Skrzydlaci
Franciszek Kępka
Franciszek Kępka
Franciszek Kępka was born in 1940. He was the son of Franciszek Kępka Sr., a renowned glider pilot and trainer associated with the Bielsko-Biała Aeroclub. From an early age, he was involved in the Bielsko-Biała aviation community, where he took his first steps as a glider pilot. At the age of 10, he was already making solo flights, and two years later, he earned his glider pilot license.
In 1958, he graduated from the Antoni Osuchowski High School No. 1 in Cieszyn. At the age of 14, he earned the second class glider pilot certificate and the silver glider badge. At the age of 20, he became a member of the national glider team. He represented Poland in international competitions, winning the title of second runner-up in the world four times: in South Cerney (1965), Marfie (1970), Vršac (1972) and Waikerie (1974). In 1992 he became European Champion in Szeged, and in 1990 he was the 1st Vice-Champion of Europe in Leszno.
He was a two-time Polish Champion (1964, 1983), a four-time Polish Vice-Champion (1965, 1971, 1980, 1988), and a four-time Polish Second Vice-Champion (1970, 1978, 1979, 1984). He set numerous records, including world records, and held the Polish record five times. In recognition of his achievements, he received the Lilienthal Medal and the Tissandier Diploma (1992), as well as the Tański Medal (1967) awarded by the Polish Aeroclub.
During his career, he flew over 150,000 kilometers and logged over 6,500 hours in the air. He remained connected to Bielsko-Biała and the local gliding community throughout his life. He died after a long illness and was buried in the Evangelical Cemetery in Skoczów.
Trivia:
- The youngest pilot in Poland – Franciszek Kępka started flying at the age of 10, and by the age of 12 he was already taking off from rubber ropes, using a winch and behind an airplane
- A film debut – a preserved archival film from 1952 depicts young Franek Kępka, aged just 12, as the youngest pilot in Poland. The film documents his joint trips to the airport with his father.
- Fund in his name – in 2014, the Polish Aeroclub established the Franciszek Kępka Gliding Talent Fund, the aim of which is to support young pilots in their sports development and achieving high results
- Patron of the school in Bielsko-Biała – Franciszek Kępka became the patron of the Technical and Trade School Complex in Bielsko-Biała, which emphasizes its importance for the local community and aviation education
- Cherries instead of awards – according to Dr. Kawa, the Lilienthal medal – the highest distinction for glider pilots – was like a “Nobel Prize without money” for Kępka, and his entire life was symbolically honored with a “bag of cherries”, which was meant to emphasize his modesty and dedication to his passion.
