CBC Faculty Sets National Free Flight Record: Dr. Hamish Christie

April 12, 2023
Dr. Christie Hamish works on the plan that set the national record

Hamish set a new A-6 national record (category 3) on April 3! The record flight of 10 minutes, 12 seconds was set in the West Baden Springs hotel in Indiana.

What is this? A-6 is a particular class of indoor free flight model airplane. These are rubber band powered airplanes, and the goal is to fly for the longest possible time.

Indoor Free Flight? – Indoor because the airplanes are so light and delicate that they can only be flown indoors. Free Flight because once launched they can’t be controlled, they need to be set up to fly in a circle and to not go too high. Category 3 refers to the ceiling height, the center of the West Baden Springs hotel atrium is at just under 100 ft.

Hamish will be happy to tell you all about this fascinating hobby that involves design and construction of the airplanes as well as optimization of flight performance.

indoor view of the category 3, 100 foot tall flight area of the West Baden Springs hotel
zoomed in photo of two planes flying near the ceiling of the West Baden Springs hotel in Indiana