Lajos Imreh

Introduction, Professional Journey

It all began with a childhood dream...

When I was 8 years old, I received a toy helicopter for Easter, and I loved playing with it. Even back then, flying seemed like a mystical and fascinating thing to me, and I was mesmerized by it. I wondered what the perspective would be like high up in the clouds and how the world would look from above. This childhood fascination stayed with me, and in 1971, I started gliding at the MÁV Flying Club, and my enthusiasm only grew over time. Of course, there were ups and downs, and setbacks, including being unable to become a fighter pilot due to my height of 187 centimeters. Initially viewed as a tragedy, it didn't deter me from flying; instead, I redirected my focus to gliding and professional flying. I quickly realized that for someone who excels in gliding at a high level, it is the pinnacle of flying both intellectually and technically. From then on, my goal was to become better and better in this field. In the early '80s, I participated in the Gemenc Cup, a world championship with impressive participants. I managed to win it, and from that point on, my motivation was to repeat this achievement several times because, at that time, the rule was that whoever won it three times received the perpetual Gemenc Cup. 

After that, alongside my post-school job, the opportunity for aerobatics with a powered aircraft emerged, casting an even greater spell on me regarding what it could be like to perform aerobatics with a glider. Until then, I had been hanging around with Katona Sándor, Matuz István, and Gurály Béla until they said, 'You're in.' I completed the basic aerobatics training, where we also flew powered aircraft, mainly for the ease of learning basic aerobatic figures. Upon reaching a certain proficiency, we began attending world competitions, European and world championships. I participated in five of these high-stakes competitions, each contributing to my growing ambitions and deepening my appreciation for the thrilling and captivating world of aerobatics

However, juggling this with my aviation duties proved to be quite challenging, especially since competitions frequently overlapped with our peak agricultural periods. At that time, I was primarily flying fixed-wing aircraft, but an opportunity for helicopter training presented itself, and I quickly developed a deep affection for this particular type of aircraft. 

In each field, I sought to perform my duties at the highest possible level. Therefore, I became an instructor in gliding, powered flight, and helicopter flying, later progressing to become a check pilot.
 

On my journey, I was fortunate to be guided by extraordinary individuals. If I were to single out one person, it would be János Meher from the MÁV Flying Club. His outstanding qualities didn't necessarily lie in his sports performance but in his profound knowledge and meticulous exploration of details. As a teenager at that time, I was completely fascinated by him. Moreover, he could perfectly convey this knowledge to his students, laying a foundation and instilling a desire for in-depth understanding. He shaped my perspective, inspiring me to seek profound knowledge and approach aviation with the same mindset and philosophy as he did. Although he flew gliders, I aimed to apply these principles to all aircraft I later piloted and, perhaps, to every aspect of life.

Before the 90s, there were essentially three places in Hungary where one could pursue professional aviation. People either worked for the Aviation Service, Malév (national airline), or the military. For me, choosing the Aviation Service was a conscious decision, as I considered it the most exciting option. I consider it a tremendous gift from life that I had the opportunity to fly nearly 100 different aircraft types here. Thoughts of flying large planes, I somehow didn't feel that it could provide the same degree of freedom in flying that I experienced with small aircraft. I felt that gliding offered the greatest challenge. Although it may seem the simplest, it is, in fact, the most complex and intricate, despite appearances.

A person cannot step out of their skin, so I tried to push the limits of my abilities to the extreme. I wanted to understand where the ultimate points of my capabilities are and how I can do this better, more efficiently, technically cleaner, and more thoughtfully. I acquired this level of meticulousness from Meher, and every time I get into any aircraft, this standard hovers before my eyes. Of course, it provided an additional motivation to realize that there isn't just gliding and aerobatics in powered flight but also a helicopter world championship. It has always been a dream of mine to reach such a competition, but the costs associated with it (both getting there and the training) are so high that, unfortunately, I couldn't make it happen. I
watched these competition programs with longing, studying the maneuvers, observing participants' flights, and diligently practicing them myself. Today, I believe I've managed to master most of these figures, and perhaps I'm not exaggerating when I say that I've even surpassed certain aspects. Presenting these figures at various domestic and international air shows, private or corporate events, where the audience's appreciation reinforces my belief that, regardless of a world championship title, pursuing this path is truly worthwhile. Every year, I strive to diversify these demonstration programs, and a new idea always excites me. Many people say that I seem very calm, but in reality, this is not the case vibration is my essence.
 
 

Amongst the greatest experiences of my life was being the first to fly a helicopter beneath the Chain Bridge. I'm grateful that when such ideas arise, the authorities don't outright reject them; there's already a certain level of trust established, knowing that I can execute these endeavors with a high degree of safety, even in variable environments and changing weather conditions. Flying over the Danube, between the two bridges, with limited space and passing boats, presents a significant challenge both in terms of flight technique and preparation. Naturally, there's a safety protocol when preparing the aircraft for such flights. Without this and the support of my colleagues, it wouldn't have been possible. I'm incredibly fortunate to work with geniuses individuals who are highly creative, precise, and, I might boldly say, perhaps the best in their respective fields. Moreover, many of these connections are deeply rooted, creating a strong and enduring professional relationship.

If you want to do something at a very high level of quality in any area of life, it requires a tremendous amount of time and energy, often demanding sacrifices from family and loved ones. In my case, it's far more than just work; I feel a much deeper connection to aviation it's a genuine passion. Although I haven't tried it, it might be similar to substance addiction. That's why it causes such great trauma when, for some reason, one has to abruptly stop this from one moment to the next.

In education, one of the most essential aspects is to instill in students the ability to self-motivate in a way that they feel an internal compulsion, a genuine desire to excel. Sustaining this mental state over an extended period is essential for those you aim to instruct. It's not about the student having to love you; it's about them seeing something in what you convey that serves as an example. I am open to sharing a wealth of knowledge with anyone passionate about this field, and for us, it's not a matter of financial gain. I've gained valuable insights from the individuals I mentioned, and passing on this wisdom won't diminish my wealth.