The March Vacation Pass Takes Off

Summer is vacation pass season: On a sunny day during the first week of summer vacation, 16 children and teens—including three girls—gather at the Langholz airfield to learn the secrets of model aviation from the Buttikon Model Flying Club.

Full concentration—just how far will the plane glide?

“Pull up, cool” – “Rico, try to land—oh, crash...! – Can I go now?” – The flight simulator is a hit with participants in the March Vacation Pass, a supervised summer program for children organized by Pro Juventute. Three groups take turns practicing flying on laptops, building a glider out of balsa wood, or—under supervision—flying a real model airplane through the sky.

The Buttikon Model Flying Club, founded in 2002, has been offering model flying as a “Ferienpass” activity for several years now. Harry Müller, a youth counselor with the club, prepared for this day with great dedication: “I enjoy being able to pass on my knowledge and support motivated young people.” Together with multiple Swiss champion Thomas Wackerlin, Müller shares tips during the building process to ensure the plane glides as far as possible later on.

The club’s flight operations manager, Werni Hotz, and treasurer Dani Baumann fly with the participants using the so-called “instructor/student” control system. This allows the instructor to take control of the aircraft at any time and prevent the occasional crash. This turns the flight into a rewarding experience—unlike in the early days of model flying, when the fun was often short-lived and involved a lot of repair work. The simulator with the real remote control makes it easier to get started, Werni emphasizes: “You can tell right away who’s already practiced on the simulator.” The only thing missing is the adrenaline rush. Concentration is key: When, after

About ten minutes after the model airplane’s battery runs out, the pilot usually needs a break, too.

Safety is a top priority for Dani and his clubmates: “A model airplane isn’t a toy. Every pilot is responsible for ensuring that no damage or accidents occur.” The teenagers nod in agreement and take the proper handling of LiPo batteries seriously as well. Immediately

After landing, they remove the batteries to prevent the propeller from spinning unintentionally and injuring someone. The batteries are packed in fireproof bags for transport. Since most pilots now use electric propulsion, the club invested in a power outlet and a fast-charging station about a year ago.

And why did the students choose model aircraft flying? Their motivations vary: Ten-year-old Nico likes anything that can be remote-controlled anyway. However, his experience so far has been limited to cars. He’s now curious to see what flying will feel like. Sebastian, on the other hand, whose uncle already flies, is eager to learn model flying from the ground up. If young people are interested in flying, they can attend five trial sessions with the Buttikon Model Flying Club and practice with Harry every Saturday morning. Afterward, the parents—among others—decide whether they’re willing to cover the cost of club membership and the necessary equipment going forward.

Anyone who has finished building their glider practices diligently, because after a grilled sausage, the long-awaited competition is set to take place in the afternoon. Each participant gets to launch their glider twice; the better flight counts. The first prize makes the children’s eyes light up: a remote-controlled airplane. Quite a few gliders have already sustained their first injuries during practice—such as bent wings or broken tail planes—and need repairs. Shortly before the competition, Harry has to issue a literal “no-fly” order so that everyone can compete with a glider in working order. The angle of attack is crucial—and a bit of luck with the wind helps, too. In the end, it’s Marco Bieri who sends his glider the farthest, at 33.50 m. Who knows—maybe the lucky winner or some of the other kids will catch the model-airplane bug in the future?

Rahel Meister