How do I start flying F3K ?

This would be nice....!

If you are an existing RC model glider pilot, fly RC power models or RC model helicopters and want an exciting new challenge, then F3K could be for you.

F3K represents possibly the purest form of radio controlled model flight. It is also arguably one of the most accessible forms of radio controlled aeromodelling, as there are no winches, bungees, motors, power batteries or other accessories to worry about. It's a case of charging the receiver battery, throwing and flying and it really is great fun!

F3K offers a fantastic flying experience at a sensible cost, where from a simple hand launch flights of 10 - 20 minutes or more are possible. The fact you are relying on seeking out low level lift in order to remain airborne, means you are constantly hunting for thermal lift and then trying to make the most of any you find. This sharpens flying skills, is great fun and is very, very rewarding.

Some RC modellers who can remember the earlier generations of hand launch models, may think of hand launch gliders as being limited to very short flights, only flying near to the pilot and not perhaps representing 'real' RC flying...  with F3K and today's new models they couldn't be further from the truth. A modern F3K model has a extremely wide flight envelope, with the capability of travelling large distances during flight, to find and then use available lift. F3K models are often flown to the limit of the pilots' eyesight and one of the key skills to learn in order to succeed at competitions, is the ability to seek lift over long distances and moving between areas of lift as necessary, often over long distances.

In the UK we have an active F3K community, with a regular competition calendar throughout the summer months and a friendly welcome for all. We have fliers of all ages and abilities and the F3K competitions provide a great atmosphere to compete, learn and have fun in a non-pressured environment. You can be ultra-competative or just compete for pure fun, the choice is yours and either way you'll be welcomed and have a great time. We also hold training sessions in the winter months and friendly help and advice is always on hand.

As a starting point I would recommend you visit the F3K section of  the Flyquiet forum which serves as a focal point for much of the UK based discussion regarding F3K. Here you can ask any questions you may have, seek advice and find out more about the sport in general - a warm welcome awaits. I would also recommend a visit to the RCgroups handlaunch forum which also offers a great source of info, but with more of an USA/International bias.

BARCS (British Association of Radio Controlled Soarers) is the UK organisation for managing and promoting F3K in UK at a local level and for administrating the UK F3K competition calendar and league. If you visit www.barcs.co.uk you will see full details of the UK F3K competition calendar as well as further details on RC model soaring in general. If you take part in F3K flying  in UK (competition or sport flying) joining BARCS is a good idea to show your support for an organisation working to promote the sport.

If you are interested in competing at the very highest level, as well as in the UK competition scene, F3K offers a popular European-wide contest calendar as well as USA based contests, all with a very high standard of competition. We are holding UK F3K team selection trials in 2008, pending possible World F3K Championships in 2009 and behond. Why not join in and see if you ca make the UK F3K team?

A flight simulator can be a great help if you are fairly new to RC models (or even if you are an old hand, in terms of keeping up skills). There is a great free simulator available for F3K called CRRCsim which is downloadable (free of charge) at this website - click here  This simulator is very realistic in terms of the flight model and is aimed specifically at RC glider simulation. I use a E-Sky USB 4 channel 'dummy' transmitter controller (about £18 off ebay or from many model shops, click here for manufacturers site ) with CRRCsim to control the models, far, far better than using the keyboard or mouse. (the E-sky transmitter comes with a free simulator program but it is not half as good as CRRCsim for glider simulation)

If you are totally new to radio controlled model flying, then trying F3K using a suitable model is not a bad place to start your model flying career. However, it's an activity best not tried alone... as this often results in a rapid re-kitting of your model ;-) and a potential accident in the process :-(. In this instance it is best to join a local flying club for help and advice in learning to fly. Please refer to the BMFA website for further help and also visit the Flyquiet UK forum where you'll be guided to someone who can help you learn to fly RC gliders..