For easier launching, some sailplanes are powered by electric motors. Powered sailplanes are a great way to enter the fascinating hobby of thermal soaring. Even without lift, a powered glider will fly for around 20 minutes, giving plently of stick time. If you do find lift, hour-long flights are easy! In gliding mode, the propeller folds back against the model's fuselage to reduce drag. The motor may be turned on and off at will to power the sailplane from one thermal current to the next.

Thermal soaring is an unique challenge of your piloting skills. The challenge of flying using only the unseen forces of nature; navigating the wind, finding and using rising air currents to stay airborne. This challenge, combined with the peace and quiet of gliding, makes thermal soaring one of the most fascinating and enjoyable forms of flying. Thermals are currents of rising air generated as the Sun unevenly heats the Earth's surface. They form over ground features which heat up faster than their surroundings, such as car parks and buildings. The hot surface areas heat the air above them. The heated air mass then rises, often to heights of several thousand feet. Find out more about thermals in our guide to Thermal Soaring.

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Introduction | Electric Flight | Thermal Soaring | Slope Soaring Electric Flight: Introduction | Equipment | Park Flyers | Powered Gliders | Scale