The DAC (Direction d’Aviation Civile) Air Safety Bulletin 2025/01 caused a bit of a stir at the AOPA Safety Seminar last March. This Bulletin authorizes the Lingten model aircraft airfield a vertical limit of 1,000 ft AGL / GND. Given that the club is located on a plateau at 415m (1,362 ft) between inbound and outbound VFR routes limited at 2,000ft MSL to/from Luxembourg Airport (ELLX) this topic immediately drew everyone’s attention.
Due to the heated exchange, we extended an invitation to the President of the Mersch Model Aircraft club in Lintgen, Jacques Wanderscheid, in order to discuss in person.
The purpose of our meeting was to gain a better understanding of the model flyers activities; assess the risks of potential conflicts between the model aircraft and general aviation (GA) aircraft and to outline ways to possibly mitigate any risks identified.
While there has only been one incident in Luxembourg between GA aircraft and model aircraft, a certain risk is inherently present since we all share the same airspace in this small country. As a result of changing regulations from the EU Commission, model aircraft airfields in Luxembourg must now have official authorization from the DAC. The airfield in Lintgen was granted this authorization in the DAC Air Safety Bulletin 2025/01 as of January 2025 and is valid for 3 years. The other model aircraft airfields were granted their authorizations 2 years earlier and theirs is valid for 5 years, therefore all of the clubs’ authorizations will expire at the same time. The 6 model aircraft clubs authorized by the DAC have a vertical limit of 1,000 ft AGL / GND.
This however does not mean that the Lintgen airfield popped up out of nowhere in January 2025 nor that it was operating illegally prior to that. The airfield and the club have been in operation since the 1960’s. The area is clearly marked and flying can only be done within a 350 meter wide radius from the center of the runway.
The club is located on the Lintgen plateau at 415m (1,362 ft) between inbound MERSA and outbound CARLI (approximately 1.5km west of CARLI), which is what makes it a contested spot. The concern stems from the fact that the club is at 1,362 ft and is authorized to fly its models up to 1,000 ft AGL therefore up to 2,362 ft MSL – GA aircraft flying VFR are limited to 2,000 ft MSL in that same area – therefore creating an increased risk of collision. It is not always possible for GA VFR aircraft to precisely follow the designated route whether inbound or outbound – creating an increased risk of collision.
The members of the club use sophisticated equipment, not the outdated manual controls many of us grew up seeing. These newer controls provide real-time information including height and distance. The model aircraft are valuable pieces and as such never leave the sight of the operators.
The model aircraft have a fail-safe programmed – meaning that if the signal from the receiver were to be cut off from the model aircraft, the motor stops and a low energy crash will ensue. It is important to note that this specific club has banned jet model aircraft and multicopters however these are allowed at other clubs.
AOPA Luxembourg took prompt action towards increased security:
- Identifying the issue and assessing potential risks
- Engaging the relevant parties to better understand the issue
- Raising awareness among pilots and stakeholders
As a direct result of AOPA Luxembourg’s action, Sky Demon has now updated their map to include the 6 model aircraft sites of the country (Jeppeson already had them on their map).
All of this in addition to the letter sent to the DAC back in 2021, where AOPA stressed the risk around the height allowance at this particular location. Moreover this letter highlights EASA’s regulations which state that model aircraft are limited to a height of 120m / 400 ft above ground. AOPA Luxembourg continues to be vocal on this matter.
AOPA Luxembourg will continue to move forward with further action which includes bringing together the DAC and other stakeholders to find alternate possible solutions, , such as:
- Moving CARLI exit reporting point a few degrees to the east
- Increasing the GA ceiling from 2,000ft MSL to 2,500 ft MSL along the MERSA/CARLI VFR route
We thank Jacques for his time and the open discussion we had. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Modellfligerklub Miersch and with all the other model aircraft clubs in Luxembourg, in order to ensure a safer sky for all of us. He has kindly shared design he made with a conical view of the terrain.
