My flying career started in 1968 at Bern-Belp airport, where I completed my PPL, CPL and instrument ratings. In 1974 I started a airline pilot career with a holiday charter company in Geneva, before joining the Swiss flag carrier Swissair in 1978. I flew many different aircraft types, ranging from DC-9 to Airbus 340. During summer 1990 a friend took me in a glider for a flight in the Swiss alps. After completing my own gliding license I am an enthusiastic glider pilot with some 3‘500 hours in my flight log. After my retirement as an airline pilot in 2007 I am member of the executive committee in Swiss gliding association, responsible for airspace matters.