Close collaboration is praised

On Saturday, March 2, 2013, President Peter Germann opened the 21st Presidential Conference in the plenary hall of the Meiringen Air Force Base before delegates from 76 clubs.

The host base commander, Colonel (Ret.) Peter Merz—himself a model aircraft pilot—and the president of the Pro Aero Foundation, Hansruedi Fehrlin, welcomed the numerous participants and guests.

In his report, the SMV President highlighted the excellent cooperation with the AeCS, the FOCA, the Air Force, and skyguide. He summarized the past twelve months in the areas of drones, international exchange, cooperation with regulators, direct membership, and environmental policy.

The association’s financial situation is on solid ground, and a balanced budget has been presented for 2013. Insurance costs were adjusted to allow for a significant improvement in coverage.

Adi Bruni, Head of the Sports Division, highlighted the record number of participants and the steadily growing number of competition pilots. Alfred Andrist succeeds Giancarlo Polla as president of FAKO F1, and Emil Giezendanner hands over leadership of FAKO F5/F6 to Pierre Bühler. Alfred and Pierre will serve on an interim basis until the official election at the 2014 SPK.

Sandro Matti won the Arnold Degen Prize for his successful participation in the 2012 F3A World Championships; this prize is awarded to the youngest participant in the European or World Championships.

The 2012 group challenge trophies were presented to the following clubs:

In his presentation, Thomas Suter discusses the ongoing projects of the Youth Development Department and then turns the floor over to Yannick Fuhrer to introduce the “Take-off” initiative. As Adi Eggenberger reports in his opening remarks, the year was

From the Infrastructure Department’s perspective, 2012 was once again marked by a great deal of advisory work with clubs. Cooperation with the clubs, the regions, and other airspace users was consistently very good. In terms of personnel, the Infrastructure Department is quite well-staffed. However, additional support from motivated model aviators who wish to contribute their experience, ideas, and dedication would be most welcome. In addition to the environmental study presented by Adi Eggenberger, Emil Giezendanner provided information on the current research project at the Institute for Spatial Planning at the University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil: “Spatial Planning Requirements for Model Airfield Sites.” This project was initiated by the NOS region.

Unfortunately, the SPK had to acknowledge Rainer Beckerbauer’s resignation as head of the Communications Department due to professional commitments. Model aviators interested in journalism are welcome to contact the SMV president.

peterdgermann@bluewin.ch
The motion by the NOS Region regarding the simplification of the association’s structures was approved by a narrow majority. A working group was formed to revise the bylaws based on the motion—

will adapt it accordingly and submit it to the SKP in 2014.

The proposal from the NOS region essentially includes the following changes:

• – The SMV Delegates’ Assembly (DV), with 30 to a maximum of 40 delegates, will replace the Swiss Presidents’ Conference as the SMV’s highest governing body.
• – The SMV Executive Board (VS), consisting of a maximum of seven members, will take over the operational management of the association in place of the current large Executive Board, which has 23 members.
• – The SMV Presidents’ Conference (PK), consisting of the regional and FAKO presidents, meets once in late fall and serves a planning function with the right to submit motions to the Delegates’ Assembly.

Marco Schnyder was awarded honorary membership in the Swiss Model Aviation Association, for which he expressed his gratitude in a moving speech.

The SPK adjourned promptly at 11:40 a.m.

Following the Presidents’ Conference, the representatives of model aviation clubs in attendance, several distinguished guests from the aviation industry, and a number of media representatives received first-hand information about the Jet World Masters 2013. ■

Adi Bruni