How the Model Aircraft Club Got Its Flying Field

The Nidwalden Model Aircraft Club is an organization with approximately 100 members and has been based at the Buochs Airfield since its founding in 1956. For a long time, we were able to fly in the evenings and on weekends on the 2,500-meter-long main runway, in peaceful cooperation with the few large aircraft that were there at the time. The glider pilots mostly operated from the so-called “redundancy runway,” a parallel runway.

As the airfield transitioned from military to increasingly civilian use, we, too, had to find a new location. At first, we flew off a taxiway for a while before finally setting up shop around 2008 on the so-called “redundancy runway” south of the main runway. Here, too, we had an almost unlimited-length, 40-meter-wide runway at our disposal, which was used at most for ground-based events as a parking lot or race track

. The only complicating factor was the restricted airspace. But all things considered, that was just first-world problems!

The next major changes came more gradually with Armasuisse’s complete withdrawal from Buochs. Many unused taxiways, as well as the western (“our”) section of the backup runway, were handed over to various comrade corporations for so-called “renaturation.” Since the model flying club had not been allocated any space in the contracts with the

corporations, we had to find a solution on our own. However, in various discussions with the Buochs Cooperative Corporation (GKB), we didn’t really make any progress for quite some time.

At a public event in 2018 on the topic of the airfield, we expressed our dissatisfaction to the canton that we had been completely overlooked in the reorganization of the airfield. Following this intervention, we were invited to a meeting along with the GKB. The canton essentially affirmed our right to be at the airfield, but also made it clear that we are primarily

We’ll have to work out a solution with the landowners (GKB). At the same time, it was also mentioned that a building permit would then be required and that we’re not allowed to park cars on the model airplane field! The parking ban stems from the fact that a no-driving zone has been established on the access road to the planned site. Thanks to the cooperation of the airfield operator ABAG, the parking issue was quickly resolved.

We are now allowed to park within the airfield grounds, but we have to walk about 700 meters! Many pilots have therefore purchased electric scooters. It’s actually fun, too.

After several meetings with GKB, we finally reached a solution whereby a 120 × 20 m paved area at the existing site will not be restored to its natural state. In December

2020, we were able to conclude a 10-year contract with automatic renewal. A lawyer referred by the SMV assisted us in drafting the contract.

In January 2021, we then submitted a building permit application to the municipality of Buochs. Shortly thereafter, the canton filed an objection and insisted on a previously stipulated maximum size of 2,000 m². Now the site had to be

, which resulted in additional costs. Fortunately, however, there were no other objections!

So, since this past spring, we’ve been enjoying our own airfield, measuring 110 × 18 m, which is secured for the long term. You can clearly see our runway in the aerial photo. It looks great, doesn’t it? To the left (east) of it is a section of the former redundant runway that hasn’t yet been restored to its natural state.

Thanks to the SMV’s generous contribution toward the considerable costs for legal fees and the building permit application, the financial burden on the club remained manageable. Thank you very much.