ABOUT ME

History of My Vision: The Journey's Humble Beginning 

Every great journey has its origins, and mine began with modest beginnings. It all started with a simple idea and a passion that refused to be ignored. From those early days, I dedicated myself to mastering the art of video production and learning the power of storytelling through the lens. Despite limited resources and challenges, my commitment to creating exceptional content remained unwavering. As time passed, my humble vision transformed into a formidable creative force, demonstrating that even the smallest of beginnings can lead to something extraordinary. The journey continues, one project at a time, adding new chapters to the history of my vision. 

Let's take a trip down memory lane! It all began in 1991 when I was just seven years old. That fateful day at Zurich Airport, I laid eyes on a brand-new McDonald Douglas MD-11 proudly sporting the colors of our national carrier, Swissair. The fascination I felt at that moment has been a constant companion in my life ever since. You could say I grew up in what you might call a 'Swissair Family.' My grandfather and uncle both worked for the airline, and I was driven by an insatiable curiosity to see, hear, smell, and feel aircraft every day. 

As the years passed, my passion for aviation grew, thanks in no small part to my father. He had a knack for filming, and he captured moments on his trusty JVC GR-C1 camera. I'm grateful every day for him passing down that love for filming and the incredible footage he collected of an airline that no longer exists today - Swissair.
In September 1998, Swissair faced a tragic loss with Flight SR111, involving the MD-11 registered as HB-IWF. This was followed by the major setback on October 2, 2001, when the airline encountered financial troubles, leading to the grounding of most of its planes. The situation worsened with the devastating events of 9/11, marking one of the darkest days in aviation history.  

Despite these heart-wrenching events, my connection to aviation grew stronger. It made me realize what the aviation world meant to me. I aspired to be like the incredible Swissair film team, using helicopters to chase planes from the sky for the perfect shot and employing camera cars to produce those stunning corporate films. Since the grounding of Swissair in 2001, nobody had captured the essence of Zurich Airport in quite the same way. So, in 2008, I made the decision to change that. I spent a day capturing the airport's operations with a friend by my side, Vanessa, who was my assistant. We added music to the mix and even rented a helicopter for aerial shots. It was an incredible learning experience, and my knowledge of filmmaking continued to grow. Word spread about my work, and I received invitations to produce two flight deck movies for Swiss International Airlines and Edelweiss Air. 

From 2009 to 2013, I met a fellow aviation enthusiast at the airport named Beat Reber. He saw me on the airfield while I was shooting my second Zurich Airport movie, "ZRH-zero nine," and he offered me some much-needed support. A lasting friendship was born between two aviation lovers. I was still learning the art of making exceptional aviation and airport movies, using a helicopter for a second time to improve my aerial footage. In 2010, the first real 'success' came with "Zurich Airport - Summer Time." It was a blend of incredible aviation footage, the vibrant people of the airport, and fantastic music. Aviation enthusiasts embraced it, and it still holds a special place in their hearts. It was the first movie I co-produced with Beat. On our historical list was the first landing of the Singapore Airlines A380 in Zurich, a moment we captured from a helicopter. 

The year 2011 marked our first production with actors. It's a film featuring three people flying from Zurich to Shanghai, showcasing all the hustle and bustle around a plane while passengers board or await their journey. We used an Airbus A330-300 of Swiss International Airlines and taxied around Zurich Airport to create an authentic atmosphere. 

Today, there's been a bit of a slowdown in my Zurich Airport productions due to personal changes and shifting times. The world has become faster and busier, with fewer people willing to invest almost 10 minutes watching an aviation film on YouTube. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have transformed the landscape. My grand, self-financed productions might not return immediately, but the passion for creativity in the aviation world remains unwavering. 

I am Andy Ruesch, and I thank you for joining me on this incredible journey through time and aviation.