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...

Club Flying at Menez-Hom

The text basically says "Club Flight from Menez-Hom Slope, Sunday, 1st April, 2018. The video quality is great, the location is epic and the flying is amazing. Click on image to watch the video. Be sure to let it load up.

VTPR Youth Movement

 Video courtesy CruchotsTeam

The young teen Cyril N., performing incredibly smooth and clean VTPR figures with very light wind conditions. Location, Bretagne French coast. We need youth in our sport for future growth and excitement, and Cyril is proving to his friends and the world what can be accomplished. He is a Pro before 20! AAA+ Cyril...

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.

VTPR means FUN

  

Video courtesy PLP35

This video captures the essence of VTPR flying - FUN. And of course the French are the best at it.
((( Pilots - Eric Poulain, Remi Le Besque, Alain Courtillon, Joel Metz & Pierre-Louis Poedras )))

EXCALIBUR'S in Tandem

Video courtesy Didier Hamon

Probably the most beautiful and tight RC glider pair's flying ever recorded!

OXID Planeur au VTPR

Video courtesy Pierrick Ubassy

Recent video of the OXID performing aerobatics in Totale and VTPR. This is a 2.7m glider looking really good in black & white video tone.

Build details and more videos of OXID here.

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.

VTPR 'Instant Scoring Contest' format

I am pleased to announce a new approach to VTPR Aerobatic contests on the slope and online video format. Its (fair), its (objectively simple) and it will promote enjoyment, excellent VTPR flying and camaraderie. Its (unique and fresh) in that your running score is almost instantaneous and made accountable to all who participate, including spectators on the slope and viewers online.

This newly formatted contest is called 'The Slope VTPR Instant Scoring Contest'. A similar criteria will apply to that of Aresti disciplines which have been successful for decades. I say similar as VTPR aerobatics has its own unique artistic culture that allows for certain Aresti imperfections in a pass yet is able to retain a certain artistic flavor. This is very exciting!

I invite pilots out there who really enjoy flying low to the ground and viewers who are becoming interested in this small yet great form of slope flying, to come onboard. If you will periodically check in we will be posting the format series in the 'Pages' section for your convenience. Part 1 of 7 is posted.

Thanks for your attention as this unfolds. New slope VTPR contests at your local slope and new video contests online will benefit with this format if you like to compete in a more relaxed and fair system such as this.

Video preview samples of the online format. Stay tuned for ALL the details.

"You are invited to judge and score these sample videos to what you think they deserve in a contest". I have and it is easy and informative. Give it a try...EJ

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.

Super-Jig Sport & VTPR flying

This is a converted Gigolo to a Super-Jig version with a 1.8m wingspan. It has a large rudder, larger full span ailerons, extra elevator throws and a mid wing mount. Nose moment is increased 50mm. I developed this version for the specific purpose to lower the wing loading and lowering its speed range for more maneuverability and response while lower to the ground. The plane flies much smoother and cleaner than the stock faster Gig. VTPR can now be had with this woodie. The conversion thread can be seen here.

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 ...

 

Classic Menez-Hom VTPR

.Video courtesy Poedras Pierre-Louis

Some great fun yet dangerous VTPR flying in classic Menez-Hom flying site fashion. Some of the composite planes flying here are the Sonic, Excalibur, Limande, Twister and more. All 2.5 meter size. Take special note how all the pilots line up and take turns doing their thing trying to match or out do their mates. More importantly there are no foam planes present. A sign of true and ultimate no holds barred VTPR! You get a real sense of friendship and a challenging experience versus just flying back and forth or alone in the sky speeding around aimlessly. VTPR truly is thee most comprehensive and fun flying style on the slope.

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

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.

Team Black Sheep USA - Monument Valley

Had to post this incredible FPV (first person view) video of some amazing flying and editing! A fantastic experience of a few minutes of very beautiful landscape and close encounters of the sandstone buttes up to 1000ft above the valley floor of famous Monument Valley in Utah. Team Black Sheep has really outdone themselves with this one. Video editing done by aufmschlau.ch productions.

For those not familiar, first-person view (FPV) flight is a type of remote-control (RC) flying that has grown in popularity in recent years. It involves mounting a small video camera and analog television transmitter on an RC aircraft and flying by means of a live video down-link, commonly displayed on video goggles or a portable LCD screen. When flying FPV, the pilot sees from the aircraft's perspective, and does not even have to look at the model. As a result, FPV aircraft can be flown well beyond visual range, limited only by the range of the remote control and video transmitter. (source wikipedia)

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 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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