Successful Start to the 2008 F3C Season

In the spring, we were invited to attend the Swiss judging course for the F3C class in preparation for the upcoming season. Under the direction and organization of Sepp Emmenegger, the national chief judge, we met in Schüpfheim for the theoretical—

Following the 2006 European Championships—which marked the return of Peter Oberli as team manager—our pilots should be able to build on those results. Preparations and competitions will be difficult to carry out without the appropriate judges. Dear model helicopter enthusiasts and anyone interested, please get in touch! In addition to the judges, nearly the entire national team, as well as other up-and-coming pilots and interested members of the model helicopter community, were present and actively participated in the meetings and discussions. In addition to known adjustments to individual maneuvers, the C program included additional clarifications regarding hover maneuvers and a new time limit of 11 minutes as changes for 2008. Additional, standardized “criteria” for landings and autorotations were also defined and discussed. In a constructive spirit, everyone helped to resolve or clarify any ambiguities. Everything is thoroughly documented in the PowerPoint presentation by Jürg Schmitter, a FAKO member. This presentation has gained international acceptance. Team leader Peter Oberli provided information about the 2008 European Championships in France as well as planned events within the F3C class.

and the ongoing preparatory work for proposals regarding a new FAI Program D, effective as of 2009. In the afternoon, we met at the nearby airfield for practical training. The flights performed by the pilots in attendance for Programs A and C were evaluated and discussed among the judges. Around 3:30 p.m., we concluded the 2008 judges’ course. We would like to thank Sepp Emmenegger and Jürg Schmitter for organizing the event and providing all the materials for the judges. We are thus well prepared for this season.

In May, we held a refresher course for judges at the regional level. Since we’ve been a well-coordinated team for years and, unfortunately, are also facing a shortage of new talent, we opted for an abbreviated format with a theory component similar to that of the Swiss course. For the competition programs, we focused on the Swiss Cup—including the Newcomer and Promotion categories—as well as the current electric flight program (F5C), which we support. I’d like to thank my colleagues Eric Ribak, Hansruedi Lüthi, Hansruedi Schneebeli, and Daniel Hofmann, who are always willing to help out at our events. I’d also like to acknowledge the company

Geberit in Jona, which kindly allowed us to use one of its classrooms, including the necessary facilities. This means we, too, are once again ready in our region for the next two years as judges for the F3C and F5C categories.

We had a great start to the “fit for F3C” season on April 27, after being unable to do so a year ago due to rain. Thanks to the great dedication of MG Bern and the Swiss Cup team, we arrived at the first race in Mühlethurnen, Bern, in glorious spring weather. We from Eastern Switzerland set out early—Andy and Hansruedi Lüthi along with me—and joined the 16 participants already there. MG Bern provided the “morning coffee” along with croissants, so our discussions along the way about having one were rewarded upon arrival. Surely other participants were also very happy to enjoy one. With good weather and no wind, the competition could begin immediately after the last sip of “coffee,” the briefing, and Markus Speckert’s pre-flight demonstration. Before the lunch break, two newcomer runs and one promotional run were held. Time management was handled with the interruption at

rie. This theoretical portion was followed by practical training in the field. It remains difficult to staff F3C competitions with enough judges, as new judges are still hard to come by. If one of the active judges drops out, the situation always becomes critical. I, too, am happy to make room for younger people and will probably no longer be familiarizing myself with the new program starting in 2009? After the successes

From 12:15 p.m. onward, competition director Niklaus Gilgen made the most of the time. The lunch break was enjoyed with a “Durst” barbecue and some shop talk in glorious sunshine. In the afternoon, the second run in the Promotion class began as the Bise picked up. In the end, three runs were completed. The

back of my mind, and I’d only been able to get a little training in so far. It was great, then, that all six runs were completed without any incidents or crashes. Thanks go to all the pilots; their discipline and strict competition management contributed to this success. The scoring office, led by Rolf Hug, was in full swing by the end, working to put all the necessary numbers and scores on paper. Thus, Stefan Schmid was able to open the awards ceremony around 4:45 p.m., assisted by Markus Speckert from the Swiss Cup Team and Niklaus Gilgen from MG Bern. The winner of the first Swiss Cup race in the Newcomers category was Robin Cadez. In the Promotion class, Hugo Markes—a well-known figure in the model flying scene—took first place. Congratulations to all competition participants.

The “Pilot of the Day” award—presented by the Swiss Cup team at each event—was still to be announced. This award goes to the pilot who ends the day with an extraordinary “maneuver.” This time, it went to George Emmanouelidis. During one run of the newcomer program, after a botched maneuver, his helicopter took off toward the Bernese Oberland. Only because George kept his cool and held his nerve was the

The helicopters were guided back to the field to land safely. Bravo, well done! At the conclusion of such an event—which was a success not only thanks to the weather—we would like to thank MG Bern, along with President Leo Bonetti and Competition Director Niklaus Gilgen, as well as the entire organizing team. Thanks also go to the judges who support the Swiss Cup competitions. Their expertise in evaluating flight maneuvers helps motivate aspiring F3C pilots to participate in competitions. Hans

Emmenegger, a member of our national team who supported various participants, had his own highlights of the day. He was able to give us some tips and offer his support. Thanks, Hans. The same goes for Hugo Markes. He, too, encourages, motivates, and supports aspiring model helicopter pilots in the competitive scene. He always helps boost participant numbers. After this encouraging start to the season, we’re looking forward to the remaining Swiss Cup rounds.

*Walter Heller, MFV Rapperswil-Jona*