October 16, 1929, is a date that will forever remain in the annals of Polish aviation. On that day, Franciszek Żwirko, the pilot, and Antoni Kocjan, the designer, achieved something extraordinary: they set the first-ever Polish world aviation record, officially recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Their achievement was not only an impressive technical and sporting achievement, but also proof of the ambition, courage, and capabilities of the young Polish aviation industry, which, just ten years after regaining independence, was able to stand alongside the best in Europe.
The flight that brought Poland its first world aviation record took place in the RWD-2 light aircraft, designed and built by three talented engineers from the Warsaw University of Technology: Stanisław Rogalski, Stanisław Wigura, and Jerzy Drzewiecki. The aircraft’s name, RWD, comes from their initials.
At the controls were Franciszek Żwirko, an experienced pilot, and Antoni Kocjan, the designer and co-creator of the success. Taking off from Warsaw, they climbed to an altitude of 4,004 meters, setting a world altitude record for aircraft weighing up to 280 kilograms. This event, registered by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), resonated widely both in Poland and abroad, becoming a symbol of national pride and technological progress.
This record was a turning point in the history of Polish aviation – for the first time in history, a Polish design, built and piloted by Polish engineers, found itself at the forefront of global sports and experimental aviation.
In recognition of this achievement, the Academic Aeroclub in Warsaw donated a magnificent cup, which can now be admired at our new permanent exhibition “With the Wind and Against the Wind – Civil Aviation”.
This extraordinary trophy, crafted from a silver-plated metal alloy, captivates with its form and symbolism. It consists of a two-handled chalice set on a slender stem with a decorative ring, topped with a lid adorned with a metal pine cone and engraved Empire-style laurel leaves. The upper part features a motif of oak leaves and fruit, and below is an engraved inscription:
“The first Polish world aviation record
Award of the Academic Aeroclub in Warsaw
October 16, 1929″
This cup is more than just an award – it is a symbol of the courage, passion and genius of Polish pilots, who through their achievements have proven that Poland is capable of achieving the highest goals, both in the air and in the field of engineering.
