The R/C Soaring Guide

• 1.1 Flying
• 1.2 Types of R/C Soaring
  • 1.2.1 Thermal Soaring
  • 1.2.2 Slope Soaring
• 1.3 Ten Steps to Successful Soaring
• 1.4 Sailplanes
  • 1.4.1 Sailplane Controls
  • 1.4.2 Sailplane Pilot Level
• 1.5 Radio Control
  • 1.5.1 Radio Channels and Frequencies
  • 1.5.2 Radio Control Types
• 1.6 Launching

Chapter 2: Getting Started

• 2.1 Buying the parts (What does it cost?)
• 2.2 Researching Your Decisions
  • 2.2.1 The Academy of Model Aeronautics
  • 2.2.2 The RC Soaring Exchange
  • 2.2.3 Local Clubs
  • 2.2.4 Hobby Shops
• 2.3 Choosing a Plane
  • 2.3.1 To Build or Not to Build?
  • 2.3.2 Recommended Kits
• 2.4 Choosing a Radio
• 2.5 The High-Start

Chapter 3: Building your First Plane

• 3.1 Preparing to Build
  • 3.1.1 Outfitting the Workshop
  • 3.1.2 Glue
• 3.2 General Construction Tips
• 3.3 Building the Tail
• 3.4 Building the Wings
• 3.5 Building the Fuselage
• 3.6 Covering Your Plane
  • 3.6.1 What to use?
  • 3.6.2 Color Selection
  • 3.6.3 Applying Covering
• 3.7 Final Assembly and Radio Installation
  • 3.7.1 Final Assembly

Chapter 4: Learning to Fly

• 4.1 Basic Aerodynamics
  • 4.1.1 Ups and Downs
  • 4.1.2 Forces of Flight
  • 4.1.3 Angle of Attack
  • 4.1.4 Stalls
  • 4.1.5 Tip Stalls
• 4.2 Your First Flight
  • 4.2.1 The Instructor
  • 4.2.2 Field Preflight Checks
  • 4.2.3 First Flight
• 4.3 Basic Flying Skills
  • 4.3.1 Turns
  • 4.3.2 Stall Recovery
  • 4.3.3 Landings
  • 4.3.4 Launches
  • 4.3.5 Practice Maneuvers

• 5.1 Accessories
  • 5.1.1 Timers and Stopwatches
• 5.2 Computer Radios
  • 5.2.1 Flight modes
  • 5.2.2 Radio Features
  • 5.2.3 Computer Radio Models

Chapter 6: Intermediate Trimming

• 6.1 Center of Gravity
  • 6.1.1 What's all the fuss about?
  • 6.1.2 Methods for Setting the CG

Chapter 7: Intermediate Flying

• 7.1 The League of Silent Flight
  • 7.1.1 LSF Level I
  • 7.1.2 LSF Level II
  • 7.1.3 LSF Level III
  • 7.1.4 LSF Level IV
  • 7.1.5 LSF Level V
• 7.2 Perfect Landings
  • 7.2.1 The Landing Pattern
  • 7.2.2 Timed Landings
  • 7.2.3 Flaps vs Spoilers
  • 7.2.4 Sliding vs skegs
• 7.3 Thermaling on Windy Days
  • 7.3.1 Preparing for the Blustery Day
  • 7.3.2 The Launch
  • 7.3.3 Finding Lift in High Winds

Chapter 8: Intermediate Competition

• 8.1 Competition Types
  • 8.1.1 Precision Thermal Duration (US)
  • 8.1.2 F3J
  • 8.1.3 F3B

• 9.1 Gentle Lady
• 9.2 Spirit 2M
• 9.3 DAW TG-3

Chapter 10: Nostalgia Sailplanes

• 10.1 Aquila
• 10.2 Pierce Paragon

Chapter 11: Intermediate Sailplanes

• 11.1 Alcyone