The aerodrome in Kąkolewo combines several functions. On the one hand, as a public aerodrome, it operates General Aviation air traffic and exercises operational supervision over training and sports activities. On the other hand, it acts as a centre of field work in the area of testing new technologies in aviation.
The participants and, at the same time, partners of this specific “research cluster ” under the general name “Kąkolewo Project” are both research and higher education institutions, a government agency as well as entities focused on training and sports activities.
“KĄKOLEWO PROJECT” PARTNERS POZNAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
POLITECHNIKA POZNAŃSKA
A public university whose aim is to educate highly qualified personnel in the field of broadly understood engineering, in close connection with scientific research, technology development and innovation, in cooperation with the economy and society. It employs over 2,000 staff, of whom more than 1,200 are academic teachers, including: 100 professors, 150 DScs, 600 PhDs and 200 employees with higher education.
In 2016, Poznan University of Technology, as part of the Pilotage specialisation, the study field of Aerospace Engineering Aerospace at the Faculty of Machines and Transport, launched training to earn an airline transport pilot licence (ATPL). The group of the first 11 students started practical training for the ATPL in the 2017 season. Ultimately, in the cycle of 3.5 years of engineering studies, a total of 45 pilots will be trained.
In 2017, Poznan University of Technology purchased a 10 ha area at the aerodrome in Kąkolewo from Poznan Aero Club for the purpose of implementing tasks connected with the development of aviation-related fields of study at Poznan University of Technology (with a particular emphasis on pilotage), organising air fairs and shows, creating laboratories dealing with strength and aerodynamic tests, developing production technologies in the field of plastics, and developing the construction of light aircraft in kits for self-assembly. As part of the functioning of the Academic Aviation Club, teaching activities related to basic aviation glider and parachute training will be conducted. With the use of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), scientific and teaching activities will be carried out, consisting in the development and testing of electronic on-board systems for various purposes, tracking systems, flight autonomy, as well as small on-board elements for external and internal installation on aircraft.
Aviation-related initiatives and activities undertaken by Poznan University of Technology currently include:
the operation of the Aviation Training Centre,
R&D activities in the field of manned and unmanned aircraft,
education in the field of Aerospace Engineering,
activity of student research clubs (aircraft engines and structures, space vehicles, pilotage and operation of manned aircraft).
AVIATION TRAINING CENTRE AT POZNAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
A university-wide organisational unit established by the ordinance of the Rector of Poznan University of Technology on 31 January 2014. The aim of the centre is to provide PUT students with formal conditions for undergoing flight training, organising flight training and carrying out research projects related to the development of aviation specialisations. Taking into account the scientific potential of Poznan University of Technology, the Aviation Training Centre may become a specialised unit for the development of new technologies in the field of air transport.
In 2017, Poznan University of Technology, within the specialisation of Pilotage, the study field of Aerospace Engineering at the Faculty of Machines and Transport, launched students’ training to earn an airline pilot licence. The group of the first 11 students started practical training for an airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) in the 2017 season. In the cycle of 3.5 years of engineering studies, simultaneous training for 45 student pilots is conducted. The partner in running the ATPL training is Poznan Aero Club, and the organisation of the training is supervised by the Aviation Training Centre at Poznan University of Technology holding the Approved Training Organisations (ATO) certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Since 2020, the ATPL training in the Aviation Training Centre at Poznan University of Technology has been conducted at the aerodrome in Kąkolewo. Located off larger urban centres, yet at an optimal distance from two controlled airports (Poznań – Ławica, Zielona Góra – Babimost), it allows to make unimpeded flights in the area of the aerodrome, and at the same time, after a short flight, it creates the possibility of training in real traffic conditions at fully-equipped commercial airports.
In 2019, Poznan University of Technology purchased the ALSIM FNPT II/MCC flight simulator. The simulator is used throughout the process of training students for an airline pilot licence (used at all stages: PPL, CPL, IFR, MCC, JOC). Thanks to purchasing such advanced training equipment, it is possible to simulate flights on single-engine and multi-engine piston aircraft (land) and a medium-class passenger jet aircraft (the model built on the basis of Boeing 737 and Airbus 320). In addition, students can train the latest types of approaches according to GPS.
The centre boasts a fleet of training planes and gliders. Currently, the fleet of the Aviation Training Centre comprises:
- Cessna 172S (2 aircraft),
- Cessna 182T (1 aircraft),
- Zlin 242L (1 aircraft),
- Extra 330LX (1 aircraft),
- Piper Seminole (1 aircraft),
- MDM-1 Fox (1 glider),
- PW-5 (1 glider),
- PW-6U (1 glider).
POZNAN SUPERCOMPUTING AND NETWORKING CENTRE
(affiliated with the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences)
Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Centre of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences is a leading unit for the Municipal Computing Network in Poznań, the High-Performance Computing Centre and the operator of the National Fiber Optic Network PIONIER. Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Centre successfully participates in carrying out research and development projects under Horizon 2020 (29 projects), as well as in European projects of other initiatives (AAL, CHIST-ERA, EMPIR) and structural projects. To date, Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Centre has carried out over 200 research and development projects. Currently, the Centre employs over 470 staff in 19 technology and administration departments (2022), and more than 40 projects and dozens of own research and development schemes are being implemented.
Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Centre, in cooperation with Poznan University of Technology, is conducting a project involving the creation and validation of a model of organising, functioning and operating a digital aerodrome (cyberport) with its cybersphere as an integrated solution for public aerodromes (Aerosphere) serving horizontal and vertical take-off/landing aircraft, both unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and manned aircraft.
The main task of the proposed Aerosphere project will be the expansion of the aerodrome in Kąkolewo and providing it with necessary equipment and administering it by the project-implementing entities related to the air traffic service of UAVs and manned aircraft. The scope of the project comprises equipping the aerodrome with specialised scientific and research infrastructure necessary for carrying out research and development work, service and functional solutions for the needs of air transport, practical operation (civil and sports pilotage), logistics (low-weight overhead transport), supervision (traffic, events and disasters caused by human activity, inspection and control) and neutralisation of events and disasters (guided assistance, precision interventions, a diversion aerodrome).
POZNAN AERO CLUB
Poznan Wanda Modlibowska Aero Club is the owner of Kąkolewo aerodrome, including its airside to conduct aircraft operations comprising runways, taxiways, apron and technical strips. In pursuit of its long-term plans, the Aero Club has moved its entire aviation activity from Kobylnica near Poznań to the aerodrome in Kąkolewo.
The potential of Poznan Aero Club:
Training and instruction service providers:
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- flight training instructors: glider, airplane, balloon, parachute, airplane and glider aerobatics,
- ground training instructors, including specialists in various aviation fields and subjects – aviation medicine, methodology, meteorology, etc.
- sports instructors – air sports (airplane sport, gliding, aerobatics),
- licensed trainers in the field of air sports,
- glider pilots, airplane pilots and balloon pilot
- flight managers,
- aviation modelling instructors,
- licensed flight information service (FISL) officers with the aerodrome flight information service (AFIS) licence
Technical maintenance:
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- mechanics authorised to certify the technical maintenance of airplanes (up to 5700 kg),
- mechanics authorised to certify the technical maintenance of gliders,
- mechanics authorised to certify the technical maintenance of hot air balloons,
- a licence to operate aircraft as a whole (airframe, engine, propeller, equipment – on-board instruments),
within the CAMO Organisation – licence to issue a certificate of airworthiness for 14 types of aircraft.
Certificates held:
Flight Training Organisation Certificate FTO-60,
Flight Training Organisation Certificate FTO-74,
Training Entity No. 22RPS-03/2012,
Aerial Works Certificate (AWC),
Air Operator Certificate (AOC),
Continuous Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) – certificate No. PL.MG.036,
Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) certificate – maintenance organization according to PART 145, certificate No. PL.145.059, including its own Extra-type aircraft Maintenance Organisation.
POLISH AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES AGENCYJ
The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PANSA) – a state air traffic management authority, established on 1 April 2007, subordinate to the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Mission: Ensuring safe and smooth air traffic through effective airspace management.
Vision: An organisation with a strong position on the European market of air navigation service providers. An innovative organisation that invests in knowledge and development. An organisation that acts as a bridge between the East and the West Europe in securing the provision of services.
Assumptions and strategic objectives:
Every action taken at the PANSA and all employees of the Agency contribute to the achievement of the objectives set within the defined four Key Performance Areas.
SAFETY – ensuring and maintaining air traffic safety,
CAPACITY – ensuring the required airspace capacity and ensuring traffic service while minimising delays,
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION – ensuring sustainable development of air navigation services while minimising negative impact on the environment, reducing emissions and minimising noise,
COST EFFICIENCY – ensuring high quality of services provided at a reasonable price to facilitate the Agency’s development and financial stability.
ORLEN ŻELAZNY AEROBATIC GROUP
he ŻELAZNY Aerobatic Group is the largest, and, at the same time, the longest continuously operating civilian aerobatic group in the history of Polish aviation.
The creation of the Group was initiated by the Chair of the Lubuska Land Aero Club Andrzej Kraszewski and Director Lech Marchelewski, and the first official training started in the aviation season 2000.
The first line-up of the Group included Sebastian Chrząszcz, Marek Dubkiewicz, Tadeusz Kołaszewski, Wojciech Krupa (trainer) and Lech Marchelewski. A few years later, ŻELAZNY AG expanded to include more pilots: Piotr Banachowicz, Piotr Haberland and Krzysztof Kosiński.
In November 2007, Poznan Aero Club started cooperation with the Lubuska Land Aero Club in the scope of ŻELAZNY AG’s activity related to pilot training in aerobatics, training sessions and preparation for team flights. The base aerodrome was Kobylnica, and the team was co-created by the pilots of Poznan Aero Club.
In the following years, the team spawned many excellent and talented pilots, performing in formations up to six airplanes with a glider, performing shows around the world.
Currently, the team flies on EXTRA 330LC, ZLIN 50LS and ZLIN 526F aerobatic aircraft, and the headquarters of the ŻELAZNY Group is the aerodrome in Kąkolewo.