Something about aeroclub history

Aviation history in the Klatovy region started in 1912 when the first take-off of Czech airman Mr. Čihák took place. The first Czech licenced pilot,
Jan Kaspar, M.Sc. also took participation on this event. Aeroplane reached 120 metres height and after 13 minutes of flight landed on place from that
it took-off. The idea to found aerodrome in Klatovy is very old. All the steps to get approvals for airfield foundation were not successful despite
of the effort of many individuals and groups. In 1935, due to the activity of Minister of National Defence Mr. Frantisek Machník the desired goal
was approached. Up to spring 1936 the foundation of airfield was negotiated with minister offices and bureaus and as a consequential action
the foundation of flying club. All negotiations resulted positive, so on March 21st, 1936 the Flying Club have been founded. Afterwards the hangar
and the office building construction started. The building and hangar have been completed quickly and on June 21st, 1936 were opened within ceremony
by Minister of National Defence Mr. Frantisek Machník, the chairman of Sumava mountains flying club. The fast completion of a building work is great
evidence the high interest in aviation of club members and fans in Klatovy region. This effort was accompanied by the financial donations to aviation
development in Klatovy Region. For example Ministry of nation defence provided subsidy 20 000 CZK, Ministry of public work 30 000 CZK,
the Klatovy Town Council 5 000 CZK, Saving Bank of Klatovy city 5 000 CZK, Economy saving bank 5 000 CZK. The needed land was sold
to flying club by Klatovy town. Klatovy´s entrepreneurs provided metal parts of a building free of charge and heating plants, while the local farmers
provided the trucks also at no charge. By performing of these actions the Klatovy region shown the evidence that no discussions, advices
and disputations are necessary, but the work and effort are needed. Within 1936 flying club have got 3 piston engine aircraft, while in 1937
flying club get 10 training and tourist aircraft. Flying club area was expanded by technical office, maintenance shops, power plant and water station.

    This is our hangar on 1934.                                                          

The pilot training courses and pleasure flying started. The training courses were managed by chief-pilot Antonín Glacner. Within 1937
there were 11 pilots who completed their training. Due to threatening war conflict, the action "1000 new pilots to republic"
was commenced and within this action new 14 pilots were trained in 1938. They have enrolled the fighting squadrons, namely theses
within the wing of T.G. Masaryk in Hradec Králové. Many of them later left republic to fight against nazism in Royal Air Force on western front.
Václav Prerost served in 58 Operation Training Unit and he died during the aircraft crash on Grangemouth airfield in Scotland. Ladislav Nemecek
was killed during air raid over Bremen. Václav Brejcha died during the operational flight from Coltishall airfield. On the western front there were
fighting Tomas Kozák and Matej Pavlovic.
During the nazi occupation the layout of the airfield in Klatovy was changed. The aerodrome was also occupied by german Luftwaffe
that organized the training there. During air-raid in the end of war the aircraft, hangar and partly the building were damaged by fire.
After deliberation new era in republic renovation starts as well as the development of civil aviation activities. After war period is characterized
by war damaged aerodrome refurbishment and hiring new club members in Klatovy region. Within 1946 the first glider pilots started their
training course on SK 38, Grunau Baby and Kranich gliders. The sport pilots performed their training on piston engine aircraft Piper.
There were trained 22 glider pilots, 5 sport pilots and 20 parachutists during this period. The promising development was interrupted in 1949,
when the airfield was transformed to army land forces training area and aviation traffic was cancelled.
From 1969 the flying was restarted, when a group of aviation fans based in Klatovy were trying to restore flying club, that used to be among
well-known and strongest. The preparing committee was elected, the chairman was merited airman Lt. Col. Josef Hubacek, a significant
person of Czech aviation. It worth to commemorate the group of three aerobatic pilots Hubacek, Novák, Siroký who represented Czech Republic
on many international championships. Josef Hubacek then fought in Royal Air Force as a fighter pilot and then as ferry pilot. After negotiations
with Klatovy city authorities the airfield was assigned to flying club. There started immediately the land works to change back the land army
training area to airport. The enthusiasm was large, but flying club had airfield and people, ready to give up almost everything, just to start flying.
The building of a hangar started first, on the beginning of winter 1969, since the hangar is vital condition for obtaining operational approval.
Hangar building and airfield land works were finished at 1971. The first aircraft landed there October 30th, 1970, it was glider L-13 Blaník
OK-9716, that flew from Karlovy Vary flying club. In 1972 the erection of administration building, maintenance shops and parachutist building
has started. This process was finished at 1975, but the airport facilities are being developed further. In 1983 the multipurpose fire protection
water tank have been erected since 1983 to 1985. In 1988 there were finished outdoor fire-place, sauna, showers and in 1996 the hostel
construction was started that finished at 1997.From its beginning the flying club is managed by its council, the head is a chairman.
The chairman was up to 1979 Lt. Col. Josef Hubacek, from 1979 to 2001 Zdenek Sklenar, from 2001 Miroslav Bouda. The responsible
person on training and operation was up to 1984 MUDr. Vladimír Sobotka, from 1984 to 1986 Jiri Halas and from 1986 Zdenek Sklenar
. In 1971 the second glider L-13 Blaník, newly manufactured, was obtained as well as the winch, so the first elementary course under
instructions of Messrs. Sobotka and Studený could begin. In 1978 the glider VT-116 Orlík was assigned to club, then in 1981 the second
Orlík was obtained. High performance glider VSO-10 extended the aircraft park in 1984 and in 1990 L-13SE Vivat came to Klatovy.
In 1994 flying club purchased glider L-33 Sólo. Flying on powered aircraft was less developed in Klatovy flying club. Nevertheless,
the aircraft were borrowed from neighbouring clubs and training on them was performed. In 1973 was finished single engine aircraft
Zlin Z-226T that was built from spare parts. This aircraft was modernized to Z-226M and then upgraded to Z-226MS. In 1992 flying club
get one Zlin Z-142 and progressively three Zlins Z-43.
Sumava mountains flying club during its late history has trained 110 glider pilots, 14 private pilots and 360 parachutists. During regional
glider races in 1987 the tragic accident has occurred when a very good friend and active glider pilot Václav Strnad. To his memory
the flying club organized glider races Memorial of V. Strnad. For Klatovy public the club organized a lot of flying shows, on that the majority
of all airplanes in Czech Republic used were presented. The club members organized a lot of aviation and skydive races. In 1992 flying club
get a licence as individual aviation operator and in 1994 flying club obtained a status of international public airport. Due to this achievement
the Klatovy airport act as a gate to Czech Republic in West-Bohemia region.

 

Pošumavský aeroklub KLATOVY Letiště 339 01  Klatovy e-mail: info@lkkt.cz Tel:  376 310355 Tel AFIS: 376 670757 Fax: 376 310762

Vedoucí letového provozu : Zdeněk Sklenář e-mail: info@lkkt.cz Tel.: 376 313478 Mobil: 602/944492

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