TPSSS History

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego has been home to radio-controlled soaring for over 50 years. In 1956, a world record for R/C soaring endurance of over 8 hours was established at Torrey Pines by Dr. Bob Chase. At that time, the radios used to control model gliders were bulky and heavy. Wood and fabric models had to be strong enough to carry these electronics aloft, and control systems were typically "bang bang" escapements. The pilot would offer a command to the transmitter and the receiver on board the aircraft deflected the control surface (typically only a single-channel rudder surface) to a position fully to the right or left depending on the command. The pilot had to then wait until the turn was completed before commanding the aircraft back to neutral rudder or right rudder.

 

During the 1960s, electronics became smaller, and local companies such as Kraft offered their own control systems to the model airplane enthusiasts. These systems offered proportional control of multiple surfaces. By the 1970s, the control systems had developed to such a point that up to 7 channels could be controlled by a single transmitter. Such a control system really allowed the pilot to explore the opportunity of controlling a scale model glider using exactly the same surfaces as the original.

 

The Torrey Pines Gulls, the first local club to operate model gliders at Torrey Pines, began in ~1970. Scale modeling was not a focus – it was simply a sufficient challenge to remain aloft for extended periods of time. Early attempts at R/C scale model sailplanes at Torrey came from enthusiasts who added R/C equipment to free flight scale models such as the popular Sterling kits of Schweizer sailplanes at 1/6 scale. Graupner, a model company in Germany, offered the first plastic fuselage kit – the Cumulus, and later the Cirrus – these were durable models with "semi-scale" appearance. Another popular scale model was a 1/5 scale Glasflugel 604, which was offered as a kit in the U.S. Curiously, the first "one design" contest held by the Torrey Pines Gulls was with the popular foam Canyon Plastics Schweizer 1-26, which was durable, but only very "loosely" scale. Modelers in the 1970s who were truly interested in scale soaring either were forced to purchase these "semi-scale" kits or scratch build their own scale models from plans in the various modeling magazines. For most, scratch building was a very large hurdle.

 

Slowly, several manufacturers world wide began developing truly scale model kits using foam and fiberglass construction. One of these kits was a ¼ scale Kestral 17 offered by Ralph Learmont who operated Southern Sailplanes of Melbourne, Australia. In 1974, Larry Fogel ordered one of these kits from Australia, and hired an expert builder in Encinitas to complete construction. By May, 1975, this glider, operated with 7 channels (rudder, elevator, flaps, spoilers, ailerons, and retractable gear; pictured above) was ready for its maiden flight at Torrey Pines. The glider was larger than many had ever seen, and made full use of the latest radio controlled equipment that Kraft had to offer. So special were the flights with this aircraft that many other modelers would simply land so that they could sit and watch. Many flights were made with this model - the first truly ¼ scale model to fly at Torrey Pines – and it ushered in a new era of R/C flight. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, with a favorable U.S. dollar to German mark ratio, modelers began buying scale model kits from Germany in earnest. Germany offered some of the best kits for essentially any modern sailplane. The 1980s resulted in a tremendous increase in local interest in R/C scale soaring.

 

Because of their size, cost, number of channels, requirements for a longer approach path, etc., flying models of this size took a great deal of effort and skill. In addition, specialized launching methods such as bridals and/or dollies for winch launching and the possibility of aerotowing, generated a community that was specialized in these efforts. This community recognized its difference from the "standard" slope models being flown at Torrey Pines and also recognized the importance of training newcomers to scale modeling so that safety remained a main concern. The Torrey Pines Scale Soaring Society was born in 1990 from this effort.

 

Together with the Torrey Pines Gulls, scale soaring meets were held in the 1990s which attracted a large audience of scale modelers from across the western U.S. to both Torrey Pines and Poway in San Diego, CA.  Today, scale model sailplanes can be of modern sailplanes, or vintage sailplanes, or even jet aircraft modeled as gliders, all in exacting detail. Model sailplanes are routinely aerotowed or winched at locations other than Torrey Pines using scale powered models to pull the gliders aloft.

 

Several of our members have been instrumental in helping to preserve the Torrey Pines Gliderport and local soaring history not only for the aeromodeling community but all forms of motorless flight. As a result of these actions, the Torrey Pines Gliderport has been recognized as the first National Model Aviation Landmark of the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

 

Come join us as we continue to foster growth this decidedly different segment of the aeromodeling community.