Turbulence for model aviators: “You want to keep it whole”

In itself, Nico Koning, chairman of the model flying club, is happy with the weather. “It’s nice and sunny,” says Koning. “The wind is getting a bit stronger now. This morning we started with wind force three. This afternoon it will be four and that makes it a bit exciting.” Pilot of a miniature glider Peter de Vos agrees. “Wind force three is the maximum,” he says with a twinkle in his eye. “Wind force four is a challenge. And at wind force five you know for sure that you will go home with debris.”

And the fact that things sometimes go wrong is also part of the charm of model flying. “It could crash,” says Maarten Cornelissen while holding a glider in the air. “That is painful, but it also gives the tension. If you go home and everything is still intact, then it is a very nice hobby, I think.”

Incidentally, it happens to every hobby model pilot at some point that things go horribly wrong. “Then it’s crying and doing better next time,” De Vos explains. “You must have a little calluses on your soul if you do this. It all looks beautiful, but it also sometimes goes wrong.”

Love of flying

But the love of flying still predominates among the pilots. When you see your plane take off after all those hours of building, it gives a special feeling. “It’s like seeing your first child go to school for the first time,” is how Bert van der Schoor describes it. For Peter de Vos it is mainly the social aspect that he enjoys. “I’m not the best pilot,” says Peter. “But I think it’s very cozy here. It’s just wonderful to be here outside in the sun.”