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Victorian Free Flight Society

Last Updated February 3 , 2010

The Victorian Free Flight Society (V.F.F.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who fly 'free flight' model aircraft for fun, fitness and sport!

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There are 3 basic categories; gliders, rubber driven and motor powered and these can be contest machines, sport fun flyers or scale models. All are built and trimmed to fly a set flight pattern without any external control.

Free Flight model aircraft are, as the name suggests, model aircraft which 'fly free', i.e. not under the direct control of the flier after they have been launched. They therefore must be built to be inherently stable and capable of sustaining themselves throughout their flight.

The sport of free-flight is one with a long history of competition and endeavour, being the original aeromodeling hobby. It provides a unique blend of construction skills and physical activity, which can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

It is a rewarding family sport providing outdoor and indoor flying pleasure at moderate expense to suit anyone's budget. To assist newcomers, V.F.F.S. members lend models and offer every assistance with advice on what to build, materials, sources of supply, construction and trimming.

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An Introductory Guideline to Building and Flying Model Aeroplanes

Competition Calendar : 2010
Contact Phone Numbers
Meeting and Flying Venues - Last Updated January 8, 2010
Newsletters
Selected Reading
Selected Organisations
Selected Suppliers - Plans, Kits and Materials - Last Updated August 7 , 2009

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Competition Calendar 2010

February 7
Combined percentage open. At Eynesbury Field. Contest Director: Darien Cassidy, Tel: 03 9899 0322

February 21
Indoor State Championships for F1L, and F1D; also VFFS Championships for F1M, and Living Room Stick. At Manningham DISC. Contest Director: Darien Cassidy, Tel: 03 9899 0322

March 7
Garnham Trophy, first half yearly competion, P30 rules [3 X 120 seconds], At Eynesbury Field. Contest Director, Darien Cassidy, Tel: 03 9899 0322

March 21
Indoor State Championships for HLG, and CLG. Also Sandfly Formula for Arthur Smith Indoor Free Flight Trophy. At Manningham DISC. Contest Director: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

April 18
Scale and Open Rubber. At Eynesbury Field.

State Championships at Springhurst; May 7, 8 and 9.

May 7
F1B, Combined Vintage, Open Power.

May 8
F1A, F1C, P30, Open Rubber (Shaw Cup).

May 9
HLG / CLG, Ebenezer Fly-in, OZ Diesel, Open Scale.

Note: The F1A, F1B and F1C competitions will be qualifying events for the World Championship 2011 Team Trials.

May 16
Vintage rubber for Hervey Trophy. At Eynesbury Field.

June 6
State Championships F1G, F1H, F1J. At Eynesbury Field.

June 20
Indoor reduced scale Wakefield. At Manningham DISC.

July 11
Combined Percentage Open. At Eynesbury Field.

July 25
Open Indoor Endurance. At Manningham DISC.

Aug 8
Scale and Open Rubber. At Eynesbury Field.

September 6 [Monday]
Indoor precision free flight for the Arthur Smith Indoor Free Flight Trophy. At Sandringham.

Sept. 12
Garnham Trophy, second half yearly competition, P30 rules with no limits on weight, propeller, and rubber, [3 X 180 seconds]. At Eynesbury Field

Sept. 26
Indoor State Championships for Peanut Scale; also VFFS Championships for Indoor Open Scale. At Manningham DISC.

Oct 10
Vintage rubber, power and glider. At Eynesbury Field.

Nov. 7
Combined percentage open. At Eynesbury Field.

Nov 21
Indoor State Championships for Bostonian, and Hangar Rat. At Manningham DISC.

Dec 6 [Monday]
VFFS Grand End of Year Indoor Scale day. At Sandringham.

Dec 12
Combined percentage open. At Eynesbury Field.

Rules

The M.A.A.A Rules Book applies with the following exceptions or additions:

The number of flights and the maximum flight times for Combined and Open events will be decided by the Contest Director on the day.

All Combined Vintage events include Old Timer. Old Timer will be run as a separate event when there are sufficient entries.

All Combined Mini events permit P30 to fly as F1G.

Outdoor Scale

This competition is for flying scale models of any full sized aircraft.

Run in compliance with the M.A.A.A Rules Book except that rubber power is allowed as well as internal combustion, CO2, and electric power.

Combined Percentage Open

This competition is for models that would normally be flown in different classes each with different maximum times; eg. 2 minute max for P30, F1G, F1H, and F1J; and 3 minute max for F1A, F1B, F1C, Garnham Trophy and Open Rubber.

Each competitor attempts a max for the class of his model. Usually the objective is to gain 3 maxes but the Contest Director decides on the day.

Example: If a P30 model scores 120, 120, and 115 seconds to gain an official score of 355/360 (ie. 98.6%) and if an Open Rubber scores 180, 180, and 170 seconds to gain an official score of 530/540 (ie. 98.1%) then the P30 is leading because it has achieved a higher percentage of the possible maximum score.

Living Room Stick

• Wing Span: No more than 7 inches, [178 mm];


• Wing Chord: No more than 2.5 inches, [63.5 mm];


• Covering: Plastic or paper - no microfilm;


• Horizontal Stabilizer: No more than 50% wing area, [8.75 sq. inches];


• Motor Stick Length: 5 inches, [127 mm];


• Maximum Combined Motor Stick and Boom Length: 10 inches [254 mm];


• Propeller: Wooden construction;


• Motive Power: Must be rubber powered;


• Minimum Weight: 0.015 ozs. [0.43 grams, 430 mg.]


• Flights: Six flights and the official score is the aggregate of the best two flights. An attempt is 15 seconds or more. Timing by stop watch starts at launch and stops when the model lands or the flight is terminated.


• If The Model Hangs:
• The stop watch is kept running for 10 seconds then switched off unless the model falls free inside those 10 seconds. Timing of a freed model continues and the watch is stopped when the model lands or the flight is terminated.
• Ten seconds is subtracted from the recorded time to create the official time when the model remains hung at 10 seconds.


• Official Flight Times: Only times taken by an official timekeeper will be recorded.

Bostonian

Models entered in VFFS Bostonian events must comply with these rules with the following additions:

• Variable pitch propellers are permitted;
• All flights must R.O.G.

Sandfly Formula for Arthur Smith Indoor Free Flight Trophy

• Maximum Combined Area of Wing and Horizontal Stabilizer: 100 sq. inches [645.16 sq. cm.];


• Motive Power: Must be rubber powered;


• Minimum Weight Without Rubber: 13 grams;


• Flights:
• Six flights and the official score is the aggregate of the best two flights.
• R.O.G. required for all flights.

Precision Free Flight for Arthur Smith Indoor Free Flight Trophy

• Model Type: Any indoor free flight model (no radio control) using any form of motive power except internal or external combustion;


• Flights:
• The target flight time will chosen by the Contest Director on the day and will be less than 60 seconds.
• Six attempts are allowed, R.O.G. or hand launched.

Indoor Reduced Scale Wakefield

• Scale: The size reduction is the model builder's choice but about half original size appears to be about right for the Manningham DISC (double basketball court) venue;


• Proof of Design: Documentation presented as proof of design origin must be from a reliable source eg. Zaic Year Book, published three-view drawing or an original full scale plan would be satisfactory, even a photo of a rare model may prove acceptable to the Contest Director and fellow competitors;


• Fidelity to Scale: The outline must not exceed 10% variation of the original design as judged by the Contest Director and fellow competitors but the structure need not be an exact replica of the original;


• Covering: Flying surfaces must be double covered as on the original using paper or plastic film;


• Motive Power: Any size rubber motor may be used;


• Propeller: The propeller must emulate the original but need not fold even if the original did but a single blade prop is mandatory if the original model was equipped with one.

Peanut Scale

This competition is for flying scale models of any full sized aircraft.

Run in compliance with the M.A.A.A Rules Book.

Indoor Open Scale

This competition is for flying scale models of any full sized aircraft.

Documentation: As required for Peanut Scale.

Dimensions: No restrictions.

Weight: Less than 40 grams.

Fidelity to Scale: Static score to be determined by the judge of the competition.

Motive Power: Any form of motive power except internal or external combustion.

Flights:

• Six flights and the official score is the aggregate of the best two flights.


• Models may R.O.G or be hand launched. A successful R.O.G. will be rewarded with a 10 second bonus.

VFFS Grand End of Year Scale Day

This competition is for flying scale models of any full sized aircraft.

Documentation: Optional but recommended.

Builder of the Model: The model(s) must be built be the competitor.

Dimensions: No restrictions.

Weight: Less than 40 grams.

Fidelity to Scale: A static score is awarded by co-competitors ranking the models from the best down, (ie. 1, 2, etc.).

Motive Power: Any form of motive power except internal or external combustion.

Flights:

• A qualifying flight of 20 seconds must be achieved;


• Models may R.O.G or be hand launched. A successful R.O.G. will be rewarded with a 10 second bonus, ie. a model that sucessfully launches by R.O.G need only fly for 10 seconds to qualify;
• Flight realism will be judged and ranked by the Contest Director, (ie. 1, 2, etc.).

Awards: The first three places will be won by models that have the best (lowest) aggregate of static ranking and flight realism ranking.

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Meeting and Flying Venues

Meetings

Business and social meetings are held on the first Tuesday each month at The Recreation Hotel, 170 Queens Pde., North Fitzroy [Melway Map 2C E3].

Members may care to dine from 6.30 pm before the meeting proper begins at 8.00 pm.

Indoor Events

Indoor events are held at the:

• Donvale Indoor Sports Centre, [Manningham DISC] Springvale Rd. Donvale [Melway 48 F4] between 12.45 pm and 4.30 pm, OR;


• Sandringham Athletic Centre, Thomas St. Hampton [Melway 76 K6], between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm.

Sport flying of indoor free flight models, (rubber power or small low power electrics) is welcome at VFFS run competition events provided fliers are mindful of the priority of competition flying.

Spectators are welcome at any time at Manningham DISC indoor events and visiting flyers of free flight models are also welcome but insurance regulations limit flying to a maximum of four times unless the model flier is a current financial member of a model aircraft club or special interest group properly affiliated with the MAAA. A hall rental fee of $10.00 applies if you wish to fly.

Notes:

• Model flying at Sandringham is not under the control of the VFFS.
  Visitors and model flyers need to comply with the rules observed by the group and the requirements of the person officiating on the day.


• Many indoor models are very delicate so you must respect the flying space of any model in flight and remain mindful of where they are before launching your model.


• No Radio Control, Around The Pole (RTP) or Control Line flying at the Manningham DISC.

Outdoor Events

Outdoor Events are held at the VFFS field at Eynesbury, south of Melton, [Melway maps 220 D12 and 226]. The field is off Haul Road and is accessed by travelling through Eynesbury township.

Enter the Eynesbury township via Eynesbury Road which turns off the Parwan - Exford Road, [Melway map 220 H2]. Drive through the town, past the golf course then turn right and head north for about one kilometer. The gate to the field is the first gate on the west side of Haul Road. There is a VFFS lock on the gate. The total distance from the Parwan - Exford road to the gate is 7-8 km.

Please contact the Contest Director the evening before the event to ascertain that the event has not been postponed or moved to an adjacent paddock. The VFFS field is part of Eynesbury Station which is an active pastoral enterprise and stock requirements can cause the use a neighbouring paddock. Visitors will need to check at what time the gate will be open or arrange to meet a keyholder at the gate to gain access.

Please observe the following:

• No dogs allowed on the property;
• Drive on the well defined tracks;
• Leave gates as you find them; the internal gates are few and not locked.

Competition events start at 8 am and normally finishes at or before 2.30 pm.

Contest Directors are normally named with contacting information in the issue of Fly Paper published immediately before the event.

Spectators are welcome at any time at VFFS outdoor events and visiting flyers of free flight models are also welcome but insurance regulations limit flying to a maximum of four times unless the model flier is a current financial member of a model aircraft club or special interest group properly affiliated with the MAAA.

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'Flypaper' - Newsletter of the V.F.F.S.

Further information is available from the editor Michael Glaister

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'Free Flight Down Under' - Newsletter of the A.F.F.S.

Further information is available from the editor Vin Morgan

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Contact Phone Numbers

Secretary
Colin Parker
PO Box 15
Park Orchards
Victoria, Australia 3114
Phone +61 3 9876 1609

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Selected Reading

'Free Flight Quarterly'
www.freeflightquartely.com

"Free Flight Quarterly' (FFQ) has been born from the desire to have an international English language magazine devoted exclusively to Free Flight matters....FFQ ...aspires to be a truly international magazine, not only involved with the Australian Free Flight movement, but ready to open its pages to contributors from all countries." ...more

Free Flight Webring
webring.com

Dedicated to the promotion of Free Flight Model Aviation: Indoor, Outdoor, Competition, Flying Aces Club, or just for fun. Any power is accepted: rubber, gas, electric or other. Not for non-flying modeling nor radio control; all sites must pertain to Free Flight.

The Wakefield International Cup : A history from 1911
www.btinternet.com

by Charles Dennis Rushing

This [website] describes the history of the Wakefield International Cup, the first international trophy for aeromodelling competition. The history of the Cup can be traced back to the Wakefield Gold Cup presented by the then Sir Charles Wakefield in 1911 for a competition held at Crystal Palace, England. World War I intervened and this trophy was lost, but not forgotten.

In 1927 the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers (SMAE) approached Lord Wakefield concerning the Cup and were offered a new trophy for international competition. This trophy was the present Wakefield International Cup and was first awarded at a competition in 1928. The SMAE developed the international competition up to 1951 when it was handed to the authority of the FAI and became the award for the rubber power category at the FAI World Free Flight Championships. ...more

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Selected Organisations

Model Aeronautical Association of Australia (M.A.A.A)
www.maaa.asn.au/

M.A.A.A Official Rules : Free Flight
maaa.asn.au/rules_book.html

V.M.A.A. Events Calendar
vmaa.com.au/content/events/events.php

Brisbane Free Flight Society (B.F.F.S.)
modelenginenews.org/bffs

Fédération Aéronautiqe Internationale (FAI)
Sporting Code Section IV [ Free Flight ]

This is a PDF file - Get the Free PDF Reader Here

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Plans

Australian in Alphabetical Order

Straney, Paul (maintained service by Peter lloyd)
pelaero.com.au/AA_plans.htm

International in Alphabetical Order

Bradley, Paul (USA)
parmodels.com

Morrow, Michael A. (USA)
Dime Scale
Peanut Scale
No Cal (Profile) Scale

FROG (UK)
thestuarts.eclipse.co.uk

Hand Launched Gliders (UK)
f4bscale.worldonline.co.uk

Holman, Bob (USA)
bhplans.com

Hunter, Garry (USA)
theplanpage.com/esp.htm
theplanpage.com/st.htm
theplanpage.com/prev.htm

Livesay, Dave (USA)
geocities.com/dmlivesay/

Mooney, Walt (USA)
peck-polymers.com

Ornithopter Research Library (USA) - includes several plans
ornithopter.org
also see...
Rubber Powered Ornithopters - A History
ornithopter.org

Rob's Scale Free Flight Models (USA)
dragon-technologies.ws

Small Flying Arts (USA)
mallflyingarts.com

Svenson,Craig (USA)
svensons.com

Syme, Thayer (USA)
gryffinaero.com

Tardy, Christophe (France)
peanut.scale.free.fr

The Windy Sock (USA)
windysock.net

Kits and Materials etc.

Australian in Alphabetical Order

Free Flight Technology
Props: Vin and Leigh Morgan
644 Canning Street, North Carlton, Victoria, 3054
Phone/Fax (613) 9387 2531 email: vin.morgan@utas.edu.au

Pel-Aero Products
Prop: Peter Lloyd
www.pelaero.com.au

International in Alphabetical Order

FAI Model Supply
faimodelsupply.com

Free Flight Supplies
freeflightsupplies.co.uk

Peck Polymers
A2Z Corp

Penn Valley Hobby Center (Campbell Custom FF Kits)
pennvalleyhobbycenter.com

Radical RC Free Flight kits incl. CLG, HLG
radicalrc.secure-mall.com

Sams Models
Beginners
Replikits
Indoor
Peanut Scale
Ornithopters

StarLink
starlink-flitetech.com/

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