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Franciszek Kepka, who lives in Bielsko-Biala, the home of glider construction in Poland, has flown some quarter of a million kilometres in a career which began when he was only 10 years old, perched on his father's knees to indulge his love of flying and see out over the nose ! This year's World Championships will be his 10th appearance in the Polish World Team and he enters from the strong position of reigning Standard Class European Champion. But even this title does nothing to reveal the extent of his contribution to gliding history. Born in 1940, 25 km from Bielsko-Biala, Francisczek had the advantage of having an instructor for a father. Mr. Kepka senior took charge of the Gliding School in Golesz�w in 1945 and his son began his flying career on his father's knees in SG-38s, Grunau Baby, Motorgrunau, ABC, Salamandra - these being launched by both bungee and winch methods. In June 1950 Francisczek left his parents' lap and soloed on an ABC flying off the wire. Unfortunately, Golesz�w ceased operations in 1951, but the result was a move to the Aeroclub of Bielsko-Biala. In 1952, Francisczek competed in Warsaw during the Air Show by ABC on the winch. In 1955 he entered the Polish National (Juniors) Championships held at Zar and came 4th. In 1956 he flew a 460 km Goal flight in Mucha 100 and in 1958 he completed his Gold Badge at the age of 18 years. In 1959 he completed 3 diamonds in Jask�lka and Bocian. In 1962 he established a World Record in Class D-2 : a goal flight of 636 km (Bocian). In 1964 he was the Polish National Champion. He participated in the following World Championships, with the following results : He has been called "a gentleman of the air" by the Italian competitors. In 1992 at Bekescaba, Hungary, the title of European Champion was his at last ! Since 1960 Kepka has held a full rating as a gliding instructor. Since 1974, he has been licensed to compete in powered aeroplanes and to instruct in aircraft. From 1983 to 1990, he trained the National Polish Junior Gliding Team, and taught flying on powered aircraft at Bielsko-Biala and is at present employed in a private capacity. He has flown 6200 hours and 250,000 km on gliders.