AthletesElectric Propulsion Conquers the WorldThe development of electric flight dates back to the late 1950s and became properly known around the world for the first time when Fred Militky achieved a 23 minute flight with an electric free flight model FM 248. For more than 50 yearsIn 1960, an improved version of this model was put on the market by the German company Graupner as the modelling kit "Silentius". The big breakthrough came in 1971, when Fred Militky and Wolfgang Schwarze demonstrated the radio controlled electric glider model "Silencer" in front of an amazed audience at the F3A World Championships in Doylestown PA, USA. The first electric flight competions were held as early 1973, including the Militky Cup in Switzerland. Nearly everything that can flyIn Aeromodelling today, electric motors are a very commonly used means of propulsion for propeller planes. The possibilities of equipping model aircraft – either free flying or radio controlled – with electric propulsion are virtually limitless. This includes the smallest models with a weight of as little as 10 grammes up to large models of 20 kg or more. Technical advancements of recent years (construction materials, batteries, motor technology) mean that in principle every model aeroplane and every model helicopter or model jet plane can be operated electrically. Even in parks, sports stadiums and hallsElectric models are emission free and can be flown with very little noise. That is why flying ultra light-weight RC electric models made from balsa wood, expanded and other lightweight plastics in parks, sports stadiums and halls has very quickly become possibly the fastest growing trend of modern aeromodelling. A further important trend is flying small, intrinsically stable, radio controlled helicopters. Attractive World Championships and numerous meetingsThe first FAI Electric Flight World Championships for radio controlled electric glider models were held in 1986 in Lommel, Belgium. In later years Electric Pylon Racing World Championships were held at the same time. To date, world and continental Championships have been held jointly for these two categories. Current FAI competition classes
F5 - Electric FlightThe World Championship Classes in Electric Flight consist of F5B Glider and F5D Pylon Racing. The important element in both classes is the limitation of energy to slow down the aircraft, especially for safety reasons. The effect of power limiting is the prolonging of the battery life, which results in competitors having to combine efficient energy use with tactical and flying skills. CLASS F5B - ELECTRIC POWERED MOTOR GLIDERS This contest is a multi-task event for RC electric powered motor gliders of Distance and duration and Landing. These two tasks are executed in one uninterrupted flight. Model Aircraft specifications:
CLASS F5D - ELECTRIC POWERED PYLON RACING MODEL AIRCRAFT This class is a racing event for electric model aircrafts only. The race consists of 10 laps around a triangle measuring 400 m in circumference. The best competitors fly their model aircraft over a distance of more than 4 km in just 70 seconds or less ! Model Aircraft specifications:
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Events Calendar
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The 60th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2016
The 60th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett will take place from 15 – 24 September 2016 in Gladbeck, Germany, the epicentre of global gasballooning activities which will therefore provide for sure perfect conditions.
France takes the gold at the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017
The winners of the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017 said they were “overjoyed” to be awarded their FAI gold medals at a ceremony in Fribourg, Switzerland on Saturday 16 September 2017.
The 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Gas Ballon Race launched tonight
This evening 21 gas balloons from 13 countries launched from Gruyères airfield (Switzerland) that sits below the famous chateau for the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Race. Over the next few days the teams will aim to fly as far as possible, measured in a straight line from the launch field to the landing site. Meteorological experts are forecasting that the balloons will follow a north-eastern route.
Follow the race live at: gordonbennett.aero/livetracking
France takes the gold at the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017
The winners of the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017 said they were “overjoyed” to be awarded their FAI gold medals at a ceremony in Fribourg, Switzerland on Saturday 16 September 2017.
The 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Gas Ballon Race launched tonight
This evening 21 gas balloons from 13 countries launched from Gruyères airfield (Switzerland) that sits below the famous chateau for the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Race. Over the next few days the teams will aim to fly as far as possible, measured in a straight line from the launch field to the landing site. Meteorological experts are forecasting that the balloons will follow a north-eastern route.
Follow the race live at: gordonbennett.aero/livetracking
France takes the gold at the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017
The winners of the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017 said they were “overjoyed” to be awarded their FAI gold medals at a ceremony in Fribourg, Switzerland on Saturday 16 September 2017.
The 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Gas Ballon Race launched tonight
This evening 21 gas balloons from 13 countries launched from Gruyères airfield (Switzerland) that sits below the famous chateau for the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Race. Over the next few days the teams will aim to fly as far as possible, measured in a straight line from the launch field to the landing site. Meteorological experts are forecasting that the balloons will follow a north-eastern route.
Follow the race live at: gordonbennett.aero/livetracking
France takes the gold at the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017
The winners of the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017 said they were “overjoyed” to be awarded their FAI gold medals at a ceremony in Fribourg, Switzerland on Saturday 16 September 2017.
The 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Gas Ballon Race launched tonight
This evening 21 gas balloons from 13 countries launched from Gruyères airfield (Switzerland) that sits below the famous chateau for the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Race. Over the next few days the teams will aim to fly as far as possible, measured in a straight line from the launch field to the landing site. Meteorological experts are forecasting that the balloons will follow a north-eastern route.
Follow the race live at: gordonbennett.aero/livetracking
France takes the gold at the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017
The winners of the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2017 said they were “overjoyed” to be awarded their FAI gold medals at a ceremony in Fribourg, Switzerland on Saturday 16 September 2017.
The 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Gas Ballon Race launched tonight
This evening 21 gas balloons from 13 countries launched from Gruyères airfield (Switzerland) that sits below the famous chateau for the 61st Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Race. Over the next few days the teams will aim to fly as far as possible, measured in a straight line from the launch field to the landing site. Meteorological experts are forecasting that the balloons will follow a north-eastern route.
Follow the race live at: gordonbennett.aero/livetracking
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