Vítejte na stránkách aeroklubu Plzeň - Letkov

byl takřka čtyřicet pět let čistokrevný plachtařský aeroklub, ale v roce 1996 se začal výrazně proměňovat. Doby, kdy ticho nedělního rána rušilo jen jemné svištění navijákového lana jsou už jen nostalgickou vzpomínkou. Ale i když dnes uvidíte na Letkově asi častěji startovat nebo přistávat nějaké motorové letadélko než Blaníka na laně, stále se řadíme mezi největší plachtařská centera v České republice. Máte-li zájem dozvědět se o nás víc, najděte si chvilku a prohlédněte si naše webové stránky.

Aeroclub Pilsen - Letkov is an operator of the public domestic aerodrome Pilsen - Letkov. The aerodrome is situated approximately 6km (4 miles) south-east of Pilsen. At present it is a seat of the foregoing aeroclub, which is the biggest glider centre in West Bohemia, seat of the ULA Club, and several flying schools also operate here.

Na vrcholu pomyslném žebříčku FAQ by se asi umístila otázka na vyhlídkové lety. Podrobné informace a ceny naleznete na stránce VYHL.LETY. Další velmi často kladená otázka se týká leteckého výcviku. Aeroklubová letecká škola nabízí pilotní výcvik jak na kluzáky GLD, tak na letouny PPL. Podrobnosti naleznete na stránce VÝCVIK.

Flying in Pilsen has more than a 90-year-old tradition. In 1920s the West Bohemia Aeroclub (Zapadocesky Aeroclub - ZA), which had a seat at the aerodrome on the Bory Fields, was founded. In the interwar years this aerodrome was an important centre of flying in then Czechoslovakia. After the occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939 the aerodrome was seized by German Luftwafe. ZA´s members came back to the aerodrome in 1946 and aeroclub activities were quickly resumed. In 1948 the communist coup d'état came about and the aerodrome was unlawfully occupied by the communist army that soon objected to the glider section, which, therefore, built up with self-help a new aerodrome at the village of Letkov. In 1952 the new aerodrome was finished thanks to all members´ heavy effort and Aeroclub Pilsen-Letkov was founded. The powered flying section continued in its activities at the original aerodrome Bory.

At the beginning of the 1960s the flying came under Svazarm (an umbrella organization for air and technical sports) and the financing of aeroclubs by the state was considerably cut down. The aeroclub started minor metal-production that helped to solve aeroclub´s financial situation until the collapse of communism. The aeroclub presented itself as a big glider club and its members successfully took part in many national air races. Late in the 1970s another period of construction was started. In the course of a few years in successive steps the swimming pool was built, the departure runway was repaired, the service building was thrown out and renovated and new garages have replaced dilapidated shanties. However, the biggest changes came later.

In 1989 the communist regime collapsed and along with it the aforementioned Svazarm ceased to exist. The aeroclub was slowly returning to democratic conditions, however, the sudden change also meant decrease of air activity. But a new phenomenon, which was barely known by that time, appeared. Ultralight aircrafts (ULA). During the second half of the 1990s they experienced a rapid development and as to the number of takes-off and landings they exceeded other planes at the aerodrome. The private ownership of planes, something that was unconceivable before 1989, has become common reality. In 1996 the Bory Aerodrome ceased to exist. It has been replaced by a new industrial zone. Hence, the powered flying section has moved to the aerodrome Letkov too after nearly fifty years. Another airshed has been built and a new control tower has surmounted the roof of the service building. Property conditions of the aerodrome area have been solved with the support of the town of Pilsen. New, mostly private planes, ultralight aircrafts and gliders have found their place in airsheds. The number of flying hours has successfully increased. In the whole aeroclub´s long history great stress is laid on the sport. There are several glider republic champions, both in the category of single seater gliders and in the category of two-seater gliders or of motor gliders, among the members of the aeroclub.

At present the aeroclub has approximately 150 members (more than 80 members are the actively flying ones). The ULA´s Club has over 70 members. In the airsheds there are six power aeroplanes, five ultralight aircrafts and more than twenty gliders. Our flying schools offer pilot training of gliders, of ULAs as well as of power aeroplanes. The runway is currently being modified for the needs of

	Contakct:	E-mail AK
	Address:	Letiště - Letkov Plzeň - Letkov PSČ 326 00 Czech Republic
	Tel. fax: +	420 377 456 020

the present air traffic.
   In summer months the aeroclub´s air traffic services are available nearly every day, glider pilots use every favourable day for cross-country flights, and flying schools train their learners. Our pilots are usually in ranking places in the National Glider Race as well.