Ascent Park Glider

About

The Ascent Park Glider is a small electric park-class glider with the kind of high-aspect-ratio wing and gentle handling that has been the entry point into RC soaring for generations of new pilots. Like every well-loved park glider, it earns its place in the hobby by being three things at once: slow enough to react to with confidence, durable enough to survive the inevitable mistimed landings of a learning pilot, and forgiving enough that a thermal hunt becomes a meditative exercise rather than a stressful one.

The recipe is timeless. A long, narrow wing with high aspect ratio captures the maximum lift from minimum airspeed, and gives the airframe the kind of sailplane silhouette that distinguishes a glider from a powered foamy at any distance. A small electric motor driving a folding prop provides just enough climb capability to gain altitude before the engine cuts and the real flying — the soaring — begins. Generous dihedral and a flat-bottomed airfoil provide self-righting stability so the pilot can take their hands off the sticks and watch what the airplane is doing in a thermal.

The bigger picture is the park-glider category itself. Whether the venerable Multiplex EasyGlider, ParkZone Radian, or any of dozens of similar designs from competing brands, electric park gliders have become the modern face of accessible RC soaring. They've replaced the need for a winch launch and a sloping hill with a simple climb-and-cut profile that fits any open field.

In the simulator

A peaceful starting point for new pilots, and a satisfying weekend flyer for experienced pilots looking for a low-stress soaring afternoon. Use it to learn thermal-soaring technique: climb to altitude on motor, cut the throttle, and read the air for the thermals that will keep you aloft. The high-aspect-ratio wing gives the kind of long glide ratio that makes mistakes recoverable. Pairs well with open fields and gentle valleys where soaring conditions tend to develop.