Author Topic: National Free Flight Society (Read 3186 times)

Mike Griffin · « **on:** December 16, 2013, 06:35:31 PM »

Does anyone here belong to the National Free Flight Society and if so I would like to talk with you...

Thanks

Mike

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2013, 08:30:27 PM »

Thanks Ty. Sent you a PM.

Mike

Mike Scholtes · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2013, 09:37:30 PM »

I'm another member and I expect Mike Keville is too, plus some of the Oklahoma guys are highly rated FF flyers. Walt Ghio in the Sacramento area is a world-class FF competitor and some of the San Francisco CL guys are also FF flyers. If you don't get what you need send me a pm.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2013, 10:19:54 PM »

Quote from: Mike Griffin on December 16, 2013, 06:35:31 PM

Does anyone here belong to the National Free Flight Society and if so I would like to talk with you...

Thanks

Mike

Hi Mike,
I'm also a NFFS Member and I'm sure Mike Keville is also.

Randy Cuberly

Mike Scholtes · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2013, 10:30:14 PM »

Just a shameless plug here for the National Free Flight Society. It is a great organization with a wonderful newletter "Free Flight" akin to our Stunt News. If you like guys that still build their own, the NFFS is for you. FF models are exquisite pieces of engineering and building skill and must withstand terrific stresses under climb and then float like gossamer. The folding-wing-panel FIC models must be seen to be believed. Geared contra-rotating props and 30,000 rpm engines. Check out the NFFS web site for pictures.

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2013, 06:31:15 AM »

Me too

EddyR · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2013, 07:43:59 AM »

No longer a member but I was one of the original first year members.My card was signed by Sal Taibi.

OOPS my mistake,

I was member of SAM,The Society of Antique Modelers.
Same guys just older models

Art Jessup · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2013, 11:01:42 AM »

Yep, so am I.
Art

frank williams · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2013, 11:34:59 AM »

I'm a former member.
The NFFS produced/s a yearly technical publication of the highest quality. Its called the NFFS Symposium. It usually contains papers on aerodynamics, flight mechanics, atmospherics, structures, and other topics of interest. I always thought it was a shame that AMA didn't have a similiar publication. I still don't understand why AMA doesn't have these for sale at the AMA gift shop in Muncie. But, I here to praise NFFS, not bury AMA.

bob whitney · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2013, 02:52:23 PM »

not a member but long time Free Flighter

Mike Keville · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2013, 04:19:20 PM »

I was among the original members, having signed-up in l966 from Vietnam (hard to believe, snail mail and all) courtesy of founding member, the late Carl Fries.

Became inactive sometime around 1980 while 'pursuing other interests'. Re-joined in 2005 with current membership good thru 2015.

As a side note for anyone interested in joining, former membership chairman Carl Bakay recently passed away. To date, no replacement has been named, although you might try contacting NFFS President John Lorbiecki at lorbieckie(at)sbcglobal(dot)net.

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2013, 04:41:43 PM »

Thanks Mike K. I am going to join...

Mike

Mike Scholtes · « **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2013, 05:26:12 PM »

Now THAT is an obscure end of our hobby! ROW rubber cabin, IIRC. I built a 1/2A HydroStar in the 1960s, worked reasonably well. There is still ROW practiced in NorCal with a "pond" made up from plastic pipe and a plastic sheet.

EddyR · « **Reply #13 on:** December 17, 2013, 05:32:09 PM »

Anyone remember water VTO? I flew it at the 57 Nats

Mike Keville · « **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2013, 06:09:38 PM »

Quote from: EddyR on December 17, 2013, 05:32:09 PM

Anyone remember water VTO? I flew it at the 57 Nats

=================================================
Seems I heard about that. The late, great Sal Taibi (a near-neighbor when I lived in Lakewood, CA) once told me it seemed like cheating.

I'd have to agree.

BTW, that 1975 (?) photo of me launching the ROW Jabberwock, well, it wasn't mine. It was built by then flying partner Russ Backer, Orange, CA. At this late date I'm not sure why I was flying it, except that Russ may have exceeded his Coors intake by then. We were pretty rowdy in those days - much to the disdain of our wives.

We flew a lot of ROW at Lake Elsinore in those days. The SCIFs (So. Cal. Ignition Flyers) once sponsored an .020 OT Replica ROW event. Somehow I managed to win one of those with a Strato Streak/TD .020. Forget the total time, but it was pretty surprising.

Bart Klapinski · « **Reply #15 on:** December 17, 2013, 06:41:59 PM »

In 1960-61 i built a Hydrostar, Texan 550 and an English designed Nordic A2 and had a blast. I flew them at the old Mile Square park in So. Cal. The Hydrostar was a bit heavy but the Texan 550 and the Nordic glider both almost lost as they nearly went oos on their initial test flights. They gave me a bit of a break from "hard core" p.a. What fun!

Bart

Dan Berry · « **Reply #16 on:** December 17, 2013, 07:03:38 PM »

Quote from: Mike Scholtes on December 17, 2013, 05:26:12 PM

Now THAT is an obscure end of our hobby! ROW rubber cabin, IIRC. I built a 1/2A HydroStar in the 1960s, worked reasonably well. There is still ROW practiced in NorCal with a "pond" made up from plastic pipe and a plastic sheet.

ROW is still flown at the NATS.
I flew a K&B 6.5 RIRE this year. And didn't crash.

I'm also a member of NFFS.

Mike Scholtes · « **Reply #17 on:** December 17, 2013, 09:19:45 PM »

Dan knows what he is talking about. He either won outright or placed highly in a mind-boggling number and variety of events at the Outdoor FF Nats at Muncie this year. He won ROW. It is like Paul Walker or David Fitzgerald winning or placing in 25 control-line events at one Nats, not just PA.

ROW is sponsored in NorCal and (I think) at the Nats by Bill Vanderbeek, my flying buddy since we were age 12. He puts together the pond and arranges for a water truck to fill it. And then flys his HydroStar off it.

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #18 on:** December 18, 2013, 07:18:44 AM »

Quote from: Mike Keville on December 17, 2013, 04:19:20 PM

I was among the original members, having signed-up in l966 from Vietnam (hard to believe, snail mail and all) courtesy of founding member, the late Carl Fries.

Became inactive sometime around 1980 while 'pursuing other interests'. Re-joined in 2005 with current membership good thru 2015.

As a side note for anyone interested in joining, former membership chairman Carl Bakay recently passed away. To date, no replacement has been named, although you might try contacting NFFS President John Lorbiecki at lorbieckie(at)sbcglobal(dot)net.

Cool Mike, never saw a Jabber on floats before!!!

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #19 on:** December 18, 2013, 08:39:45 AM »

I have to plead ignorance. What is ROW fellas?

Mike

Bob Kruger · « **Reply #20 on:** December 18, 2013, 08:46:53 AM »

Quote from: Mike Griffin on December 18, 2013, 08:39:45 AM

I have to plead ignorance. What is ROW fellas?

Mike

Rise Off Water

Bootlegger · « **Reply #21 on:** December 18, 2013, 02:57:39 PM »

Mike, if you see the letters R O G that means rise off ground F Y I...Oh, Merry CHRISTmas to everyone on the S Hanger...

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #22 on:** December 18, 2013, 05:32:52 PM »

Ok thanks for explaining those. I had no idea what they meant...

Mike

Hoss Cain · « **Reply #23 on:** December 18, 2013, 08:48:27 PM »

Quote from: Mike Griffin on December 16, 2013, 06:35:31 PM

Does anyone here belong to the National Free Flight Society and if so I would like to talk with you...

Thanks

Mike

Never was a member of NFFS, but back in the years of 1965 to '72 I did some FF and had a good success with 1/2 A and Class C. Never made it on towline gliders and rubber powered. Had a friend that was a genius with balsa and tissue. H e could build rubber models that flew and flew. He handed me one and just because I launched it, it rolled over and played dead. OTOH I also did very well with OHL Gliders. Now what was the subject of this thread? HA! Free Flight is now much more than those years. They definitely are very much technical machines.

For anyone wanting to enjoy some flying of small rubber power, you might want to look into the FLYING ACES Club. Their bi-monthly newsletters have numerous full-size plans of rubber models, Anyone could take these plans and build a fine rubber model, or enlarge a choice and revamp the structure to make a beautiful CL Scale or semi-scale model, or small RC. Some with minor added structure would be excellent for 1/2 A CL.

I belong because they do such a beautiful job and it keeps me remembering years gone by. There is a Houston area chapter, but I have not had the time to go there also. I do like the mag.

Information: Flying Aces Club, 9154 Eldorado Trail, Strongsville, OHIO 44136. email - join@flyingacesclub.com