Victorian Free Flight SocietyLast Updated August 7 , 2009
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 : 2009 Competition Calendar 2009Every Competition Day in 2009 will include a Catapult Glider competition Points accumulated during the year will determine the winner at the end of the year
Feb. 8
Feb. 22
March 8
March 15
April 5
Apr. 24-26
May 17
June 7
June 21
July 12
Aug 8/9
Aug 23
Sept. 7
Sept. 13
Sept. 20
Oct 11
Nov. 8
Nov 22
Dec 7
Dec 13 Meeting and Flying VenuesMeetingsBusiness and social meetings are held on the first Tuesday each month at The Recreation Hotel, 170 Queens Pde., North Fitzroy. Some members may care to dine from 6.30 pm before the meeting proper begins at 8.00 pm Indoor Events
At the Donvale Indoor Sports Centre,[Manningham DISC] Springvale Rd. Donvale [Melway 48 F4] between 12.45 pm and 4.30 pm. Outdoor Events Outdoor Events are held at Eynesbury, south of Melton, [Melway maps 220 D12 and 226]. The field is off Haul Road and is best accessed by travelling through Eynesbury township via Eynesbury Road, (off Exford Road at Melway map 220 H2). The field is entered through the first gate on the west side of Haul Road. There is a VFFS lock on the gate. The field is part of Eynesbury Station which is an active pastoral enterprise. Stock requirements can cause the use of neighbouring paddocks. Visitors please contact the Contest Director (CD) beforehand to check for any change. Contact the CD the evening before the comp. to ascertain that the comp. is not postponed due to weather and to check the time that the gate will be open. Visitors will need to arrange to meet a keyholder at the gate to gain access.
No dogs allowed on the property. Competition starts at 8 am and finishes at 2.30 pm. 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 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 Vin Morgan Contact Phone NumbersPresidentRon Bird Phone: +61 3 9846 6297
Secretary
Selected ReadingLinks last confirmed 6 August 2009
'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 August 2009
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)
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PlansLinks last confirmed 6 August, 2009Australian in Alphabetical Order
Straney, Paul (maintained service by Peter lloyd)
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.Links last confirmed 6 August, 2009Australian in Alphabetical Order
Free Flight Technology
Pel-Aero Products
FAI Model Supply
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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