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Michael E. Fader |
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Michael E. Fader |
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Lightwing AC4 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Over the weekend of 10 and 11 July 2026, the editorial team was once again able to attend a Swiss air show. The ‘Wings & Friends’ event took place to mark the 95th anniversary of Grenchen Airport. According to the organisers, around 15,000 spectators attended the airport festival on each of the two days – Friday and Saturday. However, this figure seems rather high, particularly for Friday, as the impression on the ground suggested a significantly lower number of visitors. This did not, however, detract in any way from the positive atmosphere and the success of the event.
Once again, it was evident just how much impressive diversity and beauty Swiss aviation has to offer. The event, however, almost took a very different turn: a major air show had originally been planned for 11 and 12 July 2026. However, as the organiser and Grenchen Airport were unable to agree on a joint contract, this plan had to be abandoned. Instead of the originally planned air show, the smaller and more family-friendly two-day airport festival ‘Wings & Friends’ was ultimately held on 10 and 11 July 2026. The event was organised by a task force set up by the airport itself.
Mc Donnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIb HB-RDN(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Airbus H-145 HB-TIB (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Antonov An-2 HA-ABA (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Pipistrel Velis Electro HB-SYK (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The flight displays were deliberately designed as a typically Swiss air show and took place almost entirely without foreign participation. The only exception was the Douglas C-47B Skytrain (N150D) in American livery. All other aircraft were from the Swiss Air Force or bore Swiss livery, thereby emphasising the national character of the event.
The air show opened on Friday morning at 9.00 am with an impressive slow pass by two F/A-18 Hornets from the Swiss Air Force as part of the air policing service. One of the two aircraft was flown by Roger Mathys – the brother of the well-known warbird collector Hugo Mathys, whose aircraft hardly need any further introduction.
Nieuport 23C-1 "Egerkingen"
The Nieuport 17, which later evolved into the 23C-1 version, was first built in 1916 and was one of the most widely flown fighter aircraft of the First World War. In June 1917, the Swiss Air Force was able to acquire five of these high-performance fighter aircraft to bolster its fleet. The 23C-1 models, built by SA Établissements Nieuport in Issy-les-Moulineaux (Seine), were given the registration numbers 601 to 605 in Switzerland.
Like all aeroplanes with a rotary engine, the Nieuport 23C-1 also has a technical feature which commentator Peter Brotschi vividly highlighted during the demonstration. The engine has no throttle lever and therefore cannot be controlled by adjusting the power supply, as is the case with modern aircraft. The engine speed is controlled solely via the ignition: either the engine runs at full power, or the ignition is briefly interrupted to reduce power. This peculiarity makes flying the Nieuport particularly challenging.
Another distinctive feature of the aircraft is the mounted machine gun. Unlike on many historic aircraft, this is not a replica but an original weapon that is authorised for use with blank cartridges during displays. Isidor von Arx took the opportunity to fire the machine gun with blank cartridges during his display, thereby conveying a vivid impression of the aerial combat of that era.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Pilatus
Peter Daetwyler and Beat Roos are the driving forces behind the ‘Yeti-Porter’. The history of this Pilatus Porter, with serial number s/n 540, is as fascinating as it is extraordinary.
The aircraft was built in 1962 as a Pilatus PC-6/350 with a piston engine. After several years as a demonstration aircraft at Pilatus, it was sold to Canada in 1965 and later found its way to the USA. Following several changes of ownership, Flyporter LLC in Canada acquired the aircraft in 2015 and sold it to Philipp Sturm in a non-airworthy condition. Sturm initiated the project to restore the aircraft as the ‘Yeti-Porter’ in the colours of the historic 1960 Swiss Dhaulagiri Expedition – whose original aircraft bore the serial number s/n 337 – and initially to bring it to the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne as an exhibit. From 2017 to 2020, the Porter was on display there, serving as a reminder of the legendary mission of a Pilatus Porter in the Himalayas.
Following a comprehensive, years-long overhaul, the ‘Yeti-Porter’ took off from Langenthal on 14 January 2022 for its second maiden flight. At that time, the aircraft still bore the American registration N283SW. Today, the aircraft flies under the Swiss registration HB-FAN and delights visitors at air shows as a flying monument to a significant chapter in Swiss aviation history.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The PC-7 SUBITO Team is the
official display team of the Altenrhein Aviation Museum. It usually
consists of three Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft that were once in
service with the Swiss Air Force. For financial reasons, the aircraft
are now registered in the Republic of San Marino.
With precise formation flying and striking smoke effects, the team put
on a varied and impressive display. However, there is far more to these
displays than just flying skill: the Altenrhein Aviation Museum is
deeply committed to keeping these historic aircraft airworthy. This
ensures that future generations are left not just with a static exhibit,
but with a living piece of Swiss aviation history that can continue to
be experienced in the air.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Stinson L-5 Sentinel
The Stinson L-5 Sentinel has an extraordinary and eventful history. At the controls of the aircraft, bearing the American serial number 42-99186, was Lieutenant Roy G. Abbott, who, together with a passenger, was carrying out a reconnaissance flight over France on behalf of the 324th Fighter Group. However, due to poor visibility, the crew strayed into Swiss airspace. There, the aircraft was fired upon and damaged by the Swiss air defence forces. Abbott was subsequently forced to make an emergency landing with the Stinson near Les Vacheries-des-Genevez in the western Jura. The crew were interned, whilst the aircraft was transferred to Dübendorf.
After the end of the Second World War, the Swiss Air Force took over the aircraft and put it into service from 1945 under the designation A-96. Four years later, in 1949, it was returned to the United States. However, as early as 1950, the Stinson returned to Switzerland and remained in service with various civilian flying clubs until 1968.
It was not until 2004 that the aircraft underwent extensive restoration in Kaposvár (Hungary) and was made airworthy once more. It then returned to Switzerland, where it took to the skies again under the historic registration A-96 and the civil registration HB-TRY. Today, the historic Stinson belongs to the Antonov Association of Grenchen, which maintains it in airworthy condition with great dedication and regularly displays it at air shows.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Classic Formation
Hugo Mathys is one of the most prominent private supporters of historic aviation in Switzerland. The entrepreneur and pilot, who hails from the Grenchen region, has built up an impressive collection of historic aircraft over many years and has thus played a key role in ensuring that classic aircraft are not only on display in museums but can also continue to be seen in the skies.
Another highlight of the event was therefore the performance by the Classic Formation. Based in Grenchen, the formation is dedicated to the care and preservation of historic commercial aircraft and thrills the audience with a unique display featuring four classic aircraft flying in formation. The formation is led by the legendary Douglas DC-3, accompanied by three Beechcraft Model 18s. The elegant lines of these vintage aircraft, the unmistakable sound of the radial engines and the precisely executed formation flying impressively convey the charm of aviation’s golden age.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Junkers F-13
The Junkers F-13 HB-RIM is the prototype of a flyable replica of the world’s first commercial aircraft made entirely of metal. The project was carried out from 2013 onwards under the leadership of Dieter Morszeck, the former owner of Rimowa. Although the aircraft’s exterior corresponds almost exactly to the 1919 original, it is equipped with modern technology and complies with current airworthiness regulations. The HB-RIM made its maiden flight on 15 September 2016 in Dübendorf. After several years as a demonstration aircraft in the USA, it returned to Switzerland in 2023. Today, it is one of the most impressive flying ambassadors of early commercial aviation and regularly captivates audiences at air shows with its distinctive corrugated metal design.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Grenchen
The Grenchen Flight School, one of the largest flight schools in Switzerland and a training centre for numerous prospective pilots of the Swiss Air Force, gave an impressive demonstration of the procedure to follow in the event of a loss of engine power. Such emergency procedures form part of standard training and are practised regularly with trainee pilots. During these exercises, engine power is reduced to idle to realistically simulate an engine failure. Power is only restored immediately before touchdown, so that a go-around would be possible if necessary. The pilot demonstrated this procedure impressively and carried out the simulated emergency landing with confidence and precision.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Afterwards, the Grenchen Airport Fire Brigade demonstrated to the spectators the procedure for a rescue operation following an emergency landing. The scenario simulated an engine fire on an aircraft parked on the runway. Using an airfield fire engine and a crew of around five, the fire was brought under control and extinguished in a very short space of time. The demonstration impressively illustrated how quickly and professionally the airport fire brigade responds in an emergency.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The DFS Zögling is one of the oldest aircraft at Grenchen Airfield. This historic training glider was restored over many years with great dedication and was eventually returned to airworthy condition.
The take-off was carried out using the traditional car-tow method, whereby the glider is accelerated by a vehicle and pulled into the air. However, the release altitude achievable in this way is comparatively low, which is why the pilot was only able to complete a short circuit of the airfield. Furthermore, due to its simple design and open lattice fuselage, the DFS Zögling has a significantly poorer glide ratio than modern gliders. Yet it is precisely this original design that gives a striking insight into the early days of gliding and makes every demonstration a special experience.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The two aerobatic aircraft were significantly faster, thrilling the audience with their dynamic displays. Daniel Pejer performed a challenging and varied aerobatic programme in his XtremeAir Sbach 342 (D-EJXA), which impressively showcased the capabilities of this modern aerobatic aircraft.
The Turbine Legend (N3YZ), on the other hand, is designed entirely for speed and performance. This high-performance home-built aircraft is powered by a powerful Walter M601 turboprop engine delivering around 745 PS and, with an empty weight of approximately 923 kg, boasts an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. Marc Rollier gave an impressive demonstration of the aircraft, showcasing its enormous acceleration, which is almost reminiscent of a jet fighter.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
XtremeAir Sbach 342 D-EJXA (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
XtremeAir Sbach 342 D-EJXA (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Round Canopy Team Suisse
The Round Canopy Parachuting Team Suisse provided the air show’s international flavour. With an authentically designed camp, original vehicles from the Second World War and historically accurate uniforms from around 1944, the re-enactors impressively demonstrated the effort that goes into staging historical re-enactments.
But it wasn’t just a
ground-based display: ten parachutists carried out an authentic jump
from a Douglas C-47B Skytrain using historic round-canopy parachutes.
The jumpers were dropped from a height of around 1,200 metres above the
airfield in two groups of five.
All participants landed safely on the airfield grounds. This is by no
means a given with round-cap parachutes, as, unlike modern canopy
parachutes, they can only be steered to a very limited extent. It was
precisely this original technology that gave a striking impression of
the airborne operations of the 1940s.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Patrouille Suisse
The airshow commentator, Peter Brotschi, expressly pointed out that this was likely to be the Patrouille Suisse’s final appearance in Grenchen. According to current plans, the long-established team is due to be disbanded at the end of 2027, as the Swiss Air Force’s ageing Northrop F-5E Tiger aircraft are scheduled to be phased out by that time.
The Patrouille Suisse consists of six active professional militia pilots and the commander – currently Nils Hämmerli. All pilots work full-time as military pilots flying the Swiss Air Force’s McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.
The team also used Friday to capture some special footage: aerial shots of the Patrouille Suisse during their display were taken from an F/A-18 Hornet. This offered spectators an unusual sight, as a Hornet could be seen in the sky alongside the six red-and-white Tiger jets.
It is to be hoped that the tried-and-tested Northrop F-5E Tigers can remain in service for even longer and that the Patrouille Suisse will be able to continue its impressive displays beyond 2027.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The flight programme was varied, well put together and offered a successful mix of historic and modern aircraft. The organisation of the event as a whole also left a positive impression.
Nevertheless, there were a few points that gave cause for criticism. With an admission price of CHF 30.– and an additional CHF 20.– for parking, the costs for visitors were comparatively high. The range of food and drink on offer was also rather limited. Particularly on a hot summer’s day, a wider selection of non-alcoholic drinks would have been desirable. The fact that large quantities of beer were being served seemed somewhat inappropriate given the high temperatures.
