From Control Line to Free Flight

[Mike Griffin]

Guys, due to health issues, I cannot fly control line anymore but still love to build.  I have not flown free flight in 63 years but thought I would give it a try and get back into it.  I guess I would have to hire a kid to chase them down.  Do any of you guys fly free flight as well and can you direct me to someone or a club that might exist in the New Orleans area that I could hook up with?  I have a lot to catch up on after 63 years. 

Thank you
Mike

[Tim Wescott]

You might think about indoor free flight.  New Orleans ought to be big enough for a club, and you use way less materials.

Just be aware that CL contest balsa will be "oh, that heavy stuff".

[Dan Berry]

Mike, check your messages here.
Ross Jahnke flies in south Louisiana at a sod farm. I cannot remember where. Dick Mathis also flew there but maybe not anymore.

[Dennis Toth]

Mike,
Glad you have the spark. You might consider a simple  RC assist to the FF design to keep it within walking distance. Here is an example:   https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=7837

Best,   DennisT

[Steve Dwyer]

Mike, you piqued my interest here. First you didn't mention what type of free flight modeling you are interested. FAI Free Flight has many categories FI A thru FI N. In as much as I have a handful of 1/2A engines given to me I have never tried gas or electric powered FF. Several years ago, I attended the Flying Aces Club Nationals held in 2022 at nearby Geneseo, NY. Everything was rubber power which I found interesting, some of the models were beautiful and would soar for several minutes. The contest was a mass ascension measured for time aloft pretty cool. I was later given a Comet 24" Phantom Fury kit made from somewhere back in the 50s I believe. I built the Fury and began learning about stick and tissue and flying FF. It's an interesting area that requires a fair amount of skill to get your model trimmed. Braiding the motor using rubber bands to provide the power and duration. Using a blast tube, making a winding jig, it goes on. If you're interested in rubber power check out Easy Built Models and go online for several sites as well. There's a builder Tom Hallman that has training videos. Recalling now, the Fury flew well, I released it following a measured motor wind, it has an offset rudder opposing the prop direction. It made one large climbing circle and headed toward a neighbor's house; the yards are large. It cleared the neighbor's home and disappeared; I found it down the street where it landed on another's front lawn. I concluded the build a success. Rubber powered free flight will probably be where I'll end up when CL becomes too difficult for me. In the meantime, I'll continue to attempt to "master" the elusive pattern.
Steve

[Mike Griffin]

Mike, you piqued my interest here. First you didn't mention what type of free flight modeling you are interested. FAI Free Flight has many categories FI A thru FI N. In as much as I have a handful of 1/2A engines given to me I have never tried gas or electric powered FF. Several years ago, I attended the Flying Aces Club Nationals held in 2022 at nearby Geneseo, NY. Everything was rubber power which I found interesting, some of the models were beautiful and would soar for several minutes. The contest was a mass ascension measured for time aloft pretty cool. I was later given a Comet 24" Phantom Fury kit made from somewhere back in the 50s I believe. I built the Fury and began learning about stick and tissue and flying FF. It's an interesting area that requires a fair amount of skill to get your model trimmed. Braiding the motor using rubber bands to provide the power and duration. Using a blast tube, making a winding jig, it goes on. If you're interested in rubber power check out Easy Built Models and go online for several sites as well. There's a builder Tom Hallman that has training videos. Recalling now, the Fury flew well, I released it following a measured motor wind, it has an offset rudder opposing the prop direction. It made one large climbing circle and headed toward a neighbor's house; the yards are large. It cleared the neighbor's home and disappeared; I found it down the street where it landed on another's front lawn. I concluded the build a success. Rubber powered free flight will probably be where I'll end up when CL becomes too difficult for me. In the meantime, I'll continue to attempt to "master" the elusive pattern.
Steve

Hi Steve,

I have interest is both rubber and engine free flight.  I have a few COX .049 engines I can use but I am also interested in trying rubber power as well.  I have a lot to learn about timers and other accessories that go along with building these newer type of free flights.  The other problem will be trying to find a place to fly them down here.

Mike