Profile of the RMV Central Switzerland

The RMV Zentralschweiz is an association within the meaning of Art. 60 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Code. It is a regional model aviation association affiliated with the Swiss Model Aviation Association (SMV) and the Aero Club of Switzerland (AeCS), and adheres to their bylaws. The RMV Central Switzerland is an association of model aviation clubs from an area that encompasses, in whole or in part, the cantons of Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Uri, Zug, and Aargau, but may also include their immediate surroundings. The association’s registered office is located at the residence of the respective regional president, and the fiscal year is the calendar year.

Membership is generally limited to model flying clubs organized in accordance with club law, provided that their bylaws do not conflict with those of the region, the SMV, or the AeCS. Applications for admission as a full member must be submitted to the board of directors of the RMV Central Switzerland. The Regional Presidents’ Conference (RPK) decides on admission. Individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the RMV may be appointed honorary members by the RPK upon the recommendation of the Executive Board or a member. Our association currently has two distinguished honorary members: Rolf Girsberger, former FAKO President of the Sports Division at the SMV, and Willi Böni, Honorary President of the RMV Central Switzerland. Our organization currently oversees a total of 32 model aircraft clubs, which together have 1,709 members (as of October 16, 2009).

These essentially include fostering cohesion among model aircraft enthusiasts in the region, promoting camaraderie and sporting ties with all model aircraft enthusiasts affiliated with the SMV/AeCS, as well as raising awareness of model aviation within the broader aviation community, both in sports and private aviation. Another key task is to motivate model aircraft enthusiasts, as well as members of other AeCS divisions, to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and creativity inherent in this distinctive recreational activity. Great emphasis must be placed on fostering the next generation of model aviators and promoting the sporting activities of its members. It also provides support and coordination for all possible activities undertaken by its members. Another very important primary task is representing the concerns and interests of its members within the governing bodies of the SMV and the AeCS, as well as with government agencies and other organizations. The RMV also coordinates its own activities with other regional groups and associations.

The organization and governing bodies of the RMV Central Switzerland are:

• The Presidents’ Conference (RPK)
• the Executive Board
• the representatives on the SMV and RMV committees and working groups
• the Audit Committee.

The presidents of the model aircraft clubs, as the RPK (Regional Presidents’ Conference), constitute the association’s highest governing body. The RPK has, among other things, the following powers:

• Approval of the minutes, the annual report, the financial statements, and the auditors’ report;
• Election of the president, the members of the Executive Board, the representatives to the technical committees, the auditors, and the delegates to the AeCS;
• Adoption of resolutions regarding the budget, annual dues, and other motions;
• Admission and expulsion of members;
• Appointment of honorary members;
• Amendments to the bylaws, up to and including the dissolution of the RMV Zentralschweiz (a two-thirds majority is required).

Each model flying club is entitled to the following number of votes at the RPK:

• 1 to 25 members = 1 vote
• 26 to 50 members = 2 votes
• 51 to 75 members = 3 votes
• 76 or more members = 4 votes

The President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and four other members, such as division heads, and representatives of specialized and working groups. It manages the affairs of the RMV and represents it externally. The Executive Board is elected for a term of three years; reelection is permitted. The Executive Board has a quorum with a simple majority if the majority of its members are present. In the event of a tie, the President has the casting vote.

They are delegated by the RMV Central Switzerland to those committees in which our association has a particular interest. They, too, are elected for a three-year term, and may be reelected. They do not have to be members of the Executive Board.

They support the Executive Board and the representatives in the SMV’s FAKOs. Permanent or temporary FAKOs may be formed within the region, and the Executive Board should be represented by at least one member in each FAKO and working group.

The Audit Committee consists of two auditors. They review the annual financial statements and submit a report and recommendations to the Audit Committee. The auditors are also elected for a three-year term; reelection is permitted.

So much, then, for the main tasks and objectives of the “Central Switzerland” Regional Association. The Regional Executive Board primarily plans and coordinates the association’s goals and objectives. The FAKOs are primarily responsible for sports, competitions, and regulations, while the various working groups deal specifically with issues and needs such as airfields, noise, safety, and relations with the media and authorities. All officials also work on a volunteer basis and selflessly dedicate their valuable free time to the benefit of model aviation within our association. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer members are stepping forward to serve as officials for our association, as well as for our clubs and groups. If one day there is no one left to advocate for its well-being, our regional association and its clubs will, unfortunately, go downhill. It is perfectly clear that the needs and concerns of individual members are diverse and varied. We must try to reconcile these differences. And how do we achieve this worthy goal? Only with your active support. The executive boards, technical committees, and working groups are the executive bodies. We, the members, make up the “Central Switzerland” Regional Association, dear model aviators. We are all therefore called upon to share responsibility for our association and our clubs and to contribute our efforts. After all, we all want to continue flying at our airfields in the future, enjoy friendly flights and hold competitions, and pursue our beloved hobby.

Further valuable information about the activities of the RMV Central Switzerland—such as competitions, events, and all meeting minutes, including those of the SMV—can be found online at www.modellflug.ch.

Alois Bühlmann
, Vice President, Secretary, and
MFS Editor for the Central Switzerland Region

Name: René Müller
Member of: MFV Nimbus
Position: President and Member of the SMV Board of Directors

I have now served as president of our association for 7 years. I took over the position from Willi Böni in 2002. In addition to many interesting contacts, the role brings me great satisfaction. At the same time, I also represent the region ex officio on the SMV Executive Board. My primary responsibility, however, is clearly the leadership of our regional association, which involves preparing for and chairing 3–4 Executive Board meetings, 2 regional presidents’ conferences, and participating in 3–4 meetings at the SMV level. In addition, I must attend the meetings of the AeCS (Delegates’ Assembly), the SPK, and Pro Aero. In addition to powered flight—including both combustion-engine and, more recently, electric-powered models—I also thoroughly enjoy leisurely gliding, whether on a hillside or in tow at our beautiful airfield in Geiss. →

Name: Alois Bühlmann
Member of: MFV Nimbus
Position: Vice President, Secretary, and Regional Editor for MFS

I have been active on our association’s executive board for 13 years now as Secretary and Vice President. My role as secretary is primarily limited to drafting the meeting minutes. As vice president, I’ve actually had very few appointments or presidential duties to attend to so far, and when I have, they’ve always been very enriching and interesting experiences. Managing the Regional Editorial Department for our publication, MFS, brings many new regional and national contacts—some even extending far beyond our national borders—and has thus contributed greatly to making my hobbies of model flying and model building even more interesting, enjoyable, and fulfilling. In addition to electric flight, gliding—both on slopes and with F-tow—is my main area of focus when it comes to model flying.

* * * *

Name: Hervé Goethals
Member of: MSV Hotwings-Klingnau
Position: Powered Flight and Chief Judge

Since I am a passionate F3A pilot myself, it was a natural fit to take on the role of Chief Judge. My main responsibility on the regional board is now to train regional judges in the F3A discipline and to plan and coordinate their assignments at the regional level. I also maintain contact with the chief judges from other regions to ensure the exchange of experiences. Over the past three years, I have also applied all of this experience to the indoor discipline (F3P).

I support the organizers of regional F3A competitions in our RMV, if requested, with the planning and execution of F3A competitions. In the run-up to these events, some tips and insights are often very helpful. Furthermore, I organize the necessary judges for these events. Unfortunately, this is becoming more difficult every year, as fewer and fewer colleagues are willing to undergo training to become judges. But we must never give up hope! I find a welcome balance to aerobatics in slope soaring, which I also enjoy doing with colleagues in the mountains.

Name: Werner Fischer (pictured in the foreground under the tent, wearing a yellow jacket)
Member: MSV Reusstal, Swiss Microlight Flyers
Position: Treasurer

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by anything that flies. Of course, for decades I was exclusively devoted to model flying—whether it was gliding, electric flying, or acting as a tow pilot. To be honest, there are more talented pilots when it comes to competitions; I consider myself more of a generalist in aviation anyway. After all, we’re one big family, all governed by the same physical principles. I see aviation in particular as a rewarding and fulfilling field for people with broad horizons and dreams. Just like electric flight more than 30

* * * *

Name: Bruno Oberthaler
Member of: MSV Reusstal
Position: Member of the FAKO F4 Scale of the SMV

I, Bruno Oberthaler, have been a member of FAKO F4 Scale for over 12 years. As the representative for Region 3, I am an elected board member of the Central Switzerland Region. I have been involved in model aviation for 25 years. I’ve always been fascinated by airplanes, from the pioneering era through 1945. My great passion is Golden Age airplanes and biplanes. Most of the models I’ve built are from that era. I’ve been participating regularly in competitions for about 10 years. My best result was 3rd place at

For years, I’ve been captivated by the development of ultralight aviation. In contrast to model aircraft flying—which is highly innovative and open to experimentation—human-carrying aviation in Switzerland shows itself to be the most conservative of all when it comes to ultralight flying. Unfortunately, innovation is largely left to other countries. However, as our history shows, we haven’t always been on the sidelines. With that in mind, I’ll conclude with this quote: “Those who cannot fly will never be able to dream.” (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry).

a Swiss championship. My work as a FAKO member is very interesting and varied. We have three to four meetings a year. In addition, there are about the same number of meetings in our region. The photos are from the 2009 Swiss Championship in Alpnach, where I placed fifth.

This position is currently vacant and will be filled by the Board of Directors until further notice. Anyone interested in this position is welcome to join the Board of Directors. The role is limited to attending Executive Board meetings. In addition, the RC Gliding Division Head serves as a jury member at gliding championships and supports and evaluates organizers of gliding competitions in our region.

Name: Andreas Gasser
Member of: MFV Emmen-Seetal
Position: Member of the SMV's FAKO F5 Electric Flight Committee

My role is to convey information from the technical committee meetings to the region. In the technical committee, we represent the interests of model aircraft pilots in the electric flight category on the SMV Executive Board, and vice versa. We organize the model aircraft championships every year. We select the national teams and oversee the regulations by drafting proposals or making decisions on proposals. We train judges and assign them to the championships.

* * * *

Name: Oski Engeler
Member of: MFV Emmen-Seetal
Position: Member of FAKO UMKO

In the Infrastructure Department, I deal with the issues that arise from the operation or opening of a model airfield. Dealing with government agencies, local residents, and others is coordinated with the clubs, and legal support is arranged if necessary. If needed, we contact the SMV’s Infrastructure Department, which has the necessary documentation and is familiar with the legal requirements.

* * * *

Name: Martin Bolliger
Member of: MG Niederwil
Position: Member of the UMKO Committee

Martin will take over Oskar Engeler’s role in our FAKO UMKO starting in 2010, while Oski will continue to serve on the SMV’s UMKO.

* * * *

Name: Sepp Emmenegger
Member of: MG Amt Entlebuch

Role: Head of PR for Heli F3C and Division Coordinator for Heli F3C. In addition, the Heli Division Coordinator serves as a jury member at helicopter championships and supports and evaluates organizers of helicopter competitions in our region.

Name: Christian Gugger
Member of: MG Buchs
Position: Member of FAKO F1 Free Flight SMV

I currently serve as the F1 regional representative on the SMV’s technical committee and as the F1 representative on the board of RMV 3 Central Switzerland. Today, I am a member of the Buchs Model Flying Club. I have been involved in model flying since I was in school. In my youth, I flew circling and free-flight models. In free flight, I competed in the F1C powered flight and F1A high-launch categories. I still build and fly high-launch models today. Whenever possible, I participate in all Swiss competitions and, on occasion, in World Cup events. I am deeply committed to sharing information and experience in free flight so that both traditional and, above all, modern construction techniques using carbon and Kevlar fibers become accessible to everyone. That is why I have my own website with documentation on free flight.