Koliber returns from Germany to Poland

The Aeroklub Stalowowolski at Turbia airfield near Stalowa Wola has announced they have recently bought PZL Koliber 150 D-ERUG from Germany. This Koliber s/n 03900042 was built at PZL Okecie and first flew on 12th February 1991 - it was initially delivered to the Netherlands as PH-BIJ before quickly passing onto Sweden as SE-KUG. In June 1995 it became D-ERUG. Made in Poland it's now back in Poland.

East German PZL M-18A Dromader - 1984

A photo from the Polish national archive shows M-18A Dromader DDR-TKB awaiting delivery at the PZL Mielec factory in 1984. The aircraft wears Interflug titles on the tail and shows the type as "Dromedar" ( German language ) on the engine cowling. 

 

 

This Dromader has factory serial number s/n 1Z013-22 - East Germany subsequently changed their registration prefix from DDR to DM so it would have become DM-TKB until the collapse of the Berlin Wall. In 1991 ( after German reunification ) it became D-FOHB. It was sold on to Australia becoming VH-XKK in 1996. It was later modified with a Garrett TPE-331 turbine engine at Trangie, New South Wales, completely changing the forward profile of the aircraft and became VH-TGY.

  

More info about the Turbine Dromader can be found on the web link below

 

https://aeropedia.com.au/content/pzl-m-18-dromader-turbine/   

 

Registration SP-WCA - from An-2 to Airbus A321 via an Orlik

On the 11th July 2025 an Airbus A321F arrived at Shannon airport Ireland from the USA, registered as N995CM ( s/n 1619 ).  It was painted white with a maroon tail and had Warsaw Cargo titles ( a new freight airline ).

The nose wheel doors were marked "WCA" - it will shortly become SP-WCA(3). This will be the third use of this registration since 1945.

 

Web link to Warsaw Cargo airlines 

 

The original SP-WCA(1) was An-2 s/n 1G105-50, this was registered from August 1969 to May 1977 and was cancelled after an accident.

SP-WCA(2) was PZL 130T Turbo Orlik s/n 1900008 - this was previously SP-PCD.  WCA(2) was registered from October 1990 until December 1999 - after a period of storage at PZL Okecie this Orlik was sold to a private owner in the USA and became N450KM and later N552PZ - photo below shows SP-WCA(2) inside the flight test hangar at PZL Okecie.  

 

 

 Photo from Polish National Archive ( NAC )

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

SP-ECA PZL 104 Wilga 35A

Wilga SP-ECA s/n 62154 was built at PZL Okecie in Warsaw in 1972 and officially registerd on the 31st August 1972 as rejestracja #1382. It was one of many Wilga 35A aircraft delivered to the state run Polish Aeroklub ( AK ). The photo was taken at Inowroclaw airfield ( EPIN Inowroclaw-Kujawsko ) in August 1997 and shows SP-ECA without an engine. 

 

The registration was cancelled in February 2004 and SP-ECA sat withdrawn from use at Inowroclaw until the aircraft was sold on to Lithuania becoming LY-XCN.

Sold and Exported - SP-FRL and SP-VEL

February 2025 - Plane4You report two recent export sales of SP registered aircraft - SP-FRL PZL 110 Koliber 150 a long time resident at Warsaw-Bemowo ( EPBC ) was sold in Feb 2025 to Germany. This early Koliber s/n 19003 was built in 1979 at PZL Okecie ( Warsaw ) as a Koliber 100 and originally registered as SP-ZKA in September 1979 and later re-registered as SP-FRL in February 1988. It was upgraded to a Koliber 150 in 1994. 

Photo below shows this Koliber as SP-ZKA in 1985 - photo via Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe

 

Also moving on in February 2025 is Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP-VEL - this was built in 2000 with s/n 172S8510 and originally delivered a N583SP. It was sold on to Poland becoming SP-KDI in April 2005 and later re-registered in 2022 as SP-VEL. In Feb 25 the aircraft was dismantled for shipping back to the USA.

 

Romania SMURD receives first PZL Mielec S-70M Black Hawks

On the 11th November 2023 PZL Mielec delivered the first example of a S-70M Black Hawk helicopter to SMURD in Romania. SMURD (Serviciul Mobil de Urgență, Reanimare și Descarcerare) provide an emergency medical service across the country and already operates a mixed fleet of air ambulance helicopters ( EC135 ) and aircraft ( eg Piper Pa-42 Cheyenne, Cessna 560 Citation, Learjet 75 ).

The first S-70 was delivered with its Polish test registration SP-YVW ( S/N 705344 registered on 1st September 2023 ) in an attractive red and yellow colour scheme and features a nose weather radar and a nose mounted searchlight. This S-70M was also wearing its new SMURD serial "276".

A second S-70M was delivered on 14.11.23 - this was SP-YVP ( S/N 705339 registered on 29th May 2023 ) with SMURD serial "271"

On the 19.11.23 S-70M SP-YVO was delivered to SMURD with local serial 270, see photo below.

Photo via PZL Mielec

Seven S-70M will be delivered by the end of 2023. 

A local news report with photos can be found on this link

 

  

W-3A Sokol helicopter for Algerian Air Force

PZL Swidnik continues to build and test flying W-3A Sokol helicopters for the Algerian AF. The most recent example noted in April 2014 wears the Polish registration SP-SIN as well as the Algerian AF serial AT-36. Algeria are thought to have ordered 8 Sokol helicopters.

These helicopters wear a sand and brown camouflage colour scheme which also features several dayglo orange parts. The first example was test flying in early 2013.

The following table shows details of the first seven examples known to date - updates welcomed

AT-12 c/n 371001 - test flown as SP-SWL - delivered 31.4 via Karlsruhe, Germany
AT-14 c/n 371002 - test flown as SP-SIC
AT-18 c/n 371003 - test flown as SP-SIE
AT-22 c/n 371004 - test flown as SP-SIF
AT-28 c/n 371005 - test flown as SP-SII - delivered 3.14 via Lyon, France
AT-32 c/n 371006 - test flown as SP-SIL - delivered 31.4 via Karlsruhe, Germany
AT-36 c/n 371007 - test flown as SP-SIN

Note the non sequential Algerian AF serial numbers.

photo copyright Jacques Lienard - click here to see original

more photos of Algerian AF W-3A Sokols here

Steve

Wilga 2000MA - G-RTRT

I recently visited the small airfield at Oaksey Park, a couple of miles south of Kemble airport ( Gloucestershire, UK ) and was lucky to see the only Wilga 2000 currently registered in the UK on maintenance - G-RTRT.

G-RTRT was built at the PZL factory at Warsaw-Okecie in 2006 and is construction number 00060021, ie #021.

This aircraft first flew in Spring 2006 registered in Poland as SP-WHO - it was exhibited at the Berlin ILA aero trade show in May 2006 painted all red with a yellow trim. The aircraft came to the UK shortly afterwards and was registered with the UK CAA on 8th June 2006 as G-RTRT owned by the local agent PZL International Aviation Marketing and Sales at North Weald airfield in Essex. 

In July 2007 this Wilga 2000 was sold by the local dealer to it's current owner in Gloucestershire ( note this owner had previously owned Wilga 2000MN G-RIIN c/n 010 ) - G-RTRT operates from a private strip not far from Oaksey Park.

Wilga G-RTRT does not fly a great deal - the UK CAA website shows that it had accumulated only 35 flying hours by December 2011 - as you can see from the photo it looks in perfect condition, the Lycoming engine virtually spotless.

At the moment G-RTRT is the only Wilga 2000 in the UK - the two previous examples G-RRIN and G-RIIN were both exported onto Canada.


Steve

PZL Swidnik announces new W-3A Sokol order

January 2012 - PZL Swidnik ( part of the AgustaWestland group ) have announced that five new build W-3A Sokol helicopters have been ordered by the Polish Air Force for VIP use. The new helicopters will be delivered by the end of 2013 and will replace the remaining Mil Mi-8 currently used in the VIP role.

The Polish Air Force already operate two W-3A Sokols in the VIP role, serials 0915 and 0916 - these two are painted in a VIP white/red colour scheme and were delivered in 2008/2009.

More details on the PZL Swidnik press release on the link below,

PZL Swidnik Press Release January 2012


Steve

New M28 Skytruck on delivery to USA 1.4.11 - SP-DGW to be N324HA

The latest PZL Mielec M28 Skytruck registered SP-DGW departed from Mielec on delivery to the USAF AFSOC on 1st April 2011 - this aircraft is c/n AJE003-24. The aircraft is painted white and blue.

For more photos by Andrzej Rak and Marcin Kołacz follow the link below

http://epmlspotters.pl/1/3/2229/



The aircraft routed to Luxembourg for an overnight stay before departing on 2nd April 2011 to Wick, Scotland before heading across the Atlantic.

The aircraft will be re-registered as N324HA once it arrives with the Sierra Nevada Corp in the USA for final mission fitting.


Steve

New W-3A Sokol delivered to Chile

PZL Swidnik have recently delivered a new build W-3A Sokol helicopter to Chile. The helicopter is c/n 37 09 17 and was registered in Chile as CC-ACJ on 28th September 2010.

The helicopter is operated by CONAF the national forestry organisation  and is the first W-3 Sokol to be sold to South America.

This Sokol was initially test flown at Swidnik as SP-SWV before training as SP-SYS.

Photo Link to CONAF W-3A Sokol as SP-SWV

For photos and video of this new W-3A Sokol in Chile please follow the links below


http://www.modocharlie.com/2010/09/y-llego-el-sokol/


http://www.aviaciontotal.cl/2010/10/video-vuelo-de-certificacion-del-sw-3a-sokol-de-conaf/




Steve in UK

New M-28 Skytruck on delivery to the USA

The latest M-28 Skytruck ( Alfa ) for the US AFSOC departed the PZL Mielec factory in Poland on Saturday 25th September 2010.

The aircraft was marked as N322PW - all previous AFSOC M-28 deliveries to the USA have used Polish "SP-D....." aircraft registrations for their delivery flight. 

This latest aircraft is c/n AJE003-22 - it first flew on 14th September 2010 marked as SP-DGT. The American registration N322PW was registered on 23rd September 2010 - the aircraft is painted white/blue.

After departing Mielec the aircraft landed at Copenhagen, Denmark en route to the USA - after this it flew via Keflavik Iceland, Narsarsuaq, Greenland and onto Goose Bay in Canada. On the 28th September 2010 it continued to Sept airport in Quebec, Canada and then onto Bangor, ME, USA - then onto Elmira - Corning airport NY, USA, then Willard, Champaign, IL and then Centennial, Denver, CO.


The link below shows the aircraft at Copenhagen on 25.9.10


http://forum.scramble.nl/viewtopic.php?p=442449


Steve

Aircraft sold to Poland from the UK - Summer 2010

The latest UK CAA register shows three "G-reg...." aircraft cancelled as sold to Poland -


G-GBLR Reims Cessna F150L c/n 1109  was built in 1974 originally registered as N961L. In 1985 this aircraft was imported into the UK and became G-GBLR.It was cancelled as sold to Poland on 21.7.10


G-LOKM PZL Koliber 160A c/n 04990080 was built in 1999 and test flew at PZL Okecie as SP-WGH. It was imported into the UK in September 1999 and became G-BYSH but was quickly re-registered as G-LOKM in 11.99. The aircraft is white and blue and had flown just 114 flight hours by 31.12.09. G-LOKM was cancelled as sold to Poland on 24.8.10 - I think this aircraft may be in the Krakow region.


G-MTGN CFM Shadow Series B c/n 041 this microlight aircraft was built in the UK in 1988 -  and was cancelled as sold to Poland on 23.9.09


please let me know if you see these aircraft in Poland - thank you.

Steve

SW-4 on display at Farnborough 2010

PZL Swidnik part of the AgustaWestland group are exhibiting a newly built SW-4 light helicopter at Farnborough 2010. The helicopter SP-SST arrived at Farnborough on 16.7.10 - the trade show startsed on Monday 19th July 2010.

The c/n of this helicopter is confirmed as 600402 ( ie Batch 04 aircraft 02 ).

This SW-4 will operate as a demonstrator. 

Another new SW-4 is SP-SSW c/n 600401 - this is currently operating in Arizona, USA for hot and high test trials.


Steve

G-BWDF - PZL 104 Wilga 35A - UK Accident 6th May 2010

Today, the 6th May 2010 is General Election day in the UK - people have been voting since 7am this morning.

At about 8am reports came in of a light aircraft plane crash at the airfield at Hinton in the Hedges. On board was Nigel Farage a parliamentary candidate ( for the UKIP party ) and a pilot.

The wreck of Wilga G-BWDF - Photo courtesy Sky News

The crashed aircraft is a PZL 104 Wilga 35A G-BWDF. There are reports that the aircraft was trailing a towing banner promoting the UKIP party and that this might have become caught in the rudder of the aircraft. Both the pilot and Mr Farage have been taken to hospital for treatment. Photos from the accident site show the aircraft inverted with major damage to the cockpit area.

G-BWDF c/n 21950955 is one of the last Wilga to have been built having first flown in July 1995 at the PZL Okecie factory in Warsaw Poland. When it was deliverd in was painted in a two tone green camoflague c/s and was based at White Waltham airfield to the West of London.  For several years it sat parked at White Waltham as the grass grew aound it.

External Link to photo of G-BWDF in its original green colours


By late 1999 it was dismantled and removed from White Waltham by lorry. It underwent a rebuild at Rushett Farm airstrip near Chessington and was back in the air by 2003 ( with just 22 flight hours in total ). In 2004 it was seen at Husbands Bosworth airfield acting as a glider tug.

By 2006 it was operating from the airfield at Dunsfold still painted green but by 2008 it had been repainted dark blue. In recent years the aircraft has been operated by "Sky Banners". The aircraft had flown 239 flight hours by 31.12.2008.

Let's hope the pilot and the passenger make a full recovery.


More info here via the Sky News website news story

More info here via the BBC News website news story


Steve

PZL Swidnik announces deal to build Pilatus PC-12 fusealges

PZL Swidnik have confirmed that they will start production for Pilatus of fusealges for the PC-12 single engined turboprop aircraft.

Their April 2010 press release states..................

The contract provides for a 10 years production co-operation, with the potential for further extension and development. The first fuselage is scheduled to be delivered to the recipient in September 2011.

More details on this LINK to PZL Swidnik statement




Steve

SP-DGS - M28 Skytruck on delivery to USA via Prestwick

On Saturday 3rd April 2010 M28 Skytruck SP-DGS passed through Prestwick airport on the west coast of Scotland on delivery to the USA. The aircraft was built at PZL Mielec and is painted white and blue with the under fuselage luggage carrier.


See photo link below for images of this aircraft at Prestwick


http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=21420



This Skytruck will eventually join the USAF AFSOC - Air Force Special Operations Command.

Update - SP-DGS c/n AJE003-21 was re-registered as N279DH on 28th April 2010 registered to Sierra Nevada Corporation of Sparks, Nevada, USA.

Others delivered to the USA in 2008 / 2009 have been

SP-DGN c/n AJE 003-10 became N310MV

SP-DGO c/n AJE 003-19 became N319TW

SP-DGP c/n AJE 003-17 became N317JG

SP-DGR c/n AJE 003-20 became N824KD


All were initially registered to Sierra Nevada Corporation of Sparks, Nevada, USA.

Note that N310MV is now shown as owned by

AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND HQ at Hurlburt Field, Florida.


The M28 Skytruck will operate with the 27 SOW based at Cannon AFB New Mexico - their website shown below suggests they will operate with the 318 SOS alongside their PC-12 aircraft

""The 318th SOS, located at Cannon AFB, N.M., is one of three flying squadrons within the 27th Special Operations Group. The squadron flies the Pilatus PC-12, and will soon acquire light and medium twin engine aircraft variants. The unit utilizes these aircraft to accomplish global special operations taskings as an Air Force component member of United States Special Operations Command""


Link to Cannon AFB website below

http://www.cannon.af.mil/units/index.asp



Good photo of AFSOC Skytruck N310MV on Flickr - see link below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7903090@N06/4151865356/



External Link to Sierra Nevada Corporation of Sparks, Nevada, USA

http://www.sncorp.com/index.shtml




Steve

UK "G-..." register - 2 Polish aircraft exported - March 2010

The latest UK CAA "G-...." aircraft register shows one Polish built aircraft has been exported from the UK and one Robinson R44 helicopter has been exported to Poland from the UK.


G-CBGA PZL 110 Koliber 160A c/n 04010086 - cancelled on 1.3.10 as exported to France ( F ). This Koliber was registered in the UK in 11.01 and was previously SP-WGM ( it was displayed at Friedrichshafen trade show in April 2001 as SP-WGM ).

UPDATE - this aircraft was registered in France on 8th April 2010 as F-HAZE

see link below for photo of G-CBGA

http://www.caa.co.uk/applicationmodules/ginfo/ginfo_photo.aspx?regmark=G-CBGA&imgname=G-CBGA001&imgtype=jpg


G-CEVI Robinson R44 Raven II c/n 11993 - cancelled on as exported to Poland ( SP ). This R44 was built in 2007 and was registered as SP-GTD in Poland in June 2010.


If you see SP-GTD in Poland please let me know - thanks.


see link below for photo of G-CEVI

http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1084413/



Steve

Success for PZL Swidnik - Phillippines to buy W-3 helicopter

Success for PZL Swidnik - Philippines to buy W-3 helicopter


The Philippine Air Force has placed an order for 8 new W-3 Sokol helicopters to be built at the PZL Swidnik factory in Poland.


More details via the link below


http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/february/13/news2.isx&d=2010/february/13