About this project
FLOAT is a documentary currently being filmed that explores the fascinating world of indoor rubber powered model airplanes. A hobby that is pursued by people from all walks of life and many countries around the world has never been captured before in such remarkable detail. This little known hobby involves the design, construction, and flying of ultra lightweight airplanes powered only by a wound rubber band. The planes are free-flight, meaning that they do not use any manual controls to fly, relying only on the skill of the builder and the design in order to stay aloft. This hobby is responsible for many if not all of the current technologies used in modern civil aviation, as the first powered flying device was in fact the Planophore model airplane by Alphonse Pénaud built 1871 and powered by rubber.
Current designs of these airplanes can fly for over 30 minutes on a single wound rubber motor, and the world record for time aloft is over one hour. These planes fly indoors, in large open spaces such as sporting arenas and aircraft and blimp hangers. The majority of participants in this hobby are over the age of 50, and the hobby itself is aging. As the digital age envelopes the younger generations, this hobby is becoming a lost art.
The goal of FLOAT is to document the hobby in its current state, and most importantly bring much needed attention and an injection of new and excited participants to help perpetuate this beautiful hobby. With your support the team will be able to travel to Belgrade, Serbia to attend the 2010 F1D World Championships for Indoor Modeling in August to film and interview the competitors representing countries all over the world. Your support is greatly needed to keep this hobby alive.
Visit our website at www.floatdocumentary.com to watch the trailer!
FAQ
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85
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 30, 2010.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Above + link on the films website as a sponsor + Custom Designed & Printed Movie Poster
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Above + link and Logo on films website as a sponsor + pre-release DVD signed by the Director and Producer
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Above + invitation to attend a flying session, spot in the film, and a free indoor airplane custom built by a World Champion modeler!
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Above + full interview in the film and front end credits
Project By
Connected as Benjamin Saks (1015 friends)
Ben Saks, Producer
Ben Saks is the co-creator and producer of Float. He is in his second decade with indoor free-flight aircraft and has competed in national and world championships. As a member of this community, Ben brings knowledge and intimacy of the sport, as well as extensive management experience to the creation of Float. He has managed large design projects and clients for Taktl LLC and WET Design. He holds a Bachelors of Architecture with Honors from Carnegie-Mellon University. His work has been displayed and published internationally.
Phil Kibbe, Director
Philip Kibbe is the co-creator and director of Float. After viewing a cellphone video of an F1D in flight, Phil was inspired to pursue the beauty in these aircraft. Doing so, Phil found a sublimely human experience in the sport’s patient grace, a beautiful antithesis to contemporary on-demand culture. Phil has broad experience in the film industry, practing extensively in the Cleveland area. His experience and meticulous craft are on display in Float, his premeire in documentary direction.
