Model Airfield Sites – Thanks to Land-Use Planning

Without land-use planning, model aircraft flying would not be possible in many regions. The unprecedented growth and the resulting construction boom would devour the open spaces around urban areas—faster than we can imagine. Land-use planning aims to steer these massive developments in a sensible direction. This allows us to practice model flying at a reasonable distance from where we live, rather than having to drive halfway across Switzerland—which is of paramount importance, especially for promoting youth participation.

This is the title of a brochure published by the Zurich Cantonal Sports Association (ZKS). This clear and honest appeal to the public and the authorities would undoubtedly be better than the tendency—unfortunately widespread in model aviation—to tread lightly so as not to stir up trouble. “Fear makes you stupid,” the well-known psychologist Anna Freud once wrote. We know, for example, that soccer holds a much more powerful political position than model aviation. But that doesn’t mean model aviation, as a second-class sport^,1⁾ should take a back seat. The Spatial Planning Act (RPG), in particular, can play a sort of refereeing role here. Anyone who thinks that laws aren’t the same for everyone anyway has already lost.

The research project at the Institute for Spatial Development at the Rapperswil University of Applied Sciences has been completed after several years. Professor

Andreas Schneider and research assistant Martin Schlatter developed all the fundamental principles as well as the planning and legal requirements for the approval of model airfields. This work was tested in practice in close collaboration with five model flying clubs in the NOS region. Georg Staub and I served as members of the advisory group. The full research report can be viewed on the website of the Institute for Spatial Development:

https://www.irap.ch/index.php?id=18616

Model aircraft flying requires space.

Whether this young model aircraft enthusiast will be able to continue flying model airplanes in the future depends not on those who hesitate, but on those who take action.

"Guidelines for Preparing a Building Permit Application for a Model Airfield"

is available free of charge as a brochure from the AeCS.²⁾ SMV and regional presidents received it by mail. The booklet is intended to serve as a practical resource for clubs involved in the development or permitting of an airfield. The brochure is particularly useful for building and planning departments. Here are the individual chapters:

• Purpose of These Guidelines
• Description of the Model Airfield Facility
• Legal Basis
• Step-by-step guide to preparing a building permit application for a model airfield
• Conclusion

The Swiss model aviation community needs to move forward. This includes, among other things,

It is also important that the “model airfield” facility be described by a recognized academic institution. Unfortunately, this is something we have lacked so far. Both the general public and government agencies sometimes hold grotesque notions about it. When they hear the term “model airfield,” many people envision massive changes to the landscape and enormous impacts on the environment. Who can blame them? How, for example, are local council members supposed to know that a patch of grass, a tool shed, an access road, and a few parking spaces for cars are all that’s needed to meet the needs of the vast majority of clubs?

Each club must decide for itself whether it wants to take on the considerable effort involved in the permitting process for its airfield. This also includes making as realistic an assessment as possible of its chances of success. It’s worth consulting a land-use planning expert here; after all, proximity to protected areas, for example, does not necessarily mean “no”. It is important that clubs that see little future for their current site start looking for alternatives in a timely manner. Since they are still using their traditional site, they can negotiate from a position of strength. Once the old site is lost, it becomes much more difficult to find a new one (under pressure). One NOS club has found an exemplary solution by securing a temporary site through a contract while the approval process for what will hopefully be a permanent site is underway.

I am very pleased that this work has been completed, and I would like to thank the leadership of the various associations for their tremendous support and patience.

• To the two authors, Prof. Schneider and Martin Schlatter
• Aero Club of Switzerland (AeCS)
• Swiss Model Aircraft Association (SMV)
• Model Flying Region NOS
• Model Flying Sports Foundation (MFS)
• Five NOS model aviation clubs

I am convinced that this study, conducted by a recognized university institute, will earn us considerable respect from city and municipal authorities as well as from the federal government and the cantons, and will thus contribute to a long-overdue shift toward objectivity.

Emil Giezendanner

In conversations with fellow model aircraft enthusiasts, I keep hearing the opinion that model airfields must be rezoned or designated as a new zone in order to obtain a building permit. Most model airfields are located in agricultural zones. A zoning change is not required to obtain a building permit. In fact, that would be practically impossible today.

Question: Who will explain to our authorities that a grass sports field needs a tool shed or storage box for lawn mowers and other maintenance equipment? It would actually make perfect sense!