Flying Indoor in Prangins: Episode V

The Star Wars saga was the theme of this 5th edition of the “Flying Indoor” event in Prangins, organized by GAM La Côte on January 20–21.

A lot of publicity was generated for the event. This requires significant work in advance to find sponsors to cover the costs of advertising in various media, secure airtime on regional television, ensure the venue’s safety, and thereby attract a curious family audience. Promoting model building comes at this price.

Participants were treated to excellent facilities in the gymnasium of the Morettes Community Center in Prangins. GAM La Côte did a great job by organizing, in addition to the demonstration hall, a space

for drone races and a static exhibition hall where scale models and magnificent Star Wars ships made of LEGO were on display. A cafeteria was available to quench thirsts, provide refreshments, and facilitate the exchange of ideas. The booths offering various scale models represented the commercial side of the force.

Numerous flying machines took to the air during a variety of presentations: these included, among others, the comical flying Minion, fierce pylon races, fox hunts, Copperfield’s box, and formation flights presented by the Galley father and son. A helicopter demonstration was held outdoors. The young people

The Padawans were able to showcase their full potential during a paper airplane contest open to the public. The demonstration of the F3P and F3P-AM programs by Sylvain Pasini (http://sylvain.famillepasini.ch), one of two world-class pilots from French-speaking Switzerland, showcased the level of achievement made possible by technology that was unthinkable just a few years ago. These models weigh around 50 g, featuring a motor with two counter-rotating propellers and a 6-g 2S battery. All components are “light”—that is, lightweight—except for the carrying case!

The highlight of the event was also the Star Wars show featuring intergalactic craft—X-wings, the Millennium Falcon, and other scout troopers—which aren’t particularly easy to fly.

A wonderful memory of an indoor event that bridges the gap between outdoor flying seasons—and let’s not forget to thank GAM La Côte and all the volunteers for organizing these days. See you next year: January 19 and 20, 2019.

T. Ruef