Gliding is probably the cheapest of the RC disciplines, (you can start for £100), but it is also one of the hardest to master. This is because you have to utilise the rising air to keep the model in the air and not rely on a motor. Thermal flying can be gentle and relaxing, whereas slope soaring is the more boisterous side of soaring. The available lift is generally more consistent and models can be heavier and more aerobatic as there is more energy available to the model and it is easier to retain that energy on the slope.

In the USA, dynamic soaring models have been clocked at over 300mph, but this is a very specialised area of slope soaring.There are World Championships for model gliders. Thermal events include F3j (Duration) and F3b (Multitask) There are proposed World events for F3k (handlaunch), F5J (Electric soaring) and F3f (slope pylon racing).Competition in Northern Ireland is mainly thermal duration (Open - no limits & 100S - for up to100" wingspan models) and electric soaring. We also run the occasional handlaunch competition and some "fun" events on the slope e.g. Most rolls in a given time, blind timed flight i.e. fly and land exactly on a time - without a stopwatch!. NIMSA flyers have also competed at F3f, but we don't currently run any F3f events here.

For more info on thermal soaring visit: http://www.nimsa.co.uk/thermal.htm

Slope soaring visit: http://www.nimsa.co.uk/slope.htm

General gliding info for the beginner visit: http://www.fatlion.com/sailplanes/sailplanes.html