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Swiss Air Force flags

Last modified: 2011-01-07 by rob raeside
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Swiss Air Force

Both the navy and air force are branches of the army (like the infantry and artillery). The air force is 1st in Europe -- so good that Israel used it as their model.
T. F. Mills, 12 February 1996

Swiss Air Force roundel

[Roundel of Swiss Air Force]  image by Željko Heimer
Source: [pay00]

The size of the cross with respect to the roundel is not specified, but the relative dimensions of the white cross (6:7) is retained as in the flag.
Željko Heimer, 30 January 2003

The Schweizerische Fliegertruppe was formed on 31 July 1914 and soon after adopted markings which consisted of broad red wing-tips stripe and rudder, both charged with the Swiss cross. It was renamed to Schweizerische Flugtruppe in 1936, Schweizerische Flugwaffe in 1946 and Schweizerische Luftwaffe on 1 January 1996.

During WWII, and in order that the Swiss cross would not be mistakenly identified as the Nazi swastika, identification stripes of white-red-white were added to the fuselage and wing marking.

In 1947 the current roundel was adopted, and used on the wings and fin.
Dov Gutterman, 25 June 2004

Markings of Swiss civil airplanes

I've noticed that Swissair, and other commercial aircraft from Switzerland bear the Swiss flag on their tails in some form; is this required of all civilian aircraft in Switzerland?
Dean McGee, 20 September 2004

 I came across a page of Swiss law index which deals with civil aircraft markings: http://www.gesetze.ch/sr/748.216.1/748.216.1_000.htm. Article 6 determines the emblem's specifications of design and locations on the plane. Art. 1 states that the Federal Authority for Aviation assigns an emblem and a register marking to every airplane which is being registered in the airplane register. Art. 2 states that the Federal Authority may allow to the holder of the airplane to omit the emblem, but only after a well-founded motion. It further states that the Federal Authority may allow to put up the Swiss emblem on airplanes which are not registered in the Swiss airplane register, if:
a. it's in the interest of the country (CH) or
b. the airplane is used from a Swiss company for commercial aviation.
Martin Karner, 20 September 2004