20 Years of the Willisau Model Aircraft Club

Originally, the Willisau Model Aircraft Club was called MOWIRO and was based in Grosswangen. The Willisau-Rottal Model Aircraft Club was founded on January 6, 1989. However, flight operations in Grosswangen soon had to be suspended, and a new site was sought.

They finally found a suitable location in Hinteregg in Willisau-Land, where the Minder family provided a plot of land for the model airfield. As a result, the bylaws and airfield regulations were amended at the 1990 general meeting. The new club was named the Willisau Model Aircraft Group. Peter Achermann served as president and set the ambitious goal of establishing the Willisau Model Aircraft Group as an integral part of Willisau’s community life.

In April 1994, the club made its first public appearance, showcasing the diversity of model aviation at its inaugural exhibition. In September 1996, the Willisau Model Flying Group reached its next milestone with its first air show. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response, the air show was repeated in 1998 and the exhibition in 2000.

At the 2000 general meeting, Peter Achermann stepped down as president. A worthy successor was found in Reto Marbach (a board member since the founding meeting), who carried on the philosophy of the model flying club. After all, it was thanks to Peter’s heartfelt dedication and tireless enthusiasm for model aviation that the Willisau Model Flying Club was able to get off the ground in the first place. In recognition and gratitude for his work, Peter was named the first honorary member of the Willisau Model Flying Club at the 2002 General Assembly.

The steadily growing public support motivated a team of eight members to form the organizing committee for the Flying Days 2001 in January 2001. Reto Marbach served as the organizing committee’s president, and Peter Achermann also jumped at the chance to join the committee. This was to be the Willisau Model Flying Club’s first major event. In addition to model aircraft flights, the organizers also wanted to feature live aircraft demonstrations, with planes taking off and landing on a runway built specifically for the occasion. The organizing committee worked tirelessly toward this event, and so the first Flying Days were officially opened on August 24, 2001. The event was a resounding success. The year 2001 also marked the birth of the Night Hawks night flight team, which has since become an integral part of the Willisau Model Flying Club. What was once a “wild bunch” has evolved into a well-organized and professional team that develops a new night flight program every two years. The team had its baptism by fire at the first Flyingdays in 2001 with the “Light and Fire” program. In addition to elaborate lighting techniques for the models, pyrotechnics are also used. Professional assistance is always enlisted for the pyrotechnics to coordinate the corresponding effects on the ground and in the air. Today, the Night Hawks are among the best night-flight teams in Europe; as a result, they are in high demand internationally. The Night Hawks perform several times a year in neighboring countries, such as in Harsewinkel (Germany) every Pentecost. The year 2003 was once again dominated by the Flying Days, which took place from August 22–24, 2003. Thanks to an organizing committee that remained virtually unchanged, the 2003 Flying Days were once again a success.

At the end of January 2005, the Willisau Model Flying Club took a major step toward its future by joining the SMV. At the general meeting, the members approved this move by a large majority. Then, from August 19–21, 2005, the third Flying Days took place. This time, the Flying Days literally fell through. The weather gods were not on our side, and so the Flying Days had to be cut short on Sunday due to the rain. Night flying was still able to take place, however, and was a complete success.

In 2006 and 2007, the Willisau Model Aircraft Club hosted various events as part of the SMV. For example, the pilots of the national helicopter team were our guests at the airfield. In August 2007, the fourth edition of the Flying Days took place. This time, it was held under bright sunshine. The absolute highlight was the Night Hawks’ night flight demonstration on Saturday evening.

A change took place at the annual general meeting in January 2008. Jürg Kuoni, a long-time board member, took over the reins from Reto Marbach. After a three-year hiatus, the 5th Flying Days will now take place to mark the 20th anniversary of the Willisau Model Flying Club. Jürg Kuoni has taken on the role of Organizing Committee President for this anniversary event. The show program for the Flying Days is once again packed with exciting attractions. In addition to the many model aircraft displays, there will also be plenty of live flight demonstrations to marvel at. On Friday, visitors can experience a tandem skydive from the airfield. A Pilatus Porter will take participants up to an altitude of 4,000 meters. After a free fall, the parachute will be deployed, followed by a gentle landing on the festival grounds. Registration is available online at www.flying-days.ch. Saturday and Sunday are dedicated entirely to model aircraft. The highlight will once again be Saturday evening, featuring a performance by the Night Hawks and their new night flight program. The night flight show will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks display.

The detailed program and further information about the Flying Days can be found at www.flying-days.ch.