1st Štefánik Memorial 1935

The programme drawn up that spring could only be partly fulfilled. There was plenty of willingness but no money, so the officials’ hard work was often in vain. Against this background they prepared the first Slovak air race, the “Štefánik Memorial”.

Chronologically, the foundation of the first Slovak flying school should be recorded. Five qualified aviators graduated during the year, passing the prescribed board examinations and receiving diplomas. Another twelve pupils were training, more than half expected to qualify before year’s end.

The school had many applicants, but lacked aircraft, fuel and instructors to train more young aviators.

The first Slovak powered-flight school operated under special Airfield and Pilot School Rules, prepared with expert assistance, notably from its director Dr Jarkovský.

For social and promotional purposes, the club organised the Štefánik Memorial and an air day. Both took place at Vajnory airfield on the afternoon of 16 June 1935.

The Štefánik Memorial was intended to become an annual event, offering valuable trophies and cash prizes. The organisers hoped to establish a tradition for the M. R. Štefánik Slovak Aeroclub.

The main event was the Štefánik Memorial air race over a 162-kilometre course. From the airfield, contestants flew towards Bratislava, over the castle to Devín, circled Devín Castle above the Morava, returned over Bratislava, crossed Štefánik Bridge over the Danube, and continued to the Štefánik memorial near Ivanka at the site of his fatal crash. They then flew towards Košariská, over Bradlo and back to Bratislava airfield.

Sixteen aircraft competed. They started in sequence, the least powerful first and the most powerful last, to give all contestants comparable conditions.

Capt. Brych from Piešťany, flying an Aero A-11, was first to land at Vajnory after the prescribed 162-kilometre course. First Lieutenant Polman in an Avia Ba-33 returned just one second later.

Third was Bratislava Aeroclub member Otto Schubert in a Letov Š-218; fourth Ing. Guth in an Avia BH-9; and fifth Dr Pavlů in a Letov Š-139.

The club attended other events, including the opening of the Bratislava–Piešťany air route, and entered three aircraft in the National Flight around Czechoslovakia.

The M. R. Štefánik Slovak Aeroclub also organised Slovakia’s National Aviation Collection. The publicity committee was led by editor-in-chief G. Vlasák; the collection was to resume with greater intensity in early September.

The club then had nine aircraft: one Praga E-114 Air Baby, one Rearwin Junior and two new machines built in its workshops under Ing. Lazarus. One was Šíp, powered by a 60 hp Walter engine; the other, still unnamed, had a 30 hp Orion engine.

In addition to these new machines, the club had five older aircraft still adequate for training.

With this number of aircraft, its own hangar became necessary, as the Czechoslovak Airlines hangar accommodated only a few machines. The club intended to launch a special collection in autumn, hoping a new hangar would stand by the following autumn.

Publicity work was intensive. Further air days were planned for smaller towns and district centres in autumn, with talks already under way with the authorities and responsible officials.

The period article ends by urging officials to recognise that aviation promotion cannot rely solely on voluntary donations from club officers, but needs better public and financial support.

This is an English translation of a period article transcribed into modern Slovak.

Source: Letectví, August 1935, p. 314. kramerius.nm.cz