A Pennyplane on its way in the Tustin Blimp Hangar, June 11, 2011.
Photo courtesy Brian Furitani. More on Flickr
Indoor Free Flight is the Zen of model aviation. The ethereal models are simple and delicate, offering endless options in the quest for performance.
The minimalist design of indoor models require that every component does just what is required, working in balanced harmony with the rest of the model. Subtle changes affect the flight profile, efficiency in extracting energy from the rubber motor, and ultimately the time on the stopwatch.
Spectators are often surprised to see the amount of control we have over our models. It’s just that the control is pre-programmed into the airplane before it is launched – from surface adjustments, to planned component flex, to tiny intricate mechanisms.
The challenge isn’t over once the model is in the air. Feedback from careful observation, and data collected before, during, and after the flight are all used to decide what changes may be made for the next attempt. We can even steer the models with poles or helium filled balloons if they are in danger of drifting into obstacles.
Many people fly Indoor purely for the beauty, grace, and enjoyment it provides. Others fly for the challenges of competition or record attempts.
Either way, Indoor is easy to start, with simple inexpensive designs, and can challenge you as far as you want to take it. Give it a try!
Regular Indoor Flying Opportunities and SitesLast update:12/9/20 |
| CALIFORNIA |
| SACRAMENTO Sierra Eagles of Sacramento host indoor flying on the 2nd Thursday of each month – 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Ceiling is 22′ and fairly smooth for some scrubbing . Turn Verein Hall – 3349 – J St., Sacramento, CA. Park and enter at rear of building. Contact Chris Borland – 916-457-4469 or cjborland@surewest.net |
| SAN DIEGO The San Diego Orbiteers and Scale Staffel host indoor flying on the 1st Sunday of the month. Indoor sessions are held at the Grossmont College Upper Gym, 7:30 to 11:30 am. 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon CA 92020 Indoor sessions coordinator: John Hutchison (619) 303-0758 |
| CANADA |
| OTTAWA, ONTARIO Indoor model building (Squirrels, great beginners model) and flying events are roughly once per week on Wednesdays at 6pm. at the Atomic Rooster Pub which is on 303 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario. Contact Darcy Whyte, darcy@siteware.com More information here: www.rubber-power.com |
| COLORADO |
| COLORADO SPRINGS The Magnificent Mountain Men sponsor three or four indoor contests per year including NFFS National Cup events. Usually held in January-March and October-November.Contact Don DeLoach (719-578-1197) ddeloach@comcast.net for current information and contest flyers.A great website dedicated to Colorado indoor flying is http://hometown.aol.com/indoorcolo/. Also visit www.themmmclub.com. For Science Olympiad info contact Rick Pangell at themaxout@aol.com |
| DENVER Various Sunday’s of every month at Wings Over the Rockies Museum from 1-5pm. Admission $. A good clean site, 24′ height.Contact Al Yuhasz at al-yuhasz@worldnet.att.net to get on the mailing list and receive notices by E-Mail. For Science Olympiad info contact Rick Pangell at themaxout@aol.com |
| CONNECTICUT |
| GLASTONBURY The Glastonbury Aero Modelers host indoor flying sessions under a 34 foot ceiling in the Glastonbury H.S. gym. Contact John Koptonak gliderguider@comcast.net |
| FLORIDA |
| COCOA Coastal Comunity Church, 5795 Falcoln Blvd.,Cocoa, Fl. coastalcommunity.net Contact person is Scott Bauman at speleopower@yahoo.com |
| GEORGIA |
| ATLANTA St. Lukes Presbyterian Church (Cat 1), 1978 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338Current info is available at www.thermalthumbers.com Contact David Mills (CD) 404-509-4209 or davidmillsatl@comcast.net |
| IOWA |
| HUDSON Hudson High School GymFirst and third Wednesdays of the month from 6:30 to 9:00 PM.Nothing fancy, no contests, just come on out and fly. Contact Bob Nelson at 319-233-4771 or bobsrc@forbin.net |
| ILLINOIS |
| CHICAGOLAND THURSDAY NIGHTS Trinity Lutheran School, 11503 German Church Road, Burr Ridge, IL 23′ ceiling, 75 x 150 flying area. $5 donation per person Thursday nights, 7-10PM Contact Phil Binter 630-852-5831 or phil_binter@hotmail.com |
| KANSAS |
| OSAWATOMIE HAFFA Indoor Flying Osawatomie Auditorium, 439 Main Street, Osawatomie, KS Various days, see kcfreeflight.org/indoor-haffa-flying-sessions/ |
| NEW JERSEY |
| LAKEHURST The East Coast Indoor Modelers (ECIM) have the use of Hangar #1 every week from sunup to sundown. The hangar is 800 ft. long by 250 ft., and 180 ft. high. To join ECIM dues are $15 a year with current AMA card. Contact Rob Romash at 856-985-6849 or cgrain1@yahoo.com . |
| NEW YORK |
| BUFFALO Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse, Orchard Park, NY. Contact Bob Clemens, 585-392-3346 or robert.clemens@att.net |
| OKLAHOMA |
| OKLAHOMA CITY Okie Flyers Exchange Ave. Baptist Church (EABC) 1312 S Pennsylvania Ave. Oklahoma City |
| OREGON |
| ALBANY Willamette Modelers Club South Albany High School gym Contact George Gilbert at (541) 971-9549 or rlg-gsg@comcast.net |
| PENSYLVANIA |
| PHILADELPHIA 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Bridesburg Recreation. Center 2nd Saturday of the month at the Triangle Building at Abington Friends School Contact Joe Koller at 215-677-2049 or Alan Mkitarian a_mkitarian@yahoo.com |
| VIRGINIA |
| LANGLEY The Brainbuster FF Club Contact Dean Giacopassi giacopassid@asme.org , also Facebook |
| WISCONSIN |
| RACINE Racine Memorial Hall (41′ ceiling) at 72 Seventh St. on Racine’s Lake Front. Entry is on the east side (lake front} of the building. If you use Map Quest, set the zip code to 53403-1202. That will give you a nice map of the area. The Bong Eagles host a monthly indoor flying session on the first Wednesday of the month from October – May. Flying starts at 3:00 pm and ends at 11:00 pm. Bong Eagles Web Site |