Park flyer


The term park flyer denotes a class of small, primarily electric powered radio controlled aircraft, so named because their size enables some of them to be operated within the confines of a large public park. The smallest park flyers are called micro planes, they are slow enough to fly within an enclosed area such as a gymnasium or a living room;[1] while others require the open space needed for larger models due to size and/or speed. A model with low flying speed is more susceptible to wind and turbulence. Some park flyers cannot be flown in anything more than a light breeze: typically a wind speed of > 50% of the flying speed is the limit (although experienced pilots may enjoy flying with a negative ground speed).

This Grand Wing Servo-Tech Slow Stick is an example of an indoor/outdoor park flyer
E-flite UMX Yak 54 3D
The Official SQuiRT park flyer model used in the Wings Across America 2008 event
This Carl Goldberg Products model of a Yakovlev Yak-54 is an example of a high-performance, fully aerobatic park flyer-class plane
Braun Modelltechnik Stubenfliege indoor flyer
Aerial photography from a low-alt park flyer

Because of their size and relative ease of setup, ready-to-fly park flyers are among the most popular class of RC aircraft for beginners and advanced pilots alike. Advanced electronic and material technologies have aided in the development of high-performance, park flyer sized "3D-flyers", or fully aerobatic aircraft capable of extreme high g manoeuvres and nose-up hovering.

Park flyers are an inexpensive and convenient way for beginners to get involved in the hobby of RC flight. The modern materials used in the construction of these aircraft make field repairs possible even after significant crash damage. Their small size and quiet operation make it possible to fly them in residential areas. There are clubs designed to support beginners and operate as a central source for information regarding potential flight locations.

A parkflyer called the SQuiRT has been named "America's parkflyer" due to its travels around the United States of America traveling over 26,000 miles and being flown by over 700 different pilots. This is known as the Wings Across America 2008 adventure.

A note on safety: some 'park flyers' (especially small delta-wings) can fly at an appreciable speed. These can cause injury to passers-by in an accident. Pilots should consider what might happen if they lose control or have radio failure and fly into a person/dog/car/building; therefore keep at an appropriate distance. The Academy of Model Aeronautics 'recommends' a minimum safe distance of at least 50 feet from any spectators other than the pilot.

See also

References
  1. The 3.5-gram Aero Soarer series from TOMY has a minimum rotation radius of 3 meters. Official product site (in Japanese) Archived October 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
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