Radio Control: Slope Soaring
HISTORICALLY, SLOPE Soaring hasn't produced large-participation competitions or events. Organizers are probably inhibited about organizing them due to the nature of the flying environment. Slope Soaring's total dependance on wind to generate lift isn't conducive to scheduling events! If the wind doesn't blow, a slope event becomes a thermal affair. Consequently, you can count standout Slope Soaring events on one hand. Memorable events include the International Slope Races; the Torrey Pines Scale Fun-Fly; the Mid-Columbia Slope Races; the Tri-Cities Scale Fun Flies; and the World Soaring Jamboree(.
Radio Control: Slope Soaring
About four weeks ago I received a call from an enthusiastic beginner who wanted to know what kind of model to purchase for the transition to Slope Soaring. We discussed the issues related to the kind of flying he wanted to do, and arrived at what I hope was a good decision for him. Afterward, this flier encouraged me to share my insights with other modelers who might also be in the same predicament. First, however, let me tell you about a project I'm just finishing up: a 1/4-scale Robbe ASH-26. I purchased the model a few months back from Hobby Hangar (153 Lloyd Ave., Florence KY 41402; Tel.: [606] 283-5746) for a very good price. When the model arrived I was quite impressed by the quality and completeness of the kit.
Radio Control: Slope Soaring
FLYING SCALE sailplanes at the slope is my favorite form of fun! I make no bones about it: I simply love looking up at a Scale sailplane or glider flying by. It is, in my mind, the hobby truly emulating full-scale soaring. With this in mind, you will understand why I'm pretty excited to tell you about my latest project: A Scale glider. A 1/3-scale glider! And it's an aerobatic glider. The model is a copy of the full-scale Salto ("somersault" in German). The full-scale Salto is a 13.6-meter-span glider. It is a single-seat aircraft designed by Ursula Hanle. She designed the Salto for the flying of glider aerobatics.
Radio Control: Slope Soaring
SLOPE SOARING is now an accepted part of the larger hobby of Radio Control modeling. But where does it go from here? Can the Slope Soaring community develop contest formats that will attract competitors like Thermal Soaring does? More importantly, will Slope Soaring grow into a facet of the hobby that will support the large model suppliers? Will a slope site ever be owned by a club or modeling organization? Sure, some of you don't care. You are in the hobby to have fun, and you don't much care about the direction of the hobby, as long as it meets your needs. Great! Some enthusiasts just want to fly. But more and more we are seeing urban development encroaching on our flying sites. Then too, there is concern for the limited number of manufacturers dedicated to the Slope Soaring community. They must be able to stay in business if we are to have nice models to fly. Also, while contests are not for everyone, they certainly help hone flying skills-competition just seems to bring out the best in pilots.
Radio Control: Slope Soaring
COMPUTER-AIDED DRAFTING (CAD): Glider/sailplane design has changed immensely in the last decade. Where built-up models were once the norm, we now have all composite molded airplanes taking their place. The results are outstanding. The models we now fly are oftentimes superships, with state-of-the-art hardware driving their control surfaces. The way these designs are created has also changed. The once-familiar slide rule and drawing board have been replaced by the computer, monitor, software and plotter/printer. Consequently, what previously took weeks or months to create can now be designed and modeled in hours or days. And the results of this modernization are unprecedented! How many of you purchased your first computer to further aid you in your hobby? Me too! I bought my first computer to do computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) for the airplanes I like to fly. Life has forever changed!
