100 years of the Schwäbisch Gmünd Aviation Group: A celebration of aviation history!

100 years of the Schwäbisch Gmünd Aviation Group: A celebration of aviation history!

The Schwäbisch Gmünd Aviation Group celebrated its 100th anniversary with a great ceremony on September 20, 2023. The anniversary took place in Schwäbisch Gmünd-Degenfeld and thrilled both club members and numerous guests. A special highlight were the historical aircraft and modern gliders that were presented in this festive environment. Mayor Richard Arnold honored the club as “the cradle of gliding” and paid homage to its stability and sporting successes. He also drew attention to the impressive youth work, which includes around 20 young people between the ages of 14 and 25.

District Administrator Dr. Joachim Bläse recalled the challenging founding period 100 years ago. The magical Hornberg airfield, located on the northern edge of the Swabian Alb, is considered the nucleus of gliding in Germany. The flying group is one of the oldest gliding clubs in the country and was founded long before the Baden-Württemberg Air Sports Association (BWLV) was founded. In 2015, the BWLV gave up the airfield for economic reasons, whereupon the Schwäbisch Gmünd Aviation Group, together with Waldstetten, took over responsibility ten years ago.

Ceremony and festivities

Around 300 visitors took part in the anniversary celebration. In addition to the ceremonial speeches, there were also aircraft christenings, which were particularly well received by air sports fans. Historic and modern aircraft, vintage cars and textiles could be admired up close. Live music and a DJ ensured the celebrations lasted late into the night. During the anniversary week, a special exhibition of historical gliders from each decade was organized in Hangar 3. Gmünder daily post reported on the celebrations, which were received with great enthusiasm by the club members and the community.

The historical development of the flying group is also of great importance, as the first flight tests began in 1925 under the direction of Karl Schmid. The following year, a second working group was formed under Josef Schedel, which also made a significant contribution to the enthusiasm for gliding. These historical roots were documented by historian Gerd Zipper, who examined the history of the Hornberg and the Gmünder aviation pioneers. On the occasion of this special anniversary, the Rems newspaper in a series about aviation history in the region.