PZL TS-11 Iskra

The PZM‑TS‑11 Iskra, designed and built by Poland’s PZL‑Mielec, entered service in 1963 as the first jet trainer produced in Eastern Europe. Development began in 1957 under the leadership of engineer Tadeusz Sawicz, aiming to replace the outdated piston‑driven trainers of the Polish Air Force. The low‑wing, all‑metal monoplane features a single‑engine turbojet, originally the Soviet‑produced Klimov VK‑1, later replaced by the domestically built SO‑6, delivering 7 kN of thrust. Its compact dimensions—9.15 m wingspan and 11.54 m length—provide excellent maneuverability, while a retractable tricycle landing gear and side‑by‑side cockpit give student pilots a modern training environment. Over 500 Iskras were delivered to Poland, Czechoslovakia, Indonesia and Egypt, serving as both basic trainers and light attack platforms equipped with under‑wing hardpoints for rockets or bombs. The aircraft’s robust construction and straightforward maintenance made it a reliable workhorse throughout the Cold War, influencing subsequent Polish jet designs such as the PZL‑M28. Today the Iskra remains a symbol of Poland’s aerospace capability and continues to appear in air‑show displays, honoring its legacy in pilot training and regional aviation development. Its operational record, spanning more than five decades, underscores the enduring relevance of the Iskra in both military and civilian aeronautical education.

PZL Mielec

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