| You've probably seen an rc plane plenty of times, but | | | | As with most model aircraft, the bottom end of the |
| what about an rc paraglider? A model rc paraglider is | | | | price range will just get you a plastic toy! There's one |
| usually powered. | | | | in particular that seems to be everywhere, and that's |
| From a distance, all motorized radio-controlled | | | | the Sky Surfer RC paraglider. The gondola and wing |
| paragliders are basically the same thing. A canopy, | | | | are plastic, the motor is electric and it needs fairly calm |
| with radio gear and motor suspended below it. Doing | | | | conditions. |
| aerial ballet, all slow and graceful. Well, graceful if the | | | | The prices for these models are in the 10s of US |
| pilot has a smooth touch on the controls, just like the | | | | dollars, particularly the second hand ones on eBay! |
| real thing. Free flight models are also flown, mainly on | | | | Serious Hobbyists |
| slopes. | | | | Since the year 2000 or so, a few hobbyists have |
| You can see that my definition of 'rc paraglider' is | | | | been keen enough to construct and fly their own RC |
| pretty broad. It includes free flight RC model, RC | | | | paraglider. Most just use power kites rigged with a |
| skydivers, powered RC and powered RC parachutes. | | | | container for the radio gear. Plus a motor in some |
| The Buzz | | | | cases. |
| Now, these devices are guaranteed crowd pleasers | | | | There's at least one hobbyist whose designs fly well |
| from what I've heard. Someone at a trade show also | | | | enough for him to sell them over the Web. He has |
| observed that women in particular seemed to like the | | | | been doing it for many years, and has the satisfaction |
| slow-moving and graceful spectacle of these miniature | | | | of knowing that many units hand made by himself are |
| flying machines! | | | | flying at various locations all around the world. |
| To sum it up, the buzz around various kinds of flying | | | | For those that are for sale, these model aircraft are |
| forums on the Web backs up the claim that flying an | | | | worth several hundred US dollars. |
| RC paraglider is fun, downright easy and safe. | | | | Commercial Manufacturers |
| How Do They Fly? | | | | As of 2007, there are now a number of companies |
| Very similar to the full size in most cases, with 2 | | | | producing very well designed and manufactured RC |
| primary controls. That is, steering left/right, and power, | | | | paragliders. They use the latest kiting materials, such |
| from idle to full. | | | | as rip-stop nylon for canopies and Kevlar for the lines. |
| In the simplest models, steering is done purely by | | | | There is also a tendency to offer aerial-photography |
| weight-shift. That is, by pulling down on the lines on one | | | | as part of the package. With these, high-quality |
| side or the other, the pilot or gondola weight is shifted | | | | photographic and/or video gear is included in the retail |
| to the left or right. The canopy pretty much keeps the | | | | price. Not surprisingly, these units currently sell for |
| same shape while this is happening. | | | | between 500 and 1500 or so US dollars. |
| Performing climbs and descents is very very simple! | | | | Who Flies These Things? |
| The wings fly at almost constant airspeed, so | | | | Compared to most model aircraft, the RC paraglider |
| increasing power enough makes the model climb, while | | | | seems to appeal to a very wide range of people. |
| decreasing power enough causes a descent. | | | | Some groups that I found had a significant interest in |
| Somewhere in between, there lies a power setting | | | | these models include pilots, r/c pilots, aerial |
| which will maintain constant height. | | | | photographers and kite fliers. |
| On more expensive models, the trailing edges of the | | | | I might add that plenty of non-fliers, particularly women, |
| canopy can be pulled down, one side at a time. This is | | | | might end up getting interested too. An RC paraglider is |
| rigged similarly to the brakes on a full-size paraglider. | | | | quite a contrast to your usual macho high-speed RC |
| Toys | | | | aircraft! |