The Slope

Flying on the slope, is possible with a great variety of models and flying methods. You fly with 3 kinds of conditions: thermic, dynamic and thermodynamic. The thermics are hot air bubbles coming out of the ground heated by the sun. On the slope, differently from plains, thermics have higher intensity and you can often see models, even very heavy, that passing through them climb vertically as if they were lifted. Dynamic flyght is possible taking advantage of the wind blowing against the slope. The tecnic is to fly following an imaginary 8 and performing turns outward (cross wind). If there is only dynamic, highest reachable altitudes are at around 50 meters above the slope. This kind of fligt is more thecnical too, because by one side requests more efficient and faster models, and while by the other hand it doesn't forgive in case of turns at slow speed facing the slope. The best condition is surely the thermodynamic. The slope is also exellent to test models: Throwing a model by hand while on plain at two meters altitude, very often neither gives you time enough to trim it; throwing it from slope you have all the time you need to apply proper adjustments! Another big advantage flying on the slope is that you can try landing as many times as you want, as long as you are sure you are on the right heading and altitude. This picture can give you an idea of the landing spaces we get on our two best slopes. The choice of models to be used is quite personal: in the beginning you mostly fear to throw your own model from an overhanging, thinking it won't climb up again! Quite because of this, J started with a zagi, that surely is not the top as of efficience, but let you get fun without fear of risky acrobatics. to reach our slopes, coming from Rome on A 24 higway, you have to pass over L'Aquila and get out at Assergi. Then go on towards Montecristo. You can throw from the square, facing south west and there is a wide landing. Once you pass Montecristo after 10 km there is Fossa di Paganica: you can park on the square and climb by foot up the montain to the left (10 minuts). It's a wery attractive slope "panettone cake" with possible throw sout and west.