Southwest Regional Free Flight Championships

Last weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Eloy Arizona with our Tucson AVP Kevin Houser to see the Southwest Regional Free Flight Championships. This was their 61st annual event. It is one of the oldest contests that the AMA sanctions. It was three contests in one, there was an FAI event, AMA Nostalgia Free Flight and Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) Radio Control Old Timers.


This is Blake Jensen launching his F1B rubber powered model. Now to give some folks not familiar with Free Flight an appreciation for the complexity of models such as Blake's, let me give you some details about his model. It is constructed with carbon fiber and has a five function timer. The timer delays the prop from spinning until about 0.2 seconds after release, at about 4.5 seconds it commands an elevator change, at about 15 seconds a rudder change, and after 35 seconds the outboard trailing edge is moved up to transition from powered to gliding flight and finally the dethermalizer is triggered at the end of the flight once the max time for the round is reached. Total cost for the set-up about $3,000. If everything is working right these models will get a 110 meter climb before pitching over.


This is Alexander Andriukov, he supplies about 1/3 of the field at this event with FAI modeling supplies through his company. Alexander was using four remote weather stations around the field that reported back to his laptop through a wireless connection helping him decide when to launch. He also was able to download an altitude verses time plot to his Palm Pilot after each flight to determine what the maximum possible flight time would have been without DT'ing. It's technology like that that made Alexander a three time World Champion.

Here's Blake again with Tiffany O'Dell. Blake can store 5 complete models in this airline carry-on box which helps him travel to competitions. Blake is the Team Manager for this year's United States World Team who will be competing in Argentina this spring.



The Southwest Regionals drew several international competitors. This is Mike Woodhouse who traveled from Great Britain. Mike runs a free flight company that supplies modelers world wide.



This gentleman is launching an F1C model. F1C models are powered by 2-stroke engines, and make a very impressive climb to altitude before bunting over and starting their glide.



Here I'm pictured with Lee Hines. Lee is a Costa Mesa native and has been modeling since 1952. This was by his count his 590th contest since he began modeling. Lee enjoys competing in F1A, which launches models from a tow line that the pilot runs with and pulls much like launching a kite. Lee is a Board Member of the Lost Hills Free Flight Model Field Association which is located in the southern end of the California Central Valley right here in District X.


Bob Angus is the gentleman on the right. He was the Contest Director for the old time radio control events. Rick Holman is on the left with his Lanzo Bomber.


The old time rc events typically have either a timed motor run or a limited amount of fuel. The goal is to climb to altitude, and then glide until the max time for the round is reached followed by a landing in a defined area. These models jumped off the ground and climbed practically out of sight. They looked like a lot of fun to fly.


This last picture is from left to myself, Bud Romak, and Carl Redlin. Bud is an AMA Hall of Fame member. In 1941 and 1942 Bud set two world records in the Rise-Off-Water category. He took first place at the Nationals in Class C gas in 1959. In 1976 he was Indoor World Champion at Cardington, England. In 1987 Bud claimed First place at the World Cup contest, and in 1997 he was Society of Antique Modelers Power Champion. Quite a resume.

Well I had a great time at the Southwest Regionals. I encourage modelers from other disciplines to check out a free flight contest, there is a lot of great people and a lot of fun to be had.