For the Motor Flight Veterans« fall outing, board member Hansueli Schaffer had put together an exciting program at his »home airfield.” A tour of an airfield that was once a farm and lunch at a moated castle provided many new experiences.
It’s certainly rather unusual to be sitting in a former cowshed while attending a lecture about an airfield. But the history of the Flying Ranch Triengen—a long-standing institution in the Suhrental valley and owned by the Müller family since 1947—is also quite unusual. Acting President Peter Thut welcomed about 100 veterans to the terrace of the airfield restaurant that morning. Despite the low-lying fog, some members had even flown in.
Two fellow members were sorely missed: President Urs Adam and Louis Hammer, who both passed away unexpectedly this May. Fortunately, Ruedi Burgstaller has joined the board of the Motor Flight Veterans.
Despite the low cloud cover, the first highlight was able to take place as scheduled. Bruno Müller, a multiple Swiss aerobatics champion, presented a special aerobatic program in his Sukhoi Su-26, powered by a magnificent-sounding 9-cylinder radial engine with 400 PS of power. The performance by this exceptional pilot, born in 1961, thrilled the spectators. He and his wife, Trudy, have been running the Flying Ranch for decades.
During the tour that followed, the various activities at the Flying Ranch were demonstrated:
In his characteristic humorous manner, Eugen Wüest presented his Yak-52, which he had built himself on his farm. After years of work and a significant financial investment, he succeeded in creating a one-of-a-kind Yak-52 with a mirrored chrome finish.
Frederik Wildi spoke about the activities of the Triengen Para-Sports Club and demonstrated the function and design of the parachutes to the attentive veterans.
Mr. and Mrs. Müller gave us a detailed presentation on the development and expansion of the Triengen Airfield up to its current state. They particularly emphasized the cooperation with local residents and the people of Triengen, which made it possible to operate the airfield.
It wasn’t always easy to pry the enthusiastic veterans away from their various stations and, in the end, persuade them to board the waiting bus. The next stop was already waiting: Wyher Water Castle in Ettiswil, where an aperitif and lunch awaited. And above all, there was time for conversation.