or those of you who are fairly new to the
hobby/sport of model aviation, its
heritage and all the history of how we
got to where we are today may be a
mystery. Let me assure you that it didn’t all
start with multiple-channel, computer-aided RC
systems; jet turbine engines; ARF models; or
high-performance electric motors.
It started rather with a simple model being
launched into the air by a hopeful human being
who, after said model had departed, watched in
amazement and/or despair as his creation either
soared aloft effortlessly on thermals and air
currents or made a beeline toward unyielding
terra firma. Yes, it all started with free flight.
Today the art and sport of FF is still
practiced by those who marvel at the
uninterrupted flight of a model, guided only by
thoughtful and painstaking trim adjustments
that were made to the craft before it was
surrendered to the air. It is certainly the purest
of all forms of aeromodeling (that should bring
some letters and E-mails), and it may also be
the most soul-satisfying, depending on your
point of view.
I have always revered the indoor microfilm
modelers as the true masters of model
construction and flight. Their hyper-light
gossamer creations fly at near-crawl speeds
through the air and reveal turbulence through
their flight paths that no human could possibly
feel or predict.
These aircraft fly for nearly an hour
powered only by a twisted rubber motor, and all
but the most gentle of touches can render them
damaged beyond repair. This is truly more of an
art form than a modeling discipline. And it’s not
for everyone.
FF modelers are the undisputed masters of
modeling trim, and they have learned through
years of trial and error which adjustments affect
the path of their models at any given point in
the flight. Trim will be one thing under power,
and during glide it will be another. To be able to
make adjustments that fine-tune both extremes
at the same time, without the aid of additional
control inputs from the ground at any point, is
an amazing talent.
I guess it is natural for us humans to want
constant control over our lives and everything
in them. To be in command of all our
possessions seems to be the goal lately.
However, I wonder if we are learning all that
we possibly could by being in such constant
control. Might we not learn more through
observation sometimes?
Go and watch an FAI FF model complete a
launch program. Many functions are carried out
in but a few seconds, and success is contingent
upon the model being in perfect flying trim
throughout the procedure.
Sure, there are now functions in a FF
model’s flight program that rely on a timer for
implementation, but the airplane’s basic trim
has to be extremely precise so that when those
functions happen they are adding to the already
established flight path that was determined by
manual trimming.
Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt
F
It’s hard, and it’s the “hard” that makes it
art. It’s also the hard that has apparently driven
many away from even trying it.
My very good friend and master modeler
Dave Rounsaville wrote a short piece
explaining how he feels about FF and
modeling in general, and I thought it fit here.
“What Free Flight means to me: Free
Flight to me is beauty of motion. It is the most
aesthetic form of modeling. To see ‘your very
own creation’ soaring like a bird with no
strings attached is just the greatest thrill ... sun
shining through the covering as your model
glides like a bird. Perhaps like our spirits that
are riding up there with it. (I always stop to
marvel at a bird in a thermal for the same
reason, I guess.)
“Every flight is a thrill in some way.
Walking, running, or riding after the model
hoping that it will dethermalize and return to
earth, all ready to try it all over again! Though
I fly all types of airplanes, be it full scale, RC
or CL, Free Flight will always be my first love
for these basic reasons.
“The model aviation hobby has brought so
much enjoyment and personal fulfillment over
the years. It spawns creativity and
individualism. It teaches skills. It teaches
values like teamwork, camaraderie,
brotherhood, and family. It has brought so
many enriching life experiences, travel and
lasting friendships all over the world.
“’Models, Music and Friends’—that about
says what life is all about for me!”
I couldn’t agree more with Dave’s
observations, especially on the personal values
that modeling—of any type—teaches.
Most of us probably had our first modeling
experience with an FF model. For some it may
have been the building of an AMA Delta Dart
at a model airplane club’s mall show, but for
most it probably was assembling and flying a
Modeling Spoken Here
6 MODEL AVIATION
Yes, it all started
with free flight.
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Modeling Spoken Here continued on page 152
10sig1.QXD 8/24/06 11:13 AM Page 6
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/10
Page Numbers: 6