Flight archery is a sport where the goal is to shoot an arrow for the longest distance possible. It typically takes place in large flat areas such as aerodromes. Arrows used are lightweight and barrelled with fletching (feathers) at the rear end of each shaft. While these add drag, they also help stabilize an arrow during flight by adding extra stability.
Bows
Flight Archery uses compound bows that are much lighter than traditional longbows, leading to more accurate shots and the ability to fire arrows farther. It even allows archers around the world to compete against each other using longbows! Fly Archery usually requires more expensive bows than Target or Field archery, though there are several models specifically made for this sport. Popular bows in this category include the PSE Era, Mathews Phase 4, and Hoyt Ventum Pro 33. All three bows are lightweight (less than four pounds bare), boasting features like SET Technology, adjustable draw length in 1/4-inch increments, and micro-adjustable holding weights.
Another excellent bow option for Fly Archery is the Darton Era. This bow boasts an engineering-driven riser that adds rigidity without adding excessive weight, as well as SET Technology, a dovetail rest mount, and an adjustable cable guard. In addition to an excellent bow, a good set of arrows is essential for Fly Archery. These should be tailored to match the bow in terms of spine and stiffness. Before selecting your set of arrows, read through the selection chart or ask your instructor for advice.
Spine, or rigidity, is a factor that influences an arrow's speed and distance when shot from a bow. Arrows with low spines will take longer to cast and have less speed than those with higher spines since they bend less when shot from the bow. Fletching, commonly referred to as vanes in the US and UK, is another element that can impact an arrow's performance during flight. Large fletchings will help stabilize the arrow but add extra drag. For an arrow to remain stable in flight, its center of drag must be behind its center of mass. Without this adjustment, the arrow may become unstable and even backward when released from its bow - thus why determining an optimal fletching size can be so tricky.
Arrows
Arrows come in a range of materials and lengths. The longest and heaviest arrows tend to be used for distance shooting, while lighter and shorter varieties are ideal for target shooting. When selecting an arrow for shooting, the material used can greatly influence its ability to fling and fly through the air. Common materials include aluminum, fiberglass, and carbon. Fiberglass arrows are the cheapest and most common, while aluminum arrows offer longer durability at a higher cost. Both materials come in thin-wall or thick-walled varieties. Thin-walled arrows are the most cost-effective, often used for games and toys. On the other hand, thick-walled arrows offer greater stiffness and strength while being lighter and easier to cut to size.
Selecting the proper arrow fletching is another essential aspect of achieving optimal arrow flight. Fletching that is too long or short will cause issues during the launch. Larger fletchings provide more stability but may reduce speed during takeoff. Fletching styles range from basic feathers to spiral vanes. The most basic style involves placing several feathers at the end of a shaft. Others have a slight curve around their fletching, helping the arrow spin and travel during flight.
When selecting an arrow fletching, it's essential to take into account its height; that is, how high the vanes stick out from the shaft. The higher these vanes are, the larger their surface area and, consequently, the more stable they will be during flight. It is also essential to select the fletching type, which determines how much of an arrow's tip is covered with fletching. Some styles have a higher profile than others and this will cause your arrow to fly more straight, while other designs have lower profiles and allow more air through their vanes for correction of mis-flying arrows.
Targets
Targets are essential tools in many archery disciplines, and you have plenty of options to choose from. Ultimately, the best target for you depends on your personal shooting style and budget. Target size and shooting distance are important factors to consider when selecting a target. For instance, recurve archers need a target that's large enough for long-range shots but not too close for comfort. Another factor to consider is how the target is scored. In ASA and IBO, an arrow must touch one of the scoring rings on the target's face to earn points; a bullseye ring shot is worth 10 points while one just outside that is worth 8 or 5.
Targets come in many varieties, such as layered foam, bag targets, and 3D models. Layered foam targets are constructed from thin sheets of foam stacked atop one another; they stop arrows easily but deteriorate quickly over time due to wear. Unfortunately, layered foam targets often don't last very long once their surfaces become damaged from repeated use. Bag targets are made of woven shells with fill material inside. These targets can be effective for stopping field points and broadheads at relatively low costs, offering great value for hunters. The main disadvantage to bag targets is that it can be challenging to remove arrows from them, potentially damaging either your bow or arrow. Therefore, many recurve archers opt for field point practice targets instead.
Furthermore, they can help you refine your technique and boost accuracy. As such, they have become a go-to choice among archers with advanced skill levels. Recurve archers often choose 3D targets since they look like real animals, providing an accurate hunting simulation when practicing shots. Unfortunately, 3D targets can be expensive so it's wise to shop around for the best deal possible. Popular 3D targets are deer, turkey, and elk-based but other animals may also be available; some manufacturers even provide replacement inserts so you can switch out your animal if desired.
Scoring
Flight archery is a form of target shooting where the maximum distance one arrow can travel from one point to another is the objective. This style of target shooting is also commonly referred to as "arrow flight," or simply "arrow flying." Fly archery scores are determined by the number of points an arrow achieves at a fixed, circular target from predetermined ranges. These targets consist of ten rings (referred to as scoring rings) represented by yellow (the central gold ring), red, blue, black, and white in that order from innermost to outermost circles - with each color denoting a different score.
Targets can be either one-spot or three-spot, with each spot requiring a different arrow to be shot. If an archer shoots more than one arrow at the same spot, the highest-scoring arrow in that spot will be disqualified. Archery requires that shots in flight be made to the center ring of a target; this is known as hitting the bullseye and it's worth 10 points. If an arrow passes into the target beyond its nock and cannot be determined by a judge, it is considered a pass-through and must be reshot as such.
Traditional flight archery utilized wooden arrows with feather fletching. Nowadays, many modern flight archers utilize carbon arrows which are lighter and can achieve longer distances than wood arrows. The fletching on a flight arrow consists of an intricate strip of material with a rounded shape; this allows for easier aim at your target. Feathers for fletching were sourced from various birds, such as the swan, eagle, and white/spotted pigeon. They were placed 120 degrees apart on the shaft just in front of the nock; then attached to the arrow using either a bone nock or goat's horn nock.
Fletching an arrow is considered to be a crucial part of the competition, as it helps stabilize it and boosts its speed. The size and number of feathers used for fletching play an important role in an archer's success; smaller ones have less stability and tend to wiggle around more in flight.