An Afternoon with Rubber and Lube - 28th January 2024.

Today's Competitions.

Our Club Chair, Rob S who is also a major player on the BMFA South East (SE) Committee, last year volunteered to identify a new site to hold the 2024 BMFA SE area indoor flying competition and fun fly. His nomination for a venue was the Triangle Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill. This facility comprises of a number of large sports halls, swimming pool, rock climbing frames, a cafe and it has ample parking. What's not to like? Rob has come up trumps with this venue.

The Venue.

As there was no planned sloping for us today as the weather conditions were not favorable, a number of Club members decided to support our Chair and see what is involved with Free Flight aircraft. I for one have had no experience of rubber band powered planes. 

Stuart W and Rob S.

Rob, was found at the hall taking the entrance fee in exchange for a coloured sticker identifying that you have paid. I met Stuart W who is the Chair of the BMFA SE Committee who was preparing his model for flight. 

Stuart W.

In the hall I also found Martin J, Paul H and Scotty T so in total 5 club members were present. I walked around the stands observing the multitude of different classifications of models.

Static Models on Display.

I have taken a number of photographs of the models on the desks as you may appreciate taking a photograph of a translucent model up in the rafters or near the floor with a mobile phone is quite challenging. 

First Competition.

The competitions commenced and started with the extremely lightweight models. I noticed a chap with a very long pole who job was to either rescue the models when they became suck up in the rafters or to prevent it happening. Some of the competitors were very professional, spending time getting the models ready. I even noticed some had tri-pods with mechanical winding gear at one end with torque meters at the other to ensure correct winding of the rubber band, lubricant is used on the rubber band.

Professional Tri-Pod.

I did notice a slight disadvantage of not switching off the air conditioning system in the hall in that when a model flew beneath the air duct it experienced severe turbulence that caused the model to depart from flight and spiral earthwards until it managed to recover stable flight.

Just Landed.

On the table was a number of trophies and glasses to be awarded to the winners of each category. I had left the event prior to the awards being handed out. I do hope all enjoyed the afternoon, I certainly did and now have a better understanding of Rubber band free flight models.

I will no doubt attend the event next year, well done to all those who organized the event.