Jerzy Bajan

Jerzy Bajan (4 May 1901 – 27 June 1967) was a prominent Polish sports and military aviator, winner of the Challenge 1934 contest.

Despite experiencing health problems, he completed the Officer Flying School in Grudziądz and a higher pilotage course in Bydgoszcz and became a fighter pilot.

In July–August 1930 he took part in International Touring Aircraft Contest, the Challenge 1930, flying the RWD-4, with his escadre's chief mechanic Gustaw Pokrzywka as a crewman.

Between 22–31 July 1932 he took part in the 3rd International Air Meeting in Zurich (or "Alpen rally"), flying a prototype fighter PZL P.11, and he came second (the first place of the Yugoslavian pilot was debated, because of using additions for fuel).

In 12–28 August 1932 Bajan took part in another Challenge 1932 contest, flying the PZL.19, again with Pokrzywka, and completed on 11th place (for 43 starting crews).

During the contest itself, their PZL.19 was thrown by a wind to the trees while taking off from Baltant near Treibach, and then burnt; Bajan and Pokrzywka bailed out successfully.

In the last International Touring Aircraft Contest, the Challenge 1934, set up between 28 August and 19 September 1934 in Warsaw, Bajan came as a winner, flying RWD-9 with Gustaw Pokrzywka as a crewman.

He occupied staff positions in the Polish Air Force in exile, but he also occasionally flew aircraft, having attached a hook to his hand.

Bajan (left) with Marshal Józef Piłsudski (centre) and Gustaw Pokrzywka (right) after Challenge in 1934