The first weekend in September will also belong to precision aerobatics over Malacky
We have good news once again for all visitors of the Slovak International Air Fest. The next confirmed participants, who will showcase their skills during the first weekend of September (2nd - 3rd September) at the Kuchyňa Airport near Malacky as part of the SIAF MLD, are certainly not newcomers.
Aviation fans had the opportunity to witness their precision aerobatics six years ago at the Sliač Airport. For their exceptionally precise flight demonstration, they were honored with the MLD SIAF 2017 Flight Director's Award. They are known for their high level of professionalism, skill, discipline, teamwork, and pilot training. We are referring to none other than the Croatian aerobatic group Krila Oluje/Wings of Storm.
Unlike most of the world's aerobatic groups, the primary mission of Krila Oluje is to train future pilots who are members of the Croatian Air Force and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. The team's origin can be traced back to a formation aerobatic performance involving four aircraft during the European Flying Championships on July 23, 2004, in Zadar. The group presented the same formation to the Croatian public on August 5, 2005, in Knin, during the 10th anniversary commemoration of the military police operation 'Storm,' from which it derived its name. Since the end of that same year, the Wings of the Storm have been flying with five aircraft, and their first flight with six aircraft occurred on March 25, 2009.
"The program executed by Oluja's Wings spans approximately 20 minutes. They fly at altitudes ranging from approximately 50 to 1000 feet above the ground, accompanied by a group commentator narrating their performance. I am confident that attendees of SIAF MLD still recall the 2017 edition, where we were truly captivated by their celestial spectacle, leaving us with nothing but positive memories. I extend an invitation to all to join us at Kuchyňa Airport and relive their unforgettable performance," states Hubert Štoksa, Director of MLD SIAF.
Pilots of the aerobatic group fly Pilatus PC-9M aircraft. During the program they reach a mutual distance of less than 2 meters and speed up to 550 km/h. The loads they bear during each manoeuvre range from -2.5 g to +6.5 g. The candidates for aerobatic group pilots are selected from experienced long-time flight instructors with the best prerequisites. They then undergo rigorous training in aerobatic flying in formations of two to six aircraft.
Group members:
- Major Darko BELANČIĆ - head of the aerobatic group
- Lieutenant Commander Danijel RIGO
- Captain Krešimir OŠTRIĆ
- Major Ivan ANĐIĆ
- Major Nino PEROVIĆ
- Lieutenant Matija ĐURAŠIN
- Lieutenant Bruno BULUM
The SIAF 2023 program starts at 11:00. The airport gates open at 9:00. Don't forget to follow the website www.siaf.sk, FB International SIAF Aviation Days, or the Instagram profile, where all important information will be gradually added."