Alpine Model Aircraft Camp at Hahnenmoos Pass 2006

The first HLGs or Nuris circle above the “Bänkli” before breakfast; the last gliders circle above the “Bänkli” at 9:30 p.m., in between, there are quick flybys at the “Schalmigrat,” but also the occasional “crash landing”: this is model gliding at its finest during the 14th Alpine Model Flying Camp for youth at the Hahnenmoos Pass.

If a lull occurs despite stable weather conditions, flight challenges are spontaneously set: a handkerchief on the ground, and the models are immediately launched into the air, aiming as precisely as possible at the target on the ground. Or: the young pilots try to land right in their friend’s hands—repeating the whole thing over and over, with perseverance and enthusiasm!

Even though EPP, Styrofoam, and ARF models may at first glance seem to have pushed model building into the background, the advice and model-building expertise of the camp leaders and assistants are in high demand—at the very latest after the first crash—if the damaged model is to remain in service for the rest of the week...! To achieve this goal, the building area is often brightly lit well past midnight…! Moreover, the desire to get one’s own aircraft airborne hasn’t faded yet: numerous balsa gliders of all shapes and sizes are already soaring through the airspace around the lodging at the Hahnenmoos Pass on Saturday evening; at the start of the week, the aerodynamics of one or two of these flying machines still leave something to be desired...!

Even though model gliding was the main focus, many valuable, almost indescribable impressions will surely remain in our memories: a temperature drop of nearly 10° in just under half an hour during a thunderstorm, or the eagle that remained undeterred by the roughly 20 model airplane pilots on the Schalmigrat and put on an impressive flyby at an altitude of just under 10 m (unbelievable!) “put on a show,” or the delicate wing structure silhouetted against the evening sky during a calm and relaxing glide—there are still countless beautiful moments to describe to do the camp justice!

To ensure that model gliding and the beautiful surroundings can take center stage for an entire week, this motley crew (24 teenagers) must be led with a great deal of “intuition”: Zita and Augustin, Friedrich, Marcel, Martin, Ruedi, and

Heinz runs the camp together with the assistant leaders in a way that puts fun first, but also challenges the kids every now and then—and not just when it comes to model aircraft...! The whole camp is one-of-a-kind! The entire team of leaders deserves a huge round of applause! Thank you so much for your tremendous dedication!!!

I’m not just saying this because our family benefited from the camp (our son Florian was able to attend): I’m convinced that this kind of model aviation event is extremely important—a versatile and, in many ways, valuable leisure activity is enriched by shared experiences in a beautiful—

a lasting value to the local community! I very much hope that the youth camp can continue to be held in the future despite the impending changes to the venue at the Hahnenmoos Pass; I’m convinced that this will also be worthwhile for the hotel business: Many of the young people (and parents...!) will

come back, not least because they feel welcome at the Hahnenmoos Pass...!

*Text: Res Dauwalder,
MG Münchenbuchsee*

*Photos: Ruedi Steinle, Alpine
Model Flying Club*