On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the Polish Aviation Museum had the honor of hosting an extraordinary aviator – Lieutenant Colonel David W. Woods (USAF, Retired), a military and test pilot, and one of the most versatile American aviators of his generation.
David Woods began his career as a U.S. Navy pilot, earning his pilot wings in 1984. He flew aircraft such as the A-7E Corsair and the F/A-18 Hornet, earning numerous prestigious awards for top flight pilots. He also served as a test pilot at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, participated in research and development programs for new aviation technologies, and in 1995 was selected as a candidate for NASA’s astronaut program. Later in his service, he also flew F-15 Eagle fighters, becoming the first naval pilot to command a USAF unit equipped with this type of aircraft. During his career, he accumulated over 20,000 flight hours in 104 different aircraft types. He participated in combat operations over Iraq and Bosnia and Herzegovina, among other places.
During his visit to our Museum, David Woods and his family toured the permanent exhibitions, learning about the history of Polish aviation and the most valuable artifacts in the Krakow collection. He was particularly pleased to see models of the aircraft he himself flew during his extensive military and civilian career, including the Ling Temco Vought A-7P Corsair II.
During the tour, he shared with us many fascinating memories of his service as a pilot and experiences gained during his flights aboard aircraft carriers and in fighter units.
Mr. Woods expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and spoke highly of our collections and the way we present the history of aviation.
We are extremely pleased that such distinguished guests from overseas are coming to the Polish Aviation Museum. Meeting people who themselves have contributed to the history of global aviation is a special honor for us and a confirmation of the significance of our work. At times like these, we feel even more strongly the importance of the museum’s mission – preserving, documenting, and promoting aviation heritage for future generations.
We are pleased to have been able to present this distinguished American aviator with the rich history of Polish aviation and the achievements of Polish designers, pilots, and soldiers. We hope that the memories of his visit to Krakow will remain with Mr. Woods for a long time, and that the Polish Aviation Museum will be one of the places he will long return to.
