Tomasz Wróbel
Passionate about aviation from an early age. Parachute jumper, glider pilot, flying instructor, pilot, air traffic controller. Dreamer.
From the beginning associated with Krakow – here I went through all stages of education, finishing it with a master’s degree in Civil Engineering at the Cracow University of Technology, where I additionally completed postgraduate studies in Airport Infrastructure Management.
It was also the place where my adventure with aviation began – in the Krakow Aeroclub I took my first steps as a parachute jumper, I got a glider and a Private Pilot License. As a commercial pilot, I hold aerotow, MEP(L), IR, FI and PAC SET ratings. I provide theoretical and practical training at Aeroclub Krakow (Krakow), Aeroclub Nowy Targ (Nowy Targ) and Fly Dream Academy in Gliwice.
Honors
Workshops
Courses&Ratings
Experience
Professionally, I have been an air traffic controller with TWR rating at Krakow Balice Airport for 15 years. From 2018 to 2022 Head of TWR, and since this year I have an OJT rating, so I can use my cockpit experience when training future air traffic controllers.
In 2023, I was invited as a mentor to the first aviation hackathon in Poland – AviaTech Challenge Mielec, where I was awarded by the participants as the best mentor of the event. Two years in a row I received a nomination in the CUMULUSY aviation award – in 2023 in the EXTREME category, for the New Zealand-Poland ferry and in 2024 in the FLIGHT OPERATION SERVICE category. Thanks to the kindness of the KSSL (Aeroclub Krakow) Chapter, I was awarded the Gloria Aviatoribus medal.
During the summer season I also work as a pilot at the parachute zone in Nowy Targ. I am glad that as a former jumper I understand a little better the nature and dynamics of the work done there. I get great satisfaction from discussing with professionals the characteristics of the drops, the tactics and the conditions we agree on before the drop. I value cooperation with those who jump for pleasure, tandem pilots as well as formations of demanding wingsuiters. In 2024, as the only parachute zone in Poland, we have performed several airdrops from 6,000m AGL and occasionally organize airdrops and field landings in the Podhale region (Tatra Mountains)
As part of cooperation with the Wiedeńczyk Foundation (since 2018), I had the pleasure of performing airdrops during military exercises with the legendary AN-2 Wiedeńczyk. Our history together began with an invitation to join Wiedeńczyk crew on the 40th anniversary of the escape flight to Vienna. It was a great honor for me – together with the historic crew (Andrzej Malec and Jerzy Czerwiński) we flew to the air picnic in Bad-Voslau (Austria), covering exactly the same route that Wiedeńczyk had traveled 40 years earlier.
A BIG fan of the Top Gun movie and the lucky owner of the Top Gun bike – 86′ Kawasaki GPZ 900R.
AIR SHOWS
My experience as an air traffic controller allows me to move freely in the role of airshow ATC, which by the way has not only been my side job for many years, but also a great pleasure. I have had Małopolski Piknik Lotniczy, Nowotarski Piknik Lotniczy, Świdnik Air Festival or Festival Wiatru Giżycko under my wings many times.
In 2023 and 2024 I had the great honor of being part of the coordination of the Sand&Fun Saudi General Aviation Airshow in Saudi Arabia and the Lusail Sky Festival in Qatar.
This year will be a busy one, as I’m working on another three new airshows. Stay Tuned!
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
It is believed, what you want to ignite in others must first burn inside yourself . Aviation has been my passion since childhood, although my career path was not so obvious. I was the first pilot in my family, thanks to perseverance but luck as well, I got to where I am now. I’m happy to share my complex experience and thoughts – we only have one life!