head-of-state salon, business class and higher-
standard economy class. The two other jets will
be delivered in 2020, already in the BBJ2 version.
All 737s will be equipped with the latest glass
cockpit avionics integrated with a HUD. In
future, they will additionally be equipped with
IFF, Szakal navigation system, SAASM, TACAN
as well as active and passive defence systems.
Helicopter fleet
Backbone of the 3. SLTr rotary fleet are the
Mi-17s assigned to the 7. eds. The most
recent Mi-17-1Vs were delivered in 2010-11,
but the remainder are older Hips from the
late 1980s. All have undergone a standard
modification including NVG compatibility,
integrated communications system and flight
parameter recorder. The new aircraft (which
feature four-digit side numbers) have provision
for installing 7.62mm M134 Miniguns.
For a time, Poland planned to modernise the
Hips, similar to the Czech military upgrade,
but this was abandoned when it was expected
the aircraft would be replaced by a new type.
Finally, W-3RL helicopters operate in
SAR groups. These aircraft feature varied
equipment including Nightsun searchlights
and some carry electro-optical sensors.
One of the air force’s oldest airframes, the
Mi-8 is found only in the 3. SLTr and has
also been adapted for SAR missions.
4th Training Air Wing
Every Polish military pilot starts out at the
Wyższa Szkoła Oficerska Sił Powietrznych
(WSOSP, Polish Air Force Academy) at
Dęblin – the seat of the wing that includes
training bases here and at Radom.
Young students perform their first flights on
the PZL-130 Orlik (lesser-spotted eagle) at
the 42. BLSz at Radom. Cadets transferred
to helicopters train on SW-4 and Mi-2 aircraft
at Dęblin. Transport crews train on M28s at
Radom. Training of jet pilots is still mostly
undertaken on the TS-11 Iskra. Additionally,
future Fighting Falcon pilots attend T-38
training and the F-16 basic course in the
US. MiG-29 and Su-22 conversion training
takes place at the respective bases.
Around 20 TS-11s are available. These
jets were never significantly modernised
and are now waiting for their successor.
Purchase of the M-346 was preceded by
lengthy discussions after the demise of the
I-22 Iryda programme that was intended
to replace the TS-11. Requirements were
changed from a lead-in fighter trainer to an
advanced jet trainer, after which an Italian
bid was selected for the contract for eight
aircraft and four options. Unfortunately, the
initial deliveries suffered from a software
shortfall that kept the aircraft grounded for
almost a year. Official flights in SP service
began in February this year. The option
for four more jets has been taken up, and
an additional four airframes have been
signed for but are not yet under contract.
The introduction of the M-346 – known locally
as Bielik (white-tailed eagle) will revolutionise
training of fighter pilots and eliminate the need
to send them to the US. Together with the
purchase of the first eight M-346s, Dęblin air
Above: Mi-8 serial 631 leads a formation from
the 3. SLTr that also includes a pair of W-3WAs,
serials 1016 and 0916, both in pristine VIP liveries.
Above right: The TS-11s of the Biało-Czerwone
Iskry (White and Red Sparks) display team are the
only examples of the type to have undergone any
serious modifications – in this case, adaptations
for their specialist aerobatic role. Right: PZL-130
Orlik serials 029, 047 and 051 in a smart echelon
formation. These are all TC-2 standard aircraft.54 // DECEMBER 2018 #369 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comPolish military aviation centenary