Fritz Schneeberger Has Died

After moving to Bern, Fritz also joined the Thun Model Aircraft Club. There, he was able to indulge in his hobby alongside his national team teammates Peter Spring and Ernst Eng. No matter where or in which category he competed, top finishes were guaranteed. Fritz achieved top results in model airplane precision landing competitions and became the Swiss champion in water-powered model aircraft in 1963. At that time, these models were launched from a pontoon anchored in the lake. The pilot usually launched his model while lying on his stomach. His great passion was for the VM motor models of that era (today’s F1C class). In this category, he competed in several World Championships with the national free-flight team. In 1951, he became world champion in his category in Leutkirch. Throughout his life, Fritz built very simple models. His world champion model, modeled after the Finnish “Pulteri,” had no control mechanisms other than the thermal brake. No turn control or angle-difference control was to be found on his models. Stable climbs, with a wide right turn, combined with excellent gliding performance, were the key to success.

To reduce engine noise, so-called “whisper bags” had to be installed. Since this measure resulted in an additional, undesirable increase in power, the rule change was immediately reversed. Fritz had painstakingly installed these “mufflers” through the pylon of his latest models. He was no longer willing to remove them, so he left the motorized category and switched to gliders. Alongside and after model flying, sport fishing was Fritz’s great passion. His friend Rudolf Schenker outfitted his boat as a small high-tech fishing boat, and Fritz caught many a fine trout from Lake Thun. Fritz never missed an opportunity to bring his last glider down from the attic every now and then to take a few leisurely flights in the Gürbetal valley with the help of his wife and a pulley.

His interest in free flight never waned. He enjoyed attending free flight competitions frequently. His regular visits to the “Eurofly” World Cup gave him the opportunity to catch up with friends from many different countries. There, after 50 years, he reunited with his friend and fellow competitor, the future multiple world champion Evgenyj Verbitsky from Ukraine. To take a picture of the two of them, Fritz retrieved his last motorized model from the attic and restored it for a joint photo shoot. Fritz was no longer able to celebrate his 87th birthday on Christmas Eve 2010. A few days earlier, after prolonged health problems, Fritz passed away.

We have lost a dear friend. Fritz will always have a place in our memories.