Home of the Dreaded
POTOMAC PURSUIT SQUADRON #6
of the Flying Aces Club
Our Club
The DC Maxecuters are model aviation enthusiasts. First organized in the late 50’s, the club’s roots are in rubber-powered Free Flight, though members actively pursue other facets of the model aircraft hobby, including electric and gas-powered free-flight as well as radio control.
We fly year-round, both in select indoor venues and outdoors in the fields. Members are typically also members of other model aviation clubs, including the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the National Free Flight Society (NFFS), the Society of Antique Modelers (SAM), and of course The Flying Aces Club (FAC).
Our Planes
Free flight models fly on their own after launch. They follow the wind, soar in rising thermal currents of warm air and set their own course without any control from the ground. If you have ever tossed a folded paper airplane or a dime store balsa glider, you have flown a free flight model in its most basic form.
Free Flight models are trimmed to fly in circles to reduce the probability of a fly away. The model airplanes we fly are hand-built, primarily from balsa wood and tissue paper. We sometimes use modern materials such as carbon fiber and foam, but for the most part we make these models using the same materials and methods as that kid in the 1930s.
Some things HAVE changed though, especially the quality of rubber that is used for motors. Free Flight modelers have increased their average flight times considerably over the “old days”. Flights of 40 to 60 seconds are fairly commonplace, with everyone angling for the coveted “max” flight of 120 seconds or better.
Club Officers
GLEN SIMPERS
President
DAVE MITCHELL
Secretary
DOUG BEARDSWORTH
Treasurer
BILL HADDEN
Safety Officer