Slope Soaring Sussex is a friendly group of RC glider flying enthusiasts based in Sussex, UK. We slope soar at various locations on the South Downs and have a field for thermal soaring. ‘Slope Soaring Sussex’ is a BMFA affiliated RC Glider-only flying club. We fly many types of RC gliders from conventional slope soarers to Scale, DLG, F3B, F3J, F5J, PSS and more. Our aim is to encourage and promote safe, responsible and enjoyable radio controlled model flying. New and experienced flyers welcome.
A very good turnout today as we met down at the club field for the first time this year. Rob, Ian, Will, Mark, Tim and Richard (welcome to Richard a brand new member). We had a load of maiden flights. Both mine and Rob had our first flights with our new E-Flite Opterra.
I was so impressed with the Opterra. It's a beast on the ground but in the air it was a pussy cat. Good climb with plenty of power. Then switch the motor off and its glides for ever. As the thermals got going I had about 20 minutes of soaring in the strong thermals. It will slope soar well I am sure. I also had a go at FPV flying with Ian standing along side me. The flying side of things was fine but the orientation will take some practice. Then I flew my new Maxa 4. A huge 4 metre span F5J powered glider. Its maiden went ok and initially soared away but an issue with the elevator servo (we think) was making it stall and a decent landing ended that flight.
Ian flew his new f5J model - the Super Starlight previously owned and competed by Chris Foss. This flew beautifully. I was allowed on the sticks and it soared away well. It's got an amazing colour scheme that shows up well when airborne.
Will did very well with his mouldy going off the bungee. After a few lessons on the bungee with IAn he was away and on his final flight off the bungee he found some decent lift and found himself way up high.
Richard flew a few different models including what looked like a Fox or a Swift. This model was rocket powered and was flown amazing well albeit at VNE speeds. I don't think I have seen any glider fly that fast from the flat of a field.
We had a lot of DLG action from Rob who maidened his new DLG and Will flying and then buying a DLG from Ian. The final flight of the day was from Ian flying his DLG and finally getting away in a thermal until the model was a small speck in the sky.
Was on the fence about this whole flat field flying but that almost zero gravity feeling you get when you're hooked into a powerful thermal is pretty exhilarating. The bungee is also a real thrill to experience. Hopefully the first of many more days down at the field for this convert! Cheers for a great morning chaps and all the tuition.
Was on the fence about this whole flat field flying but that almost zero gravity feeling you get when you're hooked into a powerful thermal is pretty exhilarating. The bungee is also a real thrill to experience. Hopefully the first of many more days down at the field for this convert! Cheers for a great morning chaps and all the tuition.
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