District IV
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Virginia
The third leg of youth involvement is Free Flight (FF). The third “gotcha,” with Control Line and rockets, is a great way to get involved in your community and attract youth, particularly through science, technology, engineering, (arts) and math (STEAM) education. This involves a lot of young people and, if sponsored by your club, will bring in new enthusiasm and interest.
Such a club exists and is among the oldest AMA clubs in the country. The Brainbusters club, of Newport News, Virginia, is 85 years old and has been holding FF events throughout all of the club’s existence. The Brainbusters initially organized in 1938, on what was then Langley Field in Virginia, and was first known as the Langley Model Aviation League. Throughout the years, the members have brought FF to the public. Here’s an excerpt from one of the club’s Rise-off-Water FF contests in 1941:
“Before long, the miniature airplanes were spanking their pontoons against the brine, testing floatation gears for proper trimming angles and water stability. More than 100 rubber-powered and engine-powered model airplanes were on hand for the ‘Great Dunking Meet’ on the western branch of the Elizabeth River. Several barges were anchored offshore to help the modelers prepare and launch their models as well as row boats to go get the dunkers.
“A high wind kept events moving briskly and whitecaps out on the water foretold exciting happenings. Although many model mishaps were due to the high wind, it was surprising how little damage resulted from upsets. Even numerous dunks did no more than dampen the structural covering.”
(L-R): Dave Kershner, Dianne Tate, Jim Kelly, Charlotte Kelly, Mike Ose, Winnie Bennett, Bob Bennett, Abram Van Dover, Dave Shuster, Jerry Plassman, Richard Davison, Artie Jessup, and John Tate; (kneeling) Bill and Joni Se quira.
David Lindley, president of the National Free Flight Society (NFFS), stated that NFFS has been heavily investing in attracting new juniors to the hobby and is the national event sponsor of the Science Olympiad flight event in K-12 school systems. Between 7,000 and 9,000 students participate in Science Olympiad every year.
Of our last F1D Indoor FF world championship team (four adults and four Juniors), seven of them came to us through Science Olympiad. Finding Juniors who are interested isn’t that difficult, but you also need to provide mentorship, room for them to explore the hobby, and places to fly on a regular basis.
If you do a single build-and-fly event with the Scouts, but there is no follow up, you have almost zero chance of seeing that kid again. Help them into the hobby!
Go fly and have fun safely.
