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Classic Formation – MEMORIES 2015 – 2020
06:21
Jan Locher

Classic Formation – MEMORIES 2015 – 2020

--- For English version see below --- Über 16 Jahre sind vergangen, seit dem ich das erste Flugzeug von Hugo Mathys gefilmt habe. So habe ich auch den Aufbau der «Classic Formation» miterlebt – die Flugformation mit der «Swissair DC-3» und zwei, resp. heute drei, Beech 18. Während all den Jahren war ich bei fast allen Aktivitäten der Classic Formation dabei. Zu Beginn filmte ich vor allem die Flugtrainings vom Boden aus, damit die Piloten ein unmittelbares Feedback haben. Aus den unzähligen Flügen und Airshows erstellte ich weitere Filme. Einige Aufnahmen schafften es in eine Fernsehdokumentation von ARTE, ZDF und SRF. Besondere Highlights waren für mich immer die Ausflüge, bei welchen uns unsere Partnerinnen begleiteten durften. So erlebte ich zahlreiche tolle Airshows in La Ferté-Alais, Duxford, Schottland oder eine «private Airshow» über dem Thunersee, um nur einige zu nennen. Die mehrstündigen DC-3 Flüge von der Schweiz zu all diesen Destinationen versetzten mich immer in einen «magischen Zustand». Meistens wurde tief geflogen, so dass man viele Details auf dem Land erkennen konnte: Kühe, Schafe, Häuser, Flüsse, Wälder... Nebst dem Filmen engagierte ich mich gerne bei weiteren Aktivitäten der Classic Formation. So designte ich das typische Classic Formation Logo mit dem «Buchstaben C und den vier Flugzeugen», Kleider-Outfits für die Piloten, oder kümmerte mich um die Website und um Medienanfragen. Oder ich schrieb Texte und Musik für Airshows und fungierte als Speaker: Ein Highlight war dabei die Flugshow Air14 in Payerne, mit über 100'000 Zuschauern an der Seite von Speaker Legende Bernard Chabert, oder am «Red Bull Race Day» mit über 30’000 Zuschauern zusammen mit (G&G Moderator) Salar Bahrampoori. Dieser Film widme ich Hugo Mathys und den «Flügerlers» der «Classic Formation». Hugo verdanke ich all die schönen Flugmomente, und auch das nötige Equipment, um überhaupt solche Filme erstellen zu können. Allen Piloten der «Classic Formation» danke ich für die unzähligen «safe flights». Mit diesem Film verabschiede ich mich von der «Classic Formation» und breche auf zu neuen Projekten. --- Over 16 years have passed since I filmed the first aircraft of Hugo Mathys. So I have also witnessed the creation of the “Classic Formation" from the beginning - the flight formation with the "Swissair DC-3" and two, resp. today three, Beech 18. During all these years I was present at almost all activities of the Classic Formation. In the beginning I mainly filmed the flight trainings from the ground, so that the pilots have immediate feedback. From the countless flights and airshows I created further films. Some of them made it into a television documentary of ARTE, ZDF and SRF. Special highlights for me were always the trips where our partners were allowed to join us. So I experienced many great airshows in La Ferté-Alais, Duxford, Scotland or a "private airshow" over the Lake of Thun, just to name a few. The DC-3 flights from Switzerland to all these destinations, which took several hours, always put me in a "magical state". Most of the time we flew low so that you could see many details of the countryside: Cows, sheep, houses, rivers, forests... Besides filming I was also involved in other activities. I designed the typical Classic Formation logo with the letter “C” and the four aircraft, clothes outfits for the pilots (and partners) or took care of media requests and the website. Or I wrote texts and music for air shows and served as speaker: A highlight was the air show Air14 in Payerne, with over 100'000 spectators at the side of speaker legend Bernard Chabert, or on the "Red Bull Race Day" with over 30'000 spectators together with (G&G presenter) Salar Bahrampoori. I dedicate this film to Hugo Mathys and the "Flügerlers" of the "Classic Formation". I owe all the beautiful flight moments to Hugo, and also the necessary equipment to be able to create such films. I thank all pilots of the "Classic Formation" for the countless "safe flights". With this film I will say goodbye to the "Classic Formation" and move on to new projects. A Film by Jan Locher. Copyright © 2020 by Jan Locher.
How to Polish a DC-3 (feat. the "Fokker Team")
01:30
Jan Locher

How to Polish a DC-3 (feat. the "Fokker Team")

--- For English version see below --- Haben Sie sich schon gefragt, woher die «Swissair» DC-3 ihren Glanz erhält? Nun kennen Sie die Antwort! Dass es sich bei der DC-3 um ein «grosses» Flugzeug handelt, merkt man spätestens wenn man unter einem der Flügel oder neben dem Rad steht. Mit einer Spannweite von knapp 30 Metern resultiert eine gesamte Flügelfläche von über 91 Quadratmetern (987 sq ft). Zu polieren gibt es jedoch noch weit mehr: Einen Rumpf, ein Seitenleitwerk, eine weitere Flügelfläche und tausende Nieten, welche die Arbeit erschweren. Zum Glück gibt es für diesen Fall das «Fokker Team»: Ein Verein von mehrheitlich pensionierten «Swissairler», welche liebevoll jedes Jahr während einer Woche die DC-3 polieren. Ich war an einem Tag im Jahr 2014 in St. Stephan, Schweiz, dabei und ganz erstaunt, mit wieviel «Liebe zum Detail» hier gearbeitet wurde. Das «Fokker Team» wurde unterstützt und geleitet von Fritz Locher. Über all die Jahre habe ich mitbekommen wie Fritz den gesamten Polierprozess weiter optimierte, sodass das Polieren immer einfacher vonstatten ging. Anders als beispielsweise bei einem Auto arbeitet man hier an einer tragenden Struktur, man muss also vorsichtig sein was man tut (und was besser nicht). --- Have you ever wondered where the "Swissair" DC-3 gets its shine from? Now you know the answer! That the DC-3 is a " huge " aircraft becomes apparent at the latest when you stand under one of the wings or next to the wheel. With a wingspan of just under 30 meters, it has a total wing area of over 91 square meters (987 sq ft). But there is much more to polish: A fuselage, a vertical tail, another wing area and thousands of rivets, which make the work more difficult. Fortunately, there is the "Fokker Team" for this case: an association of mostly retired Swissair people, who carefully polish the DC-3 during one week every year. I was present on one day in 2014 in St. Stephan, Switzerland, and was quite astonished with how much "attention to detail" they worked here. The "Fokker Team" was supported and led by Fritz Locher. Over all these years I have seen how Fritz has optimized the whole polishing process so that polishing has become easier and easier. Unlike a car, for example, you are working on a supporting structure, so you have to be careful what you do (and better not do). Archive footage created by Jan Locher. Copyright © 2020 by Jan Locher.
Beech 18 Annual Inspection | Engine Run-up | Oil Change
15:34
Jan Locher

Beech 18 Annual Inspection | Engine Run-up | Oil Change

--- For English version see below --- Dieser Film zeigt einen Run-up sowie einen Ölwechsel an der «blauen» Beech 18, N223CM, von Hugo Mathys. Die Aufnahmen entstanden an einem Tag im Februar 2014 am Flughafen Grenchen anlässlich der Jahreskontrolle. Fritz Locher, welcher sich zu dieser Zeit für die Maintenance dieser Beech 18 verantwortlich zeichnete, wurde bei jeder Jahreskontrolle von Taigh Ramey – ein Beech 18 Experte aus Amerika – unterstützt. Der Ölwechsel und die Jahreskontrolle wurde zusammen mit einem lokalen Unterhaltsbetrieb am Flughafen Grenchen durchgeführt. Fritz und Taigh werden hierbei vom «Mechaniker Urgestein» René Vock und von Kurt Hofmann unterstützt. Bereits während meiner Kindheit, als noch Alouette III der Schweizer Luftwaffe in Grenchen gewartet wurden, besuchte ich immer gerne diesen Unterhaltsbetrieb. Früher hiess dieser Betrieb «Farner» - nach mehreren Handänderungen heisst der Betrieb heute anders. René und Kurt waren jedoch auch früher schon dabei – ich wurde immer sehr freundlich empfangen und durfte auch «mithelfen». Es fasziniert mich bis heute, wie die Flugzeuge regelrecht in tausend Einzelteile zerlegt und wieder flugtauglich gemacht werden. --- This film is about a run-up and an oil change on the "blue" Beech 18, N223CM, owned by Hugo Mathys. The footage was taken during a day in February 2014 at Grenchen Airport during the annual inspection. Fritz Locher, who was responsible for the maintenance of this Beech 18 at the time, was assisted at each annual inspection by Taigh Ramey - a Beech 18 expert from the US. The annual inspection was carried out at a local maintenance shop at Grenchen Airport. Fritz and Taigh are supported in this by the "mechanic veteran" René Vock and Kurt Hofmann. Even during my childhood, when Alouette IIIs of the Swiss Air Force were still being maintained in Grenchen, I always enjoyed visiting this maintenance shop. In the past, the company was called "Farner". After several hand changes, the name of the company has changed as well. However, René and Kurt were already there - I was always received very friendly and was allowed to "help out". It fascinates me to this day how the airplanes are literally disassembled into a thousand pieces and then made airworthy again. Archive footage created by Jan Locher. Copyright © 2020 by Jan Locher.
Airshow Grenchen 2006, Switzerland | DA42 Twin Star Formation
05:30
Jan Locher

Airshow Grenchen 2006, Switzerland | DA42 Twin Star Formation

--- For English version see below --- Am 9. Und 10. September 2006 feierte der Flughafen Grenchen sein 75-jähriges Bestehen mit einer grossen, internationalen Airshow. Attraktionen der Show waren die Super Constellation, die Patrouille Suisse, das Breitling Jet Team, PC-7-Team und viele weitere. Eine weitere Attraktion war die Formation mit drei Twin Star DA42. Eine davon gehörte Hugo Mathys – der Besitzer der Flugzeuge der heutigen Classic Formation. Dies war der erste öffentliche Auftritt dieser Formation «mit zweimotorigen Flugzeugen», und der Vorreiter der «Classsic Formation». Im Film zu sehen ist Philipp «Phile» Mueller, welcher auch heute (2020) noch für die Formationsflugausbildung der Piloten zuständig ist, Hugo Mathys sowie Fritz Locher (Maintenance). --- Grenchen Airport celebrated its 75th anniversary on September 9 and 10 2006 with a big international air show. The attractions of the show were the Super Constellation, the Patrouille Suisse, the Breitling Jet Team, the PC-7 Team and many more. Another attraction was the formation with three «Twin Star DA42». One of them belonged to Hugo Mathys - the owner of today’s «Classic Formation». This was the first public appearance of this twin-engined aircraft formation, and the forerunner of today's «Classsic Formation». In the film you can see Philipp "Phile" Mueller, who is still responsible for the formation training of the Classic Formation pilots until today (2020), Hugo Mathys and Fritz Locher (Maintenance). Archive footage created by Jan Locher. Copyright © 2020 by Jan Locher.
360° Cockpit View | Formation Flight | Classic Formation
05:17
Jan Locher

360° Cockpit View | Formation Flight | Classic Formation

Take a seat in the cockpit! Jan Locher takes the viewer on a 360° tour with the Classic Formation. Every year within their practice schedule, the Classic Formation flies for one week at the Épinal–Mirecourt Airport in the beautiful Lorraine region of France. Lush pastures and meadows reflect flawlessly on the shiny polished aircrafts of the Douglas DC-3 and the three Beech-18’s. Jan Locher seizes the beauty of formation flight from new perspectives and finds surprising angles to capture the beauty of these historic aircraft. Take a seat inside the cockpit. You have the controls! The Classic Formation team: Philipp Müller “Phile”, Hugo Mathys, Beni Kissling, Hans Jörg Herzog, Hans Breitenmoser, Niklaus “Nik” Gammeter, Nicolas "Nicu" Misteli, Werner Spichtig and Jan Locher – http://www.ClassicFormation.com/team How to watch 360° videos? (Source: Vimeo) On desktop, you can explore a 360 video with your arrow keys, mouse, or trackpad. On the right side of the player, you’ll see a compass that indicates the direction you are facing in the video. Clicking on the compass will reorient you to the original positioning of the video. On the Vimeo mobile app for iOS or Android, tilt your device to enjoy 360 video. You can also move horizontally through a 360 video by dragging your finger across the screen. Copyright © 2019 by Jan Locher. http://www.MotionRhythm.com, http://www.FlyingPostcard.com, http://www.ClassicFormation.com
High Flight - La Ferté-Alais
05:52
Jan Locher

High Flight - La Ferté-Alais

The airshow in La Ferté-Alais, France, plays in a different league from usual airshows: In the morning hours, over 150 legendary World War I and World War II aircrafts are presented in a static exhibit, while in the afternoon the pilots demonstrate their skills in a beautiful and highly entertaining manner. One of the most interesting highlights of the show is the simulated attack on Pearl Harbor. Jan Locher captures the beauty of flight, finds surprising new angles and puts the “Spirit” of La Ferté-Alais into this very moving film. Special care was put into the composing of the music. Inspired by the poem “High Flight” by the American aviator and poet John Gillespie Magee Junior, Jan Locher composed the song “High Flight” using the original poem. The poem was completed in 1941, after John Gillespie Magee Junior flew in a Spitfire MK I up to 33’000 feet, where he was struck by a passage he had read in another poem by Cuthbert Hicks: „Touched the face of god”. Tragically, he died in a mid-air collision only a few months later in the same year. Special thanks: The Classic Formation, www.classicformation.com L'amicale Jean-Baptiste Salis, www.ajbs.fr The generous French motorcyclist Jean Caillou All the pilots, volunteers and enthusiasts for making such an incredible event possible Copyright © 2017 by Jan Locher / www.MotionRhythm.com Featured in the film: The Classic Formation with the legendary Douglas DC-3 and two Beechcraft Model 18’s, AD-4N Skyraider, North American T-6, Boeing 737, Lockheed Electra, Eurocopter EC 135, BO-105 (Flying Bulls Helicopter), Canadair CL-415, Stampe & Vertongen SV-4, Bücker Jungmeister, Bücker Jungmann, Caudron G-III, Boeing-Stearman PT-17, Boeing-Stearman PT-13, Pilatus B-4 (PC-11), Ju-52, Hawker Hurricane, Hawker Sea Fury, Morane-Saulnier G, Grumman S-2 Tracker, Dassault Rafale. La Ferté-Alais, France, 2015.
Flying with the Classic Formation – La Ferté-Alais 2015
06:58
Jan Locher

Flying with the Classic Formation – La Ferté-Alais 2015

This film showcases the Classic Formation flying at the famous French airshow in La Ferté-Alais in 2015, which is located 50km south of Paris. Jan Locher, the Swiss filmmaker and composer, captures many terrestrial and aerial sequences and puts the very finest in this film. The music was exclusively composed and hand-tailored during the making of the film. Many thanks go to the Classic Formation team, namely Philipp Müller “Phile”, Hugo Mathys, Beni Kissling, Jürg Marti, Hans Jörg Herzog, Hans Breitenmoser, Fritz Locher and Jan Locher – www.ClassicFormation.com Music: "Timeless Airfield" & "Dreaming under the Wing". Composed, produced and recorded by Jan Locher. Violin: Lisa Schär. Panflute: Jan Locher. Copyright © 2016 by Jan Locher / MotionRhythm.com Special thanks: L'Amicale Jean-Baptiste Salis, www.ajbs.fr All the pilots, volunteers and enthusiasts for making such an event possible. Bernard Chabbert for his poetic commentation during the "Classic Formation" display. The Manhattan Dolls for their fantastic performance during the "Classic Formation" display, www.themanhattandolls.com The Schär and Locher family for the expert support in the making of the film and the music. Lisa Schär for the BTS pictures and for supporting me in every way possible. Hugo Mathys for making all of these haunting souvenirs even possible. Filmed with a Sony PXW-FS7 and GoPros. Copyright © 2016 by Jan Locher / MotionRhythm.com
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