MSV Stetten Relay Flight

Like every April, MSV Stetten organizes its traditional relay meet. If you ask around, it’s become a bit harder in recent years to get enough pilots excited about this type of flying. Yet with the huge selection of ready-to-fly models available, it should actually be easier.

Are we getting older… or just less energetic? Thanks to the usual organization under the energetic Matin Näf, 25 pilots from 5 clubs came together for some casual flying fun. Andreas Dauwalder from MG-Münchenbuchsee has been inspiring his club members to fly in formation for years. They’re also known for their homebuilt models—they’ve practically recreated the entire Pilatus lineup. In an age when everything is getting bigger, faster, and more expensive, their way of enjoying our wonderful hobby is almost a breath of fresh air. Well worth seeing

Their really small Monsuns were also very nicely made; they managed to hold their own quite well against the wind. The Auensteiners, with their Simprop squadron history, are a close-knit and friendly group anyway. This time they were there with a Beechcraft squadron. Seven of them, twin-engine—there was quite a bit of action in the sky—and six returned safely! Such demonstrations

with internal-combustion engines are much trickier; the methanol-powered ones did run out of fuel on occasion.

The local formation pilots (with reinforcements), led by SMV President Adi, flew Focke-Wulfs and Spitfires.

Apparently, the outgoing Aeroclub Secretary General, Yves Burkhardt, also knew that the lunch here is excellent—he was on site right at lunchtime.

Unfortunately, he had forgotten his Venom and was therefore unable to fly in the big formation.

A small but delightful event; you get to fly a lot and can join in with formations put together on the spot. When sitting together, you realize you’ve been part of the scene for a long time—many people talk about the old days; whether things were always better back then is up for debate...