| You've probably seen an rc plane plenty of | | | | As with most model aircraft, the bottom end |
| times, but what about an rc paraglider? A | | | | of 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 motorized | | | | Surfer RC paraglider. The gondola and wing |
| radio-controlled paragliders are basically | | | | are plastic, the motor is electric and it |
| the same thing. A canopy, with radio gear and | | | | needs fairly calm conditions. |
| motor suspended below it. Doing aerial | | | | |
| ballet, all slow and graceful. Well, graceful | | | | The prices for these models are in the 10s of |
| if the pilot has a smooth touch on the | | | | US dollars, particularly the second hand ones |
| controls, just like the real thing. Free | | | | on eBay! |
| flight models are also flown, mainly on | | | | |
| slopes. | | | | Serious Hobbyists |
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| You can see that my definition of 'rc | | | | Since the year 2000 or so, a few hobbyists |
| paraglider' is pretty broad. It includes free | | | | have been keen enough to construct and fly |
| flight RC model, RC skydivers, powered RC and | | | | their 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 crowd | | | | fly well enough for him to sell them over the |
| pleasers from what I've heard. Someone at a | | | | Web. He has been doing it for many years, and |
| trade show also observed that women in | | | | has the satisfaction of knowing that many |
| particular seemed to like the slow-moving and | | | | units hand made by himself are flying at |
| graceful spectacle of these miniature flying | | | | various locations all around the world. |
| machines! | | | | |
| | | | For those that are for sale, these model |
| To sum it up, the buzz around various kinds | | | | aircraft are worth several hundred US |
| of flying forums on the Web backs up the | | | | dollars. |
| 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, steering | | | | latest 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 done | | | | There is also a tendency to offer |
| purely by weight-shift. That is, by pulling | | | | aerial-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 the | | | | video gear is included in the retail price. |
| left or right. The canopy pretty much keeps | | | | Not 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 very | | | | Who Flies These Things? |
| simple! The wings fly at almost constant | | | | |
| airspeed, so increasing power enough makes | | | | Compared to most model aircraft, the RC |
| the model climb, while decreasing power | | | | paraglider seems to appeal to a very wide |
| enough causes a descent. Somewhere in | | | | range of people. Some groups that I found had |
| between, there lies a power setting which | | | | a 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 at | | | | I might add that plenty of non-fliers, |
| a time. This is rigged similarly to the | | | | particularly 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 |
| Toys | | | | aircraft! |
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