Thermal Soaring

Thermal Soaring Gliders:
Flyers of Thermal Gliders park on tarmac runways down wind from the pit area and fly over acres of grass, we use three methods of launching, all of which are supplied free by the SMAC:
1 Club bungee - 150mtrs
2 Club winched - 150mtrs (on request)

Throughout the year the SMAC Silent Flight hold 16 Thermal, 8 Open and 8 2mtr Class, competitions. The models used for these competitions vary from the simplest all balsa built up rudder elevator machine to hi-tech all molded 6 or 8 function F3J type of device, but do not worry that the models you own are not up to the task, when the conditions are right every type of model has had success.
We have found that running these informal competitions brings flyers of all skill levels together and helps to promote our hobby and increases the overall piloting skill of participants.

Electric Thermal Soaring

Due to the fast growing interest in this type of model we now run an informal league for electric thermal soaring models.
This consists of a series of competitions throughout the season and culminates in the presentation of a trophy presented in the name of a late member who was a pioneer of this discipline within the SMAC.

Days just don't get much better than this one.

Slope Soaring

Although Wroughton Airfield does not have a sufficient slope for this discipline, we do fly Slope Models from Liddington Hill which is approximately 5 miles from Wroughton. This site is ideal for Large Scale Gliders, Sport, Competition and also those scale Jets and Warbirds but without any engines? That can't be right!

Another local favourite is the main bowl of the White Horse hill at nearby Uffington. The natural bowl of this hill can generate some very good lift with the right wind. (NNW to NW)

Electric Sport And Scale

This is the fastest growing area of aero modeling on a world wide basis .
It is environmentally friendly i.e. there is no noise or atmospheric pollution involved.

Any model which can be powered by an internal combustion engine other than a turbine can be powered by some form of electric motor be that a simple brushed or a more advanced brush-less set up which can now replace engines to 200cc petrol ones

Common conversions are to vintage models and trainers although nowadays electric power is starting to dominate international events e.g. at a recent aerobatic competition in the USA there were more electric than i.c. powered models
 
The Models in this class owned and flown by various members include a scale B25 by Colin Matthews   pictured below