Gornja Stubica will once again become one of the focal points of Croatian aviation this weekend, September 5 and 6, with the 29th edition of Susreti za Rudija. The traditional event commemorating Croatian Air Force pilot Rudolf Perešin will feature aircraft from the Croatian, Slovenian and Hungarian armed forces, alongside a range of general aviation participants.

The main flying display will take place on Sunday, September 6, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the area around the Monument to the Peasant Revolt and Matija Gubec. Among the main attractions announced for this year are the Croatian Air Force Dassault Rafale fighter and a Hungarian Saab JAS 39 Gripen. The Croatian Air Force aerobatic team Krila Oluje, flying Pilatus PC-9M aircraft, will also return to the skies above Gornja Stubica.

This year’s edition will also feature two types making their debut at Susreti za Rudija. The Leonardo C-27J Spartan transport aircraft is scheduled to appear at the event for the first time, alongside a Bell 412EPX helicopter. A Croatian UH-60M Black Hawk is also included in the programme, with its appearance expected to include a parachute demonstration. A Bell 206 helicopter is among the other announced participants. The flying programme will bring together aircraft of the Croatian Air Force, the Ministry of the Interior, neighbouring countries’ air forces and general aviation.

Another notable participant is the Zlin 242L, which is returning to Susreti za Rudija after an absence of approximately ten years. The type has a particular role in Croatian military aviation, where it is used for selection and initial training of military pilots before they progress to more advanced aircraft.

Susreti za Rudija commemorates Rudolf Perešin, who on October 25, 1991, flew a Yugoslav Air Force MiG-21 from Željava Air Base and landed at Klagenfurt Airport in Austria. After landing, Perešin made the statement that became one of the symbols of the period: “I am a Croat. I cannot and will not shoot at my own people.” He subsequently joined the Croatian air forces and was killed on May 2, 1995, during Operation Bljesak. The commemorative event in his honour is being held for the 29th time this year.

The programme begins on Saturday, September 5. The “Petica za Rudija” race starts at 10:00 a.m., followed by sporting activities and a gathering of Croatian veterans. The evening programme at the Rudolf Perešin Memorial Park will include a concert by the Croatian Armed Forces Jazz Orchestra beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday’s programme begins with Holy Mass at the Parish Church of St. George the Martyr at 10:00 a.m., while the official opening ceremony of the 29th Susreti za Rudija is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Rudolf Perešin Memorial Park. From noon, visitors will find food and beverage stands and a fair featuring local family farms near the Monument to the Peasant Revolt and Matija Gubec, before the main flying programme begins at 3:00 p.m.

In addition to the area below the Monument to the Peasant Revolt and Matija Gubec, organisers recommend the area around the Gubec Linden Tree and the viewpoint above Gornja Stubica as suitable locations for watching the flying display. After the aviation programme concludes, events will continue in the centre of Gornja Stubica with performances by DJ Lorenzo, Miroslav Škoro and the band Kumovi. Admission to all events is free.

Organisers have cautioned that the composition and schedule of the flying programme remain subject to change, particularly due to weather conditions, aircraft and crew availability, as well as operational requirements associated with the wildfire season.

The event is organised by the Municipality of Gornja Stubica and the Rudolf Perešin Zagreb Aviation Technical Association, with the participation of numerous national and local institutions and organisations. Over almost three decades, Susreti za Rudija has developed from a local commemoration of Rudolf Perešin into one of Croatia’s most recognisable aviation events.