Flyoff Instructions

We call our competition with the Cruzers a flyoff.

If you want to have a flyoff, there are a few things you need.

Multiple launch poles

We try to have at least one pole for every ten kids, as launching the Cruzers one at a time can get a little tedious. You can get away with less if you have a rotating schedule with groups. Three or four is a good average. They can be purchased at farm supply stores like Tractor Supply.

Stopwatches for every pole

These are for keeping track of each Catapult Cruzer’s flight. Someone stands by the pilot and records the flight.

Flyoff cards

These are to record the flight.
A laptop with a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Open Office Calc
We provide a spreadsheet that will figure out the winners automatically. Get the Card here.

Pens or Pencils

For writing the flight times on the card.

A Whistle

To announce the launchtime

Bean Bags OR a Rope

To make sure the kids only go back to where the are supposed to go

45

To win the flyoff and become top gun, you have to have your Cruzer in the air the longest.

  • First, have the kids count off, and write their number on their card where it says ‘pilot #’.
  • Now have the kids line up behind the launch poles.
  • Have an adult or teenager with a stopwatch assigned to every launch pole. They are referees.
  • As the kids come up and do their flight, they will go back to the bean bags. This is as far back as they are allowed, and the referee will make sure the pilots are where they are supposed to be. No laying down with your feet on the bean bags or anything like that. (This is also a safety issue- they can break after being pulled and bent too far enough times)
    Then they wait for an adult with a whistle. We usually do a countdown. 3-2-1- *whistle*
    Here’s another area for the referees. they can make sure that the pilot doesn’t hold onto their Cruzer too long, making it seem like it’s in the air longer.
  • The kids let go of their Cruzers and each referee starts their stopwatch. When the Cruzer stops going forward, the referee stops the stopwatch and writes the time down.
  • The pilot then takes their card to the computer operator.
  • The operator finds the number from the card on the spreadsheet and puts in the time.
  • The spreadsheet will figure out the winner automatically