Slope Soaring

Slope Soaring

Slope soaring is a fascinating activity that unfortunately few members enjoy. This might be due to the fact that is relatively unknown to the average aeromodeler.

In Limassol there are two suitable sites for this sport. The ancient area of Curium with very good lift characteristics and the Akrotiri slope (behind the Greek village Akrotiri) with moderate lift.

Each site has its own advantages and disadvantages. Fortunately they can be used as alternative to each other depending on wind force and time of day (Curium is not accessible on a 24-hour basis, being a guarded area).

Slope Soaring at Curium ancient site….

Another interesting activity from our club.

Some photos of the activity....

How Slope Soaring works!

By Kristis Vasiliou

Prevailing wind strikes the slope and as it cannot pass through the slope, it is then forced up and over. It is in this section of upward moving air that LIFT is produced.

The amount of lift produced is dependant on certain factors, such as wind speed, shape of the slope and air temperature. A wind of 30km/h is sufficient to create an up draught of 30km/h, that is why slope soarers are able to attain height quickly and then dive down, converting the height into speed.

A slope where the wind strikes dead-on (perpendicular to the slope) is ideal, as a side-on wind will greatly reduce the amount of lift produced by the slope. For the two sites already mentioned this is true when the prevailing wind blows from the West.

The lift-band can extend away from the slope for several hundred metres and way up above the top of the slope. This makes for a large flying area. As the wind recedes, the lift will start to drop-off and then it is time to head back to land on top of the slope. In this respect Akrotiri slope is by far better than Curium.

Emilios Kassianides, Alexis Kestas, Socratis Karamichalis, George Solomonides, Pambos Charalambous, Vakkis Yiangou, Darren Iosifakis and myself can be regarded as frequent flyers. Usually we meet on Saturday afternoons (April to September) and enjoy silent flying for several hours…..

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