy. In 1996, he was transferred to perform tasks in the Police in Krakow.
In 2001, the 103rd Air Regiment of the NJW MSW (Nadwiślańskie Wojskowe Units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) was disbanded and 11 helicopters were handed over to the Police at that time. More police air bases were organized.
PZL Kania Nb SN-52XP G-002 No. 90.03.02, was handed over to Krakow in August 2007. Previously, the helicopter was operated in the Aviation Section of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Poznań. Together with the helicopter, a specialist car equipped with video transmission transmission devices was handed over. Helicopter equipment: TV-450 sound system. FLIR ULTRA 4000 observation system. BSS 56KM data transmission system (TOR system). Spectrolab SX-5 searchlight, 1,600 W.
PZL Kania helicopters were used, among others, to transport medical teams and food to places cut off from the world during natural disasters; floods and fires. Also in search and rescue operations, when securing the most important police operations, such as the pilgrimages of Pope Saint John Paul II, or securing high-risk events. There were actions involving the supervision and coordination of road traffic during holidays and so-called long weekends. PZL Kania helicopters were used to search for missing persons and escapees using thermal imaging. Very often, PZL Kania helicopters in the service of the Police had the rear left door to the cargo hold dismantled and had a winch mounted inside.
For nearly 30 years, 8 types of helicopters have been used by the Police. In 2021, the Police had 14 helicopters in six bases: one PZL Mi-2 (the oldest one from 1975), two Bell-206s, three Bell-407s, one Bell-412, two PZL W-3 Sokół, two Mi -8 and the three latest S70i Black Hawk. The central base is the Police Aviation Board of the Main Police Staff of the Police Headquarters in Warsaw, which is stationed at the Bemowo Airport. Black Hawk, Mi-8, Bell-412 and two Bell-407 helicopters are stationed in Warsaw. The remaining sections are in: Wrocław (Bell-206), Łódź (Bell-206), Poznań (Bell-407), Szczecin (PZL W-3 "Sokół").
In 2020, two PZL Kania and one PZL W-3 Sokół were stationed in Kraków. PZL Kania helicopters in Kraków were used intensively until 2015. PZL Kania helicopters were used not only in the area of the city of Krakow, but also in other parts of the country, depending on the needs. During the holiday season, Krakow helicopters were also based in Giżycko and Koszalin.
In 2020, decisions were made to transfer PZL Kania helicopters, one PZL Kania Nb SN-51XP G-020 No. 90.03.01, to the Museum of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow. The second PZL Kania Nb SN-52XP G-002 No. 90.03.02, to the Rescue Museum in Tomaszowice. The transport of the PZL Kania SN-52XP G-002 helicopter to Tomaszowice near Kraków was possible thanks to the help of firefighters from the School of Aspirants of the State Fire Service in Kraków, OSP Biały Kosciol and other people. Currently, the helicopter is presented at an outdoor exhibition at the Manor in Tomaszowice.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman