Fun RC Thermal Soaring Competitions for Electric Gliders

The next eSoaring contests are in Essex on

Sat 17th & Sun 18th  May - click here to register


Welcome to www.esoaring.net  This site is for promoting electric R/C thermal soaring competitions that are fun, a good test of thermaling skills, and do not require an expensive model.

For more info about the class please look at this site or see the excellent brochure created by Martin Bell. This is great for non-internet modellers as it can be printed and handed out at club meetings, etc.

Why enter competitions that use the new eSoaring (previously know as 200W/Kg) rules:

  • Competing is fun, and a great way to meet other like minded modellers and improve your modelling skills.
  • The class is suitable for all sorts of model gliders, powered by any type of battery and electric motor. Just by changing the prop you should be able to get your model to comply with the 200W/kg (91W/lb) rule.
  • Unlike most previous rule sets, this class allows all sizes of electric RC glider models to be competitive, allowing larger and more enjoyable models to be flown on an equal footing with lighter, smaller, less expensive soarers.
  • Unlike many previous competitions this class limits the launch altitude to around 700ft (230m), so having 20/20 vision isn't a prerequisite.
  • Differing to the old BMFA rules used in BEFA contests for example, this class only allows a single motor run per flight. This makes EVERY flight into a competition winning (or losing) moment, as you can no longer power out of sink. This makes the flights more exciting, and moves the emphasis away from the battery capacity to thermal hunting.

Don't think that you have to have a model capable of achieving the 10 minute slot time before you enter. The point of these rules is that thermal help will be required to obtain a max. If that wasn't the case the event would lose its main purpose as a test of thermaling skills and turn into another landing contest.

So please enter these competitions if you live the UK - all fliers are welcome, as long as you have BMFA insurance. Non UK fliers wishing to enter, please check with us first to confirm your insurance will cover you.

If you don't live in England please feel free to run your own set of national or club events using these rules. Any events held in other countries will facilitate validating the rules are fun and viable, so we can put them forward to the FAI for future ratification as an international electric thermal soaring class, possibly to be designated F5J.

 

 

Site updated 23/03/08. 2008 Event Calendar posted.