Swiss Open Indoor Masters GoEasy Siggenthal

Due to the large number of registrations, the schedule had to be significantly condensed. On Friday afternoon, participants had the opportunity to take practice flights until 10:00 p.m.

On Saturday, the briefing began at 7:30 a.m., and the competition started at 8:00 a.m.

After the first round, Julien Hecht led by 9 points over Philipp Schürmann; behind them, there was already a gap of nearly 20 points, but three Swiss pilots were in the top 10. In the other classes, the competition was much closer, with the leader changing practically after every round.

On Sunday, we also started early so that all rounds could be completed. After the third round of the preliminary stage, the 10 finalists were determined. First, however, the AFM pilots competed for a spot in the finals. Afterward, Derk van der Vecht and his uncle demonstrated just what’s possible in the team competition—all the teams had a blast.

Continuation in this class is now assured; motivation is high, and contact information for joint training sessions has been exchanged.

After lunch, the finalists had to perform the final routine twice.

After the first run, Julien Hecht’s victory was all but assured. In the final run, Martin Brandmüller secured 2nd place, while 3rd place went to Jeffrey Durochat, who narrowly edged out Nicolas Detry and Philipp Schürmann. The AFM final was concluded by Julien Hecht in the darkened hall, using only his LED-equipped model.

This was followed by the awards ceremony for the remaining classes. All pilots received a certificate and a bath towel embroidered with the words “Swiss Open Indoor Masters 2018.”

The GoEasy Sports Hall in Siggenthal provided an outstanding venue. Its dimensions are virtually unmatched in Europe, and it features a large LED display for live results. The SMV’s new scoring system worked flawlessly. In addition to the large grandstand, a restaurant and various hotel rooms were also integrated directly into the facility. A huge thank you goes to the organizing club, MSV Hotwings, led by Paul Rudolf and Felix Frischknecht. Many thanks to everyone who made this event possible.

Five different classes were flown over the two days of competition. It started with the beginners, who flew a simple program of center figures that can be performed with very basic models weighing over 100 g. The AA-19 program is a simplified expert program with maneuvers that are less complicated to fly. In some cases, CFRP-Mylar models are already used here. Beat Högger demonstrated with his Depron-Mylar model, however, that this class can still be won with such a model. The F3P AP 19 was held as an FAI World Cup, featuring three preliminary rounds and, for the top 10 pilots, two additional rounds with the more difficult final program. In this class, only CFRP-Mylar models are used.

The AFM program is generally the most interesting one for many spectators. Each pilot flies a freestyle routine set to music of their own choosing, nowadays often featuring VPP (reverse flight), fluttering ribbons, and LED displays. On Sunday, the team competition—introduced in 2017—was held, in which two pilots flying models that are as similar as possible perform a beautiful synchronized or mirror flight.

Models with a takeoff weight of less than 50 g are now possible even for larger models? Who would have thought it? Sylvain Pasini is flying a Wash by Julien Hecht (FRA) that weighs 46 g. How is that possible? All the curved sections on the model are custom-made from self-laminated CFRP encased in heat-shrink tubing—transparent—and then shaped to the desired form. This design results in much less stress, and the model requires less bracing. The appropriate powerplants can be found in Germany at S. Glavak or in Russia at A. Lantsov; a powerplant is also available in Finland, which is even equipped with a balsa propeller. Current propeller diameters are 16". Also of interest is Hermann Kistler’s homemade model, which also features a balsa propeller. Models are also being built in Switzerland; on display were a biplane and the model named “Philé” by Philipp Schürmann, which is also flown by Sandro Veronelli.

*Philip Schürmann*