Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation belongs to one of the oldest research institutions in Europe. It was officially opened in 1926 although its beginnings date back to 1918. The efforts and endeavours of scientists and construction engineers working in the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation throughout the 91 years of its operations have made a tremendous contribution to the development of the Polish economy and defences.
From the beginning of its existence, Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation has been conducting research activity directed at the practical implementation of the research results. The research and development policy at the Institute of Aviation is based on continuing the traditional research areas of aerodynamics, research and design of aviation structures, equipment and engines. One of the important aspects of its activity is the intense implementation of new fields of research like computer-aided design, new materials technologies, adaptive systems design, the application of emerging micro and nanotechonlogy, the harnessing of alternative energy sources, the use of aviation technologies in medicine and health services, local aviation transport, as well as space techniques and technologies.
The Institute consists of six research centres:
Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation belongs to the leading Polish and international research and technical organisations. Since 2005, the Institute has been a partner of the “AERONET – Aviation Valley” Project. This consortium of companies includes many prestigious scientific institutions. In April 2008, the Institute of Aviation was accepted into the Association of European Research Establishments in Aeronautics (EREA), whose objective is to consolidate, coordinate and undertake joint activities. The International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR) was established on 7 June 2010 in the German town of Luebbenau. Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation, which represents the Republic of Poland in its structures, played an important role in its establishment which has made it one of its co-founder.
At present, the Institute has entered into a period of dynamic development which has resulted from the timely and well-aimed strategic decisions, the consistent realisation of adopted directions of action and the high substantive level, as well as the dedicated activity and involvement of its entire staff in this process. The Institute widely cooperates with numerous Polish and foreign higher education institutions, scientific establishments, research centres and industrial laboratories. It cooperates very closely with leading aviation industry giants like General Electric, Airbus, Boeing, Pratt&Whitney, and Sikorsky.