40th Anniversary of the Birrfelder Cup, hosted by the Auenstein Model Aircraft Club

They founded the “Birrfelder Cup” for free-flight pilots on Good Friday, which allowed them to use the Birrfeld airfield. Over the years, glider pilots have also begun using this engine-free day for winch launches. However, this hasn’t driven the free-flight pilots away. They’ve moved their free-flight competition to the morning. In the afternoon, glider pilots were able to attempt to fly away from the Birrfeld airfield using the winch in the rising air. Since winch operations at Birrfeld have been discontinued, the afternoon is now used for the new F3L R.E.S. model glider category.

On March 29, 2024, at 7:20 a.m., free flight competition director Werner Wernli welcomed 6 F1A (gliders with high-launch systems) and—for the first time in a long while—3 F1B (gliders with rubber-powered engines) to the anniversary event. With initially cool temperatures and a light northwest wind, the first two rounds were flown with a flight time of three minutes. Due to the strengthening northwest wind, the remaining three rounds were flown with a two-minute flight time. This was done to prevent models from flying onto the nearby highway, which would certainly not be conducive to public acceptance of free flight or the condition of the models.

In the F1A class with high-launch models, three pilots managed to complete all rounds with the maximum flight time. In the hand-launch round, the competition then determined whose model would stay in the air the longest. Dominik Andrist of MV Bern performed best, finishing ahead of Heinz Bleuer (MG Rüttenen) and Fredi Andrist (MV Bern). Samuel Mouret of GAM Fribourg had the longest trip to Birrfeld. He missed the tiebreaker by just seven seconds and finished fourth.

In the F1B rubber-powered glider class, Giancarlo Polla (MG Fehraltorf) and Urs Muntwyler (MV Bern) achieved the maximum score. They tied for first place. Just in time for the anniversary, Urs Muntwyler flew an F1Q (electric-powered glider) for the first time, outside of the competition. He, too, completed all five runs within the required time.

The convivial atmosphere during the lunch that followed—wonderfully prepared by MG Auenstein—along with the awards ceremony, brought this successful free-flight event to a close. The 40 pilots competing in the F3L R.E.S. category then took advantage of the improved thermal conditions in the afternoon for their flights. These lightweight models bear some resemblance to free-flight models, but are controlled via two axes and feature a brake flap to enable the required precision landing. This event at Birrfeld serves as a good example of the interplay between the various disciplines of aviation. Now, consideration must be given to the rescue helicopter, which is also on duty on Good Friday. Thanks to the efforts of AECS Secretary Christophe Petitpierre, communication with the AAA helicopter is also ensured.