National Free Flight Society

NFFSU

AE-24 2024–2025
A Model Aircraft Competition for Middle School, High School, and College Students

Sponsored by the National Free Flight Society

 

Eligibility to Enter

  1. Entry deadline: May 10, 2025
    No entry fee.
  2. Model must be flown outdoors.
  3. One flight per entry, Longest flight time wins (see bonuses below*).
  4. This competition is open to any middle school, high school, university, or community college student ages 10-25 in the United States. Student ID or proof of enrollment is required.
  5. Submit a video or video link of the flight to the NFFS AE-24 Competition Director: ross.jahnke@nicholls.edu. Please put AE-24 in the subject line.
  6. Entrants need not be members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) or the National Free Flight Society (NFFS) to enter.

 

Aircraft Specifications

  1. This Free Flight  model may be from a kit, published plans, or of your own design; be creative!
  2. Wingspan shall not exceed 24 inches (61cm) when it is in assembled condition. The wing is the largest flying surface on the model no matter the configuration. Fuselage length is not limited. The flying surfaces shall provide the sole source of lift (no balloons etc.), and may be made from foam, balsa, carbon fiber, tissue paper, and/or plastic film.
  3. The propeller shall be an unmodified commercially available plastic freewheeling propeller up to 8.5 inches (22cm) in diameter. Weight may be added to balance the propeller. The propeller will be the sole source of thrust for the model.
  4. A wound rubber band shall be the sole source of energy to turn the propeller (No R/C, electric motors, engines, catapults).
  5. Flights will be timed from the moment the model is launched to the time it lands, measured in seconds.
  6. Scoring and bonuses
An example of a model with a stick fuselage, and balsa and tissue wings.

a) Final score will be flight time multiplied by 125% for all balsa wood,
or built-up (balsa wood, tissue, etc.) airplanes with a stick fuselage. No foam flying surfaces.

 

 

 

 

 

An example of a model with a built-up fuselage, where the rubber motor is inside the structure.

b) Final score will be flight time multiplied by 150% for built-up construction (balsa wood, tissue, etc.)
with a built-up fuselage, where the rubber motor is inside the fuselage. No foam flying surfaces.

 

 

 

 

Prizes
1st Prize – $100 Amazon gift card
2nd Prize – $50 Amazon gift card
3rd Prize – $25 Amazon gift card

For details, model specifications, and how to enter, download this PDF file

 
Model Kits for AE-24

Sig Cub $19.20 from SIG

Maxout IX Embryo Endurance $35 from J&H Aerospace

Sky Lion, Party Trick P20, or Rocket Man P20 $18-$34 from Lasercut Planes

Guillow Javelin or Lancer $25.99 from Guillows

AMA Alpha or Beta $14.95-$29.95 from AMA

Raven $10.95 from Pisco

VMC Pilot $48.23 from Vintage Model Co.

Baby Flea $23.95 from Easy Built Models

Download Model Kit List

Model Construction Resources

 

1. Glue and Glue Management for Indoor Models

 

2. Mike Kirda’s Youtube Channel “AMA Alpha Video Series” Parts 1 – 7

 

3. Mike Kirda’s Youtube Channel “AMA Beta Video Series” Parts 1 – 7

 

4. Mike Kirda’s Youtube Channel “Building Boards, Forms and Stiffness Gauge”

 

5. How to Build a Rubber Powered Model Airplane – Part 1

 

6. How to Build a Rubber Powered Model Airplane – Part 2

 

7. How to Build a Rubber Powered Model Airplane – Part 3

 

8. How to Build a Rubber Powered Model Airplane – Part 4

 

9. Free Flight Rubber Powered Airplane – Widgeon Full Build Process

Model Trimming Resources

1. 1939 Spartan Bomber – Anatomy of a Trim Session #1

 

2. 1939 Spartan Bomber – Anatomy of a Trim Session #2

 

3. J&H Aerospace Gypsy Vintage Wakefield

 

4. AMA Alpha: Center of Gravity (CG) and Model Data Sheet

 

5. Download Model Construction and Trimming Resources

 

6. How to Make a Simple Winding Stooge for Rubber Models