A student of the Silesian University of Technology, the vice-champion of Poland in glider aerobatics
Miłosz Gondek, a student of our University, became the vice-champion of Poland in the Advanced class at the Polish Championships in glider aerobatics, which took place on June 20th – 24th at the airport in Suwałki.
Miłosz Gondek is a student of the first year of second-cycle studies at the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering. He also belongs to the Gliding Scientific Club of our University. In Suwałki he played in the colours of the Silesian University of Technology and the Aeroclub of the Lubuskie Land.
- During the competition, we managed to play three programs, i.e. basically three aerobatic flights, which were assessed by the judges - says the vice-champion of Poland. - Attention was paid to the quality of the figures made in the zone above the airport, which was an invisible cube. This year we were judged by four judges: two from Poland and two from Lithuania. Each of them for a figure in flight - usually there are seven to ten figures in an aerobatic bunch - assigned us a score from zero to ten. Points were deducted for each error. Basically, this sport is a game of mistakes. It is worth noting that there is no situation in which a pilot gets an average of ten points from each of the judges, because it is a very precise sport and it is difficult to obtain such results. Some aspects are judged subjectively, so this sport is different from basketball or football, where you know immediately who wins. In our case, we find out about it after the results are published at the end of the day.
For Miłosz Gondek it was the third start in the Polish Championships and it was his best performance. In addition, he has already had the opportunity to take part in the World Championships twice.
- This year I won two gold medals and one bronze medal for individual programs, which finally gave me the vice-championship of Poland - sums up the student of the Silesian University of Technology.
He began preparations for this competition in May, training in Toruń at the EPTO airport.
- We perform flights under the supervision of a team coach, but often we also observe each other with other competitors and give suggestions on what can be improved - says Miłosz Gondek.
The vice-champion of Poland admits that he is accompanied by great emotions during the competition.
- Just before the start I feel stress - sometimes more, sometimes less - he recalls. - The glider has no engine and in order to get to the altitude of 1250 meters above the airfield, I need to be roped by the towing plane. Then I get stressed too. However, since the start of the competition, it is already in the background and I focus heavily on the task. It's basically a competitive sport. After completing the program, which usually takes about four minutes, we leave the glider tired.
Currently, Miłosz Gondek is participating in the ATPL(A) airline pilot license training.
- At the Civil Aviation Staff Training Centre of Central and Eastern Europe, I also train for instrument ratings, performing operations on a Tecnam P2006T twin-engine aircraft at the airport in Gliwice.
In the Gliding Science Club of the Silesian University of Technology, he is active in sports, taking part in competitions, but also substantively - participating in conferences and conducting research.
- In the next semester, we plan to deal with the subject of aviation fuels and used in small piston aircraft engines and their impact on flight performance and safety, announces Miłosz Gondek.
