Gliding generally deemed as silent flight using just the wind and/or thermals to keep the craft in the sky. A truly fascinating side to RC flight with many people just taking up this type of flying only.
Depending on your geographical position or flying site the use of electrically assisted climb up is becoming very popular, especially now with the advent of powerful, light brushless inrunner, outrunner motors, although some classes still specify standard brushed motors.
Without power asssitance to climb up the alternatives are off awindy slope (soaring), bungee launch and the aero to(towline) by a large, powerful aircraft. The glider once up to height releases itself from the tow hook and seeks thermals to stay aloft.
During the warmer months, usually April to September the club hosts many competitions from our flying site for e-assisted climb gliding. Once up to a preset height the pilot has to stay aloft for a set period to claim points. It's harder than it looks! But great fun.
We are also associated with Wessex Aero Modelling where many members construct their own models from plans and scratch.
Wimborne Model Flying club has lot's of experienced pilots to this hobby with years of flight without engines. A slightly different skill required here from powered flight - no power out of a problem - you have to fly it out! Maybe that's the fun of it!
by Chris Hague
Wessex 600RES Low-cost Electric Thermal Gliding Competition.
Typically models cost under £200 and the formula ensures equal launch heights from which the thermal task begins. Expensive ARTF’s, although exquisite, are not allowed in this formula. This is definitely not one of those "cheque book" classes where pilots are spending £500 or more on the airframe alone. The rules have been carefully refined over the last 11 years to keep the cost down and provide equality of launch height.
Score 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw. (If more than 2 flying against each other, score 4 points for each pilot defeated). Max flight time 15 minutes. If both (or more) pilots draw or are still flying at 15 minutes then the points are shared equally.
Most importantly the flying format is designed to enable club sport flying to continue at the same time. This ensures minimum disruption to club flying and dovetails neatly with, and provides added interest to, the local club members.
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