Historical Overview
The beginnings of the Institute
The history of the Institute dates back to the early years of Poland’s independence, but the official date marking the beginning of its activity is 1 August 1926. In its initial phase, the Institute operated as the Institute of Aviation Technical Research (Instytut Badań Technicznych Lotnictwa). This name remained in use until the outbreak of the Second World War.
The pre-war years
In 1920, the Polish government signed an agreement with the French-Polish company Frankopol for the construction of an aircraft factory. Complex financing arrangements and the global economic crisis meant that progress was limited. In 1926, the agreement was terminated and a new tender was announced, which was won by the Czech company Škoda. The company took over Frankopol’s assets and built an aircraft engine factory in the Okęcie district of Warsaw. The first 450 HP engine was manufactured under licence from Lorraine-Dietrich. The leading institution in aircraft-related research and production was the Institute of Aviation Technical Research, supported by the Aerodynamic Institute of the Warsaw University of Technology, headed by Professor Czesław Witoszyński. Opened in 1927, it became a centre for the education of Polish aviation personnel and also served other countries of Eastern Europe. Its wind tunnels were used to test airfoil profiles and aircraft designs associated with RWD, PZL and the Łoś programmes.
Certification of Polish aircraft
In the interwar period, the Institute’s activities focused primarily on the testing and certification of aircraft. Within a short time, it became a highly regarded research institution in Poland and a centre for valuable inventive work that helped define new directions in the aviation industry.
Underground activity during the war
The rapid development of the Institute was interrupted by the events of 1939. During the war, the Institute suspended its formal operations, but its staff remained closely connected to aviation, taking up work in renowned institutions abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom, while also developing concepts for the reactivation of the Institute after the war.
Post-war reconstruction
In the post-war years, the T-1 wind tunnel with a diameter of 1.5 metres was launched, enabling testing at speeds of up to 45 m/s. Construction also began on the administrative building, a large subsonic wind tunnel with a diameter of 5 metres, and an engine test facility. These efforts led to the commissioning of the T-3 wind tunnel (5 m), which placed the Institute among the world’s leading centres for aerodynamic research.
Aircraft, helicopters and engines
In 1945, the Institute was located in surviving buildings in Warsaw’s Okęcie district. In the early post-war period, work was carried out on pulsejet and ramjet engines, and development began on the SP-GIL helicopter. The Institute’s chief designer during these years was Tadeusz Sołtyk, under whose leadership aircraft such as the TS-8 Bies and TS-11 Iskra were developed.
The rocket programme
In addition to aircraft design, the Institute began to specialise in the design and testing of flying vehicles such as rockets and aerial targets. One of its most recognised achievements of the period was the Meteor 1 meteorological rocket, developed entirely at the Institute.
The military trainer aircraft programme
In the following years, the Institute focused in particular on the development of a military training and combat aircraft programme. The I-22 Iryda aircraft received all required certificates confirming that the programme had been completed in compliance with the applicable regulations and the customer’s requirements. In this way, the Institute fully delivered on the task entrusted to it by the Government of the Republic of Poland.
The light aircraft programme
Another major challenge for the Institute’s engineers was the development of the I-23 Manager, a four-seat composite light aircraft. Other notable projects from the 1990–2000 period included the I-25 As two-seat training aircraft, the IS-2 two-seat training and patrol helicopter, and the PRP-560 Ranger patrol and rescue hovercraft.
Research for industry
Today, the Institute specialises in delivering high-quality research and testing services that provide solutions to the challenges of modern aviation. It works closely with global aerospace leaders such as Boeing, General Electric, Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, while also carrying out research for other sectors of the economy.
Engineering Design Center
In April 2000, the Institute of Aviation and General Electric signed an agreement that initiated long-term cooperation between Polish engineers and scientists and the American company within the Engineering Design Center (EDC). Today, the EDC is one of the best-known engineering design organisations in the world working for GE Aerospace. Its engineers have contributed to globally significant achievements, including co-developing the GE Catalyst engine - the first GE engine designed entirely outside the United States - designing trailing-edge components of the wing for the Airbus A350XWB-1000, and designing and introducing into production a turbine for the GEnx engine, one of the world’s largest aircraft engines, used on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and serving as the exclusive powerplant of the Boeing 747-8.
Materials and Structures Research Centre
The Materials and Structures Research Centre was established on 6 December 2004 as part of the offset programme linked to the purchase of American F-16 aircraft. The American partner in the programme was Pratt & Whitney. Thanks to this offset agreement, the Centre became a leader in structural testing in Poland and one of the most modern and efficient laboratory complexes in Europe. It carries out research at the highest international level for major American aerospace companies. It is worth noting that the testing of materials and structural components has been part of the Institute’s activity since its earliest years, dating back to 1926.
Pressure Testing Laboratory for Oil and Gas Extraction Equipment
On 5 November 2010, the Institute of Aviation opened one of the most advanced and second-largest Pressure Testing Laboratories for Oil and Gas Extraction Equipment, created in cooperation with General Electric. The laboratory tests products used in the oil and gas industry, including subsea extraction systems. It is one of only three such GE laboratories worldwide and the second largest of its kind. The facility includes extensive floor space and highly advanced research infrastructure, such as a deep-water tank and pressure chambers.
Centre for Structural Design and Analysis
On 28 September 2011, the Institute of Aviation and General Electric opened their joint investment: the Centre for Structural Design and Analysis. The project was worth PLN 20 million. The Centre is equipped with top-class research devices enabling comprehensive material analysis. As Witold Wiśniowski, then Director of the Institute of Aviation, stated: “Thanks to the new jobs created through the cooperation of the Institute of Aviation and General Electric, young engineers are transforming innovative ideas into state-of-the-art products and services.”
Space Technologies Centre
The Space Technologies Centre was established at the Institute of Aviation in 2013. Today, the Centre conducts research in the areas of space propulsion, rocket systems, satellite deorbiting, remote sensing, rotating detonation, environmental testing and satellite systems. For several years, the Centre has been developing the ILR-33 BURSZTYN 2K rocket programme. In 2024, the rocket achieved a historic success by crossing the boundary of space and reaching an altitude of 101 km. The Centre develops research cooperation with the European Space Agency, the European Defence Agency, the Polish Space Agency and the National Centre for Research and Development. It also maintains intensive cooperation with the space industry and carries out commercial work for leading European companies operating in rocket and satellite technologies.
Centre for Innovative Aerospace Technologies
The Centre for Innovative Aerospace Technologies is a place where new technological ideas are developed and advanced engineering work is carried out. The building is home to teams working, among other things, on aircraft design and related aerospace technologies. The project was co-financed under the Regional Operational Programme of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship for 2007–2013.
Bearing Testing Laboratory
On 8 January 2014, one of the world’s most advanced Bearing Testing Laboratories was opened. The facility was created in cooperation with General Electric. As Witold Wiśniowski, then Director of the Institute of Aviation, said: “The idea of creating a laboratory within the Engineering Design Center - the Institute of Aviation’s substantive division - capable of testing aerospace bearings had been present in business discussions between the Institute and General Electric Aviation for years. In 2011, during the first serious discussions on the subject, both sides made the decision for the Polish side to take up the challenge and attempt to create new testing capabilities at the Institute.”
Composite Technologies Centre
On 1 January 2015, the Institute of Aviation established a new substantive division: the Composite Technologies Centre. The Centre provides technological solutions and carries out comprehensive research programmes in the field of high-strength composite materials. It has a certified composite testing laboratory and advanced equipment for manufacturing composite structures.
Gas Turbine Centre
The Institute of Aviation opened the Gas Turbine Centre, a facility modern on both the European and global scale. Thanks to its unique laboratory infrastructure and the world’s largest vacuum chamber, which forms part of the Centre’s equipment, it is possible to carry out industrial research on gas turbines and engines for the aerospace sector. The official opening took place on 20 January 2016 with the participation of representatives of government ministries, leading Polish technical universities and international guests.
Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
On 14 December 2016, the Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics Laboratory was officially opened. It is the only facility of its kind in Poland and one of only a few in Europe. Using modern measurement methods, the laboratory carries out comprehensive research focused on the development of technologies related to the cooling of turbine engine components, both for aviation and industrial applications.
Laboratory Centre for Rocket and Satellite Propulsion
On 24 October 2023, after two years of construction, the Laboratory Centre for Rocket and Satellite Propulsion was officially opened at Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation. It is a facility unique on the European and global scale. The aim of the Centre is to develop, qualify and test cutting-edge technologies related to rocket propulsion, satellites and other areas of space technology. During the opening ceremony, laboratories occupying more than 1,000 m² were presented, including a rocket engine test stand for atmospheric and vacuum conditions, laboratories for rocket and satellite subsystems and attitude-control propulsion, as well as chemical, environmental and composite laboratories. As Paweł Stężycki, then Director of Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, said: “The expansion of the laboratory infrastructure of Łukasiewicz - Institute of Aviation is an important step for our Institute, the Łukasiewicz Research Network and the space sector. Poland has become one of the few places in Europe where space technology testing and research projects - particularly in the area of green propulsion - can be carried out comprehensively in one location. This is also thanks to our engineering team, which largely designed the spaces of the new laboratories so that they would provide a comprehensive service point for institutional and commercial clients and respond to the needs of the Polish and European space market.” The infrastructure was co-financed under the Regional Operational Programme of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship for 2014–2020.