FREE FLIGHT INDOOR - 2001/01
the fOllOwIng hangar reports are
from Steve Brown, who continues to
develop his FID55 models using mostly
half-motors.
Steve reports the need for “tiny”
propellers—19 inches in diameter, with
pitches between 24 and 27 inches. After all,
.6 grams of rubber is roughly what we used
to run on Easy B!
Thanks, Steve!
• Famous Site Lost: The gymnasium at
Bedford Boy’s Ranch in Bedford, Texas has
been the venue for many Cat. I records
during the past 20+ years.
An outside door was left unlocked
recently, with the air-conditioning blowers
turned off. When the air-conditioning was
turned on later, a unit froze up while trying
to cool the building.
Building management has decreed that
the blowers will not be turned off for any
reason, so the site is no longer usable for
model-flying.
• Tustin Reprise: Despite earlier reports that
Hangar #2 was to be demolished, it hasn’t
been. Both hangars are quiet and dark, and
the base is populated by military police and
weeds.
Indoor fliers currently have no avenue of
access, so one of the world’s best sites
stands unused.
• One Hangar Left! Thanks to hard work by
George Xenakis and Herb Robbins, the
NASA hangar formerly known as the
Moffet hangar is available on a generous
schedule.
George often shows up with a large
number of kids who fly A-6 and similar
models. This hangar has several internal
obstructions that make it difficult to fly
65cm FlD models, but FlD55 airplanes fare
well.
FF Indoor
ELECTRIC RECORDS: Bob Wilder has been busy again. He has filed for a flight of 11:14 in Indoor Electric Free Flight (FF) and a flight of 15:08 in Electric Indoor Radio Control (RC). Both flights took place in the gym at Bedford Boys Ranch (Bedford TX), which is a slightly domed Cat. I site. Because of the curved ceiling, models must either stay below the curve of the ceiling or be adjusted for ceiling scrubbing (more about that later). Early flights in the Electric FF attempts mostly resulted in the model coming down the wall or running into a comer after it touched the ceiling.
Free Flight: Indoor
THAT IS the opening paragraph of the descriptive text on the box of The Joy of Flying Free. This documentary, produced by the National Free Flight Society, is an excellent account of all about free flight. Almost all types of free flight and indoor models are shown in segments filmed at the U.S. Indoor and Outdoor Championships (USIC and USOC). There is a cast of dozens-if you were at either meet last year, you probably appear in one or more segments. Buy a copy-you may be a star! Send $25 plus $3 for postage and handling to Tony Italiano, 1655 Revere Dr., Brookfield, WI 53005; Tel.: (414) 782-6256.
Free Flight: Indoor
QUICK CHANGE - 1993 Indoor Nats: After the FAA failed to grant timely clearance for use of an airport runway for outdoor events at Lubbock, Texas, the entire unified Nats concept was abandoned for this year. The Indoor Nats will instead be held with the USIC, June 3-6, 1993. Tom lacobellis will be the CD. Send Tom an SASE to receive entry blanks and other information: 198 Manhattan Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532; Tel.: (914) 592-5176 (day) or (914) 747-9038 (night). U.S. Indoor Champs rides again! Tom Jacobellis is the Contest Director, and the dates are June 3-6, 1993. As usual, the site is the MiniDome at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. Send Tom a business-sized SASE at the address given in the preceding paragraph for entry blanks and event information. Here's an advance bit of information: A class for 35cm microfilm stick has been added. These models are fun, easy to build, and easy to transport.
Free Flight: Indoor
LARRY COSLICK: At last year's USIC, Larry Coslick seemed to appear out of nowhere to post some really good times. It is no accident-Larry works really hard to develop his skills. We will hear about several of his techniques as space permits; meanwhile, he offers the following concept as food for thought: How about a "no touch" Easy B contest? It would be interesting! It might be flown in rounds, starting with five-, eight-, 10-, 11-, and 12-minute goals. Allow two attempts for each target time, and if your model touches the ceiling it is disqualified. Also, two events could be held: one for models lighter than 0.7 grams and the other for heavier models. Any takers?
