The Open Door Night of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence was organised for the third time, concurrently with the Long Night of the Museums, only this time in Split. It drew more than 10,000 visitors – residents of Split, aviation and weapons enthousiasts, children – who watched the aircraft and other assets displayed on the runway of the Split Airport and were presented an attractive flying programme. 

The Open Door Night of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence, joining the traditional “Long Night of the Museums“for the third time, organised on the last Friday in January, was held in Split on 27 January 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Split Airport. 

It gathered more than 10,000 visitors, who had a unique opportunity to see the aircraft of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence displayed on the runway, to talk to pilots and learn about their profession and the activities by the Croatian of the Croatian Air Force and Air.  Furthermore, they were offered a n eye-catching performance by the “Wings of Storm“ Aerobati c Team. They observed the ZLIN 242 L, Pilatus PC-9 M, Bell 206 B Jet Ranger III, Airtractors AT 802 A/F and Canadairs CL 415 aircraft and the Mi-8MTV helicopters and to try the night vision goggles and operating the flight simulator in the MiG-21 cockpit to “fly“ the aircraft

The event was attended by the residents of Split, the aviation and weapons enthousiasts, parents and their children- the potential military pilots, who poured in from the early afternoon interested to see the aircraft from close vicinity disolayed on the runway and “fly“ them, talk to the pilots and learn about the activities of the Croatian Air Force.   They observed the ZLIN 242 L, Pilatus PC-9 M, Bell 206 B Jet Ranger III, Airtractors AT 802 A/F and Canadairs CL 415 aircraft and the Mi-8MTV helicopters and to try the night vision goggles and operating the flight simulator in the MiG-21 cockpit to “fly“ the aircraft

The visitors also had an opportunity to observe a flying programme by the aircraft of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence, followed by an eye-catching performance of the aerobatic team “Wings of Storm“ – the true air ambassador of Croatia.

The Air Base organised a contest for the youngest visitors :“The Nicest Smile of the Cockpit“ and the jury from  the “Hrvatski vojnik“ magazine chose three winners – not an easy task – Duje Marić, Hajdi Prutina and Frane Božinović and presented them with symbolic awards. 

The visitors also had the opportunity to inform themselves on the possibilities of military career as officers or pilots of the Croatian Armed Forces at the information booth of the Ministry of Defence

The Open Night of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence was an excellently organised event, and was well received in Split, and the visitors hope to see a new one next year.