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Indoor Technical Committee

Getting Started | New beginnings

IDTC Members

ITC Objectives

The primary aim of any Technical Committee should be to Promote, Protect and Preserve all aspects of their particular discipline, to ensure there is a sound foundation for future generations.
Indoor in particular is especially vulnerable because of the total lack of high ceiling sites in the UK and the almost impossible cost of hiring suitable venues, one in particular being quoted at £100,000 for a weekend. Publicity is the main weapon in our armoury at this moment in time. We must be pro-active in our endeavours to see that we are not perceived as elitist and pander only to the competition fliers who are rarely seen in action by the general public.
It is imperative that the ITC get articles into the BMFA News and other publications as often as possible, so the readers can see continuity.

We need to do all we can to cater for the sport fliers who hopefully will be tomorrow’s competitors. There is a distinct lack of hands-on help for these guys in the shape of teaching the necessary skills in, for example:- wood selection, building, covering techniques and winding. We are planning to remedy this situation as soon as possible.

Indoor Introduction.

This website is mainly for static information, we must assume that experienced flyers will already have a network to provide any necessary help, our aim here therefore is to provide information that is relevant to newcomers to indoor flying.

Please note that if your interest lies with Radio Controlled indoor models then try searching for:-

flying meetings for indoor radio controlled aircraft

 

For regularly updated information regarding Indoor Duration flying please go to our other website at http://www.indoorduration-gbr.co.uk We also circulate a periodic newsletter, if you would like to join the circulation list please let me have your e:mail address at tony_hebb@hotmail.com

 

In Sports Halls across the country a surprising number of enthusiasts are enjoying the pleasure of flying indoor models, ranging from tiny scale ones to the large International Class duration models which can make flights of over 30 minutes.

The modellers themselves are generally very knowledgeable, incredibly friendly and more than willing to share their deep knowledge of all things related to indoor modelling with you.

 

The models themselves are not incredibly difficult to build and can generally be made for a few pounds in 10 to 20 hours; of course the larger ones can take much longer than this - but you can have a good duration model ready to fly in very little time. However, we do recognise that there are a number of  “barriers to entry” which, without individual help, can be quite off putting.

Our aim here is to provide you with the information you need to make a decision as to whether or not indoor flying might be for you and how to make a successful start. Once your model has flown for 5 minutes or so you’ll be hooked and ready to take the next steps along the road, you’ll also have made the necessary contacts to help you.

If you are interested then please contact me at tony_hebb@hotmail.com and I’ll see if we can put you in touch with someone within travelling distance with whom you can discuss your interests and make a plan for creating that all important first model. The aim is to provide you with not only an experienced helping hand but someone who can help you out with a few of the specialist bits and pieces,  wood selection, rubber etc. that makes those initial steps potentially  so difficult for someone with limited model building experience.

Where do I start contains some local contact information and a brief explanation of the various indoor classes.

What skills and Equipment will I need? A table showing what is required to build and fly each class.

Further Information Sources.

Websites of interest.

Enter the bold parts into your search browser

Indoor_ Construction Free Flight   - you’ll need to join the Yahoo Group to access some good information, photos and chat.

Hip Pocket Aeronautics – Go to the FF Indoor and Builders Forum then into the Indoor FF Forum for a Feast of information on pretty well all indoor classes.

Indoor Duration – Indoor News and Views (INAV) Full of plans and many great “How To” articles. In particular Larry Coslick’s build manual for EZB (F1L) Hobby Shopper – my bible when I began building indoor models - and Steve Brown ditto for Motor Sticks and Booms.

Books

Indoor Flying Models Lew GitlowOld book from SAMs Models

Building & Flying Indoor Model Aeroplanes Ron Williams (1985)  available from Amazon

Articles

A typical F1D VP prop Hub  design by Nick Aikman: available from Tony Hebb 

Rubber Lorean article by our guru Derek Richards - coming soon.

 

BMFA Forum papers

Available from the BMFA via Martin Dilly. Go to www.freeflightuk.org , select Technical Info then click on Forum Reports. Each year has a contents list, but you have to purchase the entire report I’m afraid.

These are two recommended articles:-

Plans.

There’s an intention to make other plans available in due course. 

 

Material Suppliers –

There's a list Materials Suppliers here...

You can also visit A2Z Corporation via their USA website

Ivan Treger for  F1D and 35 cm VP hubs e:mail at ivan.treger@zoznam.sk

 

We do hope this has been of some help to you, do let us know if you require any further assistance,

Tony Hebb on behalf of the Indoor Technical Committee

 

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