Beromünster Taildragger-meeting

Text:	Michael E. Fader
Pictures:	Michael E. Fader

(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Some time ago, the editor became aware of the taildragger meet in Beromünster. On 13. June 2026, this event took place for the third time. The term ‘taildraggers’ sounded interesting because it promised the presence of historic aircraft. The organisers made it clear in advance that this was not an airshow, but that flying was definitely encouraged. As I had plenty of time, I decided to go along and have a look.

When I arrived, it quickly became clear to me that this was a family-friendly event. There were no barriers to be seen far and wide. Some visitors had even set up their camping chairs under the wings of their aircraft. Visitors strolled undisturbed across the apron and amongst the aircraft. When an aircraft taxied up, people simply stepped aside briefly and then carried on.

(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Beromünster Airport is a privately operated airport in the canton of Lucerne. It is operated by Flubag Flugbetriebs AG. Due to its location approximately 17 kilometres north-west of Lucerne, the airport is also known as Lucerne-Beromünster. The infrastructure comprises a 510-metre-long grass runway for powered aircraft and a 485-metre-long runway for glider operations.

The history of the airfield began on 5 July 1947 with a spectacular emergency landing by pilot Walter Friedli on the grassland between Beromünster and Neudorf. This event sparked the idea among the local population of establishing their own airfield. In the years that followed, the site on the Wyna was regularly used as a landing strip by private pilots – always with the consent of the farmer in question, as was quite common at the time.

Beromünster Airfield was officially opened in 1963. The site comprised a hangar, a workshop and an airfield building housing offices, a radio tower and a petrol station.

On 13. June 2026, aircraft were scheduled to arrive between 9.00 am and 12.00 pm, with departures between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm. There was deliberately no official flight programme. Each pilot received a free lunch (Älplermakronen) and a drink from the organiser. The event was designed as an informal gathering of pilots for pilots. A few participants used the afternoon for short sightseeing flights.

Hatz CB-1 Classic HB-YSH, schön zu sehen ist, dass die Maschine aus dem hintern Cockpit geflogen wird. Vorne h at es gar keine Instrumente. (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

HB-COR (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Anflug mit Alpenpanorama
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann HB-UUV (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann HB-UUD (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Kitfox IV-1200 Speedster HB-YJK (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Convair-Stinson L-5 HB-TRY (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Stinson L-5 Sentinel N121MC (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Piper J-3C-90 Cub HB-OUP (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Piper J3C-65 Cub HB-OKN (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub SE-CEH (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Piper J-3C-90 Cub HB-ELI (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Piper J-3C-65 Cub HB-OAG (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

What was striking was the large number of Piper Cubs and Piper Super Cubs present. Whilst it is well known that a number of these aircraft are still registered in Switzerland, their sheer number in Beromünster was nonetheless surprising. It was impressive to see so many of these historic commuter and bush planes in one place.
The general condition of the aircraft was consistently excellent and bore witness to the careful maintenance by their owners. It was also particularly interesting to note that some aircraft were equipped with skis, enabling them to land on glaciers. There are around 50 glacier landing sites in Switzerland, although only 24 of these permit landings as they have sufficient runway length.

Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub HB-POS (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub HB-PRT (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub HB-PHP (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub HB-PPJ (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Piper J-3C-65 Cub HB-OSM (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon LN-ALM (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Cessna 150D HB-CMS (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Brügger MB-2 Colibri D HB-YDN (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Slepcev Storch Mk IV HB-YKQ (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Cessna 140 N81077(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Although the Nando Groppo Trail I-JUNG is registered in Italy, the aircraft is owned by a Swiss man called Marcel Jungo. He built the aircraft himself and has been flying it for three years now. (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Aeronca 15AC Sedan N1331H (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Boeing-Stearman Model 75 N1222N (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Aviat A-1A Husky HB-KME (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Boeing-Stearman Model 75 N1222N (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Jodel DR1050 Ambassadeur HB-EBS (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Glasair GlaStar GS1 HB-YKO (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Maule MX-7-160 N9236Y (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

An exotic aircraft with a nose wheel: the Reims-Cessna F150J HB-CVZ (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

-	Published: 28. Juni 2026	Written: 14. June 2026	Report No. 369	-
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