Pressrelease
Press Release, May 16, 2024 (3,491 characters)
World Premiere at Traditional Festival
Seenachtfest Rapperswil Festival Presents World's First Airshow with Electric Aircraft
Celebrating 100 years of the Seenachtfest Rapperswil-Jona:
From August 9 to 11, 2024, the old town of Rapperswil and the lakeside promenade will once again transform into a large festival area. This year's program includes an airshow, featuring electric aircraft formation flight for the first time ever. The world's first airshow with electric aircraft aims to make history at the 100th traditional festival.
As the centennial edition of the Festival approaches, several key attractions have already been announced, such as Switzerland's longest mobile zipline, promising to make this anniversary edition truly special. Now, another exciting highlight has been revealed, set to astonish visitors: with the support of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation and Skyguide, the festival will host the world's first airshow with electric aircraft, offering the audience not only an environmentally friendly alternative but also a groundbreaking innovation.
Quiet, Lightweight, and Environmentally Friendly
It has long been a tradition for the Seenachtfest Festival to feature an airshow by the Swiss Air Force. However, for this special anniversary, a significant change will be introduced: in addition to the popular airshows with an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet and the Super Puma Display Team, six nearly silent electric aircraft will form over Lake Zurich, performing an unprecedented display at low altitude. Without afterburners or sonic booms, a new era of aviation is set to begin. “We are proud to showcase such an innovation at our 100th anniversary. This is a true highlight for our traditional festival,” says Fabian Villiger, Chairman of the Lake Night Festival organizing committee.
Back to School
Before the Swiss Air Force pilots, who volunteer their time for this project, take to the cockpits of the small electric aircraft and head from Wangen-Lachen towards Rapperswil, they must spend a few hours in training. A few circuits with a flight instructor are necessary to add the electric aircraft endorsement to their private pilot licenses. “Of course, not all maneuvers possible with a fighter jet can be performed with the smaller electric aircraft – but this opens up entirely new possibilities. For the first time, we can fly an airshow so close and intimately with the audience like never before. We might even set a world record,” says Dipl.-Ing. Morell Westermann, the initiator of the airshow. As an innovator and entrepreneur in the field of sustainable aviation, Morell Westermann brings a wealth of expertise and vision to this groundbreaking project.
Seeking Sponsors
The mission of the project is to draw public attention to the positive developments in aviation. To realize this project, sponsors are still being sought. Sponsorship packages are available in Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories. To accommodate smaller contributions, a Family & Friends category is also available. In return, sponsors will have the opportunity to present their brand, experience the airshow up close as VIPs at the Lake Night Festival, fly in an electric aircraft, or help design the aircraft's appearance. During the current planning phase of the project, sponsors are given the opportunity to tailor their sponsorship activities to their needs.
Look forward to an unforgettable Seenachtfest and be part of the world's first airshow with electric aircraft.
Media Contact, inquiries and interviews:
Worlds first e-Airshow, Morell Westermann can be reached via email at mw@morell.io or by phone at 078 844 60 65.
“Seenachtfest”, Chairman Fabian Villiger is available via email at fabian.villiger@seenachtfest.ch or by phone at 055 220 45 45 (RedSpark).
Further information Pictures and Media/Press-Download-Package:
Updates/Blog about the E-Airshow: https://www.seenachtfest.ch/eforce/index.php