Team Orlik

The Aerobatic Team “Orlik” (Zespol Akrobacyjny "ORLIK" in Polish) is the aerobatic team of the Polish Air Force, formed in 1998 at the Polish Air Force Command College. Its first public performance took place on April 15th 1998, followed by its first foreign performance later in the year at the 1998 Royal International Air Tattoo at the RAF Fairford. The team initially consisted of four pilots, with three formation pilots and one solo. Another solo pilot was added later on and at the end of 2000, the team increased to seven aircraft. Though it has also flown some seasons with nine aircraft the team usually performs on seven aircraft.

The Aerobatic Team "Orlik" was established in 1998 and to this day is stationed at the 42. Air Base School in Radom. The teams use a Polish-built PZL-130 Orlik turboprop trainer aircraft, where the team’s name comes from. The idea of establishing the team arose in connection with the invitation of the Polish Air Force to the Royal International Air Tatoo air show in RAF Fairford, England.

The pilots in the team are all instructors at the 42. Air Base School, the selection of new candidates is made by the leader in cooperation with other team members. Initially, the team consisted of 5 aircraft and by 2001 the team grew to 7 aircraft. From 2003, the team performed displays on nine aircraft, which made it one of a very few turboprop aerobatic teams in such large formations. At the end of 2005, the military authorities decided to disband the team. Between 1998-2005 the team took part in 49 air shows, including 20 abroad.

In mid-2007, under the command of Lt. Col. pil. Arkadiusz Lesniewski the team Orlik was reborn with a new line-up of 7 aircraft. Since 2013, the team has been performing demonstrations on PZL-130 Orlik at nearly all of the bigger Polish Airshows as well as a number of major European events. Between 1998 and 2005 the team performed in the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania and received a number of rewards for their impressive demonstrations.