Model Aircraft Region 3 – Region 3 Chairpersons' Conference

Representatives from the 18 model aircraft clubs—with over 900 members—that are grouped together in Region 3 gathered in Ingenbohl on January 15 for the club presidents’ conference. Regional Chair Hans-Ruedi Meier presided over the meeting efficiently, and all agenda items were handled promptly and in a spirit of camaraderie. There was no need to worry about the good atmosphere, as the honors ceremony began immediately after the minutes were read. As a surprise, our in-house graphic designer, Kurt Müller, presented six challenge trophies for the regional championships. The challenge trophies will be awarded to the group that produces the regional champion in the respective category. By the way: The challenge trophies do not place a burden on the regional budget, as they were donated by the executive board. Hans Stocker and Rolf Girsberger received the AeCS badge of honor for their many years of service to the model aviation organization. For the first time since Region 3 was founded as a section of the AeCS, the Chairpersons’ Conference, amid warm applause, named a deserving model aviator as an honorary member. This honor was bestowed upon Heiri Anner of the MG Wettingen.

The annual reports from the chairperson and the division representatives all struck a positive note. Overall, the past year can be viewed very positively. All chairpersons received written summaries of the annual reports. Edi Maranta presented the financial statement, which, fortunately, closed with an increase in assets of nearly 400 Fr. Major purchases included a set of medals for the coming years and two megaphones, which will be available for events in the region.

The election proceedings were conducted by the former chair of the Schwyz-Uri group, Kari Mettler. All incumbent board members and representatives on the specialized committees were re-elected to their positions. Hanspeter Senn was newly elected to the board, and Wendelin Kieser was appointed to the Scale Committee for the first time. To lighten the treasurer’s workload, Robert Buschor will now take over membership affairs. The regional leadership positions are thus distributed as follows:

Hans-Ruedi Meier (President, Free Flight)
Robert Buschor (Membership)
Louis Erpen (RC Powered Flight, Noise Issues)
Rolf Girsberger (Vice President, RC Gliding)
Edi Maranta (Treasurer)
Kurt Müller (RC Powered Flight, Judging)
Hanspeter Senn (RC Gliding)
Kurt Steiner (Secretary)

Hans-Ruedi Meier (F1 / Free Flight)
Hans Stocker (F2 / Tethered Flight)
Kurt Müller (F3 / Radio-Controlled Flight)
Wendelin Kieser (F4 / Scale Models)

Alex Meier and Josef Zraggen

Fortunately, organizers registered for all regional championships in a timely manner, so the event calendar could be compiled without any problems. At the request of Roland Künzli, MG BBC, a regional championship for magnet flyers will also be announced.

Dates, locations, and organizers of the 1982 regional championships (alternate dates in parentheses):

F1A / SK June 13 (June 20)
Emmen (MG Lucerne)
F1E March 14 (March 21)
Ebeländ (MG BBC)
F3A June 5 (June 12)
Buochs (MG Nidwalden)
RCS May 2 (May 9)
Walchwilberg (MG Zug)
F3B May 16 (May 23)
Emmen (MG Emmen)

Finally, special thanks go to our Hans-Ruedi, who performs his duties with great dedication, and to all our fellow members who contributed to a successful 1981 model flying season. R. G.

Number of Participants in the Regional Championships for RC Sailing Categories, 1970–1981

Top: RCS High / F3B (since 1975).

Below: RCS Slope.

Born in 1905, Heiri Anner is one of the oldest model aircraft pilots still active in Switzerland. In the 1930s, he was a pioneer of model aircraft flying in Aargau. In the fall of 1933, he designed and built his first glider model, a flying wing, and now, nearly half a century later, he continues to launch a true vintage glider year after year at the Swiss Veterans’ Flying Competition with vigor and flair. Heiri Anner is known for his genuine camaraderie, his constant willingness to help, and his unwavering loyalty to model aviation.

Some highlights from Heiri Anner’s model flying career:

• Co-founder of MG Baden in 1934 and its first president from 1934 to 1938. Board member of MG Baden, later MG Wettingen, from 1942 to 1964.
• Contributed to the development of one of the first radio-controlled glider models in Switzerland (1938–1940; demonstrated at the National Model Aircraft Competition in Solothurn in 1940).
• Renowned designer of compass-controlled systems. Successfully competed in many compass-controlled competitions.
• Awarded the Medal of Honor for outstanding service to model aviation in 1963.
• Honorary member of the MG Wettingen since 1964.

Right: Drawing by Beny Schibler, Olten, from the mid-1940s.

Left: Heiri Anner is named an honorary member of Region 3.

Below: Regional Chair Hans Ruedi Meier is beaming: The challenge trophies for the regional championships were completed in time.