Slope soaring is a very popular type of flying in hilly regions. Slope lift occurs when wind is blowing directly up a hill or cliff. As the wind hits the slope, it is forced upwards, producing lift. The stronger the wind, the stronger the lift. But the wind does not have to be a gale - slope soaring is possible in winds as little as 10 knots! Any model glider can be successfully flown from a slope in the right conditions - including thermal sailplanes. But when the wind is strong, take out a glider that is designed specifically for slope soaring for a really exciting time. These models are fast, agile and capable of all the aerobatic manoeuvers in the book ... and more!

Types of Slope Soarers

Sport Slope Soarers
Just anout any model glider can be flown off a slope in the right conditions, including thermal gliders. Typical sport slope soarers, however, have a wingspan of 1.5 to 2 metres, and two or three channels of control (rudder, elevator and optional ailerons). Most kits are simple foam models for their resilience to damage in crashes. Sport slope soarers fly are very stable yet responsive and with enough speed to be able to penetrate into reasonably strong winds and perform spectacular aerobatics.
Power Scale Soaring
Power Scale Slope (PSS) models are simply scale models of powered aircraft, but these models are gliders. In the right conditions, just about any model can be made to fly in slope lift! For light winds, models such as the U2 spyplane or B-52 bomber are popular, but the most common models are World War II fighters. Kits are usually semi-scale and made of foam, so they can take quite a lot of abuse and still fly.

How much does it cost?
If you choose to buy a two channel model and radio, you could get started for under $A300! Even if you plan ahead and buy radio equipment with the capability to fly advanced models later on, you'll be able to get into the air for just $A500. And unlike other forms of radio-controlled flying, if you have planned ahead, the only cost will be additional planes when you're ready for them! There's no doubt about it, radio-controlled gliding is one of the best value hobbies around!

Introduction | Electric Flight | Thermal Soaring | Slope Soaring Slope Soaring: Introduction