ZigAir Meet 2023 in Mollis
Ihre Premiere in Mollis feierte die Dornier Do 27 des Fliegermuseums Altenrhein in den Farben der Schweizer Luftwaffe. Die Flying Bulls waren mit ihrer B-25 Mitchell, P-38 Lightning und F4U Corsair sowie dem Blanix-Team vertreten. Weitere Oldtimer und Warbirds waren unter anderem die Junkers F 13, Lockheed Electra Junior, Morane D-3801, North American OV-10 Bronco, Siai-Marchetti S211, Supermarine Spitfire, das Subito-Team mit drei Pilatus PC-7 sowie die Classic Formation mit ihrer Douglas DC-3 und drei Beech Model 18. Besonders beeindruckend waren die Vorführungen der RAF Falcons (das Fallschirm-Demo-Team der Royal Air Force) und von Christian Moullec, der mit seinem UL und einem Schwarm Gänsen seine Runden drehte.
Mit rund 25000 Besuchern blieb die Zuschauerzahl trotz bestem Wetter und guter Organisation wohl unter den Erwartungen der Organisatoren. Bleibt zu hoffen, dass dennoch eine positive Entscheidung über die Durchführung des nächsten ZigAir Meet im Jahr 2026 fallen wird.
On 18 and 19 August, thousands of visitors once again flocked to Glarus to marvel at aircraft from all over Europe against the unique backdrop of the Zigerschlitz – as the local valley landscape is also known. For the eighth time, the Ziger Meet, this year for the first time with the new name ZigAir Meet, took place at the Mollis airfield. Not only the impressive mountain scenery, but also the interesting participants always make this airshow a special event. This year, among other things, the unique formation of a North American P-51D Mustang with the Patrouille Suisse could be seen. Rarely represented at airshows is also the demo of the PZL W-3 Sokol of the Czech Air Force. The pilot gave a spectacular demonstration of the manoeuvrability of his rescue helicopter. The German Armed Forces contributed one Eurofighter and one Tiger each to the flight programme and the static display. From France came the solo display of the Dassault Rafale, while Belgium sent its Lockheed F-16 called “Dream Viper” to Switzerland. The Swiss Air Force was represented alongside the Patrouille Suisse with paratroopers including three Pilatus PC-6s and, of course, the F/A-18C Hornet.
The Dornier Do 27 of the Fliegermuseum Altenrhein in the colours of the Swiss Air Force celebrated its premiere in Mollis. The Flying Bulls were represented by their B-25 Mitchell, P-38 Lightning and F4U Corsair as well as the Blanix team. Other vintage aircraft and warbirds included the Junkers F 13, Lockheed Electra Junior, Morane D-3801, North American OV-10 Bronco, Siai-Marchetti S211, Supermarine Spitfire, the Subito team with three Pilatus PC-7s and the Classic Formation with their Douglas DC-3 and three Beech Model 18s. Particularly impressive were the displays by the RAF Falcons (the Royal Air Force parachute demo team) and by Christian Moullec, who did his rounds with his UL and a flock of geese.
With about 25,000 visitors, the number of spectators probably remained below the expectations of the organisers, despite the best weather and good organisation. We can only still hope that a positive decision will be made about holding the next ZigAir Meet in 2026.
