Victorian Free Flight SocietyLast Updated December 16, 2007
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!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.
MenuWhat exactly are Free Flight Model Aircraft?An Introductory Guideline to Building and Flying Model Aeroplanes - New
Competition Calendar : 2008 Competition Calendar : 2008Version 1: December 16, 2007Every Competition Day in 2008 will include a Catapult Glider competition Points accumulated during the year will determine the winner at the end of the year
Jan 04
Feb 10
Mar 09
Mar 16
Apl 13
Apl 25- 27
May 11
May 10-12
Jun 08
Jun 22
Jul 13
Aug 10
Sep 01 [Mon]
Sep 14
Sep 21
Oct 12
Nov 09
Nov 23
Dec 01 [Mon]
Dec 14 Meeting and Flying VenuesMeetingsBusiness and social meetings are held on the first Tuesday each month at the Old Homestead Inn, 170 Queens Pde., North Fitzroy. Some members may care to dine at 7 before the meeting proper begins at 8 Indoor Events Indoor Events are held at the Donvale Indoor Sports Centre, Springvale Road, Donvale [Melway Ref 48 F4] between 12-45 pm and 4-45 pm. If time permits other events may be held The 2008 Sept 01 and Dec 01 events will be at the Sandringham Athletic Centre, Thomas St. Hampton between 10 am and 4 pm Outdoor Events Our current flying field is accessed from the new road which heads south from Exford Rd about 1.5 km east of the current field's gate. There are security gates across this road and a security guard is on duty at all times. If not at this location he will be at Eynesbury Rd 1.3 km to the east or patrolling. Call him on his mobile number 0432 687 813. The guard will open the security gates allowing access to the new road leading to our new field. This field is entered through the seventh gate on the west side of this road (not counting the gates at Exford Rd.) This gate is 4.6km. South of Exford Rd. Our lock is on the gate. This field has fewer trees and rocks and two tracks: one heading north west and one west south west, but the gate is new and the tracks start about 50m from the gate and are not visible until about 20m. away. Be careful as you thread your way through the patch of rocks inside the gate until clear tracks are formed. Outdoor events may be cancelled at the last moment. You can phone the CD after 8:00 PM on Saturday night before the event to discover his intentions. If you want to compete in a particular event you should let the nominated CD know this. The CD can then keep you informed about a refly, which may take place at short notice and/or before the next issue of 'Flypaper'. Every competition day in 2007 will include a catapult glider comp. Points accumulated during the year will determine prizewinners at end of year. Rules Number of flights and max for Combined and Open events will be decided by the CD on the day. All Combined Vintage events include Old Timer. If there are enough entries, Old Timer will be run as a separate event. All Combined Mini events permit P-30 to fly as F1G. 'Flypaper' - Newsletter of the V.F.F.S.Taking out a subscription to 'Flypaper', the Newsletter of the V.F.F.S. is the best way to both stay informed on Victorian Free Flight Society news and coming events. It also is a great source of interesting information about Free Flight in Victoria
Further information is available from the editor Dr Russell Naughton
'Free Flight Down Under' - Newsletter of the A.F.F.S.Taking out a subscription to 'Free Flight Down Under' the Newsletter of the Australian Free Flight Society is the best way to both stay informed on A.F.F.S. news and coming events. It also is a great source of interesting information about FF in Australia.Further information is available from the editor Vin Morgan Contact Phone NumbersPresidentDarien Cassidy Phone: +61 3 9899 0322
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Selected ReadingLinks last confirmed 6 June 2007
'Free Flight Quarterly' "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 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 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
Selected OrganisationsLinks last confirmed 6 June 2007
Model Aeronautical Association of Australia (M.A.A.A)
M.A.A.A Official Rules : Free FlightVictorian Model Aircraft Association (V.M.A.A) www.vmaa.com.au/
V.M.A.A. Events CalendarNew South Wales Free Flight Society (N.S.W.F.F.S.) www.nswffs.com.au
Brisbane Free Flight Society (B.F.F.S.)
Fédération Aéronautiqe Internationale (FAI)
This is a PDF file - Get the Free PDF Reader Here Links last confirmed 3 October, 2007
PlansAustralian in Alphabetical Order
Buckmaster, Derek (Aus)
Buckmaster Derek - Designed in Australia (Aus)
Straney, Paul (maintained service by Peter lloyd)
BEAMS (USA) (Boeing Employees' Aerodynamic Modeling Society)
Bradley, Paul (USA)
Morrow, Michael A. (USA)
FROG (UK)
Hand Launched Gliders (UK)
Holman, Bob (USA)
Hunter, Garry (USA)
Livesay, Dave (USA)
Mooney, Walt (USA)
Ornithopter Research Library (USA) - includes several plans
Rob's Scale Free Flight Models (USA)
Small Flying Arts (USA)
Svenson,Craig (USA)
Syme, Thayer (USA)
Tardy, Christophe (France)
The Windy Sock (USA)
Kits and Materials etc.Australian in Alphabetical Order
Free Flight Technology
Pel-Aero Products
Aerodyne - Campell's Custom Kits
FAI Model Supply
Flite Tech
Free Flight Supplies
Peck Polymers
Penn Valley Hobby Center (Campbell Custom FF Kits)
Radical RC Free Flight kits incl. CLG, HLG
Sams Models
StarLink
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