In partnership with the Varig Experience project, Porto Alegre Airport is rescuing an artifact that made history in the state. With a length of 6.35 meters and a wingspan of 14 meters, the old PT-PAQ glider was refurbished by Fraport Brasil and is now on display at the check-in at Passenger Terminal 1 for passengers and airport users to enjoy.

The PT-PAQ glider, model Göppening Wolf, was manufactured in Germany and was first exhibited in 1938, in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, during the celebrations of Wing Week by VAE (Varig Aero Esporte), a school created by Varig in the 1930s and known for being one of the pioneers in aviation education in Brazil. At the time, it was still identified by the PP-10 prefix and already baptized with the name "Gaivota". It was later changed to the prefix PT-PAQ when it began to be used by the Albatroz Glider Club of Osório, after the VAE closed down.

To take off, it could be launched in two ways: dragged up a hill by human power or animals - such as donkeys; or attached to a car with an elastic rope that pulled it along the runway. Once it reached a certain speed, it was uncoupled and took to the skies. The PT-PAQ reached a height of 240 meters, which was considered a great feat for the time. Much in demand for flight demonstrations in Mocidade Parades and events to commemorate Aviator's Day, it became one of the aerial attractions that most attracted the attention of the people of Rio Grande do Sul and, in particular, the people of Porto Alegre. In the 1970s, the glider was donated by the Albatroz Glider Club to the Varig Museum.

The action reinforces Fraport Brasil's appreciation for the history of aviation in Rio Grande do Sul and for the Varig company, a benchmark for pioneering spirit and quality of service in the country.

About the Varig Experience

Since July 2016, the Boulevard Laçador shopping center in Porto Alegre has hosted the Varig Experience, a project that provides a unique experience for those who are passionate about aviation. The initiative seeks to revive Varig's memory by exhibiting various attractions that marked the airline's history, such as a restored Douglas DC-3 plane and flight attendants' uniforms.

The public can also interact via the website www.varigexperience.com.br and the social networks Facebook and Instagram. In these spaces, some of Varig's memories are recalled through photos, testimonies and videos.

Source: Varig Museum and Aeromuseum documents