Born in 1980, Ennio Graber is a world-class model helicopter pilot who lives in Vira Gambarogno in Switzerland.

Two times FAI F3C World Champion (2013 and 2017), silver medallist at the Worlds in 2019, he was European Champion in 2010, 2012, and 2016.

Graber, who began flying RC helicopters when he was about 10 years old, has also been crowned Swiss Champion many times.

A physical education teacher, he credits his father’s passion for the sport of aeromodelling for making him such a successful competitor.

“My father has been involved in aeromodelling for a long time, so my passion for this wonderful activity started with him,” Graber says.

“I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time on airfields even as a child, and to follow the huge development in the F3C category.”

His first World Championship was alongside his father, representing the Swiss national team.

“My first World Championship was in 2001 in Muncie, USA,” Graber says.

“That was a really big honour for me because I was on the Swiss national team with my father, who taught me everything I know.”

Graber’s aeromodelling career started early.

“I started to practise RC aeromodelling at the age of seven, starting with a car then a little glider,” he says.

“I then started flying RC helicopters when I was about 10 years old.”

His top tips for aeromodelling pilots interested in taking part in competitions include not skipping the basics.

“To be a good RC helicopter pilot, you need to be dedicated and spend a lot of time practising,” Graber says.

“To be successful in F3C competitions, it is important to learn basics maneouveres such as ‘hovering’ and ‘linear forward flight’.

“Only then you can progress to more complex moves such as loopings, rolls, and flips.”