Celebrating 10 Years of VTPR

Originating in France, VTPR type of RC glider aerobatics has been flown over 3 decades. Even earlier back in the 1960's in certain forms that were called "freestyle" aerobatics here in America and abroad. There is a long rich history leading up to its concept, description and introduction by the French, to America and beyond.

This website was originally hosted by a previous server in 2009 and since 2012 has been bringing you French style VTPR content on the blogspot platform with excitement and dedication to the sport. We are very proud of our global reach in posting new content for your viewing pleasure, and will continue to do so.

Personally, I have been an RC slope glider enthusiast since 1992 in Southern California. This sport has been very enriching, fun and has made many advancements since those days and even more for those of you who have been sloping since the 60's. It’s incredible to see so many innovations in model equipment, design and flying types even in the last 10 years since this platform was launched.

Aresti type aerobatics with its pinpoint perfection figures has dominated the world and the American scene for decades and still does to this day with powered planes and slope glider modeling alike. It has been the foundation of what we do on the slope or the field aerobatically. Then around 2005, we heard about this French aerobatic type called VTPR (“Voltige Très Près du Relief”), described as “aerobatics very close to the ground”. And not within feet, but inches of the ground, even touching! It continues to gain popularity ever so slowly due to its extreme proximity to the hard ground. As a result of a core group of American VTPR pilots/modelers, since 2005 there have resulted new and exciting model designs and assembling techniques that has moved the marker forward into some amazing results. Wooden and EPP modeling has advanced into very lightweight designs all in order to hand the pilot a very neutral and highly aerobatic platform that produce maximum results in performance and fun never seen prior. Larger composite/crunchy type models have also advanced into the French VTPR mode and continues to do so. As of this writing the VTPR concept I believe has finally caught the American eye on the slope as a viable and permanent style/type from here on out.

In 2018 on this blog site, the VTPR milestone marker quietly moved again into a new concept coined PARK-VTPR or VTPR aerobatics performed not on the slope, but over the plain or flatland with electric motor assist MVG's “very close to the ground!” This new direction is going to prove both difficult and very rewarding. And we at VTPR Aerobatics are excited and happy to bring you the latest results of this slow movement into the flat with new model designs (as shown below), techniques, and flight videos we hope you enjoy and are inspired to move into your own PVTPR efforts. We are already seeing positive input and ideas from our electric power glider friends wanting to explore this concept.

Summing up, the prior 10 years have proven to be very positive and alive with advancements in the hobby. 2019 is looking like a year of new cutting-edge ideas in powered gliders, and flying low as you can go holds some positive promise as well going forward. It’s time to build and fly… EJ

Julian Benz as LOW as he can go!

MVG (motorized VTPR glider) preview video's for 2019...

Elegent VTPR

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 Video by Chiloschista Productions

Joël Metz flying his Air-100 at Menez Hom, Bretagne, France. Very elegant VTPR with a 370cm, 5100g Air-100 glider.

BIG 4m KOSTEZ

Uploaded by MrRasemotte on Jul 24, 2011

The KOSTEZ is a very large 4m VTPR/Totale glider that is scratch built in France, and designed by Thierry Dubois. This big aerobat is very graceful and agile for its size, and very impressive! The airfoil is the SB96V/VS aerobatic foil that has proven very effective in all glider sizes.

Information on Thierry Dubois Kostez construction can be seen here.

Instant Scoring VTPR Contest Interface

Welcome to the new ISC VTPR Contest format all in one place. The outline contains all 7 parts of this new aerobatic contest format and serves as a 'one-stop' dashboard of all the details.

I encourage you to look it over, make comments or suggestions that you think will add to the system. Share it with your fellow slope brothers and the slope community at large. As the poster suggests -

Try it and Fly it !

Part 1 - Instant Scoring INTRODUCTION

Part 2 - Instant Scoring BASIC GUIDELINES

Part 3 - Instant Scoring FIGURES,, CRITERIA, POINTS, FREESTYLE

Part 4 - Instant Scoring ONLINE VIDEO CONTEST

Part 5 - Instant Scoring JUDGING, SCORING

Part 6 - Instant Scoring V-CUP CHALLENGE ROUND

Part 7 - The MODELS

Original post



Thanks, Eric Johnson

Thanks go to Ian Cole of SlopeSoaringAustralia for his editing expertise



Le Fish with Air Brakes

Is your Le Fish too fast? This might be a solution in your quest of aerobatic slow and low flight we enjoy in VTPR. Chris van Schoor in Ireland has installed some depron speed brakes on his Le Fish ailerons to try and slow her down to enable more controlled acro maneuvering while maintaining good energy. As you can see his experiment appears to do a nice job netting more fun from his transformed glider. Give it a try, you might like it.

 

 

 



 

Le Sonic in VTPR & Totale

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A new video of Mike Ball and his rare Sonic 2.5m glider which he love's to fly. He demonstrates some very nice low French VTPR and some clean and fun aerobatics in Totale here. Did you notice the inverted tip and tail drags? Very awesome and true to the VTPR rule of "low" as it should be performed. And with an expensive cruchy bird to boot. This is what it means to take a "real risk" performing VTPR aerobatics putting it all on the line. Stay tuned for more Sonic VTPR coming from Southern California, USA.

Crunchy VTPR Rocks!

LQQK at this awesome shot of Le Sonic in total VTPR mode taken recently from a new video I filmed at Glider Point slope for the 2012 Slope Aerobatics contest. With the help of "video capture" techniques the Sonic and its pilot Mike Ball are displayed really doing it to it crunchy VTPR style!

As you are probably already aware we here at VTPR Aerobatics promote the really risky side of Slope VTPR perfectly willing to put our prized Sonic's and other crunchy ships in the danger zone for maximum thrill. We enjoy some of the foamy version models and they have served well training us towards this goal of crunchy VTPR. But the foamies just dont cut all of the mustard when it comes to beautiful, clean and risky VTPR. The payback is virtually no comparison. And thanks go to a handful of French pilots that have inspired myself and Mike to persue this dangerous yet fun style of RC aerobatics. There's no turning back...

See the video... Eric





STICTION "PSP" wooden VTPR Fun!

The STICTION 1.7m "PSP" is the second in the line of this size of wooden VTPR model. I'm very happy with its performance and durability. Weighing in at 25 ounces she has a 7.3 ounce wing loading on a SB96V/VS airfoil. We are finding the more we fly them they are great fun with no worries of breakage. This is good news for a woody now days and the stigma of crunchy fragility is pretty much gone! Larger than normal flight surfaces and its low mass construction are nice attributes allowing the pilot to fly worry free performing close to the ground aerobatics or fun fly with all kinds of control to the extreme. Like the prototype ZEPPELIN these aren't fast flyers but are highly maneuverable and inexpensive to construct. Give a woody PSP a try, you'll like it...

Good Lift...

LEROYER Flys Again!

Giullaume (William) Leroyer is one of the worlds top Voltige Totale and VTPR pilots. There are other videos of his masterful flying on this blog. I have had the priveledge of knowing him and his dad Michel through email while building my personal SONIC 2.5 glider. And I have grown to have great admiration for their flying and modeling skills but also their kind hearts and willingness to freely help me and others in modeling.

This is a brand new video Michel took of his son while on vacation in June flying some classic French VTPR on the coast of northern France after a 2 year layoff from flying anything RC. Here are his comments:

"After 2 years expatriated in CANADA for work, I've never touch a RC gliders, For my first return in town I was really excited to fly again with my old Sonic 2.50m, just to know if I lose my level in VTPR, Finally, with my father, we were near to the Menez-Hom in Bretagne and the weather was perfect for the spot called "Le chateau d'eau." All the feelings were there... RC gliders is like bicycle, you can't forget it... Sorry for the bad quality of the movie, I'm going to do my best in two years..."

As you can see this is some fantastic stuff in the higher air speed realms which Guillaume loves so much and he didnt miss a beat! We often talk about "slow and low" VTPR which we also see beautifully done by other great French pilots on the Menez-Hom slope. Guillaumes style is a little bit different utilizing the full speed range of his trusty blue-flame SONIC. He has admitted to me that he loves the faster elements of VTPR as it is more dangerous and allows more precise flight paths low to the ground with a composite model. Another way he puts it - "I like speed, I like to fly on the edge and touch the grass and to do that faster as possible because it will improve the challenges and reflexes..." To him and this author this style of VTPR is the ultimate in thrill, danger and satisfaction.

     

3.5m Foam AIR-100

A great video of Ludo's large 3.5m Air-100 in EPP being flown in Brest France. Here are some of his notes to me recently about the fabrication. This model looks like a lot of fun with its gentle and majestic flight characteristics making it perfect for low & slow VTPR. The roll rate is very good and is able to fly in a very small box. Very durable making a nice recipe for ultimate fun in a BIG way.

Caractéristiques :

envergure : 350 cm (environ)
longueur : 180 cm
profils : SB 98 VR/VS
masse : 3500g

Each wing half is 183 cm long (2 times the length of the loaves of EPP at GTI) and two 8mm carbon tube spars of D4 in to reinforce the intrados and the extrados. The trailing edge is cut so that its thickness is 3mm => just stick to it a flat carbon 3x1mm to stiffen the BDF and the fin. The whole is coated with liquid adhesive neoprene tape and taped to armed (roll width 400 mm: as you say he should not be missed when installing the tape ...)

The fuselage is also full EPP / carbon => 20kg/m3 density well enough given the present volume. The general form is made ​​with hot wire and then rounding are made with a cutter and coarse sanding block. Finally, a key wing carbon rod of 12 mm can be mounted quickly and easily all (not even the wings restraint, nipples centering at the trailing edge returning to strength ...

 

VTPR Fun-Fly, 2012

Video of some of the flying and photos of last weeks VTPR Recontre. We had a small turnout but loads of fun. The "limbo" was especially a great time with the lightweight PSP's. Had a real laugh and the planes got a real workout. No damage, just pure fun! Until next time, enjoy. EJ

SoCal VTPR Recontre - June 16, 2012

The 2nd Annual SoCal VTPR meeting is on this weekend at Glider Point, Yorba Linda CA. A slope with every type of topography for maximum VTPR flying. Weather is looking good with SW winds and cool air predicted for an afternoon of lots of FUN. This year we are having a "limbo session" beneath a 20ft span ribbon that is adjustable from 10ft and lower. There will be much "overland VTPR" flying within inches of the ground. Full frontal "on the edge" flying again within inches with fiberglass, wooden, foam and PSP purpose designed VTPR models up to 2.5 meter span. This year promises to be loads of fun for those who attend and spectate.  VTPR by its nature always has a surprise or two no matter the field of flyers. A great photo op for sure. Stay tuned for the coverage here next week... EJ

Crash & Fly woodies

Had a great day with Vol-Lent and discovered just how durable this plane is. By pilot error we learned the low mass inertia component of this design really supported its survival after a very hard crash. Also a unique lightweight and robust wing construction and CF tail boom performed flawlesly upon impact. Within 5 minutes I was able to fly it again with no issues.

Through this unique design wood aerobatic models can now be constructed in such a way that nearly equals the durability of a foamie! This is quite a leap from the old way of construction that for years has left wood designs in the dust but now you can re-enter the woodie VTPR world again with full confidence and great aerobatic and ground contact performance.

Air-100h fuse contoured

The fuselage is contoured to the original plans now. Canopy area needs cut out to make up the plastic screen. Next is to detail out the horizontal stab mount. 11 ounces as you see here.

Vol-Lent total build & fly video

I put this video together to show the details of the build with some excerpts of flying action. It covers the fuselage, feathers and wing. Get your favorite beverage and sit back and enjoy this unique and adventurous build.

Vol-Lent stills

Some still shots of Vol-Lent... 

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Inverted shots...

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Vol-Lent flight a success!

Happy to report the first real flight with some time on the Vol-Lent 2.5 was a success confirming the "girder boom" arrangement being functional and very durable. No issues concerning line of flight or pitch and roll. The plane flies right where you put it and with its low 52 ounce AUW she is very dossal and predictable. Look for more over-land VTPR videos and reports of this unique model. Its VTPR building and flying the old school way brought to you by yours truly. Boy this is FUN!

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Slope VTPR is center-stage on M.A.N.

I am very pleased to announce the new VTPR Aerobatics article by yours truly is posted on MODEL AIRPLANE NEWS, the #1 RC aircraft magazine in the world! Hats off to Debra Cleghorn for publishing, the greater VTPR community including Pierre’ Rondel of Planet-Soaring out of France. Steve Lange of SlopeAerobatics.com and the long list of dedicated slope aerobatic fliers and modelers for their contribution to the style.

Click here to read the article.

The American VTPR scene is now on track to a bright and growing future of which could not have been possible without the French European influence of such names as Gerard Prat, Eric Poulain, Remi Le Besque, Benoit Paysant-Le Roux, Guillaume Leroyer, François Cahour, Erwan Laurans and our own Dawson Henderson. These stalwart and innovative model designers and pilots are who VTPR hobbyists such as myself look up to for inspiration and example. The roots of VTPR is forever planted with such as these...

It’s been quite a ride and inspirational being a part of the VTPR vision here in America the last 2-1/2 years of which I’m very humbled. Let’s keep this train rolling and new models built and flying!  

Good Lift… Eric
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The VOL-LENT 2.5 walkaround

I couldn't wait any longer to try out my new VOL-LENT 2.5 meter glider. Lift and wind conditions were minimal at best but I was able to get a few minutes time on the ship walking away with a very positive report. In brief you may be shocked to see the flimsy empennage but with maximum durability in mind for the design it proved very stable in flight. No flutter or veering line of flight was witnessed or felt on the sticks. I admit this uncanny approach had me concerned when drawing it up and while assembling but it is actually a really neat deal and it is very durable and lightweight for a crunchy.

Specs:

Span - 2.5m (100")

OAL - 1372mm (54")

W.L. - 8.5 - 9oz

AUW - 50 - 54oz

I have begun a build thread on RCG should you wish to follow and ask questions. I have lots to share in my discovery of what has transpired on this unique design. Also if interested in building your own VOL-LENT I'm happy to share the build details and templates.

Limande 2.5 VTPR

Roselier2 by 215ronan

Limande is another fantastic VTPR model of world class caliber like Sonic and Excalibur. Ronan Calloch out of France is its designer. He has shared with me the veneer wing construction and its very lightweight wing joiner consisting of a short blade connection. Wing panels with Ronans special technique weigh in at an astounding 325 grams each! Watch for more new news coming in about the Limande... A+