9th International F3A Friendship Fly-In of Model Flying Region 5 in Reichenburg, SZ

Right: The winning trio of the FAI competition is the same as the F3A national team. From left to right: René Schumacher; Bruno and Emil Giezendanner.

Organizing competitions will remain an ongoing challenge for the model flying regions and the Model Flying Commission. There is no shortage of well-meaning advice (“one should, one could, one…”). Unfortunately, the word “one” is and remains impersonal. In contrast, someone who takes responsibility, wants to work, and tackles a task is written with a capital “M” and two “n”s: Man!

The MG Reichenburg, led by Alois Egloff, has such men in its ranks. They deserve the gratitude of the F3A pilots, Region 5, and the AeCS. They pulled off the competition brilliantly and didn’t neglect the atmosphere either. Even when low clouds and pouring rain on Sunday morning made two entire rounds impossible, they didn’t let their spirits drop. The mood was friendly. The experiment with four-stroke and electric motors was quite encouraging. Although the call for participants came very late, five guinea pigs still showed up at the MG Reichenburg airfield.

If the Swiss proposals for new aerobatic maneuvers—which can be flown with low power—are well-received at the upcoming CIAM conference in Paris, four-stroke and electric engines will henceforth be able to compete on equal footing at “normal” FAI aerobatic championships. Until now, “high-coefficient” maneuvers had, without exception, been associated with high engine power. Maneuvers such as roll circles, among others, can, however, be flown with a minimum of power and are extremely difficult.

The 1982 Anniversary Friendship Fly-In (marking 10 years of Friendship Fly-Ins) could thus provide a fitting sporting setting with a mixed rankings list (four-stroke, electric, two-stroke).