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RC Plane With A Difference - An RC Paraglider!

You've probably seen an rc plane plenty ofAs with most model aircraft, the bottom end
times, but what about an rc paraglider? Aof the price range will just get you a
model  rc  paraglider  is  usually  powered.plastic toy! There's one in particular that
seems to be everywhere, and that's the Sky
From a distance, all motorizedSurfer RC paraglider. The gondola and wing
radio-controlled paragliders are basicallyare plastic, the motor is electric and it
the same thing. A canopy, with radio gear andneeds  fairly  calm  conditions.
motor suspended below it. Doing aerial
ballet, all slow and graceful. Well, gracefulThe prices for these models are in the 10s of
if the pilot has a smooth touch on theUS dollars, particularly the second hand ones
controls, just like the real thing. Freeon  eBay!
flight models are also flown, mainly on
slopes.Serious  Hobbyists
You can see that my definition of 'rcSince the year 2000 or so, a few hobbyists
paraglider' is pretty broad. It includes freehave been keen enough to construct and fly
flight RC model, RC skydivers, powered RC andtheir own RC paraglider. Most just use power
powered  RC  parachutes.kites rigged with a container for the radio
gear.  Plus  a  motor  in  some  cases.
The  Buzz
There's at least one hobbyist whose designs
Now, these devices are guaranteed crowdfly well enough for him to sell them over the
pleasers from what I've heard. Someone at aWeb. He has been doing it for many years, and
trade show also observed that women inhas the satisfaction of knowing that many
particular seemed to like the slow-moving andunits hand made by himself are flying at
graceful spectacle of these miniature flyingvarious  locations  all  around  the  world.
machines!
For those that are for sale, these model
To sum it up, the buzz around various kindsaircraft are worth several hundred US
of flying forums on the Web backs up thedollars.
claim that flying an RC paraglider is fun,
downright  easy  and  safe.Commercial  Manufacturers
How  Do  They  Fly?As of 2007, there are now a number of
companies producing very well designed and
Very similar to the full size in most cases,manufactured RC paragliders. They use the
with 2 primary controls. That is, steeringlatest kiting materials, such as rip-stop
left/right,  and  power,  from  idle to full.nylon  for canopies and Kevlar for the lines.
In the simplest models, steering is doneThere is also a tendency to offer
purely by weight-shift. That is, by pullingaerial-photography as part of the package.
down on the lines on one side or the other,With these, high-quality photographic and/or
the pilot or gondola weight is shifted to thevideo gear is included in the retail price.
left or right. The canopy pretty much keepsNot surprisingly, these units currently sell
the  same  shape  while  this  is  happening.for  between  500  and 1500 or so US dollars.
Performing climbs and descents is very veryWho  Flies  These  Things?
simple! The wings fly at almost constant
airspeed, so increasing power enough makesCompared to most model aircraft, the RC
the model climb, while decreasing powerparaglider seems to appeal to a very wide
enough causes a descent. Somewhere inrange of people. Some groups that I found had
between, there lies a power setting whicha significant interest in these models
will  maintain  constant  height.include pilots, r/c pilots, aerial
photographers  and  kite  fliers.
On more expensive models, the trailing edges
of the canopy can be pulled down, one side atI might add that plenty of non-fliers,
a time. This is rigged similarly to theparticularly women, might end up getting
brakes  on  a  full-size  paraglider.interested too. An RC paraglider is quite a
contrast to your usual macho high-speed RC
Toysaircraft!



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