FFTC News - Issue 27

Stonehenge Cup
Planning for the UK World Cup event in now at an advanced stage. Make sure that you send your entry in by the cut off date, particularly if you want a meal at the first night get-together – meals must be reserved and paid for in advance. All entries and reservations to be with the organiser by April 20th. Also note that this year F1P is being run together with the F1C power class – so if you're put off by the complexity of the current breed of F1C models now's your chance to compete with the smaller and much simpler F1P models. Full details from the organiser Peter Williams: Old Coach House, Hunts Common, Hartley Witney, Hants RG27 8AA, UK; email peter.f1a@virgin.net

Team Selection Events
A reminder that the first team selection event for the 2009 World Championships takes place at Salisbury Plain on 7/8 June. Entry fee is £15. However, if you want to pre-enter for all three team selection meetings the cost is just £35! Pre-entries (class/es entered, BMFA No. and payment – cheques made to BMFA)should be sent to John Carter at Petite Maison, 45 Grindley Lane, Meir Heath, Stoke on Trent, Staffs, ST3 7LN; to arrive no later than 24 May.

Free Flight Showcase (Big Tent)
The 'Big Tent' at last year's August R/C and C/L Nationals proved a great success, giving lots of exposure for Free Flight, both to the Radio and Control Line communities, and the general public. The exercise is being repeated in 2008 with the more relevant title of 'Free Flight Showcase'. The format will be very similar – a large marquee with models on display and a group of fliers to explain Free Flight and answer any questions. Again, as last year, we need help – both models and people. This is your chance to 'spread the word'. Please contact the organiser Paul Fynn. E-mail paul.fynn@talktalk.net; phone: 01664 454634.

The March of Technology
There is now a general and increasing worry, throughout a large part of the worldwide free flight community, that the almost ceaseless advance of technology is beginning to take over free flight contest flying. For most people the alarm bells began to ring when the geared F1C model appeared, to be rapidly followed by the F1C folder. The latest innovation, a flapped F1A glider that reputedly gains an 'extra' 35 metres from launch, now has these bells clanging very loudly. In short an ever increasing number of our community feel it's time we stopped – or at the very least carefully examined what we are doing and why.

The FFTC for its part feels it needs to take an active role in promoting an international change process that will 'rescue' the situation. The process is more complicated than it first appears and will take considerable thought and effort to implement. The FFTC already has some ideas on how it might proceed with this subject but as always your opinions will be welcome as well.

Head Space
The FFTC has been considering new ways of turning the obvious potential of championship team members into consistent medal winning performances. Basically the concept it's not what you've got, but the way you get your head round it and the way in which you approach competition flying. Through the BMFA executive we have had discussions with Peter Harvey who is a successful competition hang glider and full size glider pilot with significant success on the World stage. Peter has been working with the British glider teams on the 'psychology' of winning. His impressive tally of gold medals bears testament to the success of this approach in the world of competitive full size glider flying. From these initial discussions we believe there is a great deal that we can learn and apply within our own approaches. 
 
We have therefore decided that we will be running the "Free Flight Head Space" seminar at the BMFA Leicester office on the afternoon of Wednesday May 14th. Peter will be leading this and discussing the concept of "Head Space", how it works for the full size gliding team and how it could translate to the world of competitive free flight aeromodelling. This seminar is open to all and is free. There is a limit on the numbers we can accommodate so this invitation is on a first come first served basis but priority will be given to this year's team members. 
 
You don't have to be a past, present or potential team member to attend. This seminar is open to anyone who wants to look at other ways of improving their performance and thus getting more satisfaction from their model flying. If you are interested please get in touch with Mike Woodhouse for further details: e-mail  mike@freeflightsupplies.co.uk ; phone 01603 457754.

Distribution
The FFTC has now combined a number of e-mail lists for the distribution of this news, and other notices. This should ensure that as many fliers as possible receive urgent news. If you'd prefer not to be on this combined list please contact the distributor Trevorgrey@AOL.com . In addition if you know of anyone, not already listed, who would like to receive this news and any other FFTC notices please pass the address on to them. If you are having any reception problems please make sure your correct e-mail address is logged with the distributor.

The current issue of FFTC News, together with back issues and other notices and items of interest, also appears on the FFTC Web site: www.vengi.demon.co.uk .