How to Download and View PDF Documents

A PDF (Portable Document Format) document is a computer file that is opened and viewed using the Acrobat Reader program.   Free Flight Quarterly Digital Edition uses the Acrobat PDF format to distribute information because one document can have images, styled text and easy to read formatting without needing an expensive program to view. Acrobat Reader is freely available from Adobe Systems at http://www.adobe.com . If you do not already have Acrobat Reader installed please download and install it from the Adobe Web Site. 

There are two ways to view a PDF file, both of which require the Acrobat software to be installed on your computer. The first way (which is strongly recommended) is to save the file to your hard drive and then open the document. The second way to view a PDF is directly in a web browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or Apple Safari for example). Viewing in the web browser is not recommended for use with the large files of a typical issue, 15 MB.

Windows Users

1. To download for later viewing
a. Find the link to the Acrobat file on the Free Flight Quarterly Digital Edition web page
b. Point the mouse cursor to the link and press the right mouse button
c. From the pop-up menu choose "Save target as..." or similar phrase
d. Navigate to a location on your hard drive where you wish to save the file and choose "Save"
e. At the end of the download Acrobat Reader will launch (if it has been installed properly and launched previously) and the downloaded file will be displayed

2. To view in the browser window
a. Find the link to the Acrobat file on the Free Flight Quarterly Digital Edition web page that you wish to view
b. Point the mouse cursor to the link and click the left mouse button
c. The first page of the Acrobat file will open (in the browser window) and basic navigation (zoom, print, next page, etc.) tools will be available.
Larger, multi-page files may not display properly when viewing in the browser window, so method one is recommended. 

Apple OS Users

1. To download for later viewing
a. Find the link to the Acrobat file on the Free Flight Quarterly Digital Edition web page that you wish to view
b. Point the mouse cursor to the link and press and hold the mouse button
c. From the pop-up menu choose "Save link as..." or similar phrase
d. Navigate to a location on your hard drive where you wish to save the file and choose "Save"
e. At the end of the download Acrobat Reader will launch (if it has been installed properly and launched previously) and the downloaded file will be displayed

2. To view in the browser window (may not be available in Mac OS X)
a. Find the link to the Acrobat file on the Free Flight Quarterly Digital Edition web page that you wish to view
b. Point the mouse cursor to the link and click the mouse button
c. The first page of the Acrobat file will open (in the browser window) and basic navigation (zoom, print, next page, etc.) tools will be available.
Larger, multi-page files may not display properly when viewing in the browser window, so method one is recommended.

The above information was developed from guidance at Radio Control Soaring Digest .

Coming Next Issue

Issue 37 will be published in October 2010.

See Editor's Locations on a Google Map

The editorial team consists of chief editor Sergio Montes of Tasmania; and associate editors Andrew Longhurst of United Kingdom, David Mills and Chris Stoddart of United States, Allard van Wallene of the Netherlands and Jean Wanzenriether of France. The Google map below has "map tacks" where we are located.


View FFQ Editors in a larger map

2010 NFFS Sympo - Sergio Montes

This year I have the honour to be appointed Editor for the 2010 NFFS Symposium. This is a great and most influential publication for us Free Flight aficionados and I would like this issue to be as successful as the past ones. Each Sympo is a mixture of the old and the new, some history and some thoughts for the future, and in the middle is what is happening now. We have lived through the Balsa Wood revolution of the 1930's, the Glow Engine revolution of the 50's, Russian Design revolution of the 90's and now a wide-ranging Publishing and Electronic revolution that is deeply affecting what we build and fly. To reflect on this incredible interesting past and equally fascinating future I need your thoughts and suggestions for articles and also complete articles, too! I will give special importance on plans for incorporating more young people to Free Flight by emphasizing its many challenges, the craft, as well as the physical, intellectual and character building aspects that go with the competition. You can contact me by email where I will be most appreciative of your comments and ideas.

Extended Compilations and Books

The following books have been published:

   Free Flight Quarterly P30 Survey 2010 is based on the articles which appeared originally in two issues of Free Flight Quarterly in 2005.  It has been considerably enlarged with many articles  published at a later date in FFQ as well as in other publications (by permission).  The book includes a history of the beginnings of the P30 category, trends from the late 1970's to present day with models from around the world, full size plans for Marie II by John Kamla, and Pepito by Jean Francis Frugoli of France, and articles on topics such as airfoil selection, propellers and choice of motors for a given propeller selection.

   Insights on Dynamics of Rubber Powered FAI Models - In the last seven or eight years Jean Wantzenriether has contributed a large number of articles to Free Flight Quarterly on a variety of subjects, on model stability, on his trimming methods PGI and TOP, on the role and characteristics of the stab for gliders and rubber ships, and on the analysis of propellers for rubber powered models.  These articles in Free Flight Quarterly as well as a couple of others published in Germany and France have been collected in a single volume: " Insights on the Dynamics of Rubber Powered FAI Models". The presentation is more or less in chronological order and allows the reader to follow the development of his ideas. Jean's contention is that it is possible to have an efficient and stable rubber model without the need for "mechanics ", that is VIT, wing wigglers, etc. if  we understand better the interplay between the wing and stab characteristics. Thus his detailed study of the effect of stab aspect ratio on the climb and glide of rubber models and on the stability of gliders. Even for those that incorporate mechanical variation of incidence in the wing and stab, these ideas are of  great interest.

   The Art of Bill Henn - A collected volume of all the articles that Bill Henn has written for Free Flight Quarterly since 2001 along with information not included in those articles.  Section topics include Forward, Biography, Publications by Bill Henn, The Saga of the Chambermaid, Folkerts SK-3 racer, Goon by Art Chester, Focke-Wulf Ta 152H, Giant Scale Ta 152H, Spitfire MK XIV, Reggiane 2005, Helio Stallion, Messerschmitt Bf109H, Swiss EKW C-3603, Fiat G55, Arado E-530, Regianne Re 2005 Bifusoliero, Hints and Tips, Strategies for Winning.

   Coupe d'HIVER (F1G) Survey 2009 - This updated book now in two parts with a total of 112 pages and a full size plan of Andrew Lunghurst's Couper S comprises a great selection of articles and plans on the topic of modern and Vintage Coupes. Some of this material appeared in the April and July 2006 issues of Free Flight Quarterly and in the 2006 Coupe d'Hiver survey.

   The Great Gollywock Saga - A book devoted exclusively to the history, development and construction of this amazing model and its close brothers: the Jabberwock and the Dynamoe. The 60 pages in  two-column format familiar to readers of Free Flight Quarterly contain eleven chapters  that include:  Origins, Versions, Trimming and Flying, Motors and Propellers,  Timer installation, Airfoils, and Rival Designs.  Many people contributed generously of their time and expertise in the writing of this book.  Among them Gene Wallock describes his system of hinge construction for perfect folding, Al Pardue has written and illustrated a chapter on building, finishing and decorating a Gollywock, while David Mills examines a possible sibling to the Gollywock: the Ray Smith Mulvihill, adding  his recollection of an evening with Wally Simmers, and discoursing on the Simmers Dynamoe, and its excellent performance in the Moffett Trophy.  The book also includes a new full size plan for the Gollywock II version in three A3 sheets.

Issue 35

Free Flight Quarterly issue 35 was published in April of 2010.  


Issue 35 of Free Flight Quarterly  continues with the presentation of HLG and CLG glider articles  initiated in the previous issue. Tiny Gliders of 6" to 8" span are very popular in several countries and we look at designs and contest activity in USA, the UK and Brazil, both for the catapult and the hand launched varieties. Semi-scale catapult gliders, following typical 1950's early jets have also a large following and this trend is examined by a keen practitioner, David Mills. This article contains plans of the best performing designs, some of which have a very good performance and flight stability.

In an extremely interesting  related article, Paul Love  describes the use of a simple Digital camera  with Video capacity to capture  the flight of very fast catapult launched gliders. The analysis and depiction of their trajectories, during short time spans lasting less than 2 seconds is very instructive. The whole technique is thoroughly explained to enable the reader to repeat these experiments with ease. The catapult gliders  attain an initial acceleration of about 270 g's , reaching more than 100 mph ,  1/30 of a second after release.
Alternative power sources for flight: compressed air motors  are described by Chris Stoddart. This technology was once very popular, as he shows by looking at the early development of these motors.  Some designs among them  were the precursors of the rotary internal combustion engines widely used in the First WW and were made commercially in several countries. One can still build very sophisticated compressed air engine designs  with  simple hand tools.

Frank Zaic's publishing career had a very little known phase: his articles for the magazine 'Popular Science" during the decade 1935-45. Here we reprint one of his most beautiful efforts, the article he wrote in 1940 on Bower's Canadian Wakefield , second in that epic contest won by Korda the previous year.

The last installment of our envoy to the W/C in Croatia last July concerns the F1C contest, which is thoroughly reported, along with the features of the winning model by Peter Watson.

Hewitt Phillips was a very famous American aerodynamicist and enthusiastic modeller, who wrote numerous and important articles on model aerodynamics. He died last year, age 91. His career and work is remembered here by Chris Stoddart ,and we include in this FFQ issue one of his most intriguing articles: " What can be learned from Paper Airplanes". These were not the folded paper efforts out of a letter-size sheet but  9 m span gliders entirely built of paper, including circular spars, for a student design competition in the early 1960's. In spite of the limitations of the material, the gliders had a surprisingly good  performance.

Several years ago, CD Rushing  wrote  his book on the history of the Wakefield contest, an important publication  now available on-line from the FAI website. Now he has produced a plan book of the Wakefield winners, 1911 to 1956. This book is reviewed by Chris Stoddart.
Gordon Burford, the well-known Australian engine manufacturer of the Taipan and Sabre  Glow and Diesel engines also died late last year. In a short article, his  friend David Owen reminisces on his  work and personality, and Ron Chernich tells  of the legal battle  to secure the commercial names of his motors.

Sergio Montes

Sample Articles

Click on the links below to view some articles from recent issues. The articles are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format and require acrobat reader or a similar capability viewer to be installed on your computer.

Issue 42 - Resizing Model Airplanes for Similar Performance - Part 2
Focuses on rubber powered models and their motors

Issue 41 - Resizing Model Airplanes for Similar Performance - Part 1
Introduces the scaling concepts and their associated rules

Issue 38 - "Slick Willie“, An E-36 to The NEW NFFS Rules Set by Bernie Crowe
This PDF file contains the full text with the power system details and a scaled plan.  A full size plan in PDF format is available in PDF format on A0 size paper at this link.

Issue 35 - From Release to Stick - One Frame at a Time by Paul Love

This PDF file contains embedded links to Paul's spread sheet and videos.  Clicking these links will open in a new tab or window in your browser.

Issue 34 - BREAKING A 36 YEAR OLD RECORD by Stan Buddenbohm with Lee Hines

Issue 32 - A Digital Electronic Timer for Small Free Flight Models by Craig Limber

Issues 14, 15, and 18 - Learn Dynamic Stability In Three Easy Lessons! by Chris Stoddart

Contents of Published Issues

Free Flight Quarterly began publishing with Issue 1 in October of 2001.  Click on  this link to view a listing of the articles from each published issue.

Poitou 2009 - Allard van Wallene

I left at 5 AM to pick up Bart Rotteveel in Rotterdam. The trip down was different from previous years in the sense that we had quite a number of traffic jams south of Paris. The Saturday was supposed to be one of the infamous ‘black Saturdays’ and Friday was apparently part of this. The road navigation system guided us over Le Mans. A good choice, since this part of France had hardly any cars on the road. Before driving to the camping in Pas de Jeu, we visited the huge Le Clerk hypermarché in Thouars for fuelling up, some drinks and my traditional yearly supply of acetone. After putting up our tents we headed off to watch the last rounds in F1B and C.

F1B and C day was blessed with gorgeous weather. Sunny, warm and no wind to speak of, well, for Poitou standards that is. The thermals were sometimes huge and models could be sucked up to great altitudes. Where the core of the thermal was, that’s where the model went. This was in all directions imaginable. Watching other models was the name of the game as real trash movers were scarce, just a couple each round. In between, models were either down short of a max or scraping every small bit of lift available to make it. Eventually less than 10 made it to the fly off, which started late at 19.15. The starting line was re positioned perpendicular to the wind and timekeepers assigned. One nice patch of air passed by at the F1C end of the line in the very first minute, and most of both C and B ships maxed on that side. The second fly off, Ken Faux went up first but the air was not very good. Later Neil Allen went up in what appeared to be better air. Finally Pieter de Boer launched, but the launch was off vertical and the model pulled out low for third place. In F1B Kevin Lamers won before Geoff Stringer who DT’d early and Richard Ulderink. Both young Dutch flew consistently all day with careful air picking and well‐trimmed models. Even without May 99 rubber competitions can be won.

Win Bellen handles F1A rain suit

Roel Lucassen with beautifully crafted flapped F1B, foam core/carbon skin centre panel

Dutch 'n Danes relaxing before F1C fly off, model and tripods on stand by.

Pieter de Boer holds his hat in last fly off, the cause of the model going too far right?

The happy Dutch, Kevin Lamers (no shirt) congratulated with victory

F1A day

Windfinder had already forecasted a weather change. And like clockwork the sun, clouds, wind and rain forecast unfolded during the day. The first rounds were blessed with overcast skies and light winds, even a bit of rain but nothing serious. As a consequence, thermals and downers decided to wake up late. A well‐trimmed model and good launch was a guarantee for a max in the first two rounds. A radio DT was helpful to stay clear from the downwind sunflower field. In the third round the sun was piercing through the high cloud cover and thermals were getting bigger and stronger. Many maxed, but this was about to change in the sixth round. Wind picked up in a manner of minutes to unpleasant levels carrying the models some 2 kilometres away. Many decided to wait on the ground and only a few mastered the conditions to pick the air on tow. Thermals were accompanied by fierce turbulence and some models were damaged when towed‐in after a failed circle tow attempt. Needless to say, many spoiled their clean score after the fifth round and only 12 out of 78 flyers could prepare for a windy fly off. At the start of the 10 minute slot, both Allard and Kosonoshkin went up and a line cross was barely avoided. Both fell back after a quick circle to monitor those upwind. Kosonoshkin soon launched without any thermal indication from others but the air was not there and he had to settle for a 2 min 20 flight. Both on the far left and right of the line, Phil Mitchel and Gerd Aringer found solid air to make the 5 minutes. The rest had to settle for far less. Allard launched in the very last minute but the air was not there and managed only just over three minutes for a 6th spot. Soon it started to rain and the deciding fly off was flown in poor light conditions. Luckily the wind dropped, the rain stopped and the models could be seen to the ground. Phil made a long dash upwind and made a perfect launch in what seemed to be reasonable air. Aringer launched his flapper soon after but the pattern was off and height gain less than Mitchell’s. It looked like the win was in the pocket for Phil, but close to the ground his model started a stall and fell a few seconds short of Aringer.

Siggi Limberger awaiting his turn in superb flying conditions of first round

After this deciding flight we headed for the pizzeria in Thouars. Cooking our own food in the wet and dark of the camping in Pas de Jeu not being our favourite past time.

We enjoyed our trip like we did the times before. Not many made it over from the World Champs apart from some of the French, Brits and Aussies. Nevertheless, the level of competition was high and produced some worthy winners. On our way back we didn’t have any congestion whatsoever, the traffic jams being on the southbound lanes. I was able to catch up on sleep. We left at 9 AM and arrived in Rotterdam at 4 PM.

Elegant launch of Aringer’s winning flapper by Schellhase

Welcome to the Free Flight Quarterly Blog

We will be posting news about the magazine and the activities of our world wide community of readers. From time to time you will find here portions of articles appearing in the magazine and helpful links to sections of our website, www.freeflightquarterly.com .