Tuzla Airport History - in words and images

1958

First Aviasan Station

1958

Under LARES patronage, the first Aviasan station (with one hangar and annexes) is established at Constanta, on Palas airfield.
The first commander of the newly created aviation unit is cdr. Petrescu, who holds this position until 1962.

1962

Podgoreanu Alexandru

1962

Mr. Podgoreanu Alexandru, a former military pilot (Stukas), came from the Sport Aviation School in Galati, is appointed as a commander.

1966

Aviasan unit gets an independent status

1966

Between 1966 and 1967, due to high demands, the Aviasan unit gets an independent status. The crew team consists of pilots like Podgoreanu Alexandru, Lupu Alexandru and Petcu Vasile, the technical department – of Irina Neculai, Bogos Costache and Matei Mihai, traffic dispatchers - Toma Nicolae and Munteanu Iosif, and whether department operators - Ranga Eugen and Ranga Ioana, and as medical stuff - Dumitru Magda and Matei Maricica.
In 1967, the aircraft fleet consists of two IAR-813 (YR-IDC and YR-IDD), two IAR-817 (YR-ASA and YR-ASD), an IAR-818 (YR-AVC), a Fiesler (YR-MSI), a MR-2 (YR-MRH) and an AERO-45 (YR-PSF).

Aviasan airbase is disposed

1966 autumn

In 1966 autumn, Palas Aviasan airbase is disposed in favour of extending Constanta, and the Techerghiol lake shore is used as temporary flight strip. The planes are moved to Calarasi (sport aviation) and Bucharest.

1967

Unit moves on to a new airfield, at Tuzla

1967

In the spring of '67, the unit moves on to a new airfield, at Tuzla, where, on 27th of March 1967, the first flight mission takes place.
This year about 1600 flight hours are made for transport missions (sick passengers, biological material, and medical specialists) and in surveillance flights for agriculture – with specialists onboard.
Albu Ion, Vartanesian Michael – nurse and the traffic dispatcher Atanasiu Elena joint the Aviasan team.

1968

New fleet

1968

The Fiesler is quashed and the two IAR-813 from the aircraft fleet; and IAR-818 (YR-SCS) is brought. With the new fleet about 1800 flight hours are made.

1970

First agricultural flight missions

1970

This year are performed the first agricultural flight missions with IAR-818.

1971

First SuperAero-45

1971

First SuperAero-45, registered YR-SAF, appears.

1972

First Allouette-III helicopter

1972

The first Allouette-III helicopter, registered YR-ELC, is brought.

1974

Tuzla airbase is established

Octombrie, 1974

On 1st of OCtober 1974 Tuzla airbase is established. The aircraft fleet consists in: ten AN2 (YR-ANM, ANI, ANN, ANF, ANA, ANJ, APR, ANE, s.a.), an Allouette III, two IAR-818 and an SuperAero45. The fuel storage building, composed of a four aboveground tanks – with a total capacity of 600.000 litters – is built.
This year, Mr. Tarlea Alexandru is appointed Commander and the airbase management is divided into two detachments: "Utilitarian Aviation" – cdt. det. Lupu Alexandru and "Aviasan" - cdt. det. Podgorenu Alexandru.
In the new formula, ten pilots, including: Firanescu V, Ariton D, Necula I, Cirstoiu T, Munteanu Gh, Negrea I, Andronache A., etc. are sent for the agrucultural aviation missions, and, along with eleven co-pilots from 1974 graduates generation - Panait V, Mihaltu A, Petcu C, Nastase Gh, Iancovici M, Popescu C, Stanescu C, Trupina C, Popa I, Baraitaru I, Tiganus I, formed utilitarian aviation crew detachment. In the Aviasan detachments worked three pilots: Podgoreanu A., Calota G and Paraschiv N.
The technical department, led by Botezatu V., comprised about 45 mechanics.

Accident at Topraisar

September, 1974

On 20th of September 1974, an AN2 (YR-APV) aircraft - crew cdt. Firanescu Val., cop. Baraitaru I and mec. Ciopanoiu N. crashes at Topraisar and the pilot in command loses his life.

1975

Podgoreanu Alexandru is appointed as airbase commander

1975

In 1975 In 1975, Mr. Podgoreanu A. Is appointed as airbase commander, with two deputy commanders for squads - Lupu A. and Ariton D.

Cristescu C. and Ene G.

1975

Also, in 1975 two interns engineers: Cristescu C. and Ene G. are hired.

AN2 (YR-ANE) Accident

July, 1975 - August 1976

On 18th of July 1975, in the Mircea Voda area an accident takes place – with an AN2 (YR-ANE) aircraft - crew cdt. Negre Florea, mec. Czeco Robertin – the plane is totally damaged and the crew badly injured.

In August 1976, in an accident in Cobadin area with an AN2 aircraft (cdt. Filipoiu), all crew members lose their lives.

1976

Lupu A. is appointed as airbase commander

1976

Between 1976-1982, the airbase is led by Mr. Lupu A.

AN2 (YR-ANF) accident

Aprilie, 1976

On 9th of April 1976, in Cobadin area, an AN2 (YR-ANF) aircraft accident takes place – with cdt. Filipoiu V., cop. Tiganus I, mec. Polgar C – after which the plane is destroyed and the crew loses their lives.

Allouette III YR-ELG helicopter crashes

November, 1976

On 26th of November 1976, on Tuzla airdrome, Allouette III YR-ELG helicopter crashes during a training flight, the instructor Arcan L. is seriously injured and the co-pilot loses his life.

1981

AN2 YR-PVJ hits the ground

1981

On 22nd of June 1981, over Stupina area, an AN2 aircraft, registered YR-PVJ - crew instr. Brutaru G, cdt. - in training Marin Sorin and mec. Dunica I. – hits the ground during a low altitude flight and the commander and the mechanic are seriously injured.

1982

Aviasan is abolished

1982

Aviasan is abolished in February 1982.

The structure that withstands Aviasanului is led by:
» Airbase commander Petcu C. - 1983-1989 (August)
» Cdt. Cosmoiu M. - August 1989 – January 1990
» Cdt. Ionita I. – January 1990 – August 1991
» Cdt. Alexandru C. – August 1991 – June 1999

1999

The airport is bought by REGIONAL AIR SERVICES

1999

Since June 1999, the airport is bought by REGIONAL AIR SERVICES.

2015

Final decision of the Court against libellous charges brought to Tuzla Airport

2015

Final decision of the Court against libellous charges brought to Tuzla Airport (MORE)

2016

Alexandru Podgoreanu Tuzla Airport - 2nd place in Romania after Otopeni, as number of aircraft movements in 2016

2016

Alexandru Podgoreanu Tuzla Airport - 2nd place in Romania after Otopeni, as number of aircraft movements in 2016, according to Romanian Airports Association

July 2016

July 2016

At Tuzla is released the first professional integrated (air and naval) search and rescue service in Romania

The first private aerobatic school in Romania is launched at Tuzla Airport

1 decade anniversary edition of Aeromania airshow

2017

Jubilee – Tuzla International Airport celebrates 50 years from the first flight accomplished by the AVIASAN pilots

27th of March 2017

Jubilee – Tuzla International Airport celebrates 50 years from the first flight accomplished by the AVIASAN pilots, on March 27, 1967 and is named after Alexandru Podgoreanu

100 years anniversary Tudor Greceanu

13th of May 2017

100 years anniversary Tudor Greceanu – Tuzla Flight School is named after Tudor Greceanu