22nd International Youth Model Aircraft Camp at MG Interlaken

After more than 21 years of hosting international youth model aircraft camps in Austria, the first International Model Aircraft Camp took place from July 16 to 22, 2017, at the former military airfield near MG Interlaken. When the guests arrived at the former airfield on Sunday, they were truly amazed. The young people’s excitement was evident during the welcome address by Daniel Müller, president of the Interlaken Model Aircraft Club, and camp director Thomas Sutter. Vice President Hans Blättler explained the local conditions to the young people and outlined the rules they needed to follow. For a change, accommodations were not tents, but the former Air Force barracks, complete with a modern military kitchen.

The young people had brought along various model airplanes, which they used to take to the skies throughout the week under the supervision of their counselors. Most of the models were equipped with electric motors.

Thomas Sutter and his partner Theres Blondel, along with the Interlaken Model Aircraft Club, were responsible for organizing the event and ensured the participants had an exciting week. The collaboration with the Austrian team of supervisors was excellent. Theres Blondel and Inge Niederhofer took turns in the kitchen with great success, as they had to prepare hearty meals in the military kitchen for 16 hungry teens and their counselors. The two women did an outstanding job and were consistently praised. Also present every day was Hansueli Tschiemer, the driving force behind the Interlaken Model Aircraft Club, who was well-versed in local conditions—whether it was grocery shopping or a visit to the outdoor pool in Bönigen on Lake Brienz, etc. The main focus of this camp was flying—and more flying. In between, Michael Tschiemer from the Interlaken Model Flying Club demonstrated what scale helicopter flying is all about. With his Alouette III and Super Puma, he performed beautiful maneuvers over the grounds, leaving the young people in awe.

The weather was at its best this week, except for two thunderstorms that passed over the grounds in the evening and flooded the hangar. During the camp, participants not only flew model airplanes but also visited the beach in Bönigen in the afternoons. A competition was also on the program, and every participant received a nice prize in the form of a model airplane kit. The prizes were sponsored by model shops throughout Switzerland. Wednesday was set aside for excursions. For example, a trip to the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, and some counselors visited the Schynige Platte. →

They even organized a “Day with the Authorities,” giving the public a chance to see what youth work is all about. The youth put on flight demonstrations for the municipal officials. During the reception that followed—featuring fondue cooked in the camp cauldron—the attendees’ various questions about model flying were answered.

For many, saying goodbye was hard—the camp felt like a close-knit family. A few tears were shed here and there, friendships were formed, and they’re sure to last for a long time to come.

And so, the camp is now a thing of the past. “Merci,” MG Interlaken, for the wonderful time.