Ladies and Gentlemen I have the pleasure to welcome you here at the Air Show in ATHENS I’d like to invite you to watch the show of the Aerobatic Team 'ORLIK’.
My name is Adam Ginalski and I will comment the show for YOU. 'ORLIKS’ are taking off now and in an moment they will begin their performance.
Please look left, there you can see EIGHT aircraft PZL 130 'ORLIK’ from 42nd Air Training Base commanded by colonel PILOT Adam Ziółkowski.
The lights are on, take off flaps, they have just started the run in formation of 3+2+2 aircraft.
The members of the AEROBATIC TEAM are climbing in order to check cloud base and visibility, then the formation leader 
decides which show variation will be chosen. While waiting for them I’d like to give you some details about the history of our team.
All began (FIFTEEN) 15 years ago when four pilots started special training. Very soon the fifth joined them as a solo pilot. After hundred training flights the team presented their first show during the International Air Tattoo at Fairford, Great Britain. Since then they have given over one hundred seventy displays in Poland and abroad.
The name of the Aerobatic Team 'ORLIK’ comes from the name of the plane.
PZL-130 'Orlik’ is a Polish two-seat turboprop trainer used in 42nd Air Base in Radom for the basic training of the cadets. It is equipped with the CANADIAN engine called PRATH &WITHNEY PT-6. The word 'orlik’ means 'eaglet’ and it’s the symbol of Polish aviation – the experienced pilots are 'the eagles’ while young students of Polish Air Force Academy are just 'the eaglets’.
It is extremely difficult to become the member of the aerobatic team. The active team pilots admit new members to the team. The basic criteria for admission are high flying skills and trust because pilots must have confidence in one another.
The members of the aerobatic team are the instructor pilots for the officer cadets from Polish Air Force Academy. It demands absolute devotion and engagements from the pilots as the trainings of THE TEAM take place either before or after the flights with the cadets.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN – FLYING IS DEFINITELY THE GREATEST PASSION FOR THE PILOTS FROM THE AEROBATIC TEAM 'ORLIK’. THEY JUST CAN’T IMAGINE A DAY WITHOUT IT.
NOW the proper part of the performance is being presented in front of YOU. DIAMOND FORMATION consisting of eight aircraft PZL- 130 is making the loop.
In today’s breathtaking show the main parts are played by:
1. Formation Leader – captain pilot Dariusz Stachurski
2. Left wing – captain pilot Michał Czerwiec
3. Right wing – major pilot Zbigniew Kosterna
4. Solo – captain pilot Dariusz Stańczyk
5. 2nd Left wing – captain pilot Krzysztof Kidacki –
6. 2nd Right wing – captain pilot Michał Anielak
7. Right slot – lieutenant pilot Bartosz Niegrzybowski
8. Left slot – captain Robert Paciorek
The ground coordinator for the today’s show is Colonel Pilot Arkadiusz Leśniewski former member of both „Iskry” and „Orlik” aerobatic teams. Now he is observing the show from the ground in order to give directions to the pilots.
The performance is recorded by lieutenant pilot Ariel Adamski.
The team does not consist only of the pilots but also of the technicians without whom any airshow would not be possible.
The team is performing a half of slant turn and is changing the formation. Slot pilots move towards the inside of the formation in order to create a new formation called „THE ARROW„.
The flights in such formations can’t be too dynamic especially on this type of aircraft. In spite of this fact they are absolutely spectacular. The group of the planes is percieved as the unity. The biggest challenge for the pilots is the constant change of the formation so that the spectator who watches the aircraft from the changing perspective has the impression of one shape of the formation.
The formation in front of you is called „TOWER„. Its simplicity and harmony make it one of the most beautiful formations made by the aerobatic team. The proper performance of this formation tests the excellent training of the pilots.
SOLO ODCHODZI
The next part of the show is more dynamic. Our solo pilot Captain Dariusz Stańczyk is presenting the figure called „the edge of the knife” flight. (the blade flight) Such flight is a great challenge for every pilot. During this figure the lift force is generated on the fuselage and on the rudder. Solo pilot dissapears in the sky making the free space for the foramtion of six aircraft.
This formation is just flying towards us. The formation of 7 aircraft is making two loops. During the second loop, aircraft will split formation.Keeping the formation during this figure is extremaly difficult especially for the pilots who do not fly directly after the leader. „Orlik” is quite light aircraft BUT it does not have the big amount of thrust which makes any mistake almost impossible to correct.
IN FRONT OF YOU CASCADE
LOOK THE LEFT. WE CAN SEE SOLO PILOT
His performance starts from the figure called „AVALANCHE” consisting of two elements. First the pilot performs a loop and once he reaches its top he makes the roll and then he continues the second half of the loop. 
It would not be amazing if not the fact that at the highest point of the loop the plane is almost out of control.
The next figure is the roll conducted on the steep climb ended up with half roll and dive out.
The next figure is similar to the previous but now it is a FOUR POINT ROLL.
LADIES AND GENTELMEN LOOK STRIGHT AHEADPOKER FORMATION IN FRONT OF YOU
PLEASE PREPARE YOUR CAMERAS!!!
You can see the passing of THREE and FOUR AIRCRAFT formation.
BE CAREFUL 1,2,3 NOW!
In the meantime the solo is going to present the INVERT TURN
Huge power tries to move out pilot from the cabin. Now the blood from all his body pours into his head and the solo pilot starts seeing this beautiful landscape not in pink but in red colour.
SERCE
The pair of 'Orliks’ is coming towards us and now you can admire the skills of captain Krzysztof Kidacki and capitan Michał Anielak. They are performing the medley of aerobatic figures and dangerous passings beginning with a spectacular ’WHITE HEART’ for all women gathered at the show.
The heart is being pierced by our brave solo pilot Dariusz Stańczyk.
LOOK LEFT, there you can see THREE aircraft conducted by a solo pilot performing the inverted flight. The figure presented by the pilots is called ’THE GUN’.
Our tireless solo pilot is coming back again, the Figure he’s presenting is called ’A CRAZY PILOT’. I suppose, seeing how he’s flying, he must be worn-out a bit.
Please look left, there you can see a formation called A SNAKE’. The pilots are going to split the formation making three quarters of a loop, in a proper time separation. Let me introduce the pilots:
THE FIRST the leader Dariusz Stachurski
THE SECOND left wing Michał Czerwiec
THE THIRD right wing Zbigniew Kosterna
THE FOURTH second right wing Michał Anielak
The fifth Krzysztof KIDACKI
MAY I ASK FOR THE LOUD OVATION FOR THE PILOTS!!!
BECZKA Z PODWOZIEM I BEZ
On the right you can see our hero – the solo pilot Dariusz Stańczyk presenting two rolls. This part of the show will give you the capabilities of Orlik with gear down. In that configuration the solo pilot is performing ( an extraordinary slow roll, and next another roll with gear up this time, then a flat roll.)
It was the last figure performed by a solo, the other pilots also prepare for the farewell.
At the beginning of my commentary I have mentioned that the team does not consist only of the pilots. The other members of the squadron – the technicians are responsible for the proper maintenance as well as for the preparation of the planes for all kinds of flights. Both the mastership in flying skills and the experience of the technical crew influence the safety of any air show. The pilots can really feel comfortable having in mind that the aircraft used for the displays are maintained by well-qulified engineers and technicians.
Because of the complexity of the plane construction the technical staff is organised into four departments:
– airframe
– engine
– avionics
– ejection seats.
The display will be ended with an awesome figure called ’THE BLOOMING ROSE’ – it’s the symbolic flower – the gift for all GREEK women gathered at the air show.
PLEASE CLAP YOUR HANDS FOR THE PILOTS!!!!
Finishing my commentary, I’d like to say THANK YOU to all spectators who watched our show. I’m sure you will have the opportunities to meet the AEROBATIC TEAM 'ORLIK’ during the following air shows.
APLAUSE FOR THE AEROBATIC TEAM
Finishing my commentary I’d like to thank you for your attention. Hope to meet you again at different air shows.
foto: Adam Ginalski
