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History

1922

The Airport is located in the territory south of the main city of the Frignano territory, called "The Plains of Pavullo." In the early postwar period, due to its particular morphology and favorable meteorological conditions, this area attracted the interest of Luigi Teichfuss and Umberto Nannini, enthusiasts of aeronautics and in particular of Gliding.

1923

Work began on the construction of the airfield, destined shortly thereafter to house Italy's first and most important school for Gliding.

1927

The first course of the "Scuola di Volo Librato" is held is ends with 27 students patented.

1928

The then Undersecretary of theAir Force Italo Balbo personally examined the organizational, training and promotional aspects, appreciating the area's characteristics, which were ideal for flying, and the high quality of educational activities.

1928

Aerial view of the hangar and tents: clearly visible areas of work done on the ground, still without grassing.

1931

Following Royal Decree no. 1610, Pavullo Airport was born on July 2, named after Giulio Paolucci, a young aviator from Romagna who tragically fell in 1928 on Pavullo's meadows.

1935

For the Royal Air Force, the Airport became the reference point for the Italian territory. Pictured, from left, are the management building, workshop-laboratory, hangar and barracks.

1939

In the foreground, Teichfuss's Sparrowhawk. In the background are the airport facilities: from left, the management building, workshop-laboratory, hangar and barracks.

1944

4 p.m. Aug. 5. From a distance and from the northeast, the great cloud of dust caused by the destruction of the barracks by mines set off by German troops.

1953

Early 1950s. Note the absence of hangars and barracks, present until 1944, replaced by three Morteo sheds  surrounded by haystacks.

1960

World War II and the immediate post-war period marked a time of decline for the Paolucci 's activities, which did not recover until the 1960s, with the rediscovery of the area by an active group of paratroopers and a growing gliding movement.

1962

Parachute competition awards ceremony: in the background, Morteo sheds.

1965

Mid-1960s. The new hangar under construction.

1977

The new housing for paratroopers and offices of the Parachute School, still located in the old shed.

1977

The planting of the distributor is concluded: recognizable Roberto Marzoli. (g.c. Daniele Bonvicini)

1980

Overview  of the Airport.

1987

August. Planes parked at runway edge.

1988

Late 1980s. Pavullo Airport Hangar.

1992

Demonstration with powered aircraft. These years also saw the founding of the first winch-launched Gliding School, which still represents excellence in the Italian flying scene.

2000

First Helicopter Training Courses.

2000

Aerial view of the Airport with the grass runway.

2001

The old, historic access road to the Airport is demolished.

2003

Asphalt paving and grass track extension work. They began in the fall of 2003 and ended in the summer of 2005.

2004

Inspection of the newly paved track by Daniele Bonvicini and Friederic Fischer.

2004

Overview of the airport facilities with the adjacent fire station active since the end of the previous decade.

2005

The track, lengthened, upon completion of asphalting.

2008

The gas station column. Right, two Fiat Pandas used for launching gliders with the winch

2009

The airport with paved runway.

2011

Expansion works: helicopter pad relocation, new access road, new car parking area, new aircraft parking area, new Helicopter Base location.

2013

The new Helicopter Rescue Base, opened on December 6, 2013.

2015

Meeting Efficiency Race: featured, Wittman W.10.

2016

Various phases of the installation of the new gas station, with two Jet A1 pumps and with avgas and mogas, operational since 2016.

2018

June 9, inauguration of Hangar 3.

2019

Airport Management Offices.

2019

In June, the runway and aprons were repaved, including with consolidation to contain cracks and with implementation of lighted visual aid systems for helicopter night flight. Part of the work was done at night by the light of tower-lights, with trucks loaded with asphalt arriving without the hindrance of traffic: this was to ensure higher temperature of the material and, consequently, higher quality of the work done. Then all the new road markings were done.

2019

In June, the new footpath was also paved, laid out on the west side of the airport area and, compared to the previous one, further away from the runway fence.

2019

July 27: Inauguration of the new footpath.

2019

The new lighted pedestrian pathway.

2019

The bar-restaurant building is being renovated.

2019

World Gliding Championships. Pictured here is a visual encounter between a glider operator and people on the pedestrian walkway.

Sulle Ali del Vento

Available collector’s boxed set, in 3 volumes, on the complete history of the Airport.

For all information contact the office.