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Wichita Historic Aircraft Modelers
Welcome!
The Wichita Historic Aircraft Modelers(WHAM), AKA SAM 56, is one of Kansas’ major Free Flight Model Airplane Clubs. The club has members from all over the region. It encourages recreational Free Flight Model Airplane flying and sponsors club competitions during the year. WHAM is affiliated with two major national clubs: The Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) and The Flying Aces Club (FAC).
What are Free Flight(FF) model airplanes? Free flight model airplanes are designed and built to fly without operator control. Unlike radio controlled airplanes, for example, once they are launched, free flight airplanes are "free to fly" on their own. This is the original form of model aircraft as a hobby. Free flight models are almost always build by the modeler- manufactured or ready-made models are not common, with the exception of some high-end competition models. We build from kits or from plans.
People have been building and flying free flight models for over two hundred years! The general goal is to achieve longest flight duration, and the models are usually "trimmed" to fly in circles once launched in an attempt to keep them on the field. Under the right conditions, a well built and properly trimmed model can easily fly for several minutes, and it is not unusual at all for a model to fly off the field and away on rising air currents. This is a bittersweet event to say the least!
What do we do? The members and guests of the Wichita Historic Aircraft Modelers meet every other month at a restaurant, have a quick meeting, and nice meal, socialize and show off our latest model airplane creations and talk about all things free flight.
We have access to a local field where we trim and fly our models. We have informal contests within the club and we attend and sometimes sponsor free flight contests in the area.
Augusta, KS Weather: Click here for conditions and a forecast including wind speed near our flying field
What are Free Flight(FF) model airplanes? Free flight model airplanes are designed and built to fly without operator control. Unlike radio controlled airplanes, for example, once they are launched, free flight airplanes are "free to fly" on their own. This is the original form of model aircraft as a hobby. Free flight models are almost always build by the modeler- manufactured or ready-made models are not common, with the exception of some high-end competition models. We build from kits or from plans.
People have been building and flying free flight models for over two hundred years! The general goal is to achieve longest flight duration, and the models are usually "trimmed" to fly in circles once launched in an attempt to keep them on the field. Under the right conditions, a well built and properly trimmed model can easily fly for several minutes, and it is not unusual at all for a model to fly off the field and away on rising air currents. This is a bittersweet event to say the least!
What do we do? The members and guests of the Wichita Historic Aircraft Modelers meet every other month at a restaurant, have a quick meeting, and nice meal, socialize and show off our latest model airplane creations and talk about all things free flight.
We have access to a local field where we trim and fly our models. We have informal contests within the club and we attend and sometimes sponsor free flight contests in the area.
Augusta, KS Weather: Click here for conditions and a forecast including wind speed near our flying field
Wichita, KS Weather: Click here
Marion, KS Weather: Click Here
Our club meetings are held at The Mediterranean Grill, 335. S. Towne East Mall Dr, Wichita, KS 67207 (316) 651-5599. Social Hour 6 pm, Dinner and Meeting at 6:30pm. See the Calendar page for meeting dates.