Flex Innovations Demo Day, October 18 2025
Thanks to Clint for organizing this event. Flex Innovations brought lots of aircraft and accessories to our flying field. The day was filled with demonstrations, sales, flying and fun.
Disc Launch Glider Event and Competition.
Over the past four days, the group has met at our field to compete in the DLG competition. This is an exciting event with a real different twist to our hobby. A DLG is a light weight glider that is launched in the same manner as a discus, then piloted thru the air in an attempt to make the previously established flight times.
F3K is the international contest class for radio controlled, hand-launched model gliders.[1][2]
Although the roots of RC hand-launched gliders can be traced back to the late 1970s, F3K is a relatively new aeromodelling discipline, becoming officially recognised by the FAI (international body responsible for aeromodelling competition disciplines) in 2007.
F3K gliders are limited to a 1.5 metre wingspan. F3K competitions consist of a group of fliers completing a number of pre-defined flight tasks involving launching, flying and landing the model in a number of timed durations. Just the hand launch and thermal currents of rising air (thermals) are used to sustain the flight. Since thermals cannot be seen, F3K pilots rely on ground signs such as surface wind velocity, temperature and direction; signs such as circling birds, bugs, or rising particulates; and changes of direction or attitude of the glider due to the thermal itself. The pilot uses these signs to resolve the approximate location of the thermal. For F3K tasks where longer durations are needed, positioning and maintaining the model glider in thermal rising air is paramount. Contest strategy includes determining the location of thermals before the pilot launches. Discus launched gliders can be made from a combination of foam, balsa, carbon fiber, kevlar, and other materials. Prices of these models range from $100 to $900 plus.
2025 Swap Meet – A foggy day to start, then lots of great flying weather.
Edge TX Fest 2024
Pylon Trials Event
F5D Pilots: These are the Glow fuel 200 mph planes,,,,
Results: Gino DelPonte, Randy Bridge, Gary Freeman Jr.
1. Gino North West Coast???
2. Bob Smith – Famed BSI Adhesives
3. Randy Bridge ~ Apopka
4. Brody Freeman Florida
5. Gary Jr. ~ Florida
6. Matt Fehling ~ Florida
7. Jacob Raquet
8. Annabelle Doe ~ Nashville
9. Travis Flynn
FP. Gabriel Tehan (not trying out, will fly with Eddie) ~ Mexico
FP. Eddie Melville (not trying out, will fly with Gabriel) ~ Mexico
F3E Pilots: This is the Electric class, they go in excess of 200 mph ~ 205-210
1. Jack Kane ~ Chicago
2. Jacob Raquet
3. Trey Witte – Charlotte NC
4. Bruce Brown
5. Brody Freeman
6. Matt Fehling
7. Otto Dieffenbach SoCal
8. Travis Flynn
OK gonna wing it here ~ may have to break for a fresh box of Tissues
The “Light System” was activated around 8:30 and functionally tested. The system tracks Laps & Times per Lap per plane, and any Lap Cuts. 1 Cut a 10% Time penalty,, 2 Cuts – heat disqualification and a time score of 200 ~ Very Bad.
Race Competition started 45 minutes later with a total of 7 rounds flown on Saturday. We stayed late to get the 7 rounds in due to the Sunday All Day Rain forecast
Due to the number of constants and the two classes,, Glow & Electric, Each round consisted of both classes. Electric’s went first followed by the Glow planes!
Electric heat times are typically 58-ish seconds and the Glow 61-62 seconds, depending on the pilots, equipment, etc, etc!!!
Randy & Gino are our consistent Glow USA/World record holders in the 58 second range, and they flip-flop back & forth with First Place & Fast TIme trophies,,,, depending on who’s Propeller is pulling the hardest
The Electric guys, not as good as Glow guys in the 61-62 second range. Also they have two additional problems,,,, battery charge levels and the “Limiter”!!! The batteries and planes start hard & fast!!!!! But as the charge level drops the plane slows, so staying on course is paramount!!! In addition, if they not on course, they eat up too much time and the Limiter trips and disconnects the battery from the motor, thus resulting in a DNF and 200 second penalty ~ very bad
As stated earlier, both classes fly 10 laps, 2.5 miles approximately, all at about 40 ‘ above the ground and all in 60 seconds or less
