60 Years of the Linth Model Aircraft Club

On the initiative of our active member Werner Burri (Lachen), the Linth Model Flying Club (MGL) was founded on July 1, 1964, in the presence of Ernst Hausmann and Emil Glünkin (both from Model Flying Region 5). Already in its first year, 5 “seniors” and 15 juniors were actively building and flying models!

Werner had already been involved in model aviation even before the MGL was founded. At the tender age of 19—back when model flying was a matter of honor, meaning you wore a suit—he proudly presented his Kadett model equipped with a 1.5-cc diesel engine.

Werner Burri served as president until 1973. The subsequent chairmen were Bruno Huber and Alois Egloff (deceased). From 1979 to the present (that is, for 45 years!), Franz Keller has led the club with great skill and clear rules. At the next general meeting, he will take his well-deserved retirement.

In the early days, our flying activities took place at the Wangen airfield or on a meadow. Later, we flew on narrow, paved farm roads. This helped us develop precise control during takeoffs and landings. Since 1981, we have felt very much at home on our own leased airfield. Good relations with landowners and local authorities, strict adherence to parking and flying regulations, and compliance with noise limits, among other things, are principles we consistently uphold and implement. We place special emphasis on maintaining the surroundings, because we’re just guests here! We tackle this maintenance during five workdays each year. The cozy get-together afterward with sausage and bread is a well-deserved reward for the volunteers. Today, we are active in various areas of model aviation. Drawing on the knowledge we gained from our former free-flight activities, we began early on to manufacture high-quality, sturdy spars for our gliders. These techniques come into full play in the Cirrus (2022) model-building course project, which many of us still fly today in thermals or on slopes. Our airspace is also used by helicopters, jets, drones, and powered models. Our models are powered by internal combustion engines up to 400 ccm and, increasingly, electric motors with a rated power of up to 10 kW. Occasionally, identical models are built in varying quantities for group flying.

In our club, we all help each other by sharing the knowledge and skills we’ve gained from a wide variety of professions. Combined with the use of techniques such as 3D printing, laser cutting, and fiberglass mold making, this complements each other perfectly to provide a nearly 100% comprehensive service. Building all of our models challenges and fosters imagination, precision, and perseverance, whether you’re a junior or a late starter. We’re also increasingly using ready-made models. These, too, must be piloted safely through the air. This, in turn, demands the utmost concentration—from takeoff preparation, through flight, and especially during a clean landing. Safe flying comes with responsibility and is a matter of character. We strictly enforce compliance with our safety rules.

For further information, please visit www.mglinth.ch, where you’ll find our club’s history.

At our anniversary exhibition on November 23 and 24, 2024, in the multipurpose hall in Schänis, we’ll be happy to explain our hobby in more detail to anyone interested. Not only will we present a wide selection of our finished models, but we’ll also display unfinished models and, in a specially set-up workshop, demonstrate step-by-step how to build a simple 1:1 scale wooden model airplane. Young people can also build a simple glider themselves under our guidance. Also in the workshop area, a live demonstration of the use of high-tech materials will be held. Admission is free, and there will be a cozy refreshment stand. ◼

Model flying brings us joy!

Kurt Bamert, MG Linth