
FF models are under no control from the builder/flier after they are released for flight. Controlled flight is achieved through preset adjustments and onboard timers and/ or fuses that control various functions such as engine cutoff, transition from climb to glide, and recovery. Most Outdoor FF events are duration contests; the longest total flight time wins. Restrictions on fuel, engine size, rubber motor, or towline length are among the ways performance can be limited, thus making long flight times difficult to achieve. To lessen the chance of a single lucky flight winning an event, and to reduce the risk of lost models, flight times are limited to a maximum per flight that will keep the models within the boundaries of the field. Should a contestant achieve three maxes in six flight attempts, a sudden-death flyoff is held until tie scores are broken or a winner is determined. Recovery of FF models is generally achieved with some sort of dethermalizer, which is a device designed to prevent the aircraft from being carried great distances by updrafts of warm air called thermals. The device deflects major control surfaces, which stops forward flight and brings the model floating back to Earth.
Nats News
July 30, 2021: Outdoor Free Flight
Wrap-up report by Rick Pangell
Rain, rain, go away, and stay away ...
Leaving the motel in Muncie Thursday morning, the rain was coming down hard. As we got closer to the field, the clouds were high and there was no rain. It had passed over.
July 29, 2021: Outdoor Free Flight
By Rick Pangell
Okay, describe this day … hot and humid with some great thermals and a lot of flying. Flight after flight by the Free Flight fliers. The FAI crew had to fly rounds.
July 28, 2021: Outdoor Free Flight
By Rick Pangell
Okay … second-guess the wind and move the NFFS trailer, but as all good Free Flighters know, the wind never shifts. Ultimately, the trailer came back to home but different locations sprung up according to the best places to fly an event. The weather was hot, but absolutely gorgeous for Free Flight.
July 26, 2021: Outdoor Free Flight
By Rick Pangell
Being the first Outdoor Free Flight Nats in two years, there was a wonderful anticipation in the air. Being there on Saturday, July 24, bode ominous for the prospect. Saturday was our practice day but we could not have any open flying until 1 p.m., and eventually 2 p.m. Plus, it was windy.
Outdoor Nats Update June 17, 2020
Outdoor Free Flight Update
2020 Outdoor Nats to Proceed as Scheduled
Nats Demystified: Hunting Thermals
In our final episode of Nats Demystified, Matt Ruddick talks to Wally Adasczik and Bob Sifleet about hunting thermals in Soaring and Free Flight events.