ESPACE PASSION

ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORT TO THE MUSEUM CLIN D’AILES

Espace Passion’s declared ambition is to work towards the gathering and conservation of military aeronautical heritage.

There is a strong desire to perpetuate the memory of the Swiss military wings in flight. Espace Passion organizes, among other activities, visits to foreign air bases, aircraft manufacturing plants and trips to attend air shows.

The association also participates in many public events to ensure its promotion. Over time, Espace Passion has become the organization that brings together the professional skills necessary to ensure the maintenance and restoration of old aircraft intended for exhibition and flight.

Espace Passion

NEWS FROM THE ASSOCIATION

Ordinary general meeting of the association

Friday June, 28 2024 at 17h30

in Corcelles-près-Payerne

J-4203

Since 2002, a team from Espace Passion has been working intensively on the Hunter Trainer J-4203 aircraft. After two years of effort and 2,600 hours of work, this aircraft obtained its civil registration HB-RVW in 2004 and was thus able to return to “service”. More than 400 enthusiastic passengers, members of Espace Passion, have been able to discover the beauty of military jet flying. After his last flight on October 3, 2014 he was placed in the aircraft exhibition of the Clin d’Ailes Museum.

Hunter Flight Guestbook

J-2012

Since 2005, another Espace Passion team has been restoring to flying condition the two-seater Mirage J-2012, which is a fundamental part of the aeronautical heritage of the 20th century. After 4 years of hard work, this aircraft has been certified and registered as a civil aircraft HB-RDF. In a world first, it flew with its first passenger on 16 September 2008. With the end of its operations on 25 May 2023, our J-2012 has offered 276 passengers an unforgettable flying experience.

Mirage Flight Guestbook

HISTORY

Espace Passion is a non-profit association. At its constituent assembly, held on 6 June 1998 and attended by 35 people, the six founding members Raymond Clerc, Jean-Paul Cruchon, Jacob Gerhard, Jean-Luc Schorer, Gilbert Stragiotti and Roger Stutz signed the first statutes.

Jacob Gerhard served as President between 1998 and 2000. Jean-Pierre Kallenbach was its President from March 2000 until spring 2007. From April 20, 2007 until April 3, 2009 Alfred Bohnenblust served as President. Christophe Keckeis from April 3, 2009 to April 15, 2016. Peter Egger is our new president.

From the very beginning, Espace Passion has benefited from the constant support of the Air Force. And for its members, it is a real satisfaction to participate in the realization of a dream in Payerne, a historic site of the Swiss military aviation.

1994

The roots of Espace Passion can be found in the life of Aviation Squadron 5, which was based at the aerodrome in Rarogne, Valais. This unit of our military aviation was disbanded in 1994.
Its pilots, having felt the desire to preserve the memory of this military past, formed an association called La Cinquième Escadrille.
1995

Very quickly, Cinquième Escadrille received a Hunter, which it then exhibited in an old sawmill, converted into a rustic museum, located in the village of Arnex-sur-Orbe.
1998

Subsequently, wishing to bring together all military aviation enthusiasts interested in preserving the witnesses to its history, the pilots of the 5 decided to create a new association open to all: Espace Passion was born.
2003

In order to renovate seven aircraft, various simulators, equipment and materials, it was necessary to set up a high-performance organization. All these efforts resulted in the opening of Clin d’Ailes to the public on April 26, 2003.
In five years of an existence spanning two millennia, Espace Passion had found the necessary and useful resources to found the Museum.
2015

Following the opening of Clin d’Ailes, the association has continued its promotional efforts and is intensively involved in its operation.
Espace Passion became the association responsible for operating the two historic jets – Hunter-Trainer (until 2014) and the Mirage III (worldwide exclusivity, until 2023).

ESPACE PASSION COMMITTEE

Currently, the Espace Passion Committee is composed of :

Peter Egger: Chairman
Benoît Studemann: Vice-Chairman
Laurent Brovarone: Director of Air Operations
Christoph Freiermuth: Treasurer
Jürg Studer: Director of the Clin d’Ailes Museum
Nathalie Bersier: Secretary
François Golay : Representative of „La Cinquième Escadrille“
Robert Briner : Representative of „La Cinquième Escadrille“
Gilbert Miauton: Head of Mirage Operations

Espace Passion

MEMBER ACTIVITIES

Espace Passion members can participate in the Museum’s support activities :

MAINTENANCE OF EXPOSED AIRCRAFT

PARTICIPATION IN THE LIFE OF THE MUSEUM, AS SUPERVISOR OR GUIDE

PARTICIPATION IN THE PROMOTION OF THE MUSEUM AND THE ASSOCIATION

PARTICIPATION IN TRIPS AND TOURS ORGANIZED FOR MEMBERS

Espace Passion

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION

Everyone can contribute to the building and be more or less actively involved in the life of the association and the Museum. For a modest annual fee, you become a member of a dynamic association that is proud to be one of the essential pillars of the Payerne Military Aviation Museum.

And each member contributes significantly to the support of the Museum through its annual membership fee of CHF 40. Do not hesitate any longer; become a member of Espace Passion and fill in the form below.
Each member of Espace Passion benefits each year from free admission to the Clin d’Ailes Museum and the European Hunting Aviation Museum in Montélimar, twinned with us.

Registration form for the Espace Passion association