Jan Wnęk
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Jan Wnęk (b. 1828 in Kaczówka - July 10, 1869 in Odporyszów, Poland) was a Polish carpenter, folk sculptor and aviation pioneer.
Jan Wnęk constructed a glider, which he named "Loty" from ash wood and linen in 1866, and managed a flight with that glider in June of that same year, from a church tower in Odporyszow village (preceding by 25 years Otto Lilienthal).
He reportedly made gliding flights during religious festivals, such as Pentecost, up to 2 km long. He made a number of other flights through 1866 -1869, especially at church carnivals.
His final flight of 1300 metres, on June 20, 1869 in Odporyszów, ended in a tragic fall and the death of this Polish aviation pioneer three weeks later.
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