We won't give up!

Over the past few years, the model aircraft events in Loorholz have become regular fixtures on the annual calendar for model pilots and model enthusiasts.

Spectators and pilots at the scale helicopter meet in Loorholz near Leuggern, AG.

Wolfgang Minsch had traveled from near Singen (Germany) in his electric Hughes 500. Although the paint job doesn't match any real-life model, the colors and design more than make up for it.

A Lama SA 315B, modeled after the Austrian Wucher Helicopter, during a firefighting operation. The model was skillfully flown by Andreas Scheiber from Kematen in Tyrol.

A top priority for the organizers of the Loorholz events: interpersonal connections. Pilots talking shop.

MG Swipair served as the organizer under the “loorholzflugtage.ch” banner, which hosts various events near Leuggern in the lower Aare Valley. Unfortunately, the 2021 Loorholz Flight Days, which are usually held in early August, had to be canceled due to measures imposed by the Aargau authorities that could not be implemented. In addition to the spring helicopter meet—which was postponed from Easter Saturday to June 12 due to the pandemic—and the scale helicopter meet, these two “smaller” events were able to take place in accordance with the measures in effect at the time. True to the motto “Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” both events were a great success.

For the third year in a row, the Scale Helicopter Meet took place in Loorholz in September. More than 40 scale pilots from Germany, France, Italy, and Austria, as well as over 200 spectators, didn’t miss the chance to travel to Loorholz under perfect weather conditions. The organizer always places a high priority on fostering connections among pilots and with spectators. The grounds where the event takes place cover one hectare. Given the current COVID-19 measures in effect there, this made it possible to attend—even without a mask—

but with the necessary social distancing. However, visitors to this event were proven wrong regarding the assumption that only large-scale models could be flown at such gatherings. Countless smaller scale helicopters, mostly electric-powered, were showcased in Loorholz by their proud owners. Many of those presenting such models showcased replicas of details that are second to none and can hardly be distinguished from photos of the real thing—whether it was the cockpit, markings, or a true-to-scale beer crate in the cargo basket.

But the countless and diverse models deserve mention as well—everything from the Alouette II to the latest Bell 429 model was represented.

The pilots demonstrated highly realistic scenarios with their models, modeled after the real aircraft, including operations with a payload, firefighting missions, and winch rescues.

Since the 2021 Scale Helicopter Meet in Loorholz was one of the few events of its kind in the German-speaking world, attendees were also able to marvel at models that had not yet been shown to the public. For example, René Bühler from the Zurich Oberland presented his Hughes 500 with an impressive rotor diameter of 3 meters, and Peter Kälin from Einsiedeln showcased his turbine-powered Ecureuil—these models serving as representatives of all the other pilots and their “new” models.

Since such gatherings are becoming increasingly popular among pilots and spectators alike, we hope that in 2022

things return to normal and many of these great gatherings can be held across the country.

The 4th Scale Helicopter Meet at Loorholz will take place on September 24, 2023. www.loorholz-flugtage.ch or www.swiss-scale-helikopter.ch

Photos: Daniel Klaeger and Andreas Maier