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Radio Control Soaring

League of silent flight logo
07/20/2024 to 07/28/2024
Flying Site: 
4 and 5

For detailed information see the IAC Calendar.

RC Soaring is flown by different classes of sailplanes or gliders.  These aircraft are towed aloft by 12-volt electric winches.  They have no other form of propulsion.  The winches have a great deal of power and, depending on the aircraft, a launch height of 500 to 600 feet can be obtained.  Competitors fly in rounds.  Each round has a different task associated with it, and each has a flight task and a landing task.  Most flight tasks are based on some form of precision flight time (seven minutes, plus or minus, from the time of winch line disconnect to contact with the ground). The closer the landing is made to the target time, the more points are awarded.  Landing targets an exact spot; the closer to the spot, the more points gained.  Typically, 10 sailplanes will launch at the same time.  Sailplane classes are divided by the size of the aircraft. Smaller aircraft can fly in classes allowing larger aircraft.  The winner is determined by the total number of points obtained.

 

The first day of soaring competition is at an off-site location.

Nats News

August 23, 2021: RC Soaring

By Wally Adasczik

Cross-Country Soaring Day 3

Day 3 turned out to be a lot drier from a humidity perspective.

The puffy clouds came early and by 10 a.m., the crew was on the road! As fast as folks flew and landed many were walking up the road as crews came back. The photo below is all of the Cross-Country (XC) contestants—helping Jeff Carr. LOL! Not that he needed it by any means.

August 23, 2021: RC Soaring

By Wally Adasczik

F3K Soaring

F3K started with 28 contestants. Hand Launch is so cool and small thermal flying translates to reading good air when you move up to the larger Unlimited/F5J ships. There were a few world and national champions in the contestant pool! Folks come from all over the US for this event. 

I pulled into the IAC and took a gorgeous picture of the sunrise.

August 20, 2021: RC Soaring

LSF Cross Country Day 2

By Wally Adasczik

What a great day for Cross Country (XC)! The whole Parker City Parks and Recreation department showed up, Mr. Mick Beckman, and hung out with us for a few hours. He was very happy that the Parker City, Indiana, park was being used and asked all sorts of questions. The gang learned that he has been with Parker City Municipal for over 55 years! True dedication there, if I say so. Mick is that handsome lad in the light green shirt in the next photo.