They're flying again... how much longer?

Dear Readers

Fortunately, model aircraft events are on the rise again. Activity is also picking up at model airfields and in clubs. People are showcasing what they built last winter or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, however, some clubs are canceling their events because members can no longer muster the motivation or because there are simply too few “active” club members. Why is that? It’s certainly striking that model aviation in Switzerland has a problem attracting the next generation. Fewer and fewer young people are getting involved in this versatile hobby. Why is that? Is this even true, or what are the reasons? The general answer often starts with: Young people have too many distractions—cell phones, online games, too many hobbies, going out, etc. Isn’t it also our fault? Who still takes the time today to set an example for their own

children how to spend their free time or pursue a hobby? Of course, there are exceptions; but most of the time, children’s leisure activities are delegated to third parties or clubs. The children are dropped off at the club and picked up again later. Does such a system have a future? Where are the future board members of these clubs who will carry the load? The Swiss Model Flying Association’s (SMV) youth development program doesn’t have an easy task here. It calls for good ideas and dedication. Our hobby can certainly be described as a school of life. You can acquire so many skills through it—whether while building a model, where you construct something according to a plan; while programming a remote control; while flying the model; or even during an air show or a competition. We’ve all

had our own experiences; we’ve successfully flown our models or destroyed them in a crash. That, too, is part of life. Without wanting to paint a bleak picture—but if things continue this way, it’s quite possible that more clubs will give up their model airfields or disband, since there are no longer any young people motivated to carry on. When you add to that the objections regarding noise, etc., from a few individuals or organizations that are fighting against model airfields and their infrastructure, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to practice model flying in our country. At the same time, we must unfortunately also acknowledge that some model-making retailers are finding the going too tough and are closing their shops.

Markus Nussbaumer