MAAA Wingspan - Quarterly Magazine

18 WING SPAN MAY Travel Story: fab feb FREE FLIGHTING IN CALIFORNIA AN EXPANSIVE FLYING LOCATION, IDYLLIC WEATHER CONDITIONS AND GREAT SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE ENSURES THIS EVENT LIVES UP TO ITS TITLE Considered one of the largest free flight events in the world, Fab Feb (aka MAXmen) is held within a three-hour drive north of Los Ange- les in the remote flat valley territory of Lost Hills, California. It’s an event that affords superb views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and a unique atmosphere. “It’s on a par in terms of participation numbers with a world championship, but it doesn’t have all the hassle and all the bureaucracy so people are very relaxed,” says free flight pilot Paul Rossiter, who made his fourth Fab Feb attendance this year. “Although people fly competitively, it doesn’t have the pressure of a world championship. However, when you’re on the flight line, you’re probably never more than twenty metres away from a couple of world champions, so the standard is excellent.” Held annually each year, Fab Feb comprises of three major world cup events; including the North American Cup, the Kiwi Cup and MAXmen. Paul flies the F1B class and should be proud to admit he was one of only two Aussie pilots who managed to max out in each of the three compe- titions. “There were twelve fellow Aussies over there flying various FAI classes,” he says. “Out of the three competitions, only twelve flyers managed to max out in each comp, with myself and Vin Morgan being the two Aussies to do so. We certainly held our end up even if we didn’t get on the podium.” A group of Lost Hills model flyers own the pleasingly expansive field that’s on a gypsum flat, with a mine on one corner and a major oil field on the other. “Because they own it you’re allowed to use motorised retrieval in the form of either golf buggies, quad bikes or motor scooters, which, for an ageing free flight population, is a major attraction,” continues Paul. Also encouraging is the diversity of pilots in attendance that include both young aeromodellers and male and female competitors. Fab Feb generally enjoys ideal weather condi- tions too. “This year it was exceptionally good: cool over night, but up to the low twenties during the day with clear All images courtesy of MalcolmCampbell