My life in radio-controlled modelling began before I could walk — literally. My father was an avid model builder, and I spent my earliest years at the flying field, starting in a baby buggy, watching him build and fly. This deep family connection to flight laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to precision modelling, international competition, and technical innovation in RC aircraft .

I started flying RC aircraft at the age of 10, and by 14, I was already competing in local and national RC contests.

At just 17 years old, I built my first giant-scale model, a Bellanca Citabria with a 4.2-meter wingspan, together with my friend Paul. This ambitious project was a turning point, confirming my passion for large, realistic scale aircraft and technical craftsmanship. It marked the beginning of a long line of scratch-built, high-performance models.

From 1979 to 1989, I competed nationally and internationally in F3A aerobatics, representing my country at both World and European Championships. These ten years taught me: Exact control and symmetry in flight, advanced aircraft setup and trimming, the discipline of high-level international competition and a deep understanding of aerodynamic efficiency and pilot precision. 

My F3A experience shaped my flying style and instilled a mindset of continuous improvement, values I still apply today. When model turbines first emerged, my main interest were turboprops. After assembling two Simjet kit turbines for a friend, I built my own two-stage turboprop based on WREN plans. This engine was first flown on an Embraer Tucano scale model at the famous Ferté Alais airshow and at the first-ever JetPower Model Fair in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler (2003). These were pivotal moments, marking my entry into turbine-powered flight with a strong foundation in engineering and realism.

Building on my turboprop experience, I later designed and built a twin-turboprop OV-10 Bronco. This large-scale model was flown at numerous RC events, including the JetPower fair, and became a crowd favorite thanks to its unique sound, flight realism, and distinctive design.

Continuing my pursuit of turbine innovation, I collaborated with renowned turbine expert Mike Murphy to develop a two-stage turbofan engine, initially based on a WREN two-stage turbine. Later, with the support of both Mike Murphy and Gaspar Espiell of Xicoy, we updated the design to incorporate a Xicoy two-stage turbine. This marked a leap forward in thrust, efficiency, and technical refinement and pushed the boundaries of what was possible in RC jet propulsion.

In 2015, I introduced the FANJET 600, a scratch-built scale replica of the RFB Fantrainer to the international stage at the Jet World Masters in Leutkirch. It became the centerpiece of my competitive career, and the result of teamwork, family support, and professional collaboration.

The aircrafts (we built 4 of them) were developed and built together with three close friends and with the invaluable help of my son Sven, who contributed hands-on building and technical support and in cooperation with Fanjet Aviation, the owner of the full-scale Fantrainer, who provided technical data, reference material, and direct input to ensure scale accuracy and authenticity. Last, not least, the development and built of the power plant was made by Mike Murphy, without his dedication to our project, the Fanjet would not have left the ground.

The FANJET 600 was refined continuously across multiple competition cycles, evolving in detail, reliability, and flight performance, a true long-term development project grounded in passion and persistence.

In 2024, I was honored to be appointed Technical Advisor to the International Jet Modellers Council (IJMC). In this role, I help shape competition rule development, standards and procedures and technical guidance for scale jets and turboprops.

My goal is to support fairness, innovation, and excellence in the global jet modelling community.

My RC journey has always been driven by passion, curiosity, and a love of flight. But none of it would have been possible without the unwavering support of my wife, Lydie. She has accompanied me to competitions, events, and long nights in the workshop. Her encouragement and quiet strength have been the foundation behind decades of success.

Likewise, involving my son Sven in the development of the FANJET 600 and other projects, has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey, passing knowledge, building together, and seeing the same spark of fascination for innovation and technology in the next generation.

From early builds with my friend Paul to engineering turbofans with Mike Murphy, this journey has always been about people as much as planes. Passion shared is passion multiplied.

After more than 50 years in the hobby, I’m still trying to push boundaries, building, flying, innovating, and mentoring. The joy of flight is timeless, and I continue to look forward to new projects, new challenges, and inspiring the next wave of RC pilots and engineers.