Aviation picnic at the Gliwice airport
Demonstrations of glider aerobatics, parachute jumps and show flights of airplanes – this is how the Aviation Week at the Silesian University of Technology ended. The event took place as part of the European City of Science Katowice 2024 celebrations.
With the participation of the Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, the authorities of the Silesian University of Technology, the City of Gliwice, students and residents of the region, the Aviation Picnic took place at the airport in Gliwice. The event was the culmination of the Flying Week, which took place at the Silesian University of Technology from May 27th to June 2nd.
- We finish the Aviation Week at the Gliwice airport, in a place where we carry out practical training of pilots and aircraft mechanics, and soon also air traffic controllers. We are glad that there are so many aviation enthusiasts here, who can admire air shows, get acquainted with the beautiful aviation traditions and the offer of education at our university - said Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
- I think that during the Aviation Week we managed to show what aviation looks like not only at the Silesian University of Technology, but also in our region - added prof Bogusław Łazarz, Vice-Rector for General Affairs.
Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Prof. Marek Gzik stressed that such events as the Aviation Week show how great the potential of Polish science is. - Aviation Week is an opportunity to present the scientific potential of Silesia. The event was one of the 50 weeks of science that take place as part of the celebrations of the European City of Science Katowice 2024 – says the Deputy Minister. Professor Gzik also stressed the importance of the university’s cooperation with business and local government. - Cooperation at the interface of science, local government and business has a great chance to fuel the economy of our country - he added.
- Today's event is another example of the fact that cooperation between the City of Gliwice and the Silesian University of Technology has a huge potential - emphasized the president of Gliwice Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka. “All investments related to aviation, as well as events like today, where we promote aviation, show how valuable this cooperation is. That is why we want to develop it. The city should boast of the Silesian University of Technology and use its potential for the development of the university itself and the city – added the president.
During the picnic, in addition to air shows or glider aerobatics, participants could admire the training aircraft of the Silesian University of Technology, see a demonstration of works on a helicopter, and even a car constructed by university students. The aviation students talked about their passion. “Aviation for some is a passion of life, for others a way of life, and for others, an unfulfilled dream. The Aviation Week was an excellent opportunity to present the state of our aviation in a global, European, and regional context. Today at the airport in Gliwice it is seen the best. There were both our new planes and older models that used to fly in the sky. There were gyroplanes, parachute jumpers, glider acrobatics shows and also a demonstration of work performed on helicopters - summed up Dr Eng. Robert Wieszała from the Department of Air Transport at the Silesian University of Technology.
The event is financed by the EU. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Executive Agency Scientific Research (REA). The European Union and the REA are not responsible for them.
The event is also co-financed by the Silesian Voivodeship - Co-organizer of the European City of Science Katowice 2024.
