News from the Youth Development Program

The SMV’s Youth Development Department was quite active in 2012 as well. Once again, the focus of its activities was on appearances at events. In addition, the department evaluated a new balsa glider, which has been available to all clubs for youth programs for some time now. (Report and photos: Reto Schilliger)

Despite the internet—where the SMV has maintained a presence for many years, now with its third website—and despite platforms like Facebook (where, according to data from bernetblog.ch, only 19% of Swiss users were 19 years old or younger in September), the SMV’s Youth Development Department has for years relied on personal contact with potential model aircraft pilots at aviation events.

Both the balsa gliders and the Depron gliders can be obtained through the AeCS Central Secretariat. When used as part of supervised building activities (to be documented with one or two photos), the models are free of charge. If the gliders are picked up without participating in a supervised building session, a fee of CHF 2.50 per glider will be charged. The gliders are shipped by mail.

The simulator with the large screen must be reserved in advance and picked up at the Central Secretariat, where it must also be returned. The same applies to the two tents, “SMV” and “Youth Development.”

In early August, the department made an appearance at the AeCS youth camp in S-chanf (Engadin). Thomas Suter and Yannick Fuhrer offered tandem flights there using “Easy Gliders” from Multiplex, while Christian Reck did the same with an “Easy Star II.” Other young people were able to gain their first flying experience with Remo Kalberer in a two-seater flight aboard the “Apollon 13” from the PIZ SOL model-building group. The two most recent appearances took place around the (unfortunately rather rainy) Swiss Aero Expo in Buochs and the Hausen Air Show, where the weather was much more favorable—especially on Saturday. In 2013, the department will continue its appearances at events. A definite highlight will be the Youth Day for the Haslital region as part of the Jet World Masters 2013, which the department will organize with the support of the Modell Flugsport Foundation. Many thanks in advance for the promised support!

In Buochs, in addition to the SMV’s flight simulator with a large screen, the Depron gliders from Remo Kalberer’s workshop were once again put to use. These are very easy to assemble and

Paint them easily and in a variety of colors using felt-tip pens.

The SMV's flight simulator, equipped with a large screen, is ideal for first-time virtual flight experiences. Thanks to the screen's size, the virtual "flight experience" is generally better, and it also allows many more bystanders to watch and comment on the flight attempts.

It has now been nearly ten years since the SMV launched a balsa glider featuring the association’s logo on the occasion of its first appearance at the “Suisse Toy” trade show. Several thousand of these gliders were built at the trade show and later at countless events organized by our clubs

have been built from it! As simple as the glider was, it gave countless children and teenagers their first experience building a model out of balsa wood. Small but mighty, indeed!

In the meantime, the SMV has taken things a step further with its balsa gliders: The earlier glider has been replaced by the “Climaxx nano,” a hand-launched glider from “Der himmlische Höllein” that stands out for its highly precise manufacturing with laser-cut parts. This glider, too, features the SMV logo and its website address—after all, the internet is the most frequently consulted source of information for young people today. Construction time, including some drying time depending on the glue: approx. 30 minutes. This glider can also be obtained from the AeCS Central Secretariat (see box for details).

Christian Reck, who works as a shop teacher, continued his efforts this year to promote model flying and model aircraft construction in schools. The creative opportunities this activity offers were showcased at the Aero Expo in Buochs in a youth development tent, which can also be borrowed from the SMV’s central secretariat.

Once again this year, several members of the SMV earned performance badges. The MG Stetten was particularly active in this regard. Important to note: The “Instructor Pilot” badge is now issued—without any specific requirements—upon request by a club’s board of directors to members who actively mentor newcomers as flight instructors and put in a significant amount of effort. Detailed information on the proficiency badges and the corresponding application forms can be found at www.modellflug.ch.

The Youth Development Department is looking forward to the 2013 season and to any inquiries from clubs that would like to use the funds provided for their own initiatives. Active support for young talent—and especially for youth—not only contributes to a club’s membership base but also plays a crucial role in fostering general appreciation for our hobby, which we rely on—at the very least—when dealing with issues involving neighbors.