Skrzydlaci
Bogumił Bereś
Bogumił Bereś
He was born in 1944. In the 1960s, he studied at the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering of the Warsaw University of Technology, where he obtained a mechanical engineering diploma, specializing in airplanes and helicopters.
From 1972 to 1979, he worked at the PZL-Mielec Research and Development Center as a design specialist. He participated in the design of the PZL M-15 agricultural aircraft and dynamically similar models for wind tunnel testing of critical flutter velocity.
In 1979, he began working at the PZL-Bielsko Experimental and Production Company as chief designer. He led the design team that modified the SZD-48-3 Jantar Std glider , prepared the series production of the SZD-53-3 Puchacz two-seater glider, designed and implemented the SZD-51 Junior glider, and designed and built prototypes of the Jantar 15 and SZD-52 Krokus gliders. The team also developed the concept for the SZD-53 open-class glider.
In 1983 , as a design specialist, he designed, built, and tested an automatic flap control device based on his own patent. He also participated in the construction of wings for the SZD-48-4 Jantar glider with the NN-17 airfoil.
From 1987 he served as team manager as the leading designer, and from 1993 as the chief designer of the SZD-56 Diana glider, the prototype of which he designed and built until 2000. In 1992–1993 he was the chairman of the Workers' Council of PZL-Bielsko.
In 1995, Bogumił Bereś founded his own Design Office "B." He designed composite blades for wind turbines, composite (carbon) frames for mountain bikes, and a composite transport trolley for gliders. He purchased the documentation and production rights for the SZD-56 Diana glider from the bankruptcy trustee of PDPSz PZL-Bielsko. He launched production of the SZD-56-1 Diana 1 glider and developed the design of the SZD-56-2 Diana 2 glider, built its prototype, and implemented it into production.
He was a glider and airplane pilot, trained on the An-2. He obtained his pilot's license after starting work at OBRSK Mielec. He had an accident flying an Ogar aircraft at the Mielec Aeroclub.
He was interested in music – he led the big beat band "Kwadraty" – as well as literature, computers, motorcycles, mountain bikes and skiing.
He died on February 2, 2016. He was buried in Bielsko-Biała (Kamienica).
Trivia
Musical beginnings
- In 1964, he performed with the band "Chochoły" at the 2nd National Festival of Polish Song in Opole – one of the most important musical events in Poland.
- In 1967 he founded the band "Kwadraty", which performed in student clubs, including the famous "Stodola" at the Warsaw University of Technology, and recorded for Rozgłosska.
Passion for flying
- After starting work in Mielec, he obtained a glider and airplane pilot license, with training on the An-2 aircraft.
- He had an accident in an Ogar plane at the Mielec Aeroclub, which shows his active involvement in aviation not only as a designer but also as a pilot.
Innovator with a patent
- In 1983, he designed a device for automatic flap control according to his own patent, which he built and tested himself.
Versatile designer
- As part of the Design Office "B" he designed:
- composite blades for wind turbines,
- carbon fiber frames for mountain bikes,
- composite transport trolley for gliders.
Diana gliders – world class
- After the collapse of PDPSz, PZL-Bielsko bought the rights to the SZD-56 Diana glider, launched production of the Diana 1 model, and later designed and implemented the Diana 2.
- Diana gliders are among the best high-performance gliders in the world – they have set world records and won world championship competitions.
Tanski Medal
- In 2009, he was honored by the Polish Aeroclub with the Tański Medal – the highest Polish gliding distinction, awarded for outstanding achievements in gliding.
Active lifestyle
- He was interested in motorcycles, mountain bikes, skiing, literature and computers – he combined technology with culture and sport.
