Tethered Flight—Fun for Everyone! (Part 1)

Tethered flight is the oldest method of deliberately and safely controlling a model aircraft.

Nevertheless, you often hear people say that tethered flight is too technical, too time-consuming, and too specialized. Admittedly, anyone who competes in tethered flying in the categories of speed, aerobatics (acro), team racing, or combat is a “specialist” who invests a great deal of effort and time in their hobby. But they’re rewarded with the opportunity to compete and experience great camaraderie, such as at the upcoming World Championship in France, where over 300 competitors from 40 nations will participate. In the following, I’d like to show how you can also enjoy tethered flight just for the sheer fun of it:

The “average” model airplane enthusiast surely enjoys, first and foremost, a beautiful model airplane. But what does “beautiful” mean? I think most of us like a model that’s as faithful as possible to an original aircraft—with all its functions—and is easy to fly. But not everyone is a gifted model builder or has the time for a complex build. Today’s market offerings really meet our needs in this regard. Anyone browsing the relevant model aircraft magazines or websites is spoiled for choice between ready-to-fly models, semi-finished kits, or prefabricated kits. You can find wonderful models to suit every taste and budget. But—all of these models are RC models. I

I say: no problem! With relatively little effort and some good instructions, these can be converted into tethered-flight models. Of course, models modified in this way can only be controlled up and down using the elevator—just like a tethered-flight model. It only really becomes fun when all the additional functions (motor speed, retractable landing gear, landing flaps, lighting—

(such as landing, etc.) can be controlled using a remote control. This, too, is no problem: The pilot steers the model with one hand and operates the remote control with the other. Several experienced tethered-flight pilots have already adopted this idea and are having a great time flying so-called semi-scale models.

Three years ago, the F2 Tethered Flight Technical Commission launched an international competition that includes such semi-scale models. It takes place at the “Hard 2000” tethered flight facility in Untersiggenthal, and will be held again on August 18–19, 2018. Participants from Germany and Austria are expected, as well as, for the first time, participants from the Czech Republic. So anyone interested in this type of model flying can come that weekend to gather valuable information and inspiration.

I will explain exactly how an RC model can be converted into a tethered-flight model in

in an upcoming issue of “modell flugsport.” But—modifying an RC model is one thing; actually flying it is quite another. Don’t worry—tethered flight is easier than many people think. Young people have already managed to fly on their own after just two or three takeoffs. However, it’s certainly not recommended to try this without expert supervision. It would be a shame to ruin the model and dash your anticipation. That’s why we’ll be publishing a list of contact addresses for line-flying enthusiasts on our website, www.fesselflug.ch, who are happy to offer advice and assistance.

That leaves one question: Where can you go tethered flying? Even though there are only two actual tethered flying fields in Switzerland: “Schwalbennest” in Büsserach, SO, and “Hard 2000” in Untersiggenthal, AG, you can fly the aforementioned models on any reasonably well-maintained lawn (RC model airfield, sports field, etc.). With electric motors, this is no longer a noise issue. In any case, however, you should check with the landowner beforehand and have someone with you to ensure that no one enters the flight zone.

Heiner Borer