Yesterday late in the evening, an exceptional, long-awaited aircraft joined our museum collection — the Aviata GM-1 “Gniady”. It is an extraordinary specimen representing Polish technical thought, design enthusiasm and unfavourable economic and historical conditions… Another interesting project that, instead of entering serial production, stopped at just two manufactured examples… One of them, purchased by the Museum from the Aeroclub of the Piotrków Region, will soon be made available to visitors!
“Gniady” was designed in 1988–1989 by engineer Edward Margański as a specialist glider-towing aircraft. The project was initiated by the community associated with the Aviata company and from the outset was intended as a response to the aeroclubs’ demand for a modern, efficient tow plane.
The chief designers responsible for preparing the technical documentation were: Marian Jakoniuk, MSc Eng and Witold Wiraszka, MSc Eng, who prepared a complete set of drawings and calculations. However, the ambitious project very quickly encountered difficulties — the financial crisis at Aviata led to an almost complete halt of work.
The breakthrough came thanks to the support of the Committee for Scientific Research. Although funding was limited, it allowed the project to continue and led to the construction of a prototype. Due to the Margański team’s involvement in the development of the Swift S-1 glider, the construction of the aircraft was entrusted to the Warsaw-based company Yalo (Workshop for the Repair and Construction of Flying and Floating Equipment).
It was there that the new fuselage was built and the aircraft assembled. The design of “Gniady” was an interesting combination of existing, proven solutions and an innovative approach. Among other things, the following were used:
As a result, an aircraft with very good performance was created — particularly an impressive rate of climb, which is crucial for glider towing. The design also envisaged high operational efficiency and a reduced environmental impact.
The prototype (SP-PBN) made its maiden flight on 26 April 1995, flown by Tadeusz Dunowski.
In the following months, the aircraft underwent flight tests and trial operation, including at Żar Mountain. The performance was assessed as good, although the designers had hoped for even better results. Unfortunately, financial resources ran out again — the aircraft ended up in a hangar at Warsaw’s Bemowo airfield.
Attempts were made to interest larger manufacturers in the project, including PZL-Okęcie, but without success. From 1997, the programme was again funded by the Committee for Scientific Research. Military Aviation Works No. 3 in Dęblin were brought in as a potential manufacturer, while the certification process was carried out by the Institute of Aviation together with Aviata.
By the end of 1997, the basic flight test programme and glider-towing tests had been completed. The full programme of research and testing continued until 2001. Despite this, the aircraft never entered serial production — only two examples were built.
The example presented at the Museum is an aircraft with a particularly turbulent history.
The aircraft was used in accordance with its intended purpose — as a glider tow plane. Compared to other designs, it stood out with its very high rate of climb and the ability to descend steeply without the risk of engine overcooling — thanks to the use of louvred air intake shutters.
Until August 2006, it was regularly operated, accumulating over 800 flight hours. It was then withdrawn from service and for years remained forgotten at a Warsaw aeroclub, where it gradually deteriorated and was partially stripped of parts.
Its fate changed thanks to the passion and determination of members of the Aeroclub of the Piotrków Region. It was they who saved this unique design — the aircraft was transported in parts to Piotrków Trybunalski, where the painstaking process of rebuilding began.
After many years of work by mechanics and specialists, a breakthrough moment came — on 21 September 2021, after a 15-year hiatus, “Gniady” took to the air once again. The maiden flight was performed by instructor Waldek Wegner.
This event was not only a technical success but also a symbolic restoration to life of one of the rarest Polish aircraft.
Today, this extraordinary machine comes to the Polish Aviation Museum, where it will bear witness to the ambition, determination and history of Polish civil aviation at the end of the 20th century. We will soon invite you to see “Gniady” on display.
See the photo report from the arrival of “Gniady” at the Museum:
