The Swiss Are on the Rise – Scale and Semi-Scale Static Flight

Participants from five countries had registered for the competition in Untersiggenthal on August 22–23, 2020. However, due to the coronavirus, only the “hard core” of participants was ultimately able to travel there. Nine competitors from Switzerland and Germany ultimately participated in the Semi-Scale category, while two participants ventured into the more challenging Scale category.

Once again, the competition benefited from good weather. On Saturday morning during the model-building evaluation, it didn’t matter that the sky was still overcast. The sun came out just in time for the start of the flight evaluation in the afternoon, and it remained out for most of Sunday as well. Only a few sudden gusts of wind occasionally presented the pilots with special challenges.

Once again, magnificent models were on display. In the Semi-Scale category, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero by André Meyer of Switzerland stood out in particular. Accordingly, the model received the highest construction score. In the Scale category, Heiner Borer of Switzerland presented his Albatros DVA, which he built over hundreds of hours—

Undoubtedly the most impressive model among all the competitors. This impressive work was rewarded with a very high construction rating. (Incidentally, the Albatros DVA will be featured in detail in the next issue of *modell flugsport* magazine.)

But in the Scale/Semi-Scale category, it’s not just about building models that are as true to life as possible—it’s also about the precision with which the pilot can fly the model. Each pilot had to complete three flights for this. The best flight score in the Semi-Scale category was achieved by Günter Schwarz of Germany, while Heiner Borer took the top spot in the Scale category.

To determine the overall winners of the competition, the construction and flight scores for each competitor are added together. In the Semi-Scale category, this is done at a 1:3 ratio; in the Scale category, at a 1:1 ratio. The overall winner in the Semi-Scale category was Peter Willmer of Germany with his Piper Cherokee PA 28, followed by André Meyer and Heiner Borer of Switzerland. In the Scale category, Heiner Borer won ahead of Peter Willmer.

This competition was held for the first time in Untersiggenthal in 2015. At that time, the Swiss tethered-flight pilots ranked toward the bottom of the standings. This was because, in fact, tethered-flight Scale had not yet been established in Switzerland

hasn't been practiced at all for years. In 2020, things look very different. The Swiss scale model scene is back—and is making its mark on the international podium. The organizers of the annual event—the Breitenbach Model Flying Club and the Tethered Flight Commission—have every reason to be a little proud of this achievement.

The rankings and further information are available at www.fesselflug.ch.

Breitenbach Model Flying Club /
Tethered Flight Technical Commission,
September 2020