Last Updated January 29, 2012

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 aeromodelling 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 offer every assistance with advice on what to build, materials, sources of supply, construction and trimming.

Membership Application Form

Download a printable version here. Application For Membership 2011-12.

Meeting and Flying Venues - Last Updated November 14, 2011.
Weather at Eynesbury
Competition Calendar : 2012 - Last Updated January 27, 2012
Competition Rules - Last Updated March 3, 2010
Contact Details
Newsletters - Last updated January 29, 2012
Selected Reading - Links confirmed January 29, 2012
Selected Organisations - Links confirmed January 27, 2012
Selected Suppliers - Last Updated January 27, 2012

Plans
Kits, Materials and Accessories
Information
Software

Note:
The Victorian Free Flight Society (V.F.F.S) does not endorse any supplier, product or information listed. The content of this web site is provided in good faith and the V.F.F.S will not assume responsibility for any harm, damage or legal liability that may arise from any dealing with any supplier and the use of any product or information.

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Meeting and Flying Venues

Meetings

Business and social meetings are held on the first Tuesday each month at the Leinster Arms Hotel, 66 Gold Steet, Collingwood [Melway Map 2C G6]. (Corner of Gold and Hotham Streets.)

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 4.15 pm. A hall rental fee of $10.00 applies if you wish to fly, OR;

Sandringham Athletic Centre, Thomas St. Hampton [Melway 76 K6], between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm, (see Notes below).

Spectators are welcome at Manningham DISC events run by the VFFS.

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 and any conditions that may apply.

Models flown by visitors or VFFS sport fliers at Manningham DISC indoor events must comply with constraints or conditions specified by the VFFS and, 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.

Notes:

Model flying at Sandringham is not under the control of the VFFS.
Model fliers must pay the applicable hall fee and both model fliers and visitors must 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 Remote Control, Around The Pole (RTP) or Control Line flying at the Manningham DISC.

Outdoor Events

Note: The VFFS field at Eynesbury is not accessible because of road works.

Outdoor Events are held at the VFFS field at Eynesbury, south of Melton, [Melway maps 220 D12 and 226]. The field is off Green Hill Rd (formerly Haul Rd) 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 Greenhill Rd. 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 after 5.00 pm 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 key holder 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. The same information should also appear on the web site 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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Weather at Eynesbury

See Eynesbury Weather by WeatherZone

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Competition Calendar 2011

January 29
Combined Vintage. At Eynesbury Field in conjuction with the Werribee Wanderers. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

February 5
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field.

February 19
VMAA Indoor State Championships for HLG, and CLG; also Sandfly Formula for Arthur Smith Indoor Free Flight Trophy. At Manningham DISC.

Models flown by visitors or VFFS member sport fliers must be very lightweight and slow flying and be compatible with the competition classes being flown. The time available for flying sport models may be restricted if there are four or more F1D entrants. The Contest Director of the day will provide guidance of when and where visitor or sport models may be flown.

February 26
CLG, Scale and Open Rubber. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

March 4
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field.

March 10 to 12
VMAA State Championships at Springhurst. Details to be announced by the Werribee Wanderers.

March 25
Garnham Trophy, first half yearly competition, P30 rules [3 X 120 seconds]. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

April 1
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field.

April 6 - 7
Easter. AFFS and SCC Championships. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607.

April 15
Indoor Reduced Scale Wakefield. At Manningham DISC.

Visitors and VFFS member sport fliers are advised that reduced scale Wakefields are generally heavier, stronger and faster flying than other types indoor models so smaller and lighter models may be at risk.

April 12 to 20
MAAA Australian Nationals in Western Australia.

April 22
Vintage rubber for Hervey Trophy. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

May 6
Combined F1G, F1H and F1J. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

May 13
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

May 20
Combined F1G, F1H and F1J. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

May 27
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

June 3
Vintage rubber, power and glider. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

June 10
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

June 17
VMAA Indoor State Championships for F1L and F1D. At Manningham DISC.

Models flown by visitors or VFFS member sport fliers must not exceed 30 grams in weight. The Contest Director of the day will provide guidance of when and where such models may be flown.

June 24
Combined F1G, F1H and F1J. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

July 1
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field.

July 8
P-30 and Scale. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

July 15
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field.

July 22
Combined F1G, F1H, F1J, P-30 and Percentage Open. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

July 29
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field.

August 5
Garnham Trophy, second half yearly competition, P30 rules with no limits on weight, propeller, and rubber, [3 X 180 seconds]. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

August 12
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field.

August 19
VMAA Indoor State Championships for Bostonian, and Hangar Rat. At Manningham DISC.

Models flown by visitors or VFFS member sport fliers must not exceed 30 grams in weight. The Contest Director of the day will provide guidance of when and where such models may be flown.

September 3 [Monday]
VMAA Indoor precision free flight for the Arthur Smith Indoor Free Flight Trophy. At Sandringham.

October 7
CLG, Scale and Open Rubber. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

October 14
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field.

October 21
VMAA Indoor State Championships for Peanut Scale; also VFFS Championships for Indoor Open Scale. At Manningham DISC.

Models flown by visitors or VFFS member sport fliers must not exceed 30 grams in weight. The Contest Director of the day will provide guidance of when and where such models may be flown.

November 4
Vintage rubber, power and glider. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

November 11
Back up day for postponed events at Eynesbury Field.

December 2
OZ Diesel and Combined Percentage Open. At Eynesbury Field. Contact: Sean O'Connor, Tel: 03 9481 6607

December 3 [Monday]
VFFS Grand End of Year Indoor Scale day. At Sandringham.

December 16
F1M, Living Room Stick and Open Percentage of Hall (DISC) Record. At Manningham DISC.

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Competition 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 successfully 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 (number) and flight realism ranking (number). Eg. 2 is the best possible score.

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Contact Details

President
Paul Butler
Phone: +61 3 9457 2877

Secretary
Sean O'Connor
Phone +61 3 9481 6607

Mail Drop Address
59 Roseneath Street
Clifton Hill
Victoria, Australia 3068

Treasurer
Sean O'Connor
Phone +61 3 9481 6607

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Newsletters

'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

A subscription to Flypaper is $20 per annum and the subscription period is July 1st to June 30th. Please make all cheques and money orders out to Victorian Free Flight Society Inc.

Further information is available from the editor Michael Glaister

'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 Malcolm Campbell

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Selected Reading

'Free Flight Quarterly'
freeflightquarterly.com/wordpress

"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

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

New South Wales Free Flight Society (N.S.W.F.F.S.)
www.nswffs.com.au

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

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

Victorian Model Aircraft Association (V.M.A.A)
www.vmaa.com.au/site/

V.M.A.A. Events Calendar
www.vmaa.com.au/site/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=86&func=select&id=3

V.M.A.A. Newsletter
www.vmaa.com.au/site/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=86&func=select&id=2

Model Association of Queensland (M.A.A.Q)
maaq.org

Tasmanian Aeronautical Association Inc.
www.tasmodelaero.com

Aeromodellers WA Inc. (A.W.A)
www.aeromodellerswa.info/index.html

Aeromodellers Northern Territory Inc. (A.N.T.)
www.aeromodellersnt.com.au

Model Aerosport SA Inc. (M.A.S.A)
masa.org.au

ACT Aeromodellers Association Inc. (A.C.T.A.A)
actaa.com.au

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Selected Suppliers

Plans

Australian in Alphabetical Order

DB Design Bureau
dbdesignbureau.buckmasterfamily.id.au

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

International in Alphabetical Order

A.A. Lidberg (USA)
www.aalmps.com

Aeromodelismo (Argentina)
www.e-aeromodelismo.com.ar/Planos/Motorgoma.htm

Ageless Wings (USA)
www.agelesswings.com/MODELARE.HTM

Airdynamics (Germany)
www.airdynamics.de
Select Bauplanarchive - Gummimotor Modelle

Bradley, Paul (USA)
www.parmodels.com

Cleveland Model & Supply Company (USA)
www.clevelandairline.com

Flying Models (USA)
www.flying-models.com/

Flying T Model Company (USA)
www.geocities.com/aerohydro/mfm/teagarden.htm

House of FROG (UK)
www.houseoffrog.co.uk

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

Holman, Bob (USA)
bhplans.com

Hunter, Garry (USA)
www.theplanpage.com/index.htm

Indoor Free flight (USA)
www.indoorfreeflight.com

Indoor Free flight (Belgium)
users.skynet.be/bk320752/index.htm

Micro Flight (France)
www.microflight.be/telechargements

Morrow, Michael A. (USA)
www.aeroaces.com/aeroaceshome.htm#home

My Hobby Store (UK)
www.myhobbystore.co.uk/browser/196/free-flight

Ornithopter Research Library (USA) - includes several plans
ornithopter.org

Outerzone (UK)
www.outerzone.co.uk

Ozark Model Aviation (USA)
www.ozarkmodelaviation.com

Small Flying Arts (USA)
smallflyingarts.com

Svenson,Craig (USA)
svensons.com

Syme, Thayer (USA)
gryffinaero.com

Thomas Designs (USA)
www.thomasdesigns.net/ThomasDesigns_/_IndexPagex.html

Windy Sock, The (USA)
windysock.net

Woodhouse, Michael (UK)
www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk

X-List (UK)
www.myhobbystore.co.uk

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Kits, Materials and Accessories

Australian in Alphabetical Order

Brunel Hobbies
www.brunelhobbies.com.au/index.html

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

Frontline Hobbies
www.frontlinehobbies.com.au

Metro Hobbies
www.metrohobby.com.au/home.php

Models and Hobbies 4U
www.modelsandhobbies4u.com.au

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

International in Alphabetical Order

A2Z Corp (USA)
www.a2zcorp.us

Aero Werkes (USA)
aerowerkes.com

Airsail Models (NZ)
www.airsailmodels.co.nz/

Dare Design (USA)
www.darehobby.com/index.html

Diels Engineering (USA)
dielsengineeringinc.com

Dumas Products (USA)
www.dumasestore.com/catalog/index.php

Easy Built Models (USA)
www.easybuiltmodels.com