This is the premiere episode of a new flying model series, inspired by the many flying & trimming questions I've received from viewers on my channel in recent years. This is all for you, so share your suggestions and thoughts. I'll run with the questions about flying outdoor free-flight rubber-powered models that feel most universal.

There are many, many ways to trim a model, but the approach seen here is what has worked best for me, so that's what I will share. I try my best to take a grass roots approach, as I was taught by my many mentors early on within the Flying Aces Club. Hopefully this methodical step by step will be universally understood and successfully received by newcomers to the hobby.

You can build the same model twice, yet they may need totally different trimming solutions. Therein lies the challenge & fun of rubber-powered free-flight.

The first trimming episode focuses on flying a model that could easily be the choice for a modeler's first experience with a rubber-powered free-flight model airplane. I've chosen a classic contest model, the 24" Flying Aces Moth from 1941. Filmed and flown by Tom Hallman on 12.16.23 in Wawayanda, NY, using a Canon PowerShot SX20, iPhone 11Pro & 14Pro. Music via the talented musicians at artist.io, who breathe life into my films. Additional thanks to Pete Kaiteris and Clive Gamble for their photos of my scale models in flight.

Future episodes will show trim sessions with problematic models that need help in becoming stabile flyers again, including scale hi-wingers, low-wingers, and biplanes. My hope is that these films will become foundation tutorials for newbies in the hobby, answering many of the generic questions that all modelers with limited experience will surely have about rubber-powered free-flight modeling.

Complete kit available here: https://www.wind-it-up.com/collection...
24" Flying Aces Moth plan & article: https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details....
Note the various supplement downloads including the revised plan, which resolves an issue with the stab seat angle. Also note, the correct prop diameter for this model is 8.5", not 9".

The full-sized plan of the Babcock with documentation packet is available for digital download, print ready at 34.5” x 48”.
Order your plan here: https://thegeebee.com/product/1931-ba...

Free-Flight Basics #1 about braiding motors:    • Free Flight Basics #1 - Series Premie...  
Free-Flight Basics #4 about thrust plates and nose blocks:    • Free Flight Basics #1 - Series Premie...  

*** 10 steps to trimming a rubber model, by John Koptonak: http://www.flyingacesclub.com/PFFT/Tr...

Also, these tutorials from Easy Built Models: https://easybuiltmodels.com/tips.htm#...

Here's a source for rubber: https://www.faimodelsupply.com/produc...
Rubber turns calculator: http://hallmanstudio.com/rubber_turns...

Article on the use of dethermalizers: http://www.hallmanstudio.com/DT.pdf
Badge Classic DT & spring (at the bottom of the page): http://www.starlink-flitetech.com/tim...

Looking for a Flying Aces Club near you? Check out this link: http://flyingacesclub.com/wp/about-th... If you click on the map at the area closest to you, it will automatically bring up an information request link. That request goes to FAC GHQ and also to the Squadron Commander of record for that squadron.

For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
https://brooklyn-balsa.square.site
http://www.easybuiltmodels.com/
http://www.volareproducts.com/BUY/
http://www.flyingacesclub.com
National Free Flight Society - https://freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - http://www.ffscale.co.uk/
https://www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk

Flying Aces Club merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/flyingacesclub
All profits support Flying Aces Club activities.
Center of Gravity merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/centergravity