A one-of-a-kind friend and model airplane pilot has left us forever

In early November 2021, we received the sad news that our active and honorary member, Ueli Aeberhard, had unfortunately passed away unexpectedly. Just the day before, you were still at the MGAF airfield, skillfully demonstrating your F3A model. Nothing foreshadowed what was to come. You were your usual self—always in good spirits and with a smile on your face—in the company of your fellow model aviators. You even helped a junior member, a prospective club member, get his model safely into the air. All of us at the Affoltern am Albis Model Flying Club are deeply saddened and completely stunned—we still can’t believe you’re no longer with us.

Ueli, you made a huge difference in the club and were always there when there was work to be done. At just 15 years old, you joined the MGAF board as secretary. Until 1999, you held various leadership roles within the club, including five years as president. In 1979, you, Ernst Leutenegger (deceased), and other proactive members came up with the idea of organizing a flying competition featuring scale models (F4C Scale). The Hausen a. A. Air Show was thus born. You immediately took charge of the air show’s organizing committee yourself and skillfully presided over it from the very beginning until 1999. In the meantime, the Hausen Air Show has grown into Switzerland’s largest model aircraft event and celebrated its 40th anniversary. Even the air show’s logo bears your signature—the silhouette of a Nieuport.

The F4C Scale class was always very important to you; you even trained to become a judge for it. Ueli, you were an excellent model builder who preferred to construct your models out of wood. Your creations were always of very high quality, absolutely precise, and free of warping. Your planes always had ingenious, unique, and practical features. You were, quite simply, a true model builder.

You always remained true to your passion—model aviation—even after you successfully passed your paragliding exam. Flying meant a great deal to you.

Your consistently cheerful manner in interacting with all the different personalities among the club members was truly enriching. With your ever-present smile, you always lifted our spirits and helped us enjoy our wonderful hobby even more deeply. Ueli, we’d like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your contributions to the club and for who you were as a person. We miss you everywhere—we’ll never forget you. Take care, Ueli. ■

Wolfgang Auth, Affoltern am Albis Model Flying Club