State of the Sport: Free Flight Part 3 - 2006/12

70 MODEL AVIATION
FStatrer ofe thee Sp ortF: l i g h t by Don DeLoach
Part 3
Getting started in
Free Flight
Bob Hanford launches his Class C glow-engine Pilfered Pearl. It is typical of AMA Gas
FF: fast and light, with a lot of power. A K&B 6.5cc (.40) hauls the 35-ounce airframe
to roughly 500 feet in seven seconds.
THERE HAS NEVER been a better
time to get started in FF modeling. For
one thing, kits are much better today.
For those who don’t enjoy building,
expert builders are selling excellent
RTF models. Great videos, books, and
other resources are available, and
excellent clubs and fields still exist.
(The following makes several
references to various FF suppliers and
sources. Refer to the sidebars “FF
Suppliers” and “FF Reading Room” for
detailed information.)
Starting With Gliders: Since the early
days of model aviation, simple FF
gliders have been the natural starting
point for most beginners. They are still a
great place to start. Many glider kits are
available in the $10-$20 range,
producing nice-flying models and
teaching much about flight trimming in
the process.
Hand Launched Gliders are great for
kids and beginners—anyone with at
least average arm strength. If you’d
rather rest your arm, rubber-band
Catapult Glider kits are equally
rewarding.
Three of the best small glider-kit
suppliers are Stan Buddenbohm, Sting
Aero Products, and Campbell’s Custom
Kits. Each offers kits, plans, and
supplies in all size and complexity
ranges, with excellent wood and good
instructions. Check John Kaufmann’s
Book Building and Flying Hand-
Launched Gliders or Bob Johannes’
how-to glider video, both available from
www.freeflight.org.
Towline Gliders: “Nordic” Towline
Gliders have been around since the
1920s. Some devotees consider Nordic
Gliders to be the purest form of model
airplane, and it is hard to argue the
point. No engine, no control from the
ground, majestic circling, silent flight—
a good Nordic Glider is an object of
immense beauty and simplicity.
Towlines for all competition classes
are limited to 50 meters in length (164
feet). The established Glider classes fall
into three basic categories of complexity:
12sig3.QXD 10/25/06 10:20 AM Page 70December 2006 71
Above and left: Mike Isermann and his obscure FAC Rubber Scale Lippisch P-13 twinengine
flying wing. Flying Aces rules encourage challenging subjects with bonus points.
Greg Simon launches his FF HLG at the
2005 Nats. HLGs are the simplest entry
point into FF and provide excellent flying fun
for little money.
This is a typical Gas FF front end. The bladder pressure, fuel feed, and mechanical
timer provide fuel shutoff and quick DT for test-flying.
Dohrman Crawford checks the air at the
2005 Nats before sending his HLG into orbit.
HLG kits are readily available, easy to build,
and cost approximately $10.
This Webra .32 is in typical configuration
for FF Gas: no carburetor or muffler for
maximum power and weight savings. FF
Gas is a vertical drag race for only a few
seconds, then the model becomes a glider.
Tim Batiuk shows a recent innovation in
FF HLG: the “broken back” DT setup—a
nearly foolproof method of breaking
models out of strong lift.
Photos by the author
12sig3.QXD 10/25/06 10:58 AM Page 7172 MODEL AVIATION
Above and below right: Expert Glider flier Lee Hines shows the details of his legendary
Sweepette HLG, originally designed in the late 1950s and still competitive. Little black
rotary gadget is a lightweight DT timer. After two minutes the spring tension on the
timer releases the line holding down the wing, which then hinges back abruptly,
parachuting the model to the ground.
Pete McQuade with his high-tech F1A Towline Glider. Modern F1As feature a “bunt”
transition following a zoom launch; both aid in height gain.
Flying Aces FF Scale events are more
popular than ever, thanks to friendly
competition and unique rules that promote
difficult subjects. Duke Horn prepares to
wind his rubber-powered P-38.
Jerry Murphy and his Russian-built F1G
(Coupe d’Hiver). Such models are available
from Russian builders and fly great.
Ed Wiley checks wind speed and
temperature for thermal activity before
launching his F1B Rubber model. Electronic
thermometers, Mylar streamers, and
anemometers are commonplace in FF
competitions.
Duke Horn looks proud of another of his
Flying Aces Rubber Scale aircraft: a
Heath Parasol on floats.
12sig3.QXD 10/25/06 10:24 AM Page 72December 2006 73
Free Flight Suppliers
haSupplier Glider Rubber CO2/Electric Gas FAI Scale Comments
A.A. Lidberg Model Plan Service x x x x Good source of plans and laser-cut kits.
Many No-Cal (profile) Scale Rubber plans
sets. (480) 839-8154 www.aalmps.com
Aero Aces x x x Excellent Rubber Scale kits, plans, and scale
drawings. 1327 44th Ave. SW, Seattle WA
98116 www.aeroaces.com
Aerodyne Research, Inc. x x x x x Great place to find supplies and plans/kits
from many sources. Excellent nitrate and
butyrate dope source. (978) 663-9500
www.freeflightmodels.com
Aerospace Composite Products Source for carbon, Kevlar, and fiberglass.
(800) 811-2009 www.acp-composites.com
Andriukov and Kulakovsky x x x x Wakefield (F1B) kits and finished models,
Aeromodelling Products parts, and top-notch winder from the
three-time World Champions. (805) 577-
1349 http://home.pacbell.net/andriuko
Bill Northrop’s Plan Service x x x x x x Former Model Builder editor sells all the
magazine’s old plans. Catalog is $3. (702)
896-2162 www.geocities.com/aerohy
dro/mfm/northrop.htm
BMJR Model Products x x x x x x Excellent laser-cut kits for 1/2A Gas, P-30,
Old Time Rubber, etc. (321) 537-1159
www.bmjrmodels.com
Bob Holman Plans x x x x x Laser-cut parts for CAD plans by Jim
O’Reilly. Huge selection, highly
recommended. (909) 885-3959 http://
bhplans.com
Bolgov, Vyacheslav x x F1A Towline Gliders, parts, and accessories
from Ukraine. +380 [4845] 32643 www.bol
gov.arziz.uptel.net)
Bradley Model Products x x Towline Glider line, winches, a large
selection of carbon, Kevlar, and fiberglass.
(407) 277-9132 http://members.aol.com/
bmp4carbon
Buddenbohm, Stan x x x Great HLG and Catapult Glider kits and
plans, DT timers and fuselages for Gliders,
P-30 kit, F1H Towline Glider kit. Send SASE
to 5652 Meinhardt Rd., Westminster CA
92683
Bukin, Alexei x x High-tech F1B and F1G Rubber models,
parts, and accessories from a world-class
Ukrainian modeler. +38080342520124
www.bukin.if.ua
Campbell’s Custom Kits x x x x x x Top-quality kits for all FF events—mostly
duration—and ton of supplies. View catalog
online or call (765) 683-1749 www.camp
bellscustomkits.com
Composite Structures Technology Excellent source for carbon, Kevlar, and
fiberglass. (800) 338-1278 www.cstsales.com
Dare Design and Engineering x x x x x Mostly Scale kits—laser cut, high quality.
(800) 578-3273 www.darehobby.com
Davidson, Larry x Old-Timer FF Gas and ignition supplies,
fueling syringes, coverings, spark plugs, coils,
etc. Send SASE to 66 Casa Mia Cir., Moneta
VA 24121 [email protected]
12sig3.QXD 10/25/06 11:02 AM Page 7374 MODEL AVIATION
Supplier Glider Rubber CO2/Electric Gas FAI Scale Comments
DeLoach, Don x Nats-winning Polecat P-30, various FF plan
redraws in CAD, laser-cut rib sets. Send
SASE to 831 E. Willamette Ave., Colorado
Springs CO 80903 [email protected]
Diels Engineering, Inc. x x Excellent, detailed Scale Rubber kits. Decals
and canopies sold separately. Box 263,
Amherst OH 44001 http://pageproducer.
acninc.net/dielsengr/
Dumas Products x x x Outstanding laser-cut FF Scale kits. (800)
458-2828 www.dumasestore.com/
Easybuilt Models x x x Great kits, mostly Rubber Scale. Neat
magnetic building board. (334) 358-5184
www.easybuiltmodels.com
FAI Model Supply x x x x x x The source for Tan rubber. Carries hightech
RTF FAI models, winders, many kits,
timers, etc. (570) 882-9873 www.faimodel
supply.com
Free Flight Supplies x x x x x x Many plans, kits, supplies, timers, fuses, and
instructions from all over the world. A huge
selection. Accepts credit cards and PayPal
online. +44-1603-457754 www.freeflight
supplies.co.uk
F1D.biz (Tim Goldstein) x x x High-end supplier of tools and materials for
Indoor FF, world-class-graded balsa, and
some Outdoor FF materials. 13096 W. Cross
Dr., Littleton CO 80127 www.f1d.biz
Galbreath, Doug x x The foremost engine expert in the FF world
and dealer for Cyclon, Nelson, and G-K
Hummer engines, specially tuned for FF use.
(530) 757-6058 www.the-printer.net/
DookCat.html
Gasparin, Stefan x x Excellent handmade CO2 motors from the
Czech Republic. +420 323 603 088
www.gasparin.cz
GizmoGeezer x x Miscellaneous rubber-power supplies:
winders, repitched propellers, excellent
freewheeling unit (306) 955-1620
www.gizmogeezer.com
glideTEK x x x x US dealer of world-class FAI models from
Eastern European builders. Also sells a P-30
kit and gas-model folding propellers. (612)
220-5239 www.glidetek.com
Golden Age Reproductions x x Great kits at great prices. Mostly Rubber
Scale, a few duration models. (978) 687-
0024 www.goldenagereproductions.com
Gorban, Evgeny x x World-class F1B and F1G Rubber models,
kits, parts, excellent winder. US distributor
Bob Tymchek: (805) 929-1605 tymchek@
best1.net
Hannan’s Runway x x x FF Scale and full-scale aviation books and
videos. (530) 873-6421 www.hrunway.com
Harlan, Ray (Indoor Model Specialties) x Top-quality supplier for Indoor Rubber.
Rubber stripper and balsa stripper are
standard equipment for world-class fliers.
(508) 358-4013 www.indoorduration.com/
HarlanBrochure.htm
12sig3.QXD 10/25/06 10:28 AM Page 74December 2006 75
Supplier Glider Rubber CO2/Electric Gas FAI Scale Comments
Herr Engineering x x Excellent laser-cut Rubber Scale kits.
www.iflyherr.com Distributor Sig Manufacturing:
(641) 623-5154
HiLine x x x The best small electric motors for FF, great
Rubber Scale and electric plans. Scalewinder
is a must for Rubber Scale and P-30 flying.
606 Walnut Creek Dr., Goldsboro NC 27534
(919) 778-6653
H&R Engines x Original Fox .049 and parts, for 1/2A
Nostalgia. 5024 Old Mayfield Rd., Paducah KY
42003
Indoor Model Supply x x x Great indoor kits and supplies including
excellent balsa. (541) 902-8508 www.indoor
modelsupply.com
International Model Group x x x x High-tech models and parts for all FAI FF
events, handmade in the former USSR.
www.img.ru
Jim O’Reilly Model Plans x x x x x Dozens of CAD-redrawn FF plans from the
1930s to today. Highly recommended.
(316) 744-0856 www.jimoreillymodelplans.com
Klarich Custom Kits x x x x More than 500 short kits for SAM and
Nostalgia-era models. (916) 635-4588
www.klarichkits.com/
Lone Star Models x x x x x x Along with Sig, Lone Star is one of the best
sources for contest-grade balsa (4-6
pounds/cubic foot). Excellent wood is a
must in FF. (972) 218-9663 www.lonestarmodels.
com
L.L. Electronics Manufactures radio-telemetry receivers and
transmitters. Essential for serious FF
duration contests. (800) LL-ELECT www.radio
tracking.com
Model Aircraft Labs (MAL) x x Great P-30 and Coupe (F1G) kits designed
by expert John O’Dwyer, good balsa, other
FF supplies. (877) 602-2366 www.mal
hobby.com
AMA Plans Service x x x x x x Hundreds of FF plans dating back 30 years
of MA, John Pond plans collection with
hundreds more FF plans. (765) 287-1256
www.modelaircraft.org/plansmain.asp
Model Research Labs x x x x Composites, miscellaneous coverings, plans,
button and badge timers. 25108 Marguerite
Pkwy. #160, Mission Viejo CA 92692 www.mod
elresearchlabs.com
Oliver, Ken x x Carbon tubes for FF Gas fuselages.
(916) 363-2017
Ozark Model Aviation x x x Mike Midkiff’s excellent selection of 50+
Rubber and electric Scale plans. All are great
fliers. (817) 428-8151 www.ozarkmodel
aviation.com
Peck-Polymers x x x x Great Peanut and Rubber Scale kits from
many manufacturers, plans and books.
(619) 448-1818 www.peck-polymers.com
Penn Valley Hobby Center x x x x x x Old-time hobby shop with many excellent
FF kits from major manufacturers. (215)
855-1268 www.pennvalleyhobbycenter.com
12sig3.QXD 10/25/06 11:03 AM Page 7576 MODEL AVIATION
Supplier Glider Rubber CO2/Electric Gas FAI Scale Comments
Sig Manufacturing Company x x x Sig contest balsa is among the world’s best
for FF. Sig is the premier supplier of aircraft
spruce in small sizes for modelers. (641)
623-5154 www.sigmfg.com
Stamov, Viktor x x F1A and F1H Gliders and parts from former
World Champion Nordic flier. US distributor
Brian Van Nest: 2346 Cheyenne Dr., Bishop CA
93514 [email protected]
Starlink-FliteTech x x x x FAI models—RTFs and kits—and parts,
several P-30 and Old Timer Rubber kits,
rubber winding stooges, hooks,
miscellaneous accessories. (760) 788-1858
www.starlink-flitetech.com
Stefanchuk, Stepan x x World-class F1B and F1G models, parts, and
accessories. www.stsukr.boom.ru
Sting Aero Products x Proprietor Len Surtees offers excellent
Hand-Launched Glider and Catapult Glider
kits and plans, timers, instructions, and
miscellaneous supplies. Box 460 Rainbow
Beach QLD Australia 4581 lensurtees@
hotmail.com
Superior Props x x Excellent machine-cut balsa freewheeling
and folding propellers for all Rubber classes.
Catalog is $1. (985) 726-9673
Team Satellite x x Ron Bennett in Oregon has brought back
the legendary Satellite Gas kits in 226, 350,
450, and 788 sizes. [email protected]
Texas Timers x Top quality, widely used mechanical timers
and various supplies for gas-powered
models. (423) 282-6423 www.texastimers.com
The Model Box (Joe Wagner) x x High-quality FF Gas duration kits for AMA
Gas, Nostalgia, F1P, F1J. 25804 John Hansen
Rd., Chestertown MD 21620
Vasily’s Free Flight Factory Outlet x x x World-class composite FAI models and
parts. +380572933792 www.vasi.scana.
com.ua
Vivchar, Igor x x World-class F1B and F1G models, kits, and
parts. Send SASE to US distributor Mike
Mulligan, 5293 Rural Ridge Cir., Anaheim
CA 92807
Walston Retrieval Systems Original radio-tracking supplier for FF since
1986. (770) 434-4905 www.walston
retrieval.com
W-Hobby x x x x State-of-the-art FAI kits and finished models
from Lithuania. Sija and Junior are great kits
with which to begin FAI Towline Glider
flying. http://w-hobby.com MA
—Don DeLoach
12sig3.QXD 10/25/06 10:28 AM Page 76December 2006 77
FF Reading Room
“Beginning FF Power: A Journey” (article/book chapter
in 2004 NFFS Symposium):
How-to guide for beginning FF gas power. Covers engine and
design selection, building, trimming, and contest flying.
[email protected]
www.freeflight.org/store/publications.htm
Building and Flying Indoor Model Airplanes (book):
Beautifully written and illustrated early-1980s classic by Ron
Williams, now out of print. Look for it at book dealers or on eBay;
don’t expect to pay less than $50-$100.
Construction Techniques of High Performance Powered
Free Flight Model Aircraft (video/DVD):
The late Bob Johannes shows all the tricks of building and flying
successful glow-engine FF models. Covers everything from
construction to trimming. Four-hour video is $25.
www.freeflight.org/store/publications.htm
Free Flight (newsletter):
Newsletter of the NFFS, published 10 times/year. Probably the
best all-around FF publication in the world.
www.freeflight.org
Free Flight news (FFn) (monthly newsletter):
From the UK, covers FF duration classes. Editor Ian Kaynes
does a fine job. $40/year for US subscribers.
www.btinternet.com/~kaynes/ffnbuy.htm
Free Flight Quarterly (newsletter):
Exceptional newer newsletter covers everything from FAI to FF
Scale. Articles from around the globe are featured. $25/year to
US subscribers.
www.freeflightquarterly.com
Flying Hand-Launched Gliders (book):
John Kaufmann’s classic on HLG is $13.
www.freeflight.org/store/publications.htm
Flying Aces Club News (bimonthly newsletter):
The best FF Scale newsletter in existence. $15.
www.flyingacesclub.net
Flying Models (monthly magazine):
Contains good FF content—several FF columns and usually one
FF construction article each month.
www.flying-models.com
Flying Models (book):
Don Ross’s follow-up to Rubber Powered Model Airplanes covers
intermediate and advanced FF techniques, CO2, and electric.
$19.95.
www.carstens-publications.com
Free Flight Resource List (index):
Bob Clemens’ excellent index of FF suppliers, with recommendations
for entry-level kits and supplies.
www.rcplane.com/BobClemensFreeFlightResourceList.pdf
Indoor Flying Models (book):
By Lew Gitlow. Excellent how-to about building and flying
Indoor Rubber duration models. $22.
www.carstens-publications.com
Indoor News and Views (INAV) (quarterly newsletter):
Covers the competition classes of lightweight Indoor duration:
F1D, EZB, Pennyplane, etc. A bargain at only $15/year.
www.indoorduration.com/INAVMembershipAndBackIssues.htm
INAV digital archive (newsletters on CD-ROM):
Forty years of INAV—1962-2001—is captured on this collection.
A must for Indoor aficionados. $45.
www.f1d.biz
Indoor Scale Model Flying (book):
Excellent, 36 pages. $8.95.
www.hrunway.com
Making Scale Model Airplanes Fly (book):
Concepts apply to all FF models, especially Rubber. Highly
technical but easy to understand. A must for $17.95 postpaid.
(214) 331-5506
Max-Fax (bimonthly newsletter):
Great FF Scale publication from FAC Squadron based in
Washington DC is $15/month.
www.his.com/~tschmitt/005HOMEPAGE/MAXECUTER.HTML
Model Aviation Digital Archives (magazine archives):
All issues of MA from 1975 to the present. Search “free flight”
to get hundreds of articles.
www.modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm
NFFS book on Power models (book):
Plan views and articles about gas-powered flying. $10.
www.freeflight.org/store/publications.htm
NFFS Symposia (books):
Published each year since 1968, the Symposia contain the year’s
best designs, construction trends, and flying techniques. A few
hard copies are still available.
www.freeflight.org/store/publications.htm
NFFS Symposia digital archives (books on CD-ROM):
Page-by-page digital archive of every NFFS Symposium report
from 1968 to 2000. Huge quantity of priceless data, plans, FF
history, photos, articles, etc. $68.
www.f1d.biz
Rubber Powered Model Airplanes (book):
Don Ross covers all rubber-power basics and some advanced
techniques. Highly recommended for beginners. $14.95.
www.carstens-publications.com
Tailspin (bimonthly newsletter):
Another great FF Scale publication, for $10/year.
Mike Nassise
22 Greenfield St.
South Easton MA 02375
Techniques in Building and Flying Hand Launch and Catapult
Gliders (video/DVD):
Sixty-minute video by the late Bob Johannes shows many
building and trimming tips for these small Gliders. $20.
www.freeflight.org/store/publications.htm
The Joy of Flying Free (video/DVD):
Beautiful documentary film produced by NFFS in 1993, intended
to introduce the FF hobby to the mass market. An excellent
tool for educators. $20.
www.freeflight.org/store/publications.htm
Windy Sock (monthly newsletter):
FAC Scale Squadron newsletter out of Texas features many
excellent articles each month.
www.windysock.net MA
—Don DeLoach
12sig3.QXD 10/25/06 10:28 AM Page 77straight tow, or “classic” style; intermediate/
circle tow; and modern bunt.
Classic-style gliders are the simple,
mostly balsa “A-1”-sized models which
are straight-towed and “kited” off the line
within a few seconds. Good small glider
kits for roughly $30 are the Lil’ Dip and
Jetstream, both from BMJR Model
Products.
A small step up from A-1 is the F1H kit
from Campbell’s Custom Kits called the
Jesse James. It is also a straight-tow model
but has a better glide and more advanced
design than the simpler A-1s.
Another classic Glider kit—albeit
larger and more expensive—is the Thermal
Probe from GlideTek. It is easy to fly and
the best-performing classic Towline design
available.
The intermediate style of Nordic Glider
uses “circle-tow” technology. That means
the flier circles the model overhead while
it’s still attached to the towline. When
rising air is sensed, the flier sprints
forward and the glider is “zoomed” off the
line, at which point the timekeeper begins
timing the flight.
Good circle-tow designs are the Sija
F1A from W-Hobby and the Mini Master
F1H by Stan Buddenbohm. Both are
available in kit form and offer high
performance for relatively little money.
Intermediate-tech Nordic models in
experienced hands are still competitivewith the best high-tech Nordics.
High-tech Nordic means mostly carbon
and Kevlar, complex auto-gadgetry, and
significantly greater expense. High-tech
gliders also use circle-tow hooks, but with
the added complexity of “bunt” transition.
“Bunt” is simply a timer-actuated onequarter
outside loop at the top of the fast
zoom launch. The bunt transition gains the
model an extra 20-30 feet of altitude,
which is precious at high levels of
competition.
Check out the many RTF F1A and F1H
Gliders available from such Eastern
European builders as Beschasny, Stamov,
Bolgov, Makarov & Kochkarov,
glideTEK, and W-Hobby. Prepare yourself
for a significant dent in your bank account
for these finely engineered machines.
However, their performance is nothing
short of astounding, and their carbon
airframes will stand up to many years of
abuse.
Getting Started in Rubber Flying: As I
wrote in Part 1 of this series, rubberpowered
model airplanes are the original
form of heavier-than-air aviation, dating
back to 1871. And rubber power is the FF
class that is best known in the wider
American audience. Slide-together, rubberpowered
toys are still widely available at
discount stores and toy shops—just as they
were 100 years ago.
Rubber-powered FF is still popular,
with great kits, plans, and excellent rubber
strip still readily available. Hobby shops
rarely carry everything you need, but some
still stock kits and some supplies. See the
“Free Flight Suppliers” sidebar for quality
sources of kits, supplies, and information.
A good starter kit for an inexperienced
modeler is the Peck R.O.G. from Peck-
Polymers. It is a simple design, with a
stick fuselage that goes together in a
couple hours. For more ambitious
beginners and those with some modeling
experience, consider one of the many P-
30-class kits that are available.
P-30 was conceived as an entry-level
event, and it still offers excellent
performance. Most P-30s will easily fly
one to two minutes without thermal help,
even in beginners’ hands. This makes them
perfect for most average-sized fields.
Try the Majestyk or Souper P-30 from
Campbell’s Custom Kits, the Kiwi or Tail-
Firster from BMJR Model Products, or the
Model Aircraft Labs (MAL) Sparrowhawk.
Almost any P-30 kit will build easily and
fly well. With a good-flying P-30 you will
soon find the need for larger fields and the
use of DT. P-30 is an excellent event to
enter at your first FF contest.
As the next step up from P-30, try a
Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) Old-
Timer (OT) Rubber design. Many great
kits, short kits, and plans are available.
Designs including the Sparky, Gollywock,
and Casano Stick are still bringing joy to
Rubber fliers around the world 60-70 years
after they first appeared.
12sig3.QXD 10/25/06 10:28 AM Page 78The Gollywock is a favorite of
beginners and experts since it is easy to
build and climbs like a rocket. Campbell’s
Custom Kits, Bob Holman Plans, Jim
O’Reilly Model Plans, and Starlink are
great sources of OT Rubber kits and plans.
If you prefer the size and power of the
larger OT Rubber models, try the Korda
1939 Wakefield, Korda Stickler, Red
Buzzard, or Smith 1941 Mulvihill from
Bob Holman Plans. All have performance
equal to or better than their smaller
cousins; they just require larger motors.
The largest and best-performing Rubber
models are those belonging to the AMA
“Mulvihill” class, referring to the AMA’s
historic Mulvihill Trophy of the 1920s.
This category is synonymous with
Unlimited Rubber, meaning there are no
wingspan, length, propeller, weight, or
rubber restrictions. The only rule is that
the model must have less than 300 square
inches of wing area.
The typical Mulvihill model that results
from the rules is light (4 ounces or less),
large (4-5 feet long), and carries a huge
amount of rubber—approximately equal to
its empty weight. After a two-minute
propeller run, a typical Mulvihill will often
fly 10 minutes or more and require several
miles of downwind recovery area unless
the wind is calm.
Flying Mulvihill is uniquely fun
because the models climb so high and for
so long. Their performance is amazing to
watch, especially for someone whose
mental picture of rubber power is of a
child playing with a toy in the front yard.
An excellent source of Mulvihill plans
and articles is the NFFS Plans Service
(www.freeflight.org/store/plans/plans.htm)
and NFFS Symposium digital archive
(www.freeflight.org/store/symposiums.htm).
You can also search for “Mulvihill” in the
AMA Plans Service (www.modelair
craft.org/plansmain.asp) to find several
designs that were published in MA
throughout the years.
The Coupe d’Hiver (FAI class F1G)
event originated in France after World War
II. It specifies a fairly heavy airframe (70
grams empty) with a relatively small
rubber motor (10 grams maximum). The
result is a two-minute model that is more
challenging than P-30 or OT Rubber but
flies beautifully.
Coupe motors are short and stout
because they swing large-diameter
propellers on few turns (400-500).
Following a quick 30-second ascent to
approximately 150 feet of altitude, the
Coupe model begins its graceful glide.
Modern Coupes—though definitely
underpowered—excel in the glide phase.
In fact, with sink rates of approximately
1.5 feet per second, they are sometimes
hard to DT reliably.
If you prefer the challenge of building,
check out the Kiwi Coupe from BMJR
Model Products or the Souper Coupe from
Campbell’s Custom Kits. The best of the
balsa-kit Coupes is MAL’s Winterhawk.
Since Coupe is an FAI event, the
Builder-of-the-Model Rule is nonexistent;
therefore, F1G provides a nice entry point
for FF competition. There are many RTF
and ARF Coupes and Coupe parts
available from the European market.
Consult the suppliers sidebar for these
options.
Among the world’s best F1Gs are those
by Burdov (Starlink), Alexei Bukin, and
Evgeny Gorban. Simpler ARF Coupe kits
from Starlink are also available—notably
the Beau Coupe and Burdov’s Candy G.
F1B Wakefield represents the pinnacle
of technical performance in rubber power.
These models are limited by airframe
weight (200 grams minimum) and rubber
weight (30 grams maximum).
Despite those limitations, modern F1B
airplanes are capable of breathtaking
performance. Motors are wound to the
verge of breaking and models are javelinlaunched
to vertical climbs before the
propellers fold at approximately 250 feet.
Then the outstanding glide of the modern
F1B takes over, often clocking five to
seven minutes in calm air.
European F1Bs and parts for building
your own are readily available. For starters
try one of the simpler entry-level varieties
by Vivchar (Prima) or Burdov (STARter).
Both will provide excellent performance
and will give you a good taste of F1Bflying for less than $250. When you are
ready for the big time, world-class F1Bs
by champions such as Burdov, Bukin,
Vivchar, Andriukov, and Gorban will run
in the neighborhood of $800-$1,500.
Glow-Engine FF: FF Gas is still quite
popular today, thanks to the many kits and
equipment suppliers that keep it going.
Campbell’s Custom Kits is one of the best,
offering more than a dozen kits in various
sizes and a dozen more plans. BMJR
Model Products, Team Satellite, and The
Model Box are other excellent suppliers of
Gas kits.
Gas FF is basically a vertical drag race.
The object is to get your model as high as
possible in the allotted engine-run time
(which varies from four to 12 seconds).
Then the model transitions to a longer
glide phase. Four to 12 seconds isn’t very
long to get the model high, so the design
trend is for small, fast, and amply powered
aircraft.
For instance, a hot .049 setup has a
250- to 300-square-inch wing and 6- to 7-
ounce total weight. This type of model will
attain roughly 400 feet of altitude on a
seven-second engine run, aiming for a
two-minute maximum (“max”). Typical
larger models are:
• Engine Class A/B: .15-.21 cu. in.-
displacement engine, 450- to 600-squareinch
wing area, 18-25 ounces.
• Engine Class C/D: .35-.65 cu. in.-
displacement engine, 700- to 1,200-squareinch
wing, and 35-60 ounces.
Gas models are among the bestperforming
FF airplanes. One look at the
AMA national records list will confirm
this. The current record in Class A
Category III is 105 minutes, or 43
consecutive max flights!
The ultimate in Gas FF performance is
found in FAI classes F1J and F1C. Both
are typically high-aspect-ratio (long
wingspan and narrow chord) models with
mostly composite construction and top-ofthe-
line engines.
F1J is for 1cc or .061 power with no
weight minimum. F1C is the World
Championships class, with 2.5cc (.15 cu.
in. displacement) power and a minimum
weight of 750 grams.
F1C is extremely demanding (high
minimum wing loading) but offers
amazing performance. The best F1Cs
today have wingspans in excess of 100
inches and climb to incredible altitudes on
scant five-second engine runs.
F1C maxes are three minutes, but a
good F1C model will glide for five to 10
minutes in calm air. Because of this,
“flyoffs” (think overtime in football) are
often held. A typical flyoff involves
several competitors aiming for a long max
time at sunrise or sunset, when thermal
activity is nil.
Current state of the art in ultra-highperformance
F1C is the folding-wing
model. The idea is simple: long-winged
airplanes glide better but have more drag
in the climb, reducing altitude. Folding the
wings for the climb and then unfolding
them at the top of the power pattern is the
best of both worlds—a higher climb and a
better glide.
Folding-wing F1Cs have been
developing since the 1960s. In 2003 an
F1C folder finally won the World
Championships. Since then, many of the
world’s top F1C competitors have acquired
at least one.
Beginning FF Gas Flying: Getting started
in Gas FF is fairly easy if you’ve had any
experience at all with glow engines. The
main challenges are making your engines
run consistently and then learning the fine
art of Gas FF trimming.
There are roughly three kinds of Gas
FF models: those with no auto surfaces,
also called “lockdown” or “Classic Gas”;
those with variable incidence tail and auto
rudder (VIT and AR) only; and bunters
(VIT, AR, and one-quarter outside loop
after engine shutoff).
Typical starter models for Classic Gas
are the Mini Pearl 1/2A from Campbell’s
Custom Kits or Jim O’Reilly Model
Plans, the Satellite series from Team
Satellite, or any of the Nostalgia series
from BMJR. Kits from The Model Boxare also excellent.
If you want to jump into FAI Gas
flying without getting into building, you
can purchase an RTF F1J model for as
little as $500. Check out glideTEK,
Vasily Beschasny, W-Hobby, or
International Model Group for F1J
models. The best .061 engine currently
available is the Cyclon from Doug
Galbreath. Most modern F1Js are
designed around it.
For a longer discussion check out my
article in the 2004 NFFS Symposium
“Beginning FF Power: A Journey” or get
the NFFS video by Bob Johannes. Most
important, understand that flying FF Gas
requires a healthy respect for fast-moving
engines and models.
These airplanes are spectacular when
things go right but can be quite dangerous
when things go wrong. Minimize the
danger by having an experienced flier
close by when you are starting out.
Hearing protection is a must since FF
engines have no mufflers and run at full
throttle. And always make sure you testfly
and practice on secluded fields with
no spectators. The models are much safer
later, when they have been trimmed.
FF Scale: FF Scale today means one
thing: Flying Aces Club (FAC). This
organization published its own rule book
and has many AMA sanctioned contests
from coast to coast and around the world.
Most Scale meets in the US today are run
according to FAC Scale and flight rules
instead of AMA rules.
The FAC’s core mission is to preserve
the traditional stick-and-tissue building
philosophy that was the embodiment of
model aviation in the 1930s. There are
huge yearly FAC contests at the Geneseo,
New York, Historical Air Group field and
the AMA field in Muncie. The highlight
of attending an FAC meet is seeing one of
the masters with a multiengine Scale
subject, detailed down to the last rivet.
Most FAC Scale models have
wingspans ranging from 1 to 3 feet and
are rubber powered, but larger models and
electric and CO2 engines are also used.
For a rule book and a year’s worth of a
great newsletter, send $15 to FAC-GHQ,
3301 Cindy Ln., Erie PA 16506.
There are more FF categories and events
I haven’t listed (we have too many).
There’s Payload, Cargo, Rubber Speed,
rocket power, Slope Soaring Glider, CO2,
electric, and even compressed air. Most of
those aren’t flown very often, but their
existence underscores the diversity of the
FF experience.
Large or small, low-tech or hightech—
if chasing after models soaring free
in lazy circles gets your blood pumping,
you’re bound to be one of us: a rare breed
called the Free Flighter. Join us! MA
Don DeLoach