The season kicks off with F3A aerobatics

There were two events at the start of the season that brought together numerous F3A pilots at the Lodrino airfield. The desire to organize an event for pilots we had met during several 2007 competitions in central Switzerland served as the inspiration for the first race: to offer a program that would attract the attention of pilots not only in the regional aerobatics circuit but also in the interregional one. The regional championship, on the other hand, was held according to the format that will take effect starting next year—namely, a competition in which pilots compete in both the “regional” and “interregional” national leagues.

The opening race did not benefit from the spring season that had just begun and was marked by strong winds and below-average temperatures. Despite this, about fifteen drivers gathered to compete in the two categories: “RM” (regional program) and “IRM” (interregional program). This was also the first test for several new judges, fresh from the regional course held in March—a course that many of the participating pilots were also able to attend. A warm welcome was extended to the “F3A Team Luzern,”

A delegation from the Lucerne Model Aircraft Club, which fielded three pilots in the “RM” category and two pilots in the “IRM” category. The competition consisted of three flights: Guido Bianchi, Julian Schrumpf, and Ruedi Schneider took the podium in the regional category, while Renato Buzzi, Alex Bernasconi, and Gianmaria Tagliabue claimed the podium in the interregional category. Although this was the first event of the season, the consistency of the top pilots was complemented by the improving quality of the flights by the pilots behind them, particularly Alex and Moreno Bernasconi, as well as Martin Sauter. Carlo Guglieri competed in this category for the first time and felt right at home. The day was capped off with a group lunch, which also provided an opportunity to interact with the pilots from across the Alps, who were enthusiastic about the event.

The regional F3A competition as we know it—which features a race for beginners and a race following the regional program—has been supplemented by a race following the interregional program. This gives those competing in the regional division a chance to perform at their best, while letting the “top contenders” face off in the higher category. The weather was decidedly more forgiving, though there were the afternoon winds generated by thermals typical of this season. Everything was ready to kick off a competition consisting of three launches, proceeding at a brisk pace given the presence of no fewer than eighteen pilots at the starting line. Given the positive experience of the opening competition, the invitation was once again extended to pilots from central Switzerland, who enthusiastically returned to the Lodrino field despite the inconvenience of traffic congestion at the southern portal of the St. Gotthard Pass on their way back. In addition to our friends from the Lucerne Group, we were pleased to welcome Georg Caduff (MG Zürich), well known in the Swiss F3A scene of the 1990s, and the very young Nico Strebel (MFV Pfäffikon), who distinguished himself—among other achievements—by finishing second at the 2008 Swiss Indoor Championships.

Of note was Matteo Gamba in the “Beginners” category, a young man who recently graduated from the GAL flight school and who handled the afternoon winds with ease, while Kevin Urbani moved up to the regional category this year, and his flights have already established him as a promising future talent for GAL. Ruedi Schneider managed to claim first place overall in the “RM” category; for Region 8, the following placed first:

Guido Bianchi took first place, followed by Moreno Bernasconi and Martin Sauter. The race, part of the interregional series, was marked by Renato Buzzi’s consistent performance, followed by Gianmaria Tagliabue, Fabrizio Albonico, and Alex Bernasconi.

To the satisfaction of both drivers and organizers, this new experience also drew participation from several members from central Switzerland—a development that proved unexpectedly successful and is sure to further motivate drivers from Ticino to attend similar events north of the Alps. gt

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