Aircraft Gliders and Slope Soaring

The models detailed within these pages are generally designed to be flown within a controlled environment Model Aircraft Club. At the very least it's worth contacting you're local flying club when you're new to the hobby, just to get some help and hands on advice with flying you model. A full list of national flying sites and aircraft clubs can be found at www.bmfa.org.

Radio controlled gliders do not typically have any type of propulsion, although some will come with a small electric motor system, which is used to take the model up to a suitable height to start gliding. Because most gliders are non-powered, flight must be sustained through exploitation of the natural lift produced from thermals or wind hitting a slope. Slope soaring is another popular way of providing propulsion to gliders, using the speed of the model to create lift. Either way, with no need to recharge batteries, with the right conditions you can be flying all day. This style of model aircraft flying can be a very sedate form of flying, a great Sunday afternoon hobby and is true Silent flight.

Flying RC aircraft as a hobby has been growing worldwide with the advent of more efficient power; electric, miniature internal combustion or even jet engines, plus lighter and more powerful batteries and less expensive radio systems. A wide variety of models and styles are available. We also supply radio controlled aircraft simulators, so you can hone your skills before attempting a first flight or to practice aerobatics without risk of damaging the aircraft.