Friendly Flying: 2nd Graupner Helicopter Cup of Switzerland

This year’s Graupner Heli Cup in Switzerland took place in the Rhine Valley. As was the case last year, this event was organized by the MFV Marbach. The Graupner Heli Cup has been a popular model helicopter competition in Germany and Austria for years. The purpose of this event is not only competitive flying but also for model helicopter pilots to exchange ideas with one another. As usual, Wolfgang Simon—a factory pilot for Graupner—explained the four disciplines at the start of the briefing. As it turned out, these were all skill exercises: precision landing within 10 seconds, pylon transport, picking up rings, and flying a course
marked on the ground. These tasks are objectively measurable and therefore easy for everyone to understand.

Although the weather seemed gloomy and rainy at the start, this did nothing to dampen the spirits or motivation of the 16 participants from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Right from the start, they gave it their all and worked hard to score as many points as possible. A few pilots were more successful at this, while others didn’t quite achieve their desired results. But everyone gave it their all!

Another unique feature of the Graupner Helicopter Cup is that each pilot is free to choose their own helicopter. Whether electric or gas-

Internal combustion engines—whether civilian or military-style, whether trainer models or fully fairing—this Sunday, (almost) every type of model helicopter was on the starting line. This variety and the opportunity to compare them were also extremely interesting for the spectators.

After the first round was completed, the sun came out. As a result, the competition organizers decided to hold a second round before noon.

While the pilots and spectators took a break for lunch, an aerobatics demonstration was on the program for entertainment. Hans Emmenegger (World Championship bronze medalist with the Swiss national model helicopter team) demonstrated the F3C competition program, Wolfgang Simon demonstrated a turbine-powered NH-90 and an electric helicopter from Graupner, and Marcel Künzler with his Tor-

nado showcased the most daring 3D stunts. The nearly limitless flight capabilities of the model helicopters were demonstrated in an impressive manner. Some of the maneuvers were daring—ones that would likely never be achieved with the real thing.

The third and final
round took place in the course of the afternoon. This gave the pilots the opportunity to improve on their previous results and move up a few spots in the rankings.

The 2nd Graupner Helicopter Cup was won by Eric Ribak (MG Rapperswil-Jona), ahead of Christian Litzinger (D) and local hero Fritz Keller (MFV Marbach).

The organization was flawless once again this year, the weather cooperated, and, enriched by the experience, the pilots and spectators left the MFV Marbach airfield satisfied.

More photos and highlights can be found at www.mfv-marbach.ch.

*Stefan Thurnherr, MFV Marbach*