The 2024 Phoenix Diploma, an esteemed FAI Award recognising the best reconstruction or restoration of a vintage (more than 30-year-old) aircraft achieved by an individual amateur, has found its deserving recipient in Benvenutas Ivanauskas from Lithuania.

This prestigious honour, bestowed by the FAI Amateur-Build and Experimental Aircraft Commission (CIACA), acknowledges Ivanauskas' unwavering commitment to the preservation of gliding’s rich heritage.

A Lifelong Passion for Vintage Aviation

Benvenutas Ivanauskas' journey in the realm of vintage aircraft restoration began in the mid-2000s when he was employed as a technician at the Lithuanian Museum of Aviation. There, he played a pivotal role in the restoration of the museum's prized exhibits.

After leaving the museum, Ivanauskas continued his passion as an independent aircraft technician, dedicating his time and expertise to the restoration and reconstruction of an array of vintage gliders.

His goal is to rebuild as many Lithuanian gliders as possible to honour the memory of gliding pioneer Bronius Oškinis and others who established the sport in Lithuania.

The Crowning Achievements: Technikas T-1 (BrO-1) and BrO-9 "Žiogas"

Ivanauskas himself considers the recreation of two iconic Lithuanian gliders – the Technikas T-1 (BrO-1) and the BrO-9 "Žiogas" to be the most interesting and most valuable projects of his career.

These aircraft hold a special place in the country's aviation history, representing the ingenuity and passion of Lithuanian designers and engineers.

Not a single T-1/BrO-1 or BrO-9 has survived beyond the 1960s. Additionally, no complete set of drawings for each aircraft has endured. Consequently, the reconstruction of each of these aircraft also entailed the development of respective drawings, intensifying the challenge of the reconstruction process.

Technikas T-1 (BrO-1): Reviving the First Mass-Produced Lithuanian Glider

The Technikas T-1 (BrO-1) was the first mass-produced Lithuanian glider, designed in 1932 by Bronius Oškinis, a 19-year-old student at the time. Oškinis took the drawings of the German RRG 23 "Zögling" and made several improvements, including the addition of struts, rounded wing tips, and a larger tail, enhancing the glider's lift-to-drag ratio.

Over the years, a total of up to 10 BrO-1/T-1s were produced, serving as the backbone of Lithuania's initial glider training system.

Ivanauskas undertook the monumental task of reconstructing the BrO-1 from scratch. Drawing upon the preserved original designs, he painstakingly recreated every detail, making the replica as authentic as possible. The glider was officially presented in 2022 in Nida, Lithuania, near the site of the historic Nida Gliding School, where the original aircraft had been extensively used from 1934 to 1938.

BrO-9 "Žiogas": Reviving an Advanced Trainer Glider

The BrO-9 "Žiogas," or "Grasshopper" in Lithuanian, was an advanced training glider designed by Bronius Oškinis in 1952. Considered superior to its contemporaries in the Soviet Union, the BrO-9 was mass-produced at the Simferopol Gliders Workshops in Ukraine from 1954 to 1955, with a total of 320 units manufactured. However, the glider's wooden frame gave it a relatively short lifespan, and by 1958, all BrO-9s had been destroyed or scrapped.

Ivanauskas undertook the painstaking task of building a BrO-9 from the ground up. This endeavour spanned over a decade, with Ivanauskas himself crafting all the wooden and metal components and using fabric as close as possible to the original. The result was a stunning replica aircraft. Its first flight, registered as LY-BHH, took place in 2020.

Preserving Aviation History: Ivanauskas' Achievements

Benvenutas Ivanauskas' reconstruction efforts extend far beyond the Technikas T-1 (BrO-1) and BrO-9 "Žiogas". He has dedicated countless hours to the meticulous reconstruction and preservation of a diverse array of vintage gliders, ensuring their continued airworthiness and legacy long into the future.

Among Ivanauskas' other projects are:

• A 1958 EoN Olympia 419, one of only seven ever built, restored to a flyable condition in 2009 (Tail No. LY-OLY).
• A 1954 Scheibe Bergfalke III, single-handedly restored in 2011 (Tail No. LY-AXI) and extensively used for training flights.
• A 1967 Scheibe SF-27 Zugvogel V, restored to a flyable condition in 2024 (Tail No. LY-BLR, EYPR) and used for training flights. This project took almost two years to complete.

Restored 1967 Scheibe SF-27 Zugvogel V

• A 1959 Scheibe Spatz / L-Spatz 55, single-handed restoration to a flyable condition on two occasions: first restoration in 2007, (then tail No. LY-GNK), and second in 2023 (Tail No. LY-GUN).
• A Schneder Grunau Baby Iib, restored to a flyable condition during 2010-2011. Test flown on 30.09.2010, (Tail No. LY-TBA).
• A 1953 SZD 12 Mucha 100, restored to a static display condition in 2010 on the request of the Lithuanian Aviation Museum.
• A 1982 BrO-23KR Garnys, restored to a flyable condition in 2009.
• A replica of 1938 Schneider DFS 108-14 SG-38 Schulgleiter, produced in 2022.

Replica of a 1938 Schneider DFS 108-14 SG-38 Schulgleiter

Promoting Aviation and Community Engagement

Ivanauskas' dedication to vintage aircraft restoration and reconstruction extends beyond the workshop. He is an active promoter of gliding, aviation sports, and aviation-based community building. As the core organiser of community aviation events, Ivanauskas utilizes the restored BrO-1/T-1 and BrO-9 gliders to engage the public, foster a sense of community, and inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.

One of Ivanauskas' notable achievements was his role as the organiser of the 40th Vintage Glider Rally in 2012, which took place in Prienai, Lithuania. This event attracted more than a hundred vintage aircraft and their pilots, showcasing the enduring passion for vintage aviation.

• Benvenutas Ivanauskas' Facebook page

Top picture: Benvenutas Ivanauskas in front of his Technikas T-1 (BrO-1) replica