34th HAHNENMOOS ALPINE MODEL AIRPLANE CAMP

A selection of moments from among the many captured during the youth camp at the Hahnenmoos Pass during the 30th calendar week. These moments are surely the reason why most camp participants return to the camp multiple times.

I wanted to know more, so I asked three camp participants the following questions:

• How long have you been coming to camp?
• What do you like best about camp week?
• What’s your favorite flying area?
• What’s your favorite model?
• Will you be coming back to camp?

Here are the answers from the three boys:

This is probably my fifth camp.

I like that I can fly model airplanes all day long. I also like the camp atmosphere—that camp vibe. The glider competition is always really exciting, too; there are always great prizes. Oh, and the “quote of the day” is always great! Plus, they’re always trying out new ideas, like remotely dropping different objects from the model planes.

I inherited this model from my father and restored it myself; it’s very precious to me!

Yes, I’d love to come to the camp again; but I’m probably too old, and there are so many people interested. If possible, I’d stay at the hotel during that week; I’d love to see the people from the camp again.

“My favorite place to fly is the Schalmigrat: When there’s a Bise, the slope offers great lift—but it’s also challenging.”

My favorite model is the DG-600 from Multiplex. I have

For me, this is the third camp where I’ve been able to fully participate as a camper.

Every camp has been really cool for me! I especially love the beautiful region and the great food. And of course, gliding is the main attraction! I also really enjoy the glider competition: It’s exciting to see what kinds of gliders can be made from a little board—it’s truly amazing!

“I love flying
at the Bänkli
and on the Metsch.”

My favorite models are the Nuri and the MUxy: With the Nuri, you can have playful aerial battles—yesterday I scored 5 hits! Ah! The Lilienthal from Aeronaut is cool, too—I built that one myself.

Next year, I’d love to come back to camp and see as many of my friends as possible again.

I've already been to three camps.

For me, the scenery is the most important thing: It’s very beautiful here, and you always get to experience such wonderful atmospheres! For me, the camp is the only chance I have to fly my glider models on a hillside. I also really love how model flying brings all the camp participants together. You can feel that sense of connection time and time again: Everyone helps each other—that’s really wonderful to me.

“My favorite place to fly
is at
Schalmigrat: on the
Bisen side.”

My favorite model is a B-4. I bought the model on Ricardo for

I bought it at auction for CHF 40.–. I took my first flight at Schalmigrat—that took a lot of courage! But the flight was a lot of fun!

I’d also love to come back to camp; unfortunately, I’ll probably be too old in a year—we’ll see.

The three guys confirmed with their comments what anyone on the outside could see: The atmosphere was excellent. Many pilots were eager to learn and took advice from the more experienced model builders and pilots—something that wasn’t quite as noticeable at every camp!

If any further proof of the great atmosphere were needed, here’s this: I’ve never before seen two camp participants provide musical entertainment; but Andrin and Jens really added to the good vibes with their jazz—great job, guys!

For the event to take place every year at all, a supportive environment is essential: This includes the hotel management and staff, and certainly, above all, the leadership team. They all deserve a huge thank you from all the young participants.

The leaders set an example for the young model airplane enthusiasts, showing what cheerful cooperation and a willingness to help can achieve—this is contagious and certainly has a lasting impact on the young model airplane enthusiasts, and certainly not just in the realm of model flying!

Are you interested in the camp? Visit www.alpines.ch to find the registration forms for the 2027 camp. The number of participants is limited—there are already quite a few interested individuals—so it’s worth registering early...! The camp will take place from July 24 to 31, 2027. ■

*Photos: Ruedi Steinle, Sandro Bosshard, Christof Zurbrügg, Beat Hofmann, and Thomas Kindler*