FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN I ADD INFORMATION TO THIS WEBSITE?
We encourage reports and updates of Dorset slopes. Please send the docs attached to an email addressed to the webmaster:
[email protected] or use our CONTACT form. Please identify your reasons for the writing.
CAN I FLY POWERED AIRCRAFT ON THE SLOPES?
NT or Dorset Wildlife Trust sites means no power of any description. Landowners will only allow power in agreement.
DOES THIS WEBSITE REPRESENT ANY CLUBS OR ASSOCIATIONS?
No. We are just a small local group of slopers from the Weymouth area who want to do something positive for RC SLOPE SOARING in Dorset.
HOW DO I START IN SLOPE SOARING?
It's not impossible to start sloping without tuition but its not easy either. The recommended and safest method is to join a club and get some tuition. It’s a lot easier and safer and you could make new friends to boot!
We encourage reports and updates of Dorset slopes. Please send the docs attached to an email addressed to the webmaster:
[email protected] or use our CONTACT form. Please identify your reasons for the writing.
CAN I FLY POWERED AIRCRAFT ON THE SLOPES?
NT or Dorset Wildlife Trust sites means no power of any description. Landowners will only allow power in agreement.
DOES THIS WEBSITE REPRESENT ANY CLUBS OR ASSOCIATIONS?
No. We are just a small local group of slopers from the Weymouth area who want to do something positive for RC SLOPE SOARING in Dorset.
HOW DO I START IN SLOPE SOARING?
It's not impossible to start sloping without tuition but its not easy either. The recommended and safest method is to join a club and get some tuition. It’s a lot easier and safer and you could make new friends to boot!
WHAT SLOPE SOARING GLIDER SHOULD I START WITH?
It is hard to beat an SAS Wildthing (a British success story!) as a starter slope soaring glider as it is constructed of foam and, although not indestructible, it will bounce and is very forgiving. Many of us more experienced flyers use them as they are great fun to fly. You could do it for just over £100.
It is hard to beat an SAS Wildthing (a British success story!) as a starter slope soaring glider as it is constructed of foam and, although not indestructible, it will bounce and is very forgiving. Many of us more experienced flyers use them as they are great fun to fly. You could do it for just over £100.
WHICH DORSET SLOPE IS BEST?
They all are, just on different days. It all depends on varying wind strengths and directions which create different lift on different days. Sometimes a slope can silky smooth and on other days as bumpy as our roads. However, once you fly out past the slope lift you need to find a thermal (slermaling), otherwise your glider is going to go DOWN!
DO ALL MODEL FLYING CLUBS SLOPE SOAR?
No. You may need to do some research to find one but have a look at our list of local clubs on this website. Power flyers dominate the R/C flying scene at a rate of about 10-1 or thereabouts.
CAN WE JOIN YOU?
Please do. We are a group of enthusiastic slope soarers who relish the opportunity to fly our gliders at every opportunity around the beautiful Dorset countryside and coastline. Some of us are members of clubs whilst others are individual slopers.
You can join/follow us on our 'dorsetslopesoarers' FaceBook page.
DO I NEED INSURANCE?
YES!!!!!!! It is recommended to join the BMFA (British Model Flying Association) as either a club or country member. You will then automatically get free insurance to cover you 3rd party. You can then get more cover for your equipment if you so wish.
HOW MUCH WIND DO YOU NEED TO SLOPE SOAR?
In general terms, from about 4 knots upwards to about 60 knots. These are not the limits just what flyers will fly in. Above 20-30 knots heavier gliders will be used often having ballast tubes to add a heavy weights. Some flyers will build ‘lead sleds’ which with skill can fly at great speeds. Basically, at either end of the wind range needs more skill to keep your slope glider airborne and in one piece!
They all are, just on different days. It all depends on varying wind strengths and directions which create different lift on different days. Sometimes a slope can silky smooth and on other days as bumpy as our roads. However, once you fly out past the slope lift you need to find a thermal (slermaling), otherwise your glider is going to go DOWN!
DO ALL MODEL FLYING CLUBS SLOPE SOAR?
No. You may need to do some research to find one but have a look at our list of local clubs on this website. Power flyers dominate the R/C flying scene at a rate of about 10-1 or thereabouts.
CAN WE JOIN YOU?
Please do. We are a group of enthusiastic slope soarers who relish the opportunity to fly our gliders at every opportunity around the beautiful Dorset countryside and coastline. Some of us are members of clubs whilst others are individual slopers.
You can join/follow us on our 'dorsetslopesoarers' FaceBook page.
DO I NEED INSURANCE?
YES!!!!!!! It is recommended to join the BMFA (British Model Flying Association) as either a club or country member. You will then automatically get free insurance to cover you 3rd party. You can then get more cover for your equipment if you so wish.
HOW MUCH WIND DO YOU NEED TO SLOPE SOAR?
In general terms, from about 4 knots upwards to about 60 knots. These are not the limits just what flyers will fly in. Above 20-30 knots heavier gliders will be used often having ballast tubes to add a heavy weights. Some flyers will build ‘lead sleds’ which with skill can fly at great speeds. Basically, at either end of the wind range needs more skill to keep your slope glider airborne and in one piece!