The Małopolska Drone Festival takes place on 3 October at the Polish Aviation Museum

During the Małopolska Drone Festival, the public will have the chance to try their hand at piloting, watch races and displays, and, thanks to FPV goggles, see the world from a drone’s perspective. A particular highlight will be the display of the Polish Army’s state-of-the-art equipment, all gathered in one place, including the WARMATE, GLADIUS, FlyEye, Bayraktar TB2 and MEROPS, as well as the Apache AH-64 and AW149 helicopters. The equipment will be presented by units from across Poland, including the 6th Airborne Brigade from Kraków. The exhibition will be complemented by a Bayraktar TB2 and a military 3D printing laboratory, offering an insight into the lesser-known facilities of the modern army.

I am delighted that it is our Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków that will be hosting the Małopolska Drone Festival. After all, this is not the first time that our region has set trends and drawn attention to extremely important issues. This is certainly the case with drones, which have now become a permanent feature of our lives, though until recently they were mainly used to take beautiful aerial photographs. Now, however, they are increasingly being discussed in the context of our security. That is precisely why we have invited the armed forces to take part in our event; they already have modern systems based on unmanned aerial vehicles at their disposal. We want whole families to have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with this technology, try their hand at flying a drone and learn more about these fascinating machines. I am convinced that we will succeed in combining entertainment with invaluable knowledge about drones”, emphasises Łukasz Smółka, Marshal of the Małopolska Voivodeship..

Drone racing and pilot training

The festival’s attractions will include FPV drone races, precision landing competitions and flying lessons under the guidance of instructors. Participants will attempt to complete an obstacle course against the clock, viewing the route through goggles that display the drone’s camera feed. Beginners will learn the basics of control and make their first flights in a secure area. Drone flight simulators will also be available for participants. Experienced pilots will demonstrate high-speed flights, turns and precise manoeuvres, which can also be viewed through FPV goggles. Meanwhile, at the exhibition stands, visitors will be able to see the drones up close, learn about their construction and discuss the capabilities of individual models.

„I find it hard to imagine a better venue for the Małopolska Drone Festival than the Polish Aviation Museum. “On a day-to-day basis, we showcase the history of Polish aviation here, but there is no shortage of events which, like the upcoming festival, will highlight the future – a future that undoubtedly belongs to drones, which are playing an increasingly significant role in entertainment, rescue operations and safety” says Tomasz Kosecki, Director of the Polish Aviation Museum.

Drones to the rescue

Firefighters and specialists in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles during rescue and search operations will explain how an operator’s skills are put to use during a rescue operation. There will also be demonstrations illustrating the use of drones to search for missing persons and identify hazards during fires or floods. In the Małopolska Volunteer Fire Brigade competition, tasks will include locating a specified person or object and transmitting footage from the scene. The public will see how information from the drone’s camera helps rescuers assess the situation and plan their next steps.

From a rescue operation to a drone outside the window

How can a missing person be found with the help of a drone? How can a drone posing a threat be stopped? Where does the freedom to film from the air end and an invasion of privacy begin? These questions will kick off four festival debates.

‘A Safe Małopolska from Above’ will be a discussion on the use of drones by rescue teams, emergency services and local authorities. The panel ‘Drone versus Drone’ will explore the race between drone manufacturers and the developers of systems designed to counter them, as well as the role of artificial intelligence. “The Polish Army in the Drone Era” will focus on changes on the battlefield and how soldiers are being prepared for them. The series will conclude with “A Drone Over Our Home”, dedicated to residents’ rights, operators’ responsibilities and the protection of privacy.

The Małopolska Drone Festival will take place on 3 October at the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków. The official opening is scheduled for 10.00 am. The event is organised by the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków and the Inspector Marek Woźniczka Association. The event is held under the patronage of the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland, the Minister of National Defence and the Małopolska Voivodeship.