Excitement builds as competitors from around the globe converge in Limoux, near Toulouse in southern France, for the upcoming 2024 FAI World Championship for Slope Soaring Model Aircraft. This event, scheduled to take place from 6 to 12 October and organised by the French Aeromodelling Federation, promises to be a thrilling display of skill, precision, and model glider engineering.
Fifty-six competitors from 19 countries have registered to participate (as of current registration).
Slope soaring gliders belong to the F3F radio control class, and as the name suggests, competitions are flown in front of a slope. This class focuses solely on speed, challenging the pilots to remotely pilot their model aircraft through a 1000m course, divided into 10 legs, in the shortest time possible.
Success hinges on meticulous preparation and unwavering concentration, as competitors strive to pilot their models as close to the slope’s ridge and as straight as possible to maximise velocity, taking advantage of the updrafts created by the wind.
Competitors fly one after the other, thus avoiding any risk of collision. Positioned at the centre of two “bases” set 100m apart, they rely solely on their expertise, with external assistance limited to the initial launch of the glider.
For a championship to be considered valid, a minimum of 4 rounds must be completed. However, depending on the number of participants and prevailing weather conditions, competitions typically span between 12 to 15 rounds, providing ample opportunity for pilots to showcase their skills.
While pilots are not required to construct their own model gliders, setting up the model plays a crucial role in the performance.
The gliders used in competition are built entirely of composite materials and use substantial amounts of carbon for greater rigidity. The empty weight of these models is around 2 to 2.4 kg, but it is possible to double the weight of the glider by adding ballast to increase the wing load to the authorised limit of 75 g/dm² and fly even faster when the winds are strong.
Event Schedule
6 October: Opening Ceremony
7-12 October: Competition rounds
12 October: Prize-giving Ceremony
Photos: Antonis Papadopoulos
Source: FAI