2022 Swiss Free Flight Year in Review

Our annual schedule turned out to be ideal. The only class in which we had to reschedule events was F1E. With the exception of the Berner Alpencup F1E, all competitions were held as planned.

At the Swiss Championships, the number of participants has remained stable at a low level. Active free-flight pilots will need to continue to show a great deal of commitment in order to increase participation. In the F1A class, twelve pilots decided to participate. We have a site in the Jura near Plamboz that is very well suited for this. The conditions were extremely tricky. Swirling winds and very difficult thermal conditions demanded a great deal of attention and intuition from the pilots regarding where to release their models. Christian Andrist was the only pilot to achieve the maximum time in all rounds. In the F1A/SK class (flying-wing models), six pilots competed. The winner, Heinz Bleuer, achieved an average time of 111 seconds across the seven flights.

Five pilots competed in the F1B class. Conditions were good. Light winds and favorable air conditions meant that, at the end of the seven rounds, all pilots had earned full points. A fly-off was now called for. It was decided to start it only after 5:00 p.m. The photo on the following page shows the rubber being wound. Once the go-ahead is given, the pilot has seven minutes to launch his model. The rubber may not be wound until the fly-off begins. It is certainly a unique achievement that the Andrist family took the top three spots.

In the F1E class, the championship was decided in June in Wikartswil, Bern. Andreas Tschanz, with some very good flights, finished the

Winners. The high temperatures and very light winds from various directions made it difficult for the participants to achieve the scheduled flight time. In the F1E/SK class (flying-wing models with magnetic control), five pilots—

were at the starting line. The weather was ideal, and there were some excellent flights; in the end, Michi Bleuer took the win.

In the F1D (indoor flying) category, there has been a welcome increase in the number of participants. The model-building courses, expertly led by Christian Gugger, have encouraged various pilots to take up these intricate models and participate in competitions. Additional model-building courses will be offered in the near future. Those interested can contact Christian Gugger.

One of the highlights here was the European Championship in North Macedonia. The results were good. Dominik Andrist placed eighth in the F1A class out of seventy-nine competitors. The team placed seventh out of twenty-six. Conditions were extremely harsh. Temperatures reached nearly 40 degrees throughout the week. Light winds from all directions and very difficult thermal conditions made it challenging for the pilots to find good air. Outstanding results were achieved at various World Cup competitions. Lauri Malila and Dominik Andrist each won a World Cup competition in the F1A class. Alfred Andrist placed third once in the F1B class. More top finishes are expected in the World Cup.

Swiss free flight is thriving, and above all, it is at a very high international level. We must do everything we can to maintain this level. We are also challenged to encourage more pilots to join the free flight classes.

Detailed results can be found on the SMV website ([www.modellflug.ch](http://www.modellflug.ch)).

*Fredi Andrist*