Radio Controlled Slope Flying
I fly radio controlled electric sport planes, as well as thermal and slope sailplanes. Of all these types of flying, I find that I enjoy sloping the best. It's quite magical to be able to fly a motorless plane for hours (nonstop). Standing on the top of a hill with the wind in your face and your plane exploiting the same lift that the local hawks and swallows are using can be a near-religious experience sometimes.
For more information on RC flying check out RC Groups and be sure to read the electric and sailplane forums. And if you live near Naperville, be sure to check out the Chicagoland Slope Flyers forum at RC Groups.
Slope Sites at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
For those of you who don't know what the Sleeping Bear Dunes (SBD) are, they are a National Park in the Northwestern corner of the Michigan lower peninsula and R/C gliders are allowed at specific sites there. The SBD are near the towns of Empire, Glen Arbor, and not too far from Traverse City. The SBD cover a rather large area but the locations mentioned are no more than 10 miles in one direction or another from Glen Arbor, for example. So, it's not like you're driving more than 20 minutes or so to get somewhere.The process for flying at SBD:
- Go to Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitor Center in Empire. Empire is a small town. If you drive to Empire, you'll find the Visitor's Center.
- If you don't already have a park pass, buy one - $10 for a week pass; $20 for an annual pass.
- Ask to get a permit for R/C gliders. It's a free permit and you need AMA. (I think I was the first permit issued the year I went and I showed up in August.)
- The ranger will show you where to fly. The allowed locations are:
- Empire Bluffs
- Pyramid Point
- Stop #9/#10 on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
- Dune Climb (only between November and May).
My thoughts on the flying sites:
Empire Bluffs -
Don't even bother. It's a long walk to the site. The site has no discernable landing zone and if you need to retrieve the plan below you, it'll be a tough walk. That said, you should still make the trip just for the view.
Pyramid Point -
This site is for northerly winds. It's a pretty easy walk to the site - 0.7 miles with only a mild incline. The landing zone is practically non-existent. You basically have to fly the plane into the slope at your feet or there-abouts. Retrieval down the slope would not be pleasant, but it is do-able. That said, if the winds are out of the north, you'll have a hard time getting the plan down let alone worrying about it falling to the base of the dune. There is a plane-eating tree at the left (west) side of the launch zone. When launching, I would suggest at least launching from the right side (when facing out to the lake) of the site. In retrospect, I would also suggest stepping over the "ledge" and launching from the steeper part of the slope. This should help keep the trees out of play, so to speak. This will give you more space to land, too. I also suggest going first thing in the morning since I think there won't be as many people showing up. Given the smallish size of the clearing, if there are other people there you really shouldn't fly, imo.
Stop #9/#10 on the Scenic Drive -
This site is for westerly winds. If the winds are favorable, this is the best site of the bunch. This is the easiest site to get to. Nearby parking, easy walk. It also offers the best landing zone. People generally stay on a boardwalk at the site and so by walking down onto the dunes, you can get away from the people and have a nice big landing zone behind you. Retrieval down the slope would be unpleasant but again do-able.
