EVENT'S HIGHLIGHT'S
EVENT'S HIGHLIGHT'S
AN3 WS Adventure - POCIUNAI 25
AN-3 Wingsuit Adventure - A Back In Time Journey to Pociūnai
In the world of wingsuiting, there are places and events that are spoken of with respect, almost devotion. One such experience for me was this year’s trip to Pociūnai in Lithuania. Not only because of the full of nature surroundings, excellent organization, or the spirit of a tight-knit community of enthusiasts, but most of all due to a very special guest -the AN-3 aircraft, known by many as the "unicorn" of sport aviation.
Pociūnai – Lithuania’s Mecca for Skydivers
Pociūnai is a small but well-equipped drop zone near Kaunas. Surrounded by lakes, forests, and open space, it offers the perfect backdrop for advanced wingsuit jumps. Years ago, it attracted skydivers from Poland thanks to low jump costs and the operation of an L410 Turbolet aircraft. This time, at the end of June, the Lithuanian airfield hosted a rare event - the AN-3 Wingsuit Adventure organized by Edd Veigurs z Baltic WIngsuits. Originally, the plan was to hold another Baltic Wingsuit Meet there during this period, but it ultimately turned into a smaller gathering under the AN-3 Wingsuit Adventure banner.
AN-3 – A Legend Come to Life
In aviation, few aircraft stir as much emotion as the Antonov AN-3. It’s a modernized version of the famous AN-2, equipped with a turboprop engine. Produced in only limited numbers between the late 1980s and early 1990s, it’s now a rarity even in former USSR countries. The AN-3 that arrived in Pociūnai had previously been used for agricultural and firefighting purposes in Ukraine. For many of us at the event, just seeing the plane was the fulfillment of an aviation dream. Jumping from the AN-3 felt like completing a personal skydiving story that began for me 28 years ago.
Importantly, the AN-3 turned out to be a fantastic platform for wingsuit flying. Its side doors and impressive climb rate provided ideal conditions for formation flying. The turbine engine allowed the aircraft to reach over 4,000 meters in just 20 minutes, and its unique, quiet sound stirred emotions even among the most seasoned jumpers.
Wingsuit – The Art of Flight
Throughout the event, we focused on formation jumps, dynamic flock flights, and individual projects like XRW (Xtreme Relative Work). Pociūnai proved to be not only perfect for basic wingsuiting but also an ideal setting for developing more advanced group flying techniques.
The group consisted of around 15 participants, mostly from Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. Jumps were made daily, from morning until evening, maximizing the favorable weather and the availability of the AN-3.
After each jump day, the drop zone chief treated everyone to a beer to toast another safe day in the sky. People also exchanged experiences, the kind of invaluable, freely shared knowledge that makes these events truly special.
Intimate, Intense, Unforgettable
What set this event apart was its intimate, almost family-like atmosphere. No corporate tandem hype, no crowds of participants, the trip felt more like a tight-knit camp for passionate aviators than a formal event. Evening barbecues, video debriefs over beer, and conversations late into the night built connections that went beyond flying.
The aircraft crew also deserves special mention – the pilot and mechanic of the AN-3 were true enthusiasts, supporting our operations with immense dedication. Their aviation tales, spanning flights on both the AN-2 and AN-3, could easily inspire a new Indiana Jones script.
Conclusion
The AN-3 Wingsuit Adventure in Pociūnai wasn’t just another skydiving trip. It was a journey back in time, to the era of Soviet aviation, to the spirit of adventure and passion. It was an encounter with a mythical machine and an opportunity to rediscover what pure flying feels like, not just physically, but emotionally as well.
In a world of increasingly commercialized drop zones and “fast skydiving,” events like this are a breath of fresh air. For many of us, it was the highlight of the season, an experience that will stay with us for a long time and might even spark a new annual tradition.
Because there are skydives – and then there are skydives from the AN-3.
AN-3 was on my bucket list… The dropzone is one of the friendliest I’ve ever had the privilege to visit. I will go back.
