F3 Aerobatics Technical Commission

"F3A powered aerobatics and F3P indoor flying are both FAI categories, while IMAC is not, and RCS acrobatic glider aerobatics is deliberately not operated as an FAI category," explains René Koblet. In Europe, this discipline is practiced in France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with the latter three countries playing a leading role in the sport. “We have a good working relationship and jointly determine which programs will be flown,” says Koblet. Every other year, one of the countries sets the requirements for the next two years and specifies the program to be flown for the Advanced and Unlimited categories.

Koblet took the helm of RCS Acro Aerobatics in 2018. At that time, the division had only 6 competition pilots—today there are 43. “Building a broad base with simpler means”—that can certainly be called a recipe for success in this case. In 2022, he joined the five-member Fakof. Since last year, he has served as its interim president.

Koblet knows that many people are put off by the high cost of competition models. On top of that, there’s a very high training commitment. “We’re trying to get people interested in the sport through very simple competitions. Young people want to have fun. If you tell them what to do and then judge them on it, they simply aren’t interested. So we’ve launched a competition where the scoring of the maneuvers isn’t the main focus. Instead, the maneuvers involve navigating around obstacles. This way, we require precision from the next generation, but it’s in line with what they enjoy.” When a young pilot masters this well, we invite them to a trial day where they can fly a competition model using dual controls with a flight instructor. “That’s how they get their first experience with a full-size model and discover that it’s ‘actually pretty cool.’ They then ask on their own if there’s a used model lying around somewhere that they can use for a season. That’s how we’ve been able to get some of them interested in the sport.”

Even with a 15-year-old model, you can still keep up in glider aerobatics. Other disciplines require models that are technically more and more advanced. “We have good junior pilots in F3P, but to advance, they’d need to be able to switch to models with better engines, good speed controllers, and propellers. But those can easily cost 3,000 to 4,000 francs.” In Fakof, Koblet and his six colleagues are considering how they can support the young pilots. “In F3P and RCS Acro, it often happens that an experienced pilot buys a new model and a junior can take over the ‘old’ one. “In F3A powered aerobatics, this option is less common,” says Koblet, since the technology and models are constantly evolving, and the models available are already in their second or third generation. The models sometimes remind him of Formula 1 cars, whose technical details the pilots like to keep to themselves. Koblet understands the ambitions of the competitive pilots. “A slightly more informal approach might, however, be more conducive to promoting young talent.”

Fakof ensures that competitions are financially viable and that budgets are adhered to. He would like to take greater advantage of synergies. For example, judges from the sailplane aerobatics discipline could also be deployed for indoor flying events. Judging is primarily a matter of experience; the more experience they have, the better. An extraordinary project emerged from discussions with Saga President Christian Syfrig. There is an urgent need for new judges in human-carrying glider aerobatics. This led to a training course for three judges from model aircraft flying, who were trained this summer to judge human-carrying glider aerobatics. Another course will follow, in which three more judges will be retrained for the manned glider aerobatics discipline.

Koblet has been working for the Swiss Gymnastics Federation in various roles for about 30 years. He draws on this experience in his work with Fakof—for example, in organizing competitions. Koblet emphasizes that how one interacts with a club is crucial. “The simpler and more transparent it is for them, the greater the chance of hosting a competition.” Using his approach, Koblet has built up a pool of clubs that take turns organizing competitions and championships. “It works wonderfully. My events are booked through 2028,” he says. Koblet grew up near an airfield, which is how he discovered his passion for aviation. After completing an apprenticeship as an agricultural machinery mechanic and a stint in electronics at Canon, he trained to become an air traffic controller. For a time, he also flew manned aircraft and held an ATPL. However, because aviation activities—such as serving as a parachute drop pilot—were difficult to reconcile with the irregular work hours in air traffic control, he returned to model aircraft flying. “That way, I could just go fly for an hour.” He remains interested in technology and electronics to this day. For example, he modifies printers to meet specific needs or devotes his time to graphic design. ■

The interviews were conducted by Andrea Bolliger