From straight and level flight

Various conversations—particularly with Reto Senn and Walter Gähwiler—paint a positive overall picture of the Jet Scale scene. This is further underscored by the Swiss team’s excellent performance at the World Masters in Finland, where Walter Gähwiler won the 13.5-kg class. Also worth noting are the silver medal in the team standings; Pascal Thoma’s third-place finish in the 20-kg class; and the fifth-place finish by young Adrian Senn.

The participants—pilots and jet enthusiasts—viewed last year’s Jet Scale World Masters in Jämi Järvi, Finland, as an all-around positive experience. The event, which was organized on a rather modest scale, proceeded peacefully and calmly. This allowed plenty of opportunity for personal interaction, which can only be beneficial for Kameratech within the international jet-scale scene. The Air Force supported the organizers throughout the week. For the pilots, the strong crosswinds posed a real challenge. Not to mention that the Swiss team was backed by a 20-member fan club. What other model aircraft class can compete with that?

In the 20-kg category, 35 pilots competed, and in the 13.5-kg class, there were 20. The youngest participant was 17-year-old Swiss pilot Tim Rütimann.

Reto Senn, Vice Chairman of the International Jet Model Committee (IJMC) and a member of the SMV Scale Commission, describes the Swiss jet modeling scene as a “big family”—one without generational conflicts. Our jet modeling community is not alone in this. In other model aviation categories, too, small, close-knit groups have formed over many years. By focusing on a specific topic, they can make a significant impact. It is important to maintain international contacts and to regularly share information within our national and regional organizations—something that, unfortunately, is often overlooked. The commitment of our Swiss jet experts, both within the IJMC and the FAKO-Scale, is a major asset in this regard. In addition to the Swiss Championships, active members meet at training sessions both at home and abroad, at the Jet Symposium, and at other gatherings. Unlike in some other countries, the integration of the jet class into the existing model sports structure has been very successful here. →

Since 2017, Switzerland has had a new Jet World Masters champion in the 13.5-kg class: Walter Gähwiler. In a conversation with the champion, one can only begin to imagine the enormous effort required today to compete at the top level at the World Masters. Walter competed in the JWM with his self-built Hawk on a 1:4 scale. The journey began as early as 2005 with CAD drawings and design work, culminating in the construction of a prototype made of foam with all the details—a process that also involved 3D printing. In this class, too, the never-ending battle with weight plays a major role. At 14.7 kg, the model was too heavy for the 13.5-kg class, which prompted Walter to build a new wing on short notice—this time made entirely of carbon fiber. This allowed him to reduce the weight from about 2 kg to 1,300 g! Only the bare essentials remained in the fuselage, and many components were replaced with lighter ones. No other Hawk in this scale has ever been built so lightly in the jet scene. The model is powered by a

BEHOTEC (approx. 180 N thrust). A Powerbox three-axis gyro, which acts on the rudder and also on the nose landing gear, is indispensable in this class—but the pilot still has to be a very skilled flyer. Walter uses the FUTABA-18 MZ RC system.

The maximum score for the flights is 1,500—the same as for the model itself—though the static display score can be boosted with bonus points. Only the key maneuvers are scored, while turns are taken into account in the overall impression—does anyone remember the elegant F5A aerobatics class? Walter brings a wealth of competition experience to Jet Scale flying. For many years, he was among Switzerland’s top F3A pilots. Experience in technical and flight preparation, as well as in the mental mindset required for competitions, is of great importance in this context. Unlike many other FAI classes with maneuver scoring, the Jet World Championships also place significant emphasis on tactical—

to make strategic decisions, such as choosing starting numbers within the team or determining the team's lineup for the Nations Cup. That makes the whole thing even more interesting.

The Swiss jet scene anticipates a continued successful future. Our jet enthusiasts will be at the forefront of the upcoming Scale World Championships in Meiringen. On the international stage, the seven-member leadership team of the IJMC can respond quickly to changes thanks to its simple and direct organizational structures. The event in Finland proved that, with participant numbers remaining roughly the same, the World Master Events do not need to outdo one another—the “Olympic effect.” As in most areas of sports, smaller and less bureaucratic organizations have the advantage. Let’s hope that jet model aviation is viewed by the rest of the sports world—for example, the FAI or AMA—not as competition, but as a welcome addition. The risk of a “hostile takeover” has become much smaller at the moment anyway, due to the drone craze, which is apparently even more financially lucrative.

For competitive pilots, especially participants in the Jet World Masters, the technical, financial, and time-related demands are constantly increasing. Anyone who wants to compete at the very top of the 20-kg class must—without exaggeration—achieve dream flights. The performance of the aircraft themselves—particularly those of the Russian team—is virtually unbeatable. On the other hand, piloting skill, a pilot’s form on any given day, and weather conditions are not as predictable. That keeps things exciting right up to the very end.