On 12 December 2025, the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków hosted the grand vernissage of the temporary exhibition “100th Anniversary of the Eaglets School”, prepared in cooperation with the Military Aviation Academy in Dęblin. The event gathered numerous guests — representatives of the aviation community, historians, cadets, enthusiasts and all those for whom the Dęblin Alma Mater is a symbol of the highest aviation standards and patriotic ethos.
The vernissage was jointly opened by:
– Tomasz Kosecki, Director of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków,
– Brigadier General Pilot Dr Eng. Krzysztof Cur, Rector-Commandant of the Military Aviation Academy.
In their speeches, they emphasised the significance of the 100-year tradition of the Eaglets School, its influence on the development of Polish aviation and the exceptional role it plays in building the identity and memory of Polish Wings.
Brigadier General Pilot Dr Eng. Krzysztof Cur highlighted the successful long-standing cooperation between the Academy and the Museum and, as a token of gratitude and recognition for those who contributed in a special way to the creation of the exhibition, presented commemorative statuettes.
After the official opening, attendees listened to two extremely interesting presentations by:
– Dr hab. Marcin Kruszyński, Professor at the Military Aviation Academy,
– Dr Danuta Maria Hać, Director of the Military Aviation Academy Archive.
The speakers presented the evolution of the Eaglets School from the 1920s to the present day, showing its significance for successive generations of military pilots. It was a story of tradition, discipline, courage and continuity of a mission that has been shaping the elite of Polish aviation for a hundred years.
Among the representatives of the Military Aviation Academy present at the event was also the Vice-Rector for Research, Dr hab. Eng. Paweł Gołda.
The exhibition presents rarely shown exhibits from the collections of the Polish Aviation Museum and materials prepared by the Military Aviation Academy. Among them are:
• documents of Colonel Pilot Roman Florer — the first commandant of the Officers’ Aviation School,
• uniforms and decorations of distinguished graduates, including Lieutenant Colonel Pilot Karol Pniak and Colonel Pilot Władysław Gnyś,
• memorabilia of Colonel Pilot Zofia Dziewiszek-Andrychowska — one of the first women admitted to the Officers’ Aviation School,
• exhibits related to Colonel Pilot Zbigniew Sobeńka, a pilot and distinguished aviation activist,
• materials concerning the highest command of the modern Polish Air Force.
The exhibition showcases both the beginnings of military pilot training and the development of the academy whose graduates wrote some of the most glorious chapters in the history of Polish wings.
The vernissage took place in an atmosphere of deep respect for history and the people who created it. Guests emphasised the exceptional nature of the cooperation between the Polish Aviation Museum and the Military Aviation Academy, which made it possible to prepare such a rich and valuable exhibition.
The exhibition “100th Anniversary of the Eaglets School” has become not only part of the jubilee celebrations of the Military Aviation Academy but also an important event for the entire aviation community of Małopolska.
It was a ceremony that reminded us that the legend of the Eaglets School lives on — inspired by tradition, built through daily service and passed on to successive generations of Polish pilots.
The exhibition is on display on the mezzanine of the Main Hangar of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków.
It can be visited until 12 June 2026.
We invite you to view the photo report from the event:
