Slovak aviation event: Vintage planes draw visitors

Nice weather, vintage aeroplanes and American Black Hawk helicopters attracted thousands of visitors to the Slovak International Air Fest SIAF 2015 in Sliac in Slovakia.

No one can imagine SIAF 2015 without historical aircraft. The most admired ones are Czech Avia B-33 and the legendary British Spitfire.

"The military aircraft Avia-B33 was licence-built after the Soviet aircraft Ilyushin Il-10. Only three pieces of this unique aircraft of the Czechoslovak production have been preserved," Xinhua reported on Monday quoting Miloslav Caplovic, the director of the Slovak Institute of Military History.

"One of them is placed in the Military Museum in Krakow and another one in the Prague Aviation Museum, Kbely. The aircraft at the aviation show SIAF 2015 is the third one," Caplovic said.

"This aircraft is unique and the object of curiosity because from among the three preserved aircraft, it is in the best condition," Caplovic added.

The faithful replica of the legendary Spitfire aircraft comes from the Czech Republic.

"The aircraft Supermarine was used by the Royal Air Force during WWII. It was flown by one of the most significant Czechoslovak pilots Otto Smik," added Caplovic.

Lot of visitors, especially children, were attracted by the Black Hawk helicopters, eight of which are to be purchased by the Slovak military. Some 45 children took part on the cockpit tour organised by US pilots.

"It was always my dream to be in a military helicopter... I was impressed," said Adam, one of the visitors.

The tour was also attended by Roma children from villages Velka Ida, Rankovce and Stara Lubovna in eastern Slovakia. They were picked for the trip by workers of ETP Slovensko, an organisation involved for long in work with the Roma community.

"The children have been going to community centres for years. We picked them up based on long-term good work at the centres," stressed David Korckovsky of ETP Slovakia.

The SIAF 2015 also opened opportunities for official negotiations.

The Slovak Defence Ministry is planning to sign within a few weeks a contract that will provide the basis for creating a unique training centre for pilots of the Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters. This was confirmed during the airshow by Slovak Defence Minister Martin Glvac.

"We're close to signing contracts that will guarantee participation in industrial cooperation for the Slovak defence industry and creation of a training centre for this type of helicopters," said Glvac.

According to Glvac, the planned contract demonstrates that Slovakia has not only bought nine American choppers, but also acquired helicopter skills, apart from establishing industrial cooperation.

"Slovak industry can produce not only excellent cars but also modern military equipment," said Glvac.