The Worlds Fastest RC Airplanes Close to 400 mph

Dynamic Soaring close to 400 mph Great Day at Weldon, California. Dynamic Soaring breaking record. Close to 400 mph RC Gliders without any propellers or motors. December 22, 2009

Dynamic soaring is a flying technique used to gain energy by repeatedly crossing the boundary between air masses of significantly different velocity. Such zones of high wind gradient are generally found close to obstacles and close to the surface, so the technique is mainly of use to birds and operators of radio-controlled gliders, but glider pilots have occasionally been able to soar dynamically in meteorological wind shears at higher altitudes. The highest speeds reported are by radio controlled gliders at 505 mph (813 km/h).[1]

Dynamic soaring is sometimes confused with controllable slope soaring which uses a similar but different technique for achieving elevation.

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[davidmorenus]

Too cool! The Wikipedia article on Dynamic Soaring notes: DS is a flying technique used to gain energy by repeatedly crossing the boundary between air masses of significantly different velocity, often using the leeward side of ground features such as ridges. Higher velocity gradients allow for greater energy extraction, at the cost of high airframe loads, so RC DS gliders are usually built of composite materials. Albatrosses use DS from ocean waves to soar long distances with low energy.

[carpetmonk]

this is by far the neatest thing ive seen in a long time. the human mind and our ingenuity never ceases to amaze.

[DaredevilGirlDiana]

Nice. I happened upon these guys once when they were flying. Pretty cool stuff!

[RCllamadude]

it is because of the pattern in which it flies. it dives down, gaining speed due to gravity, then climbs (losing a small amount of speed as it does so) then hits the wind shear, which gives it a "boost" of lift and speed. it repeats this process over and over through the circle, gaining speed as it does so.

[mperhaps]

With so mush self congratulatory garbage on u-tube it is so enjoyable to come across a thoughtfully put together video. The music, I've never heard before, beautifully matches the sophistication of this refined hobby. The whole thing is just a pleasure to view from beginning to end. Thanks for putting it up.

[FinalesFunkeln]

@uSee218 The flaps on the wings, similar to any airplane design, each wing has flaps that allows you to change the position up or down. In this case, it should be up on one wing and down on the other. Stopping is another thing, you would have to stop spinning the plane, let it hover (lose its speed) and glide it back to you. It's mainly dependent on those flaps added to each wingspan.

[JYTheKiller]

Motor is going to slow it down because not only you add weight but if the max speed of the prop is only giving it 200mph. At 400mph. The propeller will become a source of drag causing it to slow down not going to 800mph

[monfrerefelixmonami]

Proof again that a great subject, a beautifully built aircraft and some very good shooting can be ruined by an awful, inappropriate and unnecessary sound-track. Less is more. But sincere and heart-felt congratulations for the good elements.

[FieroWipeout]

@trinitized According to Wikipedia's article on dynamic soaring, the world record is 416 mph

[brucecollie]

 As John Adams stated lower down most don't understand dynamic soaring - it is about adding kinetic energy to the plane with every revolution, it is not just 'flying in circles' -check it out. Its all about kinetic energy you have to see one of these fly to believe it but there speeds are correct

[FinalesFunkeln]

@uSee218 There's no engine, they're gliders based on the natural wind to give them velocity. The circular motion that they do gives them momentum.

[mcspiffington]

@skiendog i am talking about manned aircraft btw. the shuttle entry speeds are obviously quicker, i'm just on about planes.

[galaxything]

@justlostagain ye but terminal velocity varies from 120 - 130 (ish) mph with verry aerodynamic objects, 400 mph is 3-4 times that amount :O

[HeliEye]

Gobsmacked...399 MPH unpowered, amazing stuff.
Thanks for sharing..
Steve

[TheAmericanUhate]

@awPoPz There is a bird (a hawk I think idk) that flies at 200 or 300 mph when hunting.

[awuma]

@1clinttorris Wrong. CF and kevlar wings were first developed 30 years ago so that thermal competition gliders could zoom up higher on launch using very powerful winches. I was there when they did it (in Canada). Coincidentally such competition models were now strong enough to be packed up mountains in Europe, where they could do 250 miles per hour. These ones are optimized for dynamic soaring, but there's a cottage industry building and selling composite RC gliders for all purposes.

[FAflyer]

What size elevator servos do these models need with those speed forces ? Do they need to recharge the RX pack after every flight ?

[rcflyerplus]

Surprising - neat to move a craft that fast without a motor. Good stuff guys.

[OKBCK]

@ChrDam12321 gain momentum in strong wind, like swinging on a swing without touching the ground.

[ansh]

@superfattymatty RC means remote controlled. They only adjusts the direction the plane goes