The MFS Guest Column

To get this out of the way right away: I'm not a model airplane enthusiast!

As a boy, I never got into frames, spars, and covering, monocoque and other construction methods, or deciding between electric and gasoline engines. It wasn’t until I got into aviation myself that I got to know model airplane enthusiasts—passionate modelers who don’t just dabble in their hobby, but pour their heart and soul into it. I came to know them as people who have experienced aviation in its entirety: from simple basic models (I even managed to build a little “Uhu” once...) all the way to complex helicopters or jet models, from mastering flight techniques to teaching as flight instructors or leading model-building courses. I’m fascinated by how people of all generations discuss a shared passion, rejoice over a successful flight of an unusual model, and pass on their experiences. In the training programs at SWISS and Swiss Aviation Training, it is precisely this holistic approach that we strive for. It’s not enough to know how to fly an airplane. The pilot must understand the consequences

consequences of their actions; they must know in what environment and with what kind of people they must carry out a given mission. They must be able to rely on their team in every situation, but they must also be a reliable part of that team themselves and, as such, be able to take on responsibility. They must accept the limitations they face as a “lone wolf” and understand the capabilities that the cockpit, cabin, and ground crews possess when they work together effectively. Perhaps because I was never a model airplane enthusiast myself, I am deeply fascinated by this hobby and the people who pursue it, and I have great respect for the dedication of all those involved, across all generations and social barriers. I am convinced that a hobby pursued in this way provides an excellent foundation not only for a career in aviation but for all areas and stages of life.