Successful Model Aircraft Summer Camp for Teens at MV-Bern

On Wednesday, July 10, 20 young people from the Bern region gathered at the MV-Bern model flying clubhouse for the “Summer Activity Pass for Youth.” The day’s program, carefully organized by MV club member Rolf Iseli and his helpers, was challenging. After a brief welcome, the group headed to Noflen in the municipality of Kirchdorf. There, under the guidance of six experienced model builders from MV-Bern, they built the “Kolibri” model from Aeronaut. We purchased this model at a reasonable price from Kindler Modellbau in Deitingen. The “Kolibri” has a 92-cm wingspan, good flight performance, and only one joint requiring glue—between the inner wing and the wingtips. This was important because, without superglue, the plane had to be built in the morning and ready for flight by the afternoon. Shortly before noon, Rolf Iseli explained to the 20 interested teenagers the

"Basics" of model flying using a model aircraft. The young people came from a wide area south and east of Bern. There were even participants from Walkringen in the Emmental. This delighted the free-flight pilots of MV-Bern, who hold their F1E slope-flying competitions in Wikartswil near Walkringen. While the model building was underway, the kitchen crew at the clubhouse in the Gürbetal near Mühlethurnen got to work preparing meals for the now-hungry model builders. At the same time, a flight simulator

was set up. However, the model builders were more interested in test-flying their models and in guided RC flying. After trimming the models, the participants had to practice launching them. Thanks to the instructions from the experienced model builders, the young model builders got better and better at it.

For the introduction to RC flying, experienced MV-Bern club member Jacqueline had set up her “Heron” glider, and Willy Glauser had set up his “Timber” motorized model. With the controls in the instructor-student-

The young people were introduced to RC flying. This went surprisingly well; gaming culture has apparently helped them develop some basic skills in this area. Members of MV-Bern presented other RC models, ranging from gliders to helicopters.

After the introductory flight, MV-Bern free-flight expert Alfred Andrist explained the various model aircraft categories—and free flight in particular—to the interested audience. Using a high-performance F1A glider as an example, Alfred Andrist explained the model’s construction and function, as well as its use in competition. Andrist succeeded in captivating the young people with his detailed explanations. This is all the more relevant given that, two weeks later, Alfred Andrist will be competing in the F1B category as part of the Swiss national free flight team in Simeria, Romania. An F1B competition model and its equipment were on display to illustrate the specifics of this category. The model was also seen in flight. Following the presentation, the Free Flight Commission’s brochure was distributed. Model pilots interested in free flight receive preferential membership terms at MV-Bern. In addition, experienced members offer assistance.

when getting started in this challenging category of model flying. Even free-flight models can be provided.

After the theory session, it was back to hands-on practice. In the meantime, course instructor Rolf Iseli had set up a generously stocked prize table with donations from model-building retailers such as Modellmarkt24, Ritter Modellbau, regiotextil.ch, Landi, and club members. The competition prizes ranged from simple models and tool sets to a high-performance glider donated by a member of MV-Bern. On the runway at the Bern Model Flying Club—which was newly constructed this year—participants had to fly their finished

“Kolibri” model had to fly as far as possible. This allowed a ranking to be quickly determined and the prizes to be awarded.

As elaborate as the Holiday Pass event was—with its 20 participants—it is equally interesting for the members of the Bern Model Flying Club. Such a shared activity also fosters a sense of community within the club through collective engagement. Through the participants and their parents, goodwill toward model aviators can also be fostered in the local communities of Kirchdorf, Mühlethurnen, and the Gürbetal region. This is all the more important given that the model flying fields, in terms of land-use planning,

are under pressure. The region also hosts the Gürbe Free Flight World Cup, which was held for the first time in 2023. Discussions are currently underway

with local farmers are currently underway for another Gürbe Cup in 2025.

*Urs Muntwyler, MV-Bern*