A diverse group of top-level drivers and models

To celebrate the group’s 80th anniversary, Alexandre Bornand, president of GAM Yverdon-les-Bains, drew on his extensive network of contacts in the European model aircraft community to bring together a diverse group of top-level pilots and model aircraft.

While many expected to see “GAM members playing with their little planes”—as we were told repeatedly at the end of the day—what unfolded was a world-class program, watched in awe by a captivated audience.

All the demonstrations captivated spectators with their quality, their daring, or simply the perfection of the models on display. There truly was something for everyone. The icing on the cake was that each demonstration was accompanied by the captivating, well-informed, and accessible commentary of the announcers Laurent Beldame and Manu Garcia.

If we had to name three demonstrations, we could highlight the magical realism of Olivier Bonvin’s (CH) Fokker DR-1 (4.90 m long and weighing 80 kg), which captivated those nostalgic for the early days of aviation; the 3D maneuvers, skimming the runway, performed by Cédric Gutzwiller’s (FR) SU-27, which sent shivers down the spines of even the most daring spectators; as for the perfectly coordinated ballet of the Breitling aerobatic team—composed of four Albatros L-39s masterfully piloted by two Swiss and two German pilots—it left both newcomers and the most jaded spectators speechless.

On Saturday evening, to round out a

The program, featuring more than 60 demonstrations, included night flights performed by model aircraft equipped with fireworks or devices projecting animated images, all set to captivating music. Thrills guaranteed!

Throughout the air show, visitors were also able to enjoy a variety of activities, including touring a perfectly recreated U.S. military camp from World War II, taking helicopter rides, and enjoying refreshments thanks to the hard work of the kitchen team.

Perfect weather on Sunday, a large turnout, the satisfaction of an enthusiastic audience, the support of the Yverdon authorities, and the coverage of a budget of nearly CHF 40,000 thanks to the support of numerous sponsors—all of these factors are a great reward for the Organizing Committee.

Led by their President, Philippe Bornand, for more than 18 months, the 15 members of the Organizing Committee ensured the success of this weekend. They will undoubtedly cherish lasting memories of this 80th-anniversary event—and certainly the desire to do it all over again… after a well-deserved break. ■

Alexandre Mischler,
Jean-Claude Sotto (
Photographer)