Free Flight

Background

FAI Free flight competition aeromodelling is a technological sport. Technology continues to move on and is now a major focus at the International competition level. The issue is that technology is now becoming, more and more, the over arching driver of FAI free flight competition.

There has been continued discussion of the performance of free flight models and performance restrictions to keep the performance at a ”reasonable” level. This is reflected in the very nature of the rules for the FAI competition classes . Aerodynamic performance is limited by the maximum area and the minimum mass (or loading) of the model. The energy imparted on launch is also limited in order to restrict potential flight times – towline length for gliders, maximum mass of rubber, or maximum length of motor run for power models.

The first competition for the oldest trophy in international aeromodelling, the Wakefield Cup, was held on September 29 1928. September 2008 thus marks the 80th anniversary of this trophy for free flight rubber powered aircraft, which is now awarded at World Championships for category F1B.

Free Flight models are flown without any form of mechanical or radio control over the model in flight. This is the earliest form of aeromodelling, a particular milestone being the first model powered by a rubber band built and flown by Alphonse Penaud in 1871. Always present since that time has been the joy and achievement of releasing a model and seeing it soar overhead in its planned flight pattern.

Free Flight World Championships and many major competitions are flown with the following model classes:
Hopfler F1A: photo by Wilhelm Kamp