The Vision of Stanko Bloudek
The Yugoslavian engineer Stanko Bloudek, a Slovene, gained extensive experience in aircraft design, participating in the creation of fighters at design bureaus in Vienna, Leipzig, Prague, and Budapest. After the war, Bloudek returned to Ljubljana and began developing a light sports aircraft, named Bloudek XI, for the local aeroclub.
Initial Design and Flight Challenges
The aircraft’s maiden flight took place on November 3, 1925. The Bloudek XI was a single-seater, wooden, cantilever high-wing monoplane, powered by a British 18 hp (13.3 kW) two-cylinder Blackburn Tomtit piston engine. Due to engine problems, the first flight was very short, and the second was not much longer as the engine failed to develop its declared power. Because of these troubled flights, the aircraft earned the nickname “Sraka” (Magpie).
The Sraka’s Transformation and Final Flights
In 1926, the “Sraka” sustained damage during landing. It wasn’t until two years later that the aircraft was sold for a small sum to an aeroclub in Ljubljana. Club specialists repaired the aircraft and overhauled the engine. The modified aircraft, redesignated as Bloudek XIV Sraka, took to the air again on September 18, 1932. However, engine problems could not be fully resolved, and on September 22, the “Sraka” made its last flight.
Despite the Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka never receiving official registration, it became the first civil aircraft built in Yugoslavia, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s aviation history.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Bloudek XIV |
| Wingspan, m | 10.50 |
| Length, m | 5.50 |
| Height, m | 1.50 |
| Wing area, m2 | 12.80 |
| Empty weight | 120 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Blackburn Tomtit |
| Power, hp | 1 x 18 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 120 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 80 |
| Practical range, km | 400 |
| Crew | 1 crew member |
Image and diagram gallery of the Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka
 Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka |
 Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka |
 Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka |
 Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka |
 Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka |
 Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka |