2013 Annual Meeting of German-Speaking Model Aircraft Organizations

For the third time, representatives and experts from German-speaking model aviation organizations gathered on Saturday, November 2, 2013, as part of the model building fair in Friedrichshafen for an annual roundtable discussion. This event, initiated by the SMV and held for the first time in 2011, is now well on its way to becoming a valuable institution. The informal and, above all, very open exchange of opinions, experiences, and intentions is, as is almost always the case, an ideal foundation for formulating and achieving common goals through cooperation.

• Hans Schwägerl, President of the DMFV
• Ludger Katemann, Vice President of the DMFV
• Frank Weigand, Executive Director of the DMVF
• Karl-Robert Zahn, Chair of the DMFV Sports Advisory Board
• Winfried Schilch, Treasurer of the DMFV
• Manfred Dittmayer, Eng., Federal Section Head for Model Aviation at the ÖAeC
• Wolfgang Semler, Eng., Public Relations Officer at the ÖAeC
• Hans-Joachim Schaller, National Model Aviation Coordinator for the DAeC
• Gerhard Wöbbeking, First Vice President of CIAM
• Michael Ramel, President of the CIAM Subcommittee on R/C Aerobatics
• Peter Germann, President of the SMV
• Thomas Suter, Head of the Youth Development Division at SMV
• Christian Hanke, Safety Officer at the FOCA

CIAM: Representatives of the DAeC provided information on ongoing

Matters at the CIAM level, particularly those related to partially or fully automated flight control. Cooperation and coordination between CIAM and Eurofly are progressing well. Gerhard Wöbbeking reports on the FAI/CIAM’s intention to integrate all types of model aviation—including FPV aircraft, multicopters, and large jets—into the FAI’s sports organization.

FPV: Hans-Joachim Schaller reports that there are plans in Germany to require a permit for the operation of all types of aircraft equipped with cameras.

JWM: PG summarizes the 2013 JWM in Meiringen and accepts congratulations from those present, passing them on to the members of the organizing committee and the volunteers. DMFV President Hans Schwägerl explains the reasons for the DMFV’s withdrawal of its 2015 bid. The organizers of the 2015 JWM (in Germany) were not present.

As Karl-Robert Zahn (DMFV) explains, the certification requirements in Germany for large-scale models from abroad are interpreted differently by the various state aviation authorities. The DMFV is currently in contact with the German Federal Aviation Authority and hopes to establish a uniform approach. Participants in the discussion will be kept informed of further developments.

The DMVF, which has 6,500 youth members, organizes two-day seminars for youth leaders several times a year. Upon request from PG, the DMVF has agreed to admit participants from Switzerland and Austria to these seminars. Invitations will follow. The meeting of the associations’ youth development coordinators, agreed upon at the 2012 annual meeting, is to be held in 2013 as part of a youth leader seminar. The ÖAeC is organizing a model aircraft youth camp in Carinthia from July 13–19, 2014, and is also inviting participants

from Switzerland and Germany. Details and an invitation will follow.

In Austria (12,500 model aircraft enthusiasts, 250 model airfields), new regulations governing model aircraft operations are being introduced; detailed proposals regarding the regulations can be requested from PG.

Hans-Joachim Schaller (DAeC) reports that a motion to determine the level of danger posed by model aircraft has been submitted to the German Bundestag. He expects this motion to be addressed next year and suggests that the model aviation associations draft and publish a preliminary press release on the topic. Those present tend to favor taking a cautious stance for the time being.

Those present agree to continue the annual discussions during the Friedrichshafen trade show. The DMFV will issue invitations for this in the fall of 2014.