Archers participate in archery tournaments by shooting their arrows over a set distance line, with optimal measurements being obtained when their arrow lands as close to its center as possible.
Flight Shoots provides classes for Target Recurves, Longbows, and Compounds so all archers are accommodated at this competition. Competition can also be fierce!
The Unique World of Fly Archery and Flight Bows
Flight Bow Archery is an unusual form of competition wherein its objective is to see how far an arrow can be shot. This highly competitive sport has long been considered important by various cultures around the world. Unfortunately, however, Flight Archery can be challenging; shooters must draw and hold their bow at full length without ever deviating from their form and still achieve consistent and accurate shooting results.
A dedicated Flight bow is an object of beauty; refined to its maximum, its limbs stretched to their breaking points for strength and precision, strings with few strands used for lightness, and handcrafted aerodynamically perfect arrows created lovingly and painstakingly by expert bow makers - often described as the Formula 1 of archery with shooters acting as its racecar drivers.
Flight archery arrows differ significantly from their traditional target or field archery counterparts in design and function. Flight arrows tend to be shorter and lighter because they're designed specifically to travel greater distances, and designed with greater reliability in mind as a result.
For this method to work effectively, the shaft needs to be very short and stiff with a low cock feather near its nock point; then fletching is added using thin plastic strips that have been attached at the front end of the arrow shaft; to reduce any chance of misfires from missing shots altogether a special siper is attached at the heel of their bowstring to guide their arrow shot in.
What is Flight Archery?
Flight archery is an exciting form of archery where participants compete to achieve maximum distance with six arrows shot from multiple ends, often in competition. Originating in 16th century Italy, Flight archery has since spread worldwide as an increasingly popular form of the sport.
Flight shooting arrows tend to be lightweight. Their design often resembles that of wooden barrels, with an outward-tapering center section similar to that of a wooden barrel allowing faster flight at greater speeds, thus increasing range. They may also feature fletchings with small feathers to reduce drag while flying.
Flight archery bows are specifically tailored to maximize range. These longer-than-traditional bows feature higher brace heights to allow for increased draw weight and greater power, and may even feature specialty materials like carbon fiber to increase strength and durability.
At its heart, a dedicated flight bow resembles a Formula 1 car: designed specifically to shoot an arrow as far as possible and requiring considerable care and maintenance for optimal performance. Arrows must be tuned perfectly; bows refined to their absolute limits; strings trimmed for lightness as much as possible; and any wear or damage on limbs carefully checked before any flight occurs.
The Rules of Flight Archery
Flight shooting is a competitive archery discipline where archers aim to shoot an arrow as far as possible from a designated starting line. The archer with the farthest arrow wins. Arrows typically used are lightweight with small fletchings (vanes or feathers) attached for easier flying; and use longbows with variable draw length.
Rules-of-flight archery may vary depending on the tournament in question, yet there are universally acknowledged principles. An archer must abide by safety regulations, observe shooting etiquette, and respect other archers by not distracting them. Archers should remain silent and only make sound signals when ready to shoot or collect their arrows; any exclamations on the shooting line that might disturb other competitors must also remain quiet.
An archery competition typically features six arrows being shot from each participant across four ends of a target, scoring only when they hit or land within a designated "flight corridor", typically measured in yards with markings or measuring panels along its length. Only the top three arrows score.
There are various classes for different bow types and draw weights. These classes include the 'unlimited footbow' class where anything goes, traditional English longbow classes which regulate bow design, primitive classes which are open to any form of bow but may require certain materials be used, and unlimited footbow classes, where anything goes.
Flight archery may be a minority sport, but its development should still be celebrated for the overall good of archery as an art. An American flight archer was responsible for creating carbon arrows - without which, many competitive Target or Field archers wouldn't use carbon arrows today!
The Equipment
Flight Archery equipment resembles that used for traditional bowhunting, with some additional limb and string attachments unique to this sport. The bow is the cornerstone of Flight Archery competition; other key pieces include release aid, sight, rest, and release aid; some athletes use "roving marks", where their target moves along a route through rough terrains like flags or posts, making competition even more exhausting than shooting stationary targets.
Flight Travel
When traveling with archery equipment, allow plenty of time for clearance through airport security and declare it at the ticket counter. Some airlines will open your case to inspect and ensure its contents adhere to their guidelines; others may ask that it be placed in an oversized baggage section - be courteous when following instructions for an enjoyable and trouble-free experience!
For travelers concerned with risking damage when transporting their equipment, shipping the bow ahead or renting at their destination are viable solutions. Many archery ranges and shops offer rentals; to take advantage of them it is wise to contact them in advance so you know their policies and pricing. After practicing traveling with your equipment a few times it will become second nature and reduce stress during this part of your travel experience.
The Archery Equipment
Flight archers use various pieces of equipment to shoot arrows at targets across their course. Most archers prefer compound bows with mechanically operated cams that adjust draw weight; additional tools might include sights for targeting purposes and stabilization devices to minimize hand shock.
Field crossbows must meet specifications set out by the International Crossbow-Shooting Union and can only be manufactured according to these restrictions, in terms of power, weight, and physical dimensions. There may be exceptions for traditional bows like English longbows used for tournaments.
Traveling with bows and arrows requires following airline procedures and being prepared for airport security checkpoints. Pack the equipment in a hard case that complies with airline baggage restrictions, with clear labeling that states what information needs to be declared during inspection - archery gear must also be declared, which could require declaration and possibly search by airport security staff before being loaded onboard the airplane or directed towards an oversized baggage area.
No matter the type of bow you select, quality fletching is an integral component to its performance. A properly designed fletching will induce rotation that reduces vibration, making an accurate shot even easier to attain. Stabilizers may be added for additional forgiveness while remaining lightweight enough not to compromise its moment of inertia.
Traveling with archery equipment presents several unique challenges. Navigating airline regulations and passing airport security checkpoints are major hurdles; by following proper procedures and being honest with airline personnel, flying will become much less of a hassle and much more enjoyable for you and your equipment alike.