Certification of models weighing more than 30 kg

In Switzerland, an OFAC certification is required to fly a model weighing more than 30 kg. To reduce certification costs, the French-speaking Swiss association AéRO has offered its members a certification day for which it covers a portion of the costs.

The interested pilots from French-speaking Switzerland gathered in a hangar at the Yverdon airfield. It was an opportunity to see some beautiful, large models: Olivier Bonvin and his Wedell Williams Gilmore, Michel Demière and his Corsair, and Claude Jaquier and his Rafale.

In Switzerland, the weight limit is set at 30 kg, and it’s a safe bet that Switzerland will follow European legislation to lower this limit to 25 kg. This means that a Swiss model weighing between 25 and 30 kg must currently obtain a license from the country in which it is intended to fly! To get around this peculiarity, these models can be declared as “over 30 kg” and certified in Switzerland, but under the requirements for a 30-kg model!

The FOCA has appointed two experts with experience in certifying full-scale civil aircraft: Roman Moser and Urs Frei. The Swiss certification process begins with completing a technical questionnaire (available at https://www.bazl.admin.ch) that determines the tests required based on the aircraft. It provides the experts with a wealth of technical information about the aircraft and also serves as the basis for all future discussions with the model’s owner. The technical calculations, the center of gravity,

The blueprints and the choice of electronics are then available before the day of certification. It’s easy to see that the requirements for an aerobatic aircraft are not the same as those for a replica of a light aircraft or a vintage aircraft designed for gentle flights. This leads us into technical considerations that delve into design details, ranging from screw length to engine mounting, the

aerodynamic components, etc.

On the big day, experts, pilots, and model aircraft are all gathered together. They discuss the weak points and how to eliminate them. Then comes the spectacular mechanical strength test, during which loads are gradually applied to the wings.

Once the test is successfully completed and a list of outstanding issues to be resolved later is drawn up, the pilots receive the flight logbook in which they will record their flights. The pilot must complete 10 flights without an audience before receiving the green light for demonstrations with an audience. No flights are scheduled on the certification day.

We therefore hope to see these models flying in demonstrations again, knowing that all the conditions for success have been met. Happy flying.

People are already saying that the Rafale will be Switzerland's next fighter jet... Since the experts say so...

T. Ruef