Wanted: Dedicated model airplane pilots!

Anyone who flies model airplanes knows this: You spend your free time enjoying an extremely versatile hobby that provides an excellent balance to everyday work life. For children and teenagers, model flying is an educationally valuable activity and is often the first exposure to aviation for future pilots. For thousands of adults, it’s an enriching hobby—and often even a way of life. But ensuring the survival and continuity of model aviation in Switzerland requires dedicated people: doers, thinkers, and motivated individuals with both heart and mind. The SMV is looking for them!

What is truly wonderful about model flying? If you pose this question to a group of passionate model pilots, sparkling eyes will be followed by a thousand answers. For one person, it’s building the model or mastering the technique; for another, it’s the incredible feeling of flying the model; a third person explains that they love spending time in nature, and a fourth adds that the sense of community and the family-like atmosphere that prevail at model airfields and events are what define this hobby for them. There’s only one way to find out what makes this sport—which is valuable in every respect—so fascinating to each individual: experience it for yourself!

This very insight becomes clear when you ask dedicated model airplane enthusiasts about their motivation for actively promoting the sport of model flying. The answers are as varied as the people behind them. “My motivation, for example, is to work with my board members to position model flying as a challenging and educational leisure activity accessible to people from all walks of life—as a balance to school, college, and work.” These are the words of someone who knows what he’s talking about: Yves Burkhardt, president of the Swiss Model Aviation Association (SMV) since 1999. As early as age 10, model aviation played a significant role in his life

of the 48-year-old real estate entrepreneur; a passion that remains as strong as ever and has been a part of his life for the past 38 years or so. As a member and vice president of the Central Board of the Aero-Club of Switzerland (AeCS), he advocates at the highest level for the continued existence of light aviation in Switzerland—particularly model aviation. “One of my top priorities is to create the conditions and programs that will enable as many young people and adults as possible to develop a positive interest in model aviation, so that we, as a strong community, can play a significant role in an active and sustainable recreational activity,” he states as his goal.

The experiences, encounters, and lessons learned during Yves Burkhardt’s tenure so far would fill volumes. In summary, the realization remains: “If I hadn’t spontaneously taken on the role of model aviation representative on the AeCS Central Board in 1997—what would I have missed over the past 11 years! No leadership training program and no expensive continuing education course could ever have given me what I’ve been able to learn through my work in the model aviation association.”

Yves Burkhardt is convinced that any model airplane enthusiast who is more than just an average participant in their hobby is suited for a board position: “It’s not necessary to first work your way ‘up’ through your own club’s board, a regional board, or a technical committee. What’s needed are model aviators with heart, intellect, and enthusiasm—even right from the grassroots level.” Burkhardt goes one step further: “Background and education are actually secondary, because dedication and good ideas are irreplaceable—and experience comes naturally.” For the SMV president, it is clear that a smooth succession plan for the board members stepping down in 2011—and for himself—will pave the way for a successful future for the association. Only in this way can the proven system of volunteerism be maintained, thereby keeping the financial burden on the association within reasonable limits.

Adrian Eggenberger also has plenty of positive news to share. The 50-year-old electrical engineer has been actively involved in model aircraft flying since 1976. As a founding member of the Stetten Model Aircraft Sports Club, he remains active on its board to this day. Since 1999, Eggenberger has been in charge of the infrastructure department at the SMV. In

We are looking for active model airplane enthusiasts of all ages who would like to serve on the SMV board. The basic requirement for taking on such a role is a willingness to volunteer your time and energy to support the sport of model flying. Team spirit, reliability, and the ability to plan and carry out tasks are also qualities that distinguish a suitable candidate. We also welcome “newcomers” without prior experience on a club board. Additionally, we welcome people who, in addition to German, have a basic knowledge of another national language.

Yves Burkhardt, Bibenlosstrasse 42, 5620 Bremgarten, at 056 633 45 75 or directly via email at praesident@modellflug.ch

In this context, as chair of the Airfields Working Group, he addresses all issues related to model airfields and works closely with the various SMV clubs, as well as with government agencies and environmental organizations. At the same time, the working group’s mandate includes serving as experts and mediators. He succinctly describes his personal motivation

to champion the cause with unflagging enthusiasm: “I enjoy sharing my professional and hobby-related experience to help model aviators pursue their passion with joy and in harmony with their surroundings and the environment. It fills me with joy and pride when, together with my colleagues, I can make a positive contribution to this.”

Adrian Eggenberger also draws a thoroughly positive conclusion—

Reflecting on his time in office so far: “I’ve learned a lot during my time with the SMV, and I can apply what I’ve learned in my professional life and in my personal daily routine. At the same time, I’ve met many interesting people and even made some friends.”

This is valuable insight for anyone whose interest has been piqued and who would like to grow as a person and as a model aviator through personal involvement—and especially for those who are still hesitant about the idea but are gradually getting used to the notion of serving on the board: Here, too, there’s only one way to discover just how rewarding and valuable serving on the highest governing body of Swiss model aviation can be: experience it for yourself! And there’s no question that this will be one of life’s greatest experiences.