Sebastian Kawa
Sebastian Kawa | |
|---|---|
Sebastian Kawa, training flight over the Aconcagua | |
| Born | 15 November 1972 Zabrze, Poland |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Known for | most World Champion titles in gliding history, 2004-2018 among top 3 ranked FAI glider pilots, four times World Grand Prix Champion |
| Spouse | Anna |
| Relatives | father Tomasz Kawa, glider pilot |
| Aviation career | |
| First flight | June 7, 1988 SZD-50 Puchacz |
| Racing career | |
| First race | 1992 Polish Junior Nationals, 1st place win |
| Best position | current Standard and 15 m class World Champion |
| Aircraft | SZD-56 Diana 2, Discus-2a, ASG 29 |
| Website | www |
Sebastian Kawa (born 15 November 1972, Zabrze) is a Polish glider pilot, eighteen-time World Champion, FAI world leading glider competition pilot, the World Champion in 15m Class and European gliding champion in 18m Class. In 2024, together with Sebastian Lampart, he became the first pilot in aviation history to fly over K2 in a glider. He is the recipient of the FAI Gold Air Medal, the highest distinction conferred by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
Kawa is a second-generation glider pilot, together with his father Tomasz Kawa (an accomplished competition pilot as well) associated with the Mountain Gliding School "Żar" in southern Poland. In his youth, before becoming a pilot, Sebastian Kawa was a competitive sailor in Cadet, Optimist and 420 class, with multiple titles in national championships and participation in top level European and world events. He is also (like his parents) a qualified physician, working at the General Hospital in Bielsko-Biała.
He is also known in the Polish gliding community for numerous Web writings and films popularizing the sport.
His autobiography and advanced gliding tutorial Sky Full of Heat (English and Polish language editions) was published in December 2012.