The initiator

Before I tell you a little about us, please allow me to introduce myself briefly. My name is Reto Seipel and I am a commercial airline pilot by profession. After 15 years with Swissair/SWISS and 2 years with Emirates Airline in Dubai, I now live back in Switzerland and fly as a freelancer for Edelweiss Air. Before my career as an airline pilot, I completed my Matura (school-leaving exam) and attended the School of Arts and Crafts. In between, I completed my military pilot training and flew the Mirage reconnaissance aircraft as a reserve pilot until the end of 2003.

The story

The idea for a gastronomic experience concept with the theme of flying and travelling was born back in 2000. It became topical after the Swissair grounding. Through a colleague, I got together with Stefan Hunziker, a thoroughbred restaurateur. We developed the concept further together. At the same time, I started looking for a suitable aircraft. The DC-3 or the Metropolitan were up for discussion. I quickly realised that these were very expensive. A fellow pilot who owned a Russian acro aeroplane recommended that I extend my search to Russia. With the help of his good contacts, a suitable and affordable aircraft was quickly found: our Ilyushin 14. The next step was to develop a suitable building. The choice of architect was simple: my brother Andri, a partner in the Otto+Partner architecture firm in Liestal! His first design already met all the aesthetic and practical requirements and was subsequently only optimised.

In virtually all areas, our project broke new ground. On the one hand, this was due to the layout, but also the location. In order to be able to build a restaurant so extremely close to the airport site, a rezoning even had to be applied for. With the active support of the City of Opfikon and Unique, this was completed in just one year. Noise protection was another issue that occupied us and the responsible authority intensely. We repeatedly encountered new obstacles, small and large. However, with the help and incredible goodwill of all involved, we were able to overcome or remove them all. One of the biggest hurdles proved to be obtaining the papers necessary to get our aircraft into the air and bring it here from Moscow.

The concept

Flying and travelling. Terms that hold great fascination and leave no one cold. Consequently, there are always attempts to translate these themes into a gastronomic concept.

As a Swissair long-haul pilot, I travelled all over the world and got to know many such concepts. However, I never found the «ultimate» aviation restaurant. Because I wanted to offer more than just an onboard service on the ground, and not just address aviation in an abstract way. No, flying and travelling should be experienced up close and «live», in a way that cannot be experienced anywhere else. Of course, this requires a real aeroplane, specifically a prop-powered vintage aircraft from the 1950s. And a hangar. And real flight attendants. And the kitchen must be able to offer a culinary world tour. And it needs a proper airport in close proximity.

Stefan Hunziker and I built our catering concept upon these cornerstones, refining it over the good three years of development. Countless ideas from those involved flowed in, leading to a project that is mature in all respects. You'll best experience the result yourselves at «RUNWAY 34» at Rohrholzstrasse 67 in Opfikon!

The Philosophy

We offer our guests a unique, aviation-themed atmosphere, taking them on an international culinary journey, whether as a couple or with over 300 passengers on board. It is important to us to live the aviation myth consistently from A to Z. Our passengers should leave their everyday stress behind and immerse themselves in another world. Our greatest concern is to spoil all our guests with great attention, natural and warm service, and impeccable in-flight catering. Our staff receive continuous training and are therefore equipped to handle all requests.

The «little extra» defines our daily professional lives. We are restaurateurs with our whole hearts, possessing a penchant for extravagance aligned with the lived myth of aviation. Due to our large capacity, we are very flexible and can easily accommodate double or triple the expected number of guests instead of just 50 with a reservation. Lunchtime reservation requests for a group of 20 for the same evening are no less common than private functions with 320 registered guests who suddenly have 40 additional passengers. This flexibility demands a hundred-percent commitment from all of us every day and is only possible because the entire crew consistently gives their best and works hand in hand. Our team spirit is enormously important to be able to navigate Runway 34 safely and comfortably through all kinds of conditions. Our goal is always to move forward together.

The IL-14 aircraft

The legendary Douglas DC-3 prompted the Russian designer Sergey Ilyushin to develop the Il-12 in 1943. The aircraft, originally planned with four engines, resembled the DC-3 but was approximately 20% larger and had a nose wheel. Before its maiden flight in 1945, the Il-12 was redesigned and was newly powered by two diesel engines with three-bladed propellers. When Aeroflot commenced scheduled services with the Il-12 in 1947, the cabin offered space for 18-21 passengers and the crew consisted of 2 pilots, a navigator, a radio operator and a flight attendant. Although this type was also used civilly and militarily in a few Soviet-friendly states, it was denied any real success. The Il-12 was simply too heavy.

Development was therefore soon undertaken with the designation Il-14. The prototype first flew in July 1950. The Il-14P (P stood for Passazheerskiy/Passenger) received excellent marks from test pilot Vladimir Kokkinaki. He particularly praised the very clear cockpit and the good outward visibility. In addition, the aircraft was now very well powered, with 2 ASh-82T engines, each delivering 1900 hp.

On 1 April 1953, the government decided to produce the Il-14 at Factory No. 84 in Tashkent. Production then began in the autumn of 1953. The aircraft entered service with Aeroflot from 1954 in the 18-seat version. The maximum take-off weight was 17 tonnes. Numerous military versions were also developed. For example, the Il-14D-30, which was used for dropping paratroopers. In 1956, the Il-14M, which was one metre longer, was introduced. This type also had an improved electrical system, newer avionics and an increased range. The Soviet Air Force used various specialised versions, for example for ice observation, as photographic aircraft or as survey aircraft.

The Ilyushin was also manufactured under license in some Eastern Bloc countries. Thus, Czechoslovakia, among others, built 200 Avia-14s, and in the GDR, 80 aircraft left the VEB production halls in Dresden.

Aeroflot primarily used the Il-14 domestically in the 1950s. The longest route connected Leningrad with Vladivostok, was almost 8,000 km long, and was flown in 33 hours and 35 minutes with 10(!) refuelling stops. With the introduction of the faster Tu-104 and Il-18, the Il-14 was then only used for short-haul routes. It was exported to 31 countries and was widely used until the 1980s.

Technical Data (IL-14P/T):

• Wingspan: 31.7m
• Length: 21.31m
• Kerb weight: 12,080kg
• Maximum starting weight: 17,250 kg
• Max speed: 393 km/h

Details of 01146 Il-14T / Red 21, our aircraft:

It was built in 1957 in Tashkent as the 8th aircraft of that year's 38th series. The aircraft was delivered to the Soviet Air Force with the registration 01146 and the codename „Red 21“. At the time, it had a dark green camouflage paint scheme and was stationed in Moscow-Chkalovsk, also known as Star City – the cosmonaut training centre northeast of Moscow.

Until 1992, our Il-14 was in active service. After being decommissioned, it was sold to a private individual and flown to Moscow-Myachkovo. Later, it was relocated to Zhukovsky and rediscovered by us there in 2002. Following a thorough overhaul, our aircraft successfully completed its test flight on 7 April 2005. Our Il-14 has accumulated 9160 flight hours to date.