Tethered aircraft
A tethered aircraft is a model aircraft that is connected to the pilot by two thin lines during flight and moves on a circular path around the pilot. The lines serve not only to hold on, but also to control the aircraft. Tethered aircraft can be powered both electrically and with an internal combustion engine.
Definition of the tethered flight
Tethered flight means circular flight. A tethered flight model is an airplane model driven by one or more motors that is directly controlled by its pilot via lines.
The elevator is directly operated mechanically by means of a handle that moves a control segment attached to the model via two thin steel strands and the flight model is kept in a stable trajectory. With aerobatic models it is possible to fly over a flight area in the form of a hemispherical surface. The length of the control wire from the handle to the model is 12-20 meters, depending on the model size. Tethered flight models can be started by hand or from the ground with the help of a landing gear.
In the international tethered flight, a distinction is made between different classes in which competitions are held according to the provisions of the international sport code of the world air sports association FAI :
- F2A speed flight
- F2B aerobatics
- F2C Team Race (100 lap race)
- F2D Combat (fox hunting)
- F4B Scale (scale models)
- F4B-SC (Semi Scale)
- F2G (Electro Speed)
In addition, there are other classes that are very popular and allow simplified competitions to be held at national / regional level.
- BCD (Basic Carrier Deck)
- OTS (Old Time Stunt)
- MTR (Mini Team Race) and other sub-classes such as Rat Race, Indy, Club 30, Mouseracing (Cox) etc.
- F2A-B (speed beginner)
- F2B-A and F2B-B (aerobatics for beginners and advanced)
- Mini Combat