The Swiss F3C Championship and the GESV's Successes

Over the weekend of September 1, 8, and 9, 2012, the Swiss F3C Championships (radio-controlled helicopters, aerobatics) were held at the San Vittore field, organized—to the participants’ great satisfaction—by the San Vittore Model Helicopter Club (GESV).

The 19 registered competitors enjoyed ideal weather conditions, allowing them to showcase their best skills. The competition consisted of three rounds using the FAI “P—Preliminary” program, and for the six finalists, two additional rounds using the “F—Final” program. Both programs include three initial precision maneuvers flown within a defined perimeter near the pilot at a very low speed, followed by a series of free-flight maneuvers performed in a flight space in front of the pilot at a distance of approximately 100 meters away—with no required transition maneuvers—and ending with an autorotation and a precision landing.

The national team was once again seen in action, having returned from the recent European Championships held in Germany from July 25 to August 5, where Ennio Graber’s perfect score allowed him to once again claim the title of European champion, achieving a perfect score of 1000/1000 on all seven competition throws (four in the “preliminary” round and three in the “final” round) a perfect score of 1000/1000. They claimed the podium: The Swiss championship title went to Ennio Graber—needless to say, once again with perfect scores on every throw—followed by Reto Hürlimann and Marc Emmenegger. Also competing were Mattia Deriu (GESV), Renzo Lanini (GESV), and Andreas Laake (GAL/GESV), who finished 15th, 17th, and 19th, respectively. Andreas Laake, after winning the 2011 title in the “Newcomer” category, moved directly to the FAI program, making his debut here. At the Swiss level, F3C competitions are divided into three categories: “Newcomer” and “Promotion,” held as part of the F3C Cup (three races per day for both categories), while the actual Swiss Championship (FAI program) consists of a single race held over a weekend. 2012 will certainly go down as a year full of competitive successes for the GESV. Ennio Graber claimed the titles of European and Swiss champion. But that’s not all: Daniele Duzzi has already secured first place in the F3C Cup “Newcomer” category after just two races, thanks to the 1,000 points he scored in each, while Davide Piccinelli, in the “Promotion” category, is currently third in the provisional overall standings (3,729 points) after finishing second in the second race—very close to second place (3,747 points). The third and final race on September 29 will therefore be decisive! For more information, visit www.f3c.ch and www.gesv.ch.