Šoštanj Airport

First landing of a motorized aircraft 1927 interest in aviation in the Šalek Valley was catalyzed by the landing of a first power Italian aircraft in 1927. The second plane flew to Šoštanj in 1930 and landed under the Marovška manor near the current airport. This aircraft was a Comper Swift, owned by industrialist Tomáš Baťa in 1930.[2]

First flight of a glider 1937 through the 1930s, aviation enthusiasts Maks Medved and Valter Muhovec attempted to circumvent the lack of tools and equipment and assembled a home-built glider; however, the aircraft was completely destroyed during a test run in 1937. The pair then enlisted the expertise Žarko Majcen, who was an active aviator of the flying club Naša Krila in Maribor for help and created their own flying club.[3]

The beginning of the aeroclub 1939 constituent assembly was held on 19 February 1939, at which Valter Muhovec was elected chairman of the committee. In 1939, under the Maribor expert guidance of Žarko Majcen and according to plans, the construction of the DFS Zögling glider began. They also built a “flight simulator”. After seven months and 1500 hours of construction, Zögling glider was finished. Test pilot Žarko Majcen made his first flight successfully on Sunday, September 24, 1939 in Lajše. After a successful trial, they organized an introductory sailing course. By November 22, 1939, they stopped flying and some “A” exams had been completed. On February 3, 1940, the authorities prohibited operation of the aeroclub. On December 11, 1940, the members had the general assembly in Šoštanj, modeling section was established. They elected the new president of the board: dr. Stane Medic and vice-president: Srečko Robinščak. The aspirations of these early aviators were cut short by the outbreak of World War II.

Period after WW2 following the war first newer activities began in May 1961. Aeroclub was officially established on 24 November 1971. The first president of the club was Mr. Peter ROBIDA, and the vice-president of the club, Mr. Tone KOVAČIČ. The first manager of the club was Mr. Vladimir KOČEVAR. The airport's grass runway was constructed between 1972 and 1973. The first silver C flight in the club was performed by Mr. Jože OCEPEK on 24 March 1974, on the flight: Celje airport - Ljubljana Polje airport with the glider Blanik L-13. The flying club took possession of the hangar on 14 December 1974. The asphalt runway was finished in October 1980. Today, the Šalek flying club is the sole owner and operator of the airport.[3]

The airport has one asphalt runway with dimensions 714 by 18 meters (2,343 ft × 59 ft). It lies on a northeast-southwest axis with true heading 149.2° (329.2°). Significantly, surrounding terrain and wind patterns mean that the runway is usable only in one direction: runway 15 is for takeoff only, while runway 33 may only be used for landing.[1] An area of hardened grass stretches approximately 150 meters (490 ft) beyond the threshold of runway 33, and may be used for aircraft maneuvering in appropriate weather.[3]

The runway is connected to small ramp and hangar by a single paved taxiway designated A, necessitating either a backtrack along the runway or taxiing on the grass following landing and preceding takeoff. Several areas of grass between the runway and hangar are also sufficiently hardened to be used by light aircraft during appropriate weather.[3] There is another taxiway on the north side of the airport designated as taxiway Y, which is in use for aircraft access from a private hanger to the runway.

The airport is also equipped with a fuel pump, light maintenance equipment, and a guest house.[3] The airport has no control tower, and is open to VFR flights only; pilots communicate with each other on the frequency 128.30 MHz.[1]

• Unofficial charts produced by Ljubljana Aeroklub
• Images from the airport's history and construction