The history of model aviation in our family began many years ago, when my grandfather passed the hobby on to my father at a basic level, and my father then took it up on a larger scale than my grandfather. I was raised surrounded by airplanes throughout my childhood until, at age 5, I took my first buddy box flight. From there, progress moved forward gradually, as I started participating annually in the youth championships organized by the DMFV with a Multiplex Twinstar. Over the years, I continued to develop with various models like Topaz or Sebart 30/50e planes, regularly standing on the podium in different classes.
At the same time, I discovered 3D aerobatic flying and gradually learned more and more maneuvers on smaller foam and wooden planes. Since then, I have never wanted anything but airplane-related equipment for birthdays, Christmas, or similar occasions, willingly sacrificing things like a good phone or a computer. With very limited options back then but significant support from my parents, I managed to fulfill my dreams step by step.
After becoming the German youth champion at 13, I entered the F3A scene, working my way up class by class, as I had in the years before. In 2018, I qualified for the 2019 World Championships in Italy, where, despite inexperience and some challenges, I returned home with a 6th-place finish in the Junior category and a 54th-place finish overall among over 100 participants. In the same year, I finally fulfilled my childhood dream by acquiring a 40% 3D Freestyle aircraft, specifically the Extra330LX 3m from CARF-Models. This was one of the biggest steps in my entire career. To spend that much money on a plane at the age of 16... I raised all the money by selling almost my entire RC fleet, buying broken planes, repairing them, and selling them in great condition. That's how I really taught myself to work with materials on wood and fiberglass planes.
Because of COVID-related limitations, I spent a lot of time doing 3D flying, attending various events, and staying visible. Throughout 2020-2021, I met Andreas at events, which led to regular contact. At the end of 2021, I had the honor of receiving a team shirt from him at an event, and during the same occasion, I got the chance to represent CARF for the first time. This contributed to my opportunity in 2022, when I was finally 18, to join a trip to the USA with part of the CARF team for Joe Nall Week, representing CARF-Models. This trip marked my first-ever commercial flight. Andreas made that trip possible, and my parents' financial support made it happen.
After this incredible event and the on-site experience, I identified more and more with CARF. I then represented the company at other major events such as Jets over Kentucky and Best in the West Jet Rally in California, as well as many events in Europe. That same year, with Andreas's support and opportunities, I ventured into jet flying and quickly felt at home in the scene.
The next winter, I traveled to Thailand to build and test the prototype of the new Extra330LX 2.6m, gaining insights into model production processes and even getting hands-on with those fabrication steps.
After my trip to Thailand, I continued to support CARF intensively, and despite events like Prowing, Joe Nall, and the Weston Park Model Show in early 2023, I managed to complete my high school diploma almost casually. After finishing school in June, I planned to attend various events almost every weekend, both for personal interest and on behalf of CARF. Just enjoying the time out of school haha... I made a spontaneous decision with Lars Rößling to participate in the German championship in jet formation flying, which surprisingly went quite well for the first time flying two Rebel MAXs as close and in sync as possible. After an intense summer season, I am now handling web and social media content at CARF in Thailand from September until the start of the flight season.
Today, I'm used to flying airplanes from every category of our product fleet: Freestyle Flagships like the 40% Extra330LX, the Extra330LX 2.6m, and my big 40% SU-31, as well as the legendary Pitts S-12 Biplane. It doesn't matter whether it's our Kobuz-3 for aerotowing with my brother's SIAI Marchetti or a peaceful flight in a scale warbird like the AT-6 Texan with lights and smoke. For sure, I'm happy with every sport jet I'm able to get my hands on, it can be a Rebel MAX, Mephisto, Bolt, or the Diablo, every single one of them is more than just unique... I couldn't decide which one of them to take for a flight if they were all fully fueled and lined up on the runway! I even found my love for scale jets when Ray Labonte let me fly his MIG-17 at Best in the West in 2023. It's so insane how beautiful a scale model feels during a relaxed sunrise or sunset flight in the desert. I know I already mentioned quite a lot of planes, but this one is, and I think it will always stay my all-time favorite plane... The Fly Baby! Don't you believe me? It is how it is, really. In my opinion, no plane gets you what the Fly Baby does...
Last but not least I want to thank everybody who supported me during the last years and had his part in supporting me to that point where I'm right now: I'm absolutly happy to be part of something that big and I'm honored to be a team pilot in the "Best Flying Planes Of The Planet" Team and regularly attend events all over the world, even here in Thailand.
