Background of the WNYFFS

WNYFFS member Jack Barker launching his full size Zipper at the 2008 Empire State Free
Flight Championships. Jack’s ship is powered with a Forster 0.305. It is covered in silk and dope.
Jack won class C event with his Zipper in the Sturgis MI SAM Champs in 2004.

The Western New York Free Flight Society, formed in the late 1960’s by a handful of dedicated modelers, is today an area-wide organization with members from nine states and Canada. For over 31 years the WNYFFS has hosted the annual Empire State Free Flight Championships, scheduled for 2009 on August 14,15 & 16. The WNYFFS also co-sponsors, with a Canadian free flight group, the Great Grape Gathering contest (named for the bottles of wine given in lieu of trophies) scheduled on September 18,19 & 20, 2009. The site of these two meets is the Geneseo Historic Air Group airport just west of Geneseo, New York. Membership in the WNYFFS is open to anyone in the upstate New York area, young or old, interested in free flight modeling. Annual dues are $10, and members receive the club’s newsletter, the Thermal Journal, with club news and information on upcoming club contests and other activities. An annual business meeting and dinner is held each November.

2011 Current Schedule of Events
The January Planning Meeting 1/8/2011, Mark Rzadca

Greetings WNYFFS members and friends, There are quite a few activities going on at this time but not enough to support an issue of the Thermal Journal. Instead, this email should provide a timely reminder of what is going on until the next issue of the TJ. Once again, this event will be hosted by the Banes. This get together is decidedly casual and offers a most outstanding opportunity to chat with fellow modelers, and even their spouses. It also gives everyone their greatest say in what we will fly at the Hobo or Championships.

Here are the particulars: Planning meeting will be held on January 8, 2011 at the Bane residence: 60 Lake Ave. Lyndonville, NY 14098 .<Click here for a Google Map with Directions to the Bane residence>

Doors open at 10 AM, Lunch around noon and the planning starts around 1:30 PM.
Brad and Ruth will provide an entrée and green salad. Feel free to bring deserts, snack or wine.
Everyone is welcome, this is not a sanctioned event, AMA membership is not required nor will kanones be awarded.
You can contact Brad or Ruth via email windwhip47@aol.com or call them directly at 585-765-9363 with questions.

Indoor free flight demonstrations at the Rochester Museum and Science Center

In addition to the planning meeting, we are fortunate to have a number of indoor flying and demonstration opportunities. For a number of years the club has put on indoor free flight demonstrations at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. This opportunity has been expanded for this year.

Here are the details from Bob Clemens:
Gentlemen: This is a reminder about our opportunity to participate in the Rochester Museum and Science Center's upcoming annual Holiday Science and Technology Days on December 27, 28, 29, and 30. Time is growing short to set up a schedule of volunteers. Nobody is being asked to show up all four days. One day is fine; any more are even finer. The times each of the four days is from 11 AM to 4 PM. Anyone can leave early if the crowds die off by late afternoon. NOTE: This program should not be confused with our regular appearance at the museum's "Science Saturday" on January 22.

Why is this a good deal for indoor fliers?
A chance to fly and show off our models in a fairly good site with the air turned off.

A chance to show our unique hobby to the public, children and adults, most of whom have never seen a rubber-powered model of any type flown. They are always amazed, and enjoy the experience!

Please contact me by e-mail or telephone ASAP if you can help out. Thanks!

Regards and Merry Christmas, Bob

Here is Bob’s contact information 585-392-3346 rclemens2@rochester.rr.com

2010 / 2011 Indoor Flying Schedule

November 6 & 20
January 15 & 29
February 5 & 26
March 5 & 26

The Pieters Family Center is located at 1025 Commons Way Rochester , just east of the junction of East
Henrietta Road and Castle Road and just off I-390.

<Click here for a Google Map with Directions to Pieters Family Center>
There are large tables available on site. Note this schedule is subject to change; to be assured of receiving the latest information send an email to Jim DeTar (check the latest email from Mark for Jim's Email address).

Seems like that should be enough to spread holiday cheer well into the next year.  The next Thermal Journal will come out after the Planning Meeting and thus should include the announcements for the Hobo and Empire State Free Flight Championships.

 

Merry Christmas, Mark C. Rzadca, Thermal Journal Editor