President Milanović Meets with Representatives of Aeroclub Split Marking 100 Years of Activity
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović met today with members of Aeroclub Split, one of the oldest and major aviation societies in the Republic of Croatia, which will mark 100 years of existence next year.
The President of the Aeroclub, Đani Zaninović, and a member of the Aeroclub’s Supervisory Board, Goran Kovačević, presented to President Milanović the programme for the 100th anniversary celebrations of Aeroclub Split, and requested the patronage of the President of the Republic.
At the meeting, they acquainted President Milanović with the history of their activities and the beginnings of organized education of aircraft modellers, glider and motor aircraft pilots, which was established with the foundation of the Aeroclub’s Aviation School in 1927. Its administrative, technical and managerial activities were developed in Split, while flight activities and practical training took place at Piket airport in Sinj. Members of Aeroclub Split were the first and only professional aviation personnel engaged in aircraft reception and dispatch operations since the establishment of passenger traffic at Piket airport to activities at the Split Airport, today’s St. Jerome Airport.
Presenting the history of their activities, they pointed out that the pilots of Aeroclub Split also participated in aerial reconnaissance for the purpose of preventive fire protection, and they particularly emphasized the contribution of Aeroclub Split in the Homeland War. Namely, in 1990, they founded an Independent Aviation Platoon, composed of pilots and paratroopers, which made all available equipment and personnel available for the defence of Croatia. The aviation platoon participated in a number of major actions, such as the capture of the Yugoslav Army barracks Vela Straža on the island of Šolta, as well as operations in Ploče and Male Bare, which prevented the enemy from penetrating the Neretva valley.
Aeroclub Split created a generation of pilots and aviation experts who left an indelible mark on Croatian civil, sports and military aviation, said the Aeroclub representatives.
Alongside President Milanović was the Commissioner of the President for Sports, Tomislav Paškvalin.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan