600RES Low-cost ELECTRIC THERMAL GLIDING
WESSEX AREA LEAGUE COMPETITION
Welcome to the home of 600RES Low-cost electric thermal gliding. There are many forms of flat field thermal gliding and this low cost competition has been developed at the Phoenix MFC in Dorset since the turn of the century. Typically models cost under £200 and the formula ensures equal launch heights from which the thermal task begins. Expensive ARTF’s, although exquisite, are not allowed in this formula. This is definitely not one of those “cheque book” classes where pilots are spending £500 or more on the airframe alone. The rules have been carefully refined over the last 10 years to keep the cost down and provide equality of launch height.
The competition is run on a Round Robin system, again devised and refined over the years at Phoenix MFC by Chris Hague, with a simple scoring system with each pilot flying against each other. During 2009 there were four different winners over the five rounds and the overall winner achieved the highest number of points without being one of them! The competition has proved to be a true test of the pilots thermalling ability with a close contest and the winner being uncertain until the last few flights.
Each year it is proposed to run a league consisting of a maximum of five events in the Dorset and Wiltshire area. The best four scores are counted.
During its inaugural year in 2009 16 different pilots competed at three different venues, some events had an entry of 12 pilots. This gave the opportunity of 11 flights for each pilot, more than enough flying in one day for many. There is also the opportunity to fly with three or more at one time, thus reducing the number of flights. However, some pilots prefer to fly only two at a time and the competition is designed to allow this.
Most importantly the flying format is designed to enable club sport flying to continue at the same time. Pilots having to return to the flight box after launching and follow all the club flight line rules. There is no spot-landing requirement, just call “landing” and when it is clear, land on the club patch. This ensures minimum disruption to club flying and dovetails neatly with, and provides added interest to, the local club members.
If this is of interest then browse the pages of this website. If you would like to join in, or if your club would like to investigate the possibility of hosting an event, then please contact us.
Remember this is a hobby, we are all volunteers, enjoy.
This is specifically a THERMAL contest, the electric motor is purely an inexpensive "on-board launch system", providing equality of launch height. May you find many thermals.
Photography by Rick Churchill where noted. Many thanks Rick and to all who supplied photos.
We hope that the web site will give you the information you require, but please contact us for further information and confirmation of the events before you set out.
