The Fascination of Electric Flight, 1983

Left: Hansjörg Haefliger, Rapperswil, is one of Switzerland's top electric-powered flight specialists.
Top right: A flying-wing model by Andy Mettler, Grischhei.
Right: Johann Graf (with transmitter) and Norbert Hübner, Munich, are among the best in Europe today.

These photos are also intended to convey some of the atmosphere of the electric glider category (according to FAI). At the top, bottom, and left, R. Augstburger’s mirror measuring system can be seen in use. The metal bar above the mirror marks the boundary line that must be crossed.
Top right: Wings with a ribbed construction (Sniff by Bucher) are also frequently seen at electric glider competitions. Top right: The winners of the team trophy, from left to right, Harald Viehweger, Johann Graf, and Norbert Hübner from Munich—they’ll be making a name for themselves in the years to come. Center right: The Italians are regulars at the Militky Cup; here is Marco Ceccarelli with his wife. Far right: Harald Viehweger (with transmitter) and Denis Kuhn (1982 European Champion) are among the very young electric flight talents of the German Aero Club.

Experimental flight has always been a major focus of the Militky Cup. Numerous groundbreaking designs have already won awards here.
Left and top left: Gyrocopter model by Helmut Meyer, Bremen. Top: Hansjörg Haefliger’s ring-wing aircraft unfortunately had to “bite the dust” prematurely.
Top right: The solar-powered model by Wolfgang Bleher, Zurich, delivered impressive flight performance. Bleher in conversation with Heinrich Falder, the German promoter of electric flight. Among other things, Falder is the founder of the German Electric Flight Jura Cup and served as team leader for the electric flight team at the European Championship. Falder has also been involved in solar flight for years.
Bottom right: Wolfgang Schwarze’s electric flight giant unfortunately fell victim to a botched hand launch.
Bottom left: The winning model in the design competition belongs to Dieter Grupe from Berlin and was equipped with a rotary propeller. Here, the view focuses on the underside of the fuselage, which features an opening for the motor and for inserting the batteries.