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 – with minute adjustments and tiny 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 Sites
Last update: 11/27/22
Confirm all dates and schedules before travel.
Submit current information to info@freeflight.org.
ARIZONA
Eagar
An annual indoor meet is held each April at the 99’ Round Valley Dome in Eagar.
Contact Tom Gaylor wtgaylor1@gmail.com
CALIFORNIA
Burbank
Monthly indoor flying in the Luther Burbank Middle School gym, second
Friday from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Contact David Gee stukadave@cs.com
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.
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 at the Grossmont College Upper Gym, 7:30 to 11:30 am.
8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon. No flying is scheduled for Fall 2022 but they anticipate re-gaining access in 2023.
Contact 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, 303 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario.
More information here: www.rubber-power.com
Contact Darcy Whyte darcy@inventorArtist.com
COLORADO
Denver
Various Friday evenings at Beth Eden Baptist Church gym, 2600 Wadsworth Blvd.
Contact John Christensen cloverdale1955@gmail.com.
Manitou Springs
Monthly flying sessions at the Manitou Springs High School Gym (23’) and annual Pikes Peak Ceiling Climb contest every March.
Contact Darold Jones jdarold@msn.com
CONNECTICUT
Glastonbury
The Glastonbury Aero Modelers host indoor flying sessions under a 34 foot ceiling in the Glastonbury H.S. gym.
Upcoming dates:
10/23/2022: 8am–12:30pm
11/20/2022: 8am–12:30pm
12/18/2022: 8am–12:30pm
1/8/2023: 8am–5pm, indoor contest
2/12/2023: 8am–12:30pm
3/5/2023: 8am–12:30pm
4/16/2023: 8am–5pm, indoor contest
Contact John Koptonak gliderguider@comcast.net
FLORIDA
Cocoa
Coastal Comunity Church, 5795 Falcoln Blvd.,Cocoa, Fl. coastalcommunity.net
Contact Scott Bauman speleopower@yahoo.com
GEORGIA
Macon
Monthly flying at Christ Chapel Indoor Soccer Facility in Macon, 25’ and 30’ gyms. 170 Starcadia Cir, Macon, GA 31210. Current information is available at www.thermalthumbers.com
Contact David Mills 404-509-4209 or davidmillsatl@gmail.com, or Bill Gowen wdgowen@gmail.com
IDAHO
Moscow
Annual meet in the Kibbie Dome, usually in June.
Contact Jake Palmer 82.jake@gmail.com
INDIANA
West Baden
West Baden Springs Hotel, world class high ceiling hotel rotunda. Jim Richmond Open contest every March.
Contact David Lindley nffspresident@freeflight.org
IOWA
Hudson
Hudson High School Gym, first 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
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
October 8, 2022
November 5, 2022
December 3, 2022
January 7, 2023
February 4, 2023
March 4, 2023
April 1, 2023
Contact Jeff Renz jjprenz@gmail.com and see kcfreeflight.org/indoor-haffa-flying-sessions/
Wellington
WHAM Indoor Flying
Wellington Memorial Auditorium, 208 N. Washington Ave. Wellington KS
The auditorium ceiling is just under the Cat 1 ceiling height, flat with only 4 ceiling fans. Floor space just over the size of a basketball court.
January 21st from 10 Am to 4 PM
MICHIGAN
Pontiac
The Detroit Cloudbusters host indoor flying at Relmagine Recreation Complex, 867 S Blvd E, Pontiac.
Contact Mike Welshans mbwelshans@aol.com
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.
Contact Rob Romash at 856-985-6849 or cgrain1@yahoo.com .
Teaneck
The Metropolitan Sport Squadron has use of the Teaneck National Guard Armory on Wednesday mornings. 1799 Teaneck Rd., Teaneck, New Jersey.
Contact Tom Schiavone gts447@gmail.com 201-391-9534
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
The site is a 100’ x 60’ x 25’ high gym. Entrance on the south side of the gym on S. Sulzberger St. Free, but donation requested.
First and Third Saturdays, 9:00AM till 4:00PM (but we’ve usually quit by 2:00PM).
Contact Tom Solinski 405-414-6947 or tomskio4@gmail.com
OREGON
Albany
Willamette Modelers Club hosts indoor flying at the South Albany High School gym.
Contact George Gilbert at 541-971-9549 or rlg-gsg@comcast.net
PENSYLVANIA
Philadelphia
Cohocksink Recreation Center, Cedar and East Cambria Streets, Philadelphia
Full-court gym with 24’ open structure ceiling
Flying on alternate weeks –
Thursday, December 1st, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM
Thursday, December 15th.
Etc., etc.
Contact Herb Shallcross herbshallcrossiii@gmail.com
VIRGINIA
Highland Springs
The Brainbusters FF Club has a site in Highland Springs, Virginia at 200 South Airport Drive.Fall 2022 dates, 9am–5pm:
9/25/22
10/23/22
11/13/22
12/11/22
Contact Dean Giacopassi Elan9167@gmail.com, also Facebook
Poquoson
Trinity United Methodist Church, 1294 Poquoson Ave, Poquoson, VA 23662
Contact Dean Giacopassi Elan9167@gmail.com
WISCONSIN
Racine
Racine Memorial Hall (43′ ceiling) at 72 Seventh St. on Racine’s Lake Front. Entry is on the east side (lake front) of the building.
The Bong Eagles host a monthly indoor flying session on the first Wednesday of the month from October – May. Flying starts at 4:00 pm and ends at 10:00 pm.
Bong Eagles Web Site
There is an alternative, thanks to the Winnebago County RC Flyers, who combine indoor RC and free flight flying at the Carl Traeger Middle School in Oshkosh on Sundays.
Contact Hable, 920-267-1920, dhable@new.rr.com, also see: http://wrcf1269.com/Indoor_Flying/IndoorFlying.html