Old Times – New Stories

The MFO was officially founded on March 7, 1961, with the purpose of promoting model aviation in the region. The founding president was Guido Käppeli. We even have members who have been with us since the club’s founding and are still active today: heartfelt congratulations to Robert Schuler and Hans Schibli! In the early days, the club focused primarily on free flight and tethered flight. Participation in national competitions and the club’s first self-organized regional event—a tethered flight competition held on the Tschaibrunnen soccer field in Schwyz—rounded out the club’s first few years. The annual membership fees are also interesting. Back then, a junior paid just CHF 5.50, while a senior paid CHF 7.00—a bargain, as one would say today. To boost the club’s popularity, events such as the Spring Flight Day were launched. Model airplanes were displayed to the local audience and flown by daring pilots; launches took place on the road between Ibach and Seewen. There was never a shortage of spectators—everything was observed with curiosity and, probably, a touch of skepticism now and then. It was a time of new beginnings—our hobby was to be made accessible to everyone. →

The young club was soon faced with other concerns. They were searching for a suitable site and willing landowners. A model aircraft club without an airfield—one might think: this issue couldn’t be more relevant. A determined president did everything he could to reach an agreement with local authorities and landowners; the effort ultimately failed because of one landowner. The idea of building a model airplane airfield in the center of the Schwyz valley basin wouldn’t become a reality until more than 30 years later. Sure, here and there a patch of land became available from time to time, but a nice, large, long grass runway remained a dream. For this reason, the group soon began looking beyond the cantonal borders toward the people of Uri, joined forces with them, and hoped to find an airfield in the Uri region. To improve their chances with the authorities, the club was renamed the SZ–UR Model Aircraft Group. Today, our club has three airfields at its disposal where flying is officially permitted.

The Herrenschaften in the canton of Uri is primarily designed for helicopters. That’s where our pilots train—pilots who compete for podium finishes in various national competitions. A small, inviting clubhouse rounds out the experience. Unfortunately, though, the beer tap has run dry for the time being. As soon as it’s allowed again, you can enjoy a nice barbecue there or try Ruggel’s fondue. The Schachenberg/Engelstock area above Schwyz has been available to our club as a flying site since 1985 and is ideal for thermal gliding; models with a wingspan of up to 5 m can be launched and landed easily. Those who dare can even take off with their gliders in strong Föhn winds! A special event is the annual friendly flying gathering with our colleagues from Zug and Müswangen. When conditions are right, you can reach record-breaking altitudes or make fast low-altitude flybys, which are popular with many. For refreshments, we can take a short walk there and be treated to delicious food at Karis Beizli, run by Barbara Suter—her ice cream after a long day of flying is legendary.

Last but not least: the Wintersried airfield in Ibach. After lengthy consultations and discussions between the model flying group’s organizers and the municipality, neighboring residents, and landowners, a building permit application was submitted in March 2009. And finally, in 2010, the long-awaited model airfield officially opened. The airfield features a grass runway approximately 80 meters long, which is used for fixed-wing flying and helicopter aerobatics. Only electric models are permitted on the field.

And in the winter—if it weren’t for COVID-19—important “combat flying” sessions take place in the gym. The pilots, who don’t want to lose their touch, show off their skills. It’s not always clear whether it’s intentional or just a lucky break. One thing we can reveal here—a lot of superglue is used during this time. And so one year passes after another, with one competition or event following another. In the run-up to Christmas, the “Klauskegeln” event wraps up the club’s year, and things start all over again with the New Year’s flying. We’re never bored!

With that in mind: Break a leg! ■

Model Flying Group SZ–UR,
Roland Betschart