Belarus has always been aviation minded. The DOSAAF is very active and provides youngsters with the opportunity to obtain their driver's license, and engage in sports and flying activities. The DOSAAF is regionally organised. Six airfields are used, Bobruisk-Syckava, Brest, Mahilëw-Novae Pashkava, Minsk-Lipki, Rahachow, and Vitsyebsk-Novakukavyachyna. Each airfield has some different specialisations like soaring or parajumping.
The fleet of aircraft was largely inherited from the Soviet era but is kept in immaculate condition. DOSAAF operates the An-2, Mi-2, Yak-52, Yak-55, Wilga 35A glider tugs and, Jantar and Blanik gliders. In the summer the airfields are pretty busy, not on all days though. In the winter the gliders, Wilgas an Yaks are kept in storage so it seems.
Photo: Erwin van Dijkman