2008 Tethered Flight World Championship in France

The permanent tethered flight facility in Landres, located about 50 km north of Metz, features three hard-surface runways, three grass runways, and associated outbuildings. A spacious multipurpose hall and a modern swimming pool are currently under construction. The facility was built about 10 years ago and has been continuously expanded ever since, with public funding. This exemplary activity center for technical model building provides an outstanding platform for elite sports and thus serves as a role model—an essential factor in promoting the sport among the general public. It is interesting to note that similar facilities exist in France in the regions of Paris, Saint-Étienne, and Poitiers. The facility in La Que-en-Brie, near Paris, is particularly noteworthy. It features a hard-surface runway for R/C gliders, a hard-surface circle for tethered flight, a helipad, an off-road track for R/C off-road cars, and a hard-surface runway for remote-controlled race cars. In addition, there are large grassy areas, workshops, offices, pits, grandstands, restrooms, and parking lots. Everything is in excellent condition and professionally maintained. Open to everyone for a modest fee. A community facility like this—for airplanes, cars, and perhaps even boats—is not only a valuable hub for active members and the next generation but, as can be seen near Paris, is also a popular destination for family outings. Why not in Switzerland, too? For readers with a vision, here’s a tip: Google Earth 48°46'12.10" N and 2°34'56.14" E

In the F2A Speed category, 47 competitors, including 6 juniors, went head-to-head. With a speed of 296.3 km/h, multiple world champion Luis Parramon from Spain once again managed to elicit peak performance from his 2.5-cm³ hot-ignition engine at exactly the right moment. To fly that fast, more than 38,000 rpm were certainly required—no easy feat given the high air temperatures! Unfortunately, even though we have a facility in Breitenbach that is ideally suited for this, no participants from Switzerland competed in this demanding class for technical innovators.

Aerobatic pilots in the F2B category have been enjoying a resurgence worldwide for several years now, and so no fewer than 94 “acrobats”—including 10 juniors—traveled to France from countries such as China, the U.S., and Brazil. Once again, the new rules—which allow flights to be conducted on two circuits—proved to be very effective. Over the course of four days, each competitor was able to complete four flights to qualify for the final round featuring the top 15. Exceptionally consistent weather conditions and excellent training sites made it possible to optimally prepare and fine-tune both the equipment and the pilots.

The final on Sunday, August 3—this time with quite a bit of wind and turbulence—was won by David Fitzgerald from the U.S. Peter Germann finished in 41st place, and his teammates Peter Däppen and Peter Hofacker placed 64th and 75th, respectively. Partly as a result of the new regulations, several competitors with electric propulsion systems were at the starting line. The second-place finish by Igor Burger from the Slovak Republic demonstrates what such a system can achieve in the hands of a skilled pilot.

The Formula 1 of circuit flying—the team race (F2C)—featured a field of 42 teams, including 3 junior teams, with Team Kramarenko/Chaika from Ukraine set a new benchmark in the preliminary rounds with a time of 3:01.9 minutes for 100 laps (10 km, including two landings and refueling!).

The team of Heiner Borer and Heiner Studer was hampered by damage to one of the heavily loaded ball bearings and, after a successful overnight repair, finished 25th in the final standings with a time of 3:26.5. The winner of the 200-lap final on Sunday, August 3, following a re-run ordered by the FAI jury, was the Simons/Potter team from Australia. The exceptionally high level of competition at the 2008 World Championship is also evident from the fact that a time of less than 3:15 was required to qualify for the semifinals.

In the fox hunt (F2D) category—which always thrills the large crowds—no fewer than 92 pilots took to the air. Unfortunately, once again, no Swiss pilot entered the fray in this highly competitive “action” category. It’s actually a shame, because there’s hardly a more exciting or faster way to stage a real aerial dogfight with model airplanes.

The fighter pilots engaged in fierce duels all week long—not always gentle on the equipment—and Sunday’s final crowned Igor Dementiev from Moldova as the winner.

National teams from 42 countries gathered at the 2008 World Tethered Flight Championships, held in France. A total of 312 competitors earned a placing. The outstanding infrastructure and the impeccable organization deserve special mention. The Swiss national team thanks the organizers for their significant contribution to the common cause.

Participation was a valuable and motivating experience for the Swiss circuit pilots. We thank the Swiss Model Aircraft Association for its support and for its consistently positive attitude toward model aircraft sports.

*Text: Peter Germann, TM.*

*Photos: Claus Maikis, Evelyne Hofacker, Claudia Kehlen*