Free Flight: Duration
NFFS News: The National Free Flight Society has announced five inductees for 1990 into its Free Flight Hall of Fame. The formal gesture is to be accomplished at the NFFS Symposium banquet at the combined AMA FF Nats and U.S. Outdoor Championships on October 19, 1990 in Vincennes, IN. A recent press release issued by NFFS President Tony Italiano lists these noted gentlemen as the chosen five: Woody Blanchard - A five-time AMA National Champion who produced a number of model designs which were featured in commercial model magazines, and a number that were kitted. Emmanuel Fillon (France) - Winner of the 1937 Wakefield Cup. He has been quite active in rubber-powered Free Flight for over 50 years. Robert Meuser - He perpetuated the sport of Free Right as a staunch leader in the NFFS, serving as editor of the NFFS Digest newsletter and as a respected magazine columnist for many years.
Free Flight: Duration
New ½A engine for the Nineties: Emerging from the shadow of the famed Indy 500 Speedway is a new production engine with such revolutionary styling and superior performance potential that it would appear to usher in a decade of interesting new challenges for all facets of ½A Gas Free Flight, Control Line, and Radio Control flying. The engine in question is the product of Fred Baldwin and Jim Van Arsdal, whose partnership has created a new company called BV Competition Engines. Their engine, the Shuriken, is to be produced in both .049 and .061 cu. in. sizes - the latter intended for use in the new small-engine FAI Free Flight event of F1J. As the accompanying photos suggest, the diminutive power plant is quite unique in many respects, particularly for a ½A-size engine, and quality exudes from its radical styling and beautiful, multi-colored anodized finishes. The engines are currently being produced with either a red or black anodized crankcase with contrasting black or red drive washer, plug retainer, backplate, prop spinner, and intake venturi. Only the needle valve assembly and button-style glow plug are purchased, as the remaining parts are all unique to the engine.
Free Flight: Duration
NEW FF CLUB: I should like to welcome the "new kid on the block"-literally speaking, that is. The new "kid" is the West Michigan Free Flight Club, and its membership roster shows that about half are young people. The accompanying photo shows most of the members, and I'll introduce them beginning in the front row (left to right): Chris Mauw, Joel Postma, Tim Leugs, Mike Holtz, Chris Tanas, and Lisa Sarber. The middle row has Joe Kresnak, Tim Anderson, Steve Baker, Rayon Wanble, and Rodnee Shank. The ones in the back row are Bob Pattison, Bob Hoffman, Tim Sarber, Dave Shank, Bill Butenhius, Jim Tanas, and Bill Schottey. One of the group's kingpins is missing from the photo, namely "Krazy Karl" Spielmaker, who we shall assume is the photographer.
Free Flight: Duration
NFFS News: Free Flight Digest, the official monthly publication of the National Free Flight Society (NFFS), has a new editor in the person of Chris Weinrich. Bob Meuser, who was Model Aviation 's "Free Flight Duration" columnist for many years, had also been performing as editor ("Redacteur en Chef") of the Digest for some 18 years - and doing an admirable job. Bob announced the change in editorship with a formal letter to the various newsletter editors and magazine columnists. I think we should all thank Bob for his past service to the NFFS and wish him well in future endeavors. Chris Weinrich will henceforth be accepting all associated correspondence to the Digest at 905 West 5th Ave., Olympia, WA 98502. Welcome aboard, Chris! The NFFS also has a new Membership Chairman in Nat Comfort, who replaced Sal Fruciano as of January 1, 1990. Sal had served about two years in this volunteer capacity, and his efforts are most appreciated as well.
Free Flight: Duration
NFFS NEWS: Apparently the green light is now burning brightly for both the Indoor and Outdoor Free Flight portions of the AMA Nationals to be relinquished to the National Free Flight Society (NFFS) in 1990. The plan is for the Indoor portion to be married with the traditional U.S. Indoor Champs at the fine facilities at Johnson City, TN on June 7-10, and the Outdoor FF portion to be separated from the July 14-22 RC and CL Nats activities by being delayed until the third week of October at Lawrenceville, IL.
