3D Helicopter Spring Meet at Loorholz

Since 2002, MG Swipair has been hosting a spring meet in Loorholz—one of the first events of the year—on Easter Saturday. Until now, flights have taken place at two airfields: one for 3D and the other for scale models. In recent years, the event has grown to such a size that it is no longer possible to hold both categories simultaneously. For the first time this year, only the 3D helicopter spring meet was held at Loorholz. The scale meet will then take place on June 3, 2023.

Countless 3D pilots from Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland made their way to Loorholz in the lower Aare Valley on April 8. In addition to exhibitors from the model aviation community—namely EGODRIFT Motors, GDW Servos, Heli-Professional (SOXOS), Miniature Aircraft USA, MIKADO Helicopters, swiss-scale-helikopter.ch, Tronhelicopters, and the Wicki Model Flying School, well over 100 spectators were present at the field throughout the day, cheering on the pilots with enthusiastic applause during their performances.

One thing that stood out among the manufacturers was that virtually all of them once again have a model helicopter with a nitro internal combustion engine in their lineup. For the first time,

, Tronhelicopters demonstrated its nitro model in flight. Miniature Aircraft USA also unveiled the Interceptor. This model helicopter will first be available in a gasoline version for the O.S. GT15HZ-II gasoline engine, followed by electric and nitro versions.

Another encouraging aspect of the 3D Spring Meet, however, was that the average age of the participating pilots was around 20. Contrary to popular belief, this gives hope that there will eventually be a new generation of pilots to carry on the tradition in the more laid-back helicopter categories.

*Report: Anton Laube
Photos: Andreas Maier*

We should soon be seeing more of them at the airfields again: nitro helicopters.