GDR icon Kruk lands back in Anklam after 30 years!

GDR icon Kruk lands back in Anklam after 30 years!

A touch of nostalgia wafted through the air in Anklam on October 24, 2025, when an extraordinary aircraft, the Agrarflieger PZL-106, also known as Kruk, made a short stopover. This striking aircraft, manufactured in 1978, is currently the last of its kind still flying in Europe. The owner, Dieter Gehling, has been using the machine since 1994 and uses it not only for agricultural flights, but also as an ambassador for his aircraft yard.

The PZL-106, which had its first flight in 1973, was originally used to spread fertilizer in Magdeburg and Leipzig. After reunification, Gehling fell in love with the machine, which had been lying in a scrapyard since 1991. Although an aircraft enthusiast previously purchased it, the renovation project remained unfulfilled. Gehling saw an opportunity in Lohne and spent months restoring the Kruk, bringing it back into the air for the first time in July 1994. Northern Courier reports that the aircraft now acts as a brand ambassador for Gehling's aircraft yard.

From history to the present

The PZL-106, also known as the “Crow”, was designed by the Polish manufacturer PZL for farms in the Comecon countries. Equipped with excellent flight characteristics, especially in slow flight, and a spray system, 266 aircraft were manufactured between 1973 and 1995. Not only is the Kruk sturdy and maneuverable, it can refill a spray container in under a minute, which was comparable to a Formula 1 pit stop. In the GDR, the Kruk played a crucial role in agricultural aviation and was used in numerous agricultural squadrons.

The Kruk's fuel consumption is between 150 and 280 liters per hour, and during daily operations it could achieve up to 100 takeoffs and landings. Planned flights by Gehling next year, including a major event in Warsaw, show that the Kruk is still very popular. Wikipedia adds that the Kruk is manufactured as a single-engine, single-seat low-wing monoplane with an all-metal construction, which underlines its robustness.

The future of the Kruk

Dieter Gehling already has the necessary spare parts in stock for the next few decades and plans to continue flying the Kruk for another 20 to 30 years. These consistent plans are also reflected in the use of the machine, which is not only used for agricultural flights, but is also used at air shows and aviation meetings. Gehling also demonstrates the effective spraying technique that is used throughout the entire operation.

With its pure charm and tradition, the PZL-106 Kruk remains an impressive symbol of aviation history. The deep roots in agricultural aviation and the ongoing enthusiasm for this model show that the passion for aviation does not go out of fashion. While she is supposed to overwinter in Hangar 10 on Usedom, there is a certain tingling feeling in the air: in the spring the Kruk will take to the skies again, ready for new adventures.

Further information about the characteristics and history of the kruk is available at Aviation encyclopedia to find.