Are Casual Model Aircraft Competitions on the Verge of Disappearing?

For 55 years, the Auenstein Model Aircraft Club has been hosting the legendary “Benken Competition”—known as the recreational gliding competition—on the first Sunday in November. There have been years when we welcomed over 100 enthusiastic model aircraft pilots to Benken. It’s always a huge celebration, and for many participants, the flying competition wasn’t the only focus. But even a “fun competition” requires perfect preparation and involves quite a bit of effort. We’re happy to put in that effort.

Coffee, nut croissants, cake, and cold drinks are available from the start of the event, and the grill is fired up early as well. Delicious steaks and sausages can be enjoyed well before noon. We at the model flying club provide all the necessary infrastructure, including timekeepers, etc.—so the model pilots can simply enjoy the whole day. Thanks to our very loyal sponsors, we’re able to offer a fantastic prize table where every pilot can ultimately choose a prize that’s often worth far more than the ten-franc entry fee. We’d like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our loyal sponsors who have supported us for many years! The actual competition—or flight task—is basically simple and can be mastered by all pilots, even those with little experience: circle two trees, fly for three minutes, and land in the landing area. What makes it exciting at Benken is that the conditions

can change completely within a matter of moments: If the air wasn’t lift-bearing at all in the preliminary round, it can be absolutely fantastic in the next group. Three rounds are flown, so everyone has several chances. The competition site on the Benkerjoch also offers a wonderful view stretching all the way to the Alps, which are often freshly snow-covered in November. What more could you ask for? We’ve been asking ourselves this question a lot lately, because unfortunately, the number of participants has been steadily declining for several years. If we don’t count our own club members, there are still only 10 to 15 pilots who make their way up to Benken. It’s a trend that gives us pause. We’ve been wondering whether we should shut down our “Benken” event. As many conversations have shown, these are concerns that, unfortunately, many other clubs are also facing. We’re well aware that the world of model aviation has evolved tremendously over the past 50 years. There are now national and international competitions—

Competitions are held in over 60 model aircraft classes. Last year, more than 70 “official” competitions were listed on the SMV website. Given this abundance of options, it’s no surprise that “casual competitions” are on the decline. But isn’t that exactly our opportunity? Have we simply failed lately to promote our “Benken” and make it more appealing, attractive, and accessible? We’re taking responsibility and have decided—we’re not giving up. No, on the contrary—we’re going all out and expanding! Starting in 2023, there will be two new categories at Benken: “DLG” and “Classic,” with the two categories differing in the type of launch and the models used. The “DLG” category—as the name suggests—allows the typical F3K catapult launch, and there are no restrictions on model selection. The “Classic” category is limited to the hand-launch method. Furthermore, the model must not be DLG-compatible

model. Therefore, no DLG model may be launched using the spear throw. Pilots must choose one of the categories when registering. It is not possible to compete in both categories. With this measure, we hope to do justice to the diversity of glider models and increase the chances of a top spot in the rankings even for beginners or those returning to the sport. Whether you’re flying a foam model, a wooden kit, or a CFRP/GFRP aircraft, whether your wingspan is 50 cm or 3 m—it doesn’t matter. Everyone has the same chances. We’re excited to see if this article can inspire you to participate in the 56th legendary “Benken.” You can already register at modellflug.ch. We guarantee it will be worth it—in one way or another. We look forward to seeing you there! Auenstein Model Aircraft Club

Highlights from Benken 2022 (more at www.mfgau.ch)