Chojne airfield is one of the few in the Sieradz County. It was created and operates thanks to the commitment and passion of one man - Zbigniew Kowalski.
Zbigniew Kowalski was born on August 14, 1945 in Sieradz. Since high school, he increasingly thought about airplanes and flying. However, it was not just one impulse, but rather a series of events that over time caused his interest in aviation.
I don't know where it came from in me. Since the first year of high school, I've been reading a lot of books about aviation.
1960
In early 1960, Zbyszek, together with his friends, enrolled in a glider course. It was organized at the airport in Piotrkow Trybunalski by the Military Aviation Training Association.
I was a little scared when I flew alone, but there is a saying that only fools are not afraid.
1964
In 1964, after passing the high school leaving exam in Sieradz, Zbyszek Kowalski was accepted into an aircraft course. This time, the course was organized in Krywlany Airport in Białystok.
At the airport, instructors from Dęblin often stayed (...) and observed us. I decided to try studying at this university. I wanted to become a military pilot.
1964 - 1967
In September 1964, out of about 3,000 candidates, around 100 cadets were admitted to the first year of study. 18-year-old Zbigniew Kowalski was also in this group. The studies at the university lasted for 3 years.
It was my next lucky break, miracle, or fortunate coincidence, or destiny in life. I was very proud of what I had achieved and accomplished.
1968 - 1977
In January, Zbigniew Kowalski was assigned to a military unit at the Orneta airport. After a year of service in Warmia, he was transferred to Sochaczew. He then went for training in Powidz, and later to an aviation regiment in Babimost.
Zbigniew Kowalski, as a military pilot, completed 1,468 flights on various aircraft, mainly ISKRA TS-11, MIG-15, and MIG-17.
1977 - 1979
Zbigniew Kowalski, while still in the military, dreamed of becoming an agro-pilot. He applied for a job with a large aviation company and was hired in Wroclaw.
We worked from spring to autumn. In the winter, we returned home. On average, I performed 10 to 30 flights per day.
1979 - 1992
Zbigniew Kowalski received a job offer in Egypt. In June 1979, he flew to Egypt on a PZL-106 Kruk plane.
It was hard work. We flew a lot, often from morning till night. With the sunrise, there was always a mist that quickly settled. Flights had to be carried out at a very low altitude (...).
1980
During his contracts in Egypt, new orders came in, this time in Syria. He arrived at the Kamishly base (airport) located in Syria.
We worked on huge wheat fields owned by Syrian farmers. The Arabs were very positive towards us. They willingly talked and hosted us in their homes.
1980
The main base for Poles was located in Hasa-Hejsa. In each of these places, AN-2 airplanes with crews were stationed, later joined by TURBO-Crane planes.
I have been to Sudan 6 times. In the last stage, I led the entire Polish expedition twice. It was a specific country. There were no characteristic points, which made navigation very difficult.
1980
Polish planes were to spray wheat fields. On site, there was only a piece of runway, tents for the pilot and mechanic, and barrels with fuel and chemicals for spraying.
The runway was gravel and located on the side of a mountain. The runway ended with a several hundred meter cliff.
2000
Polish PZL M-18 Dromader planes reached Chile by ship, packed in containers. The Poles' primary task was to extinguish forest fires.
Even just the fact that a fire is dangerous and unpredictable, flying over it at the right altitude required great effort and courage.
2005
In 2005, Zbigniew Kowalski decided it was time to retire. He worked at the Agro-Lotnicze Services Plant for 28 years.
For the next 2 years after retiring, I sometimes received assignments to substitute at my former company. I then extinguished fires, including in Opole and Ostrow Wielkopolski.
While working abroad, Zbigniew Kowalski decided to invest his earnings. In 1983, he bought 5.5 hectares of agricultural land in the village of Chojne. Students came to Chojne and conducted detailed soil tests for the orchard.
According to the professor's opinion, I planted around 5 thousand trees, including 3 thousand cherries and 2 thousand peaches.
2001
In 2001, Zbigniew Kowalski decided to build his first aircraft. He bought a license and plans from ZENAIR in the United States.
When the machine was almost finished, I thought that a runway would be needed, and there was none in the vicinity of Sieradz. I couldn't imagine further life without flying.
2005
In the early 21st century, Zbigniew Kowalski bought 2.5 hectares of land in Chojeński, near an orchard and a sports field. That's where work began on building the runway.
After some time, a commission from the Civil Aviation Authority came to Chojeński. They had no objections, and as a result, they gave permission to register my airfield.
What makes Chojne airfield a special place are the people who use it. The group of pilots who are permanently associated with the airfield is relatively small and consists of only a few people.
- Józef W.
- Sławek E.
- Piotrek C.
- Marek Ż.
- Marek S.
- Janek C.
- Paweł P.
- Zbigniew S.
All this and more can be found in the book dedicated to Zbigniew Kowalski and the Chojne airfield.
All content and images in the illustrated history are from the book Lotnisko w Chojnem authored by Ireneusz Wolman and Zbigniew Kowalski.
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