Fun RC Thermal Soaring Competitions for Electric Gliders

New 2010 Competition Calendar now up!

See the Competition Calendar for dates and venues of the 29 events, covering much of the UK. Scottish events now added.


 This site is for promoting electric R/C thermal soaring competitions that use a height limiter. These events are fun, a good test of thermaling skills, and do not require an expensive model or powertrain.


In 2007 and 2008 a restricted power/energy format, of 200W/kg or 100Watt-minutes/kg was flown in UK eSoaring competitions. However it wasn't practical to test all models before each competition, and many models were getting much higher than the rules envisaged. Also over this time period electronic devices to measure air pressure and automatically stop the motor at a predetermined altitude began to be available at a very reasonable price. Changing the rules to limit launch height based on an "altitude limiter" had many practical advantages, as it ensures all models can compete on a truly level playing field, while also reducing the powertrain cost and weight. Many altitude limited trial events were held in 2008, and almost all entrants preferred this format. So Martin Bell, assisted by Mike Proctor and Neil Stainton drafted a new set of Height Limited Rules, and after much discussion these were approved by the BMFA Silent Flight Technical Committee on 14th December 2008.

For up to the minute news about the class and all UK altitude limited competitions please visit our forum - you will find help, technical information, and lots of stimulating discussion.


Why enter competitions that use the new eSoaring 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 fitting a height limiter the model can comply with the rules.
  • 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 any previous competition this class limits the launch altitude to 200m (656ft), 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 flight 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 the UK 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 3/12/2009 - 2009 League Results uploaded, 2010 League Rules updated, 2010 Competition Calendar published.