Beginners Start Here

New to RC soaring? You’re in the right place. Our club will help you take off quickly. First, get your paperwork in order by following the links below. As a member you’ll have access to three world-class soaring sites, a friendly Discord for quick questions, and weekend meetups where beginners are always welcome. Come to an event to watch, ask questions and meet a mentor who can help make sure your first launch is smooth and stress-free.

Get Your License

You can’t just fly anything wherever you want. The FAA controls the airspace. To legally fly an RC airplane anywhere, you need to complete a few steps.

FAA Registration
You must register with the FAA and pay a $5 fee every 3 years which covers all of your models. The FAA will give you a card with a registration number. You must carry the card with you whenever you fly and you must put the registration number on all of your airplanes.

TRUST Certificate
You must also take a free online test given by the FAA. It takes about 20 minutes and is impossible to fail. At the end you will be given a certificate that you should carry with you when you fly.

AMA Membership
A membership with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is not required for RC flying at your local parks, but it is required for membership with our club. Your AMA membership provides insurance (secondary to your homeowners’s) for any damages that you may cause to other people or property. You will also get an excellent monthly magazine. Carry your card with you when you fly.

Club Membership
Ready to join our club? Visit our membership registration page and fill out your information. Membership in our club gives you access to 3 world class flying sites, a monthly newsletter, an exclusive discord chat group and instant friendship with all the cool people.

Torrey Pines Glider Port Registration
Once you complete the above steps, you will be able to fly at the Encinitas and Poway flight centers. If you also want to fly at the Torrey Pines Gliderport, there is one additional step. This slope soaring site is shared with paragliders, so safety is a priority. To fly at this location you must go into the shop, sign a waiver, fill out a form and get certified by a fellow pilot. There is also a daily use fee. More information can be found on the concessionaire’s website.

Where Can You Fly

The TPG flying locations are registered as FAA Recognized Identification Areas (FRIA), so it is always ok to fly there if you are a member. Before you fly at a different location you should check the B4UFLY app to confirm that it is uncontrolled airspace.

If your airplane weighs more than 250g, and if you are flying it outside of a FRIA, then you must place a RemoteID device inside your airplane that broadcasts its identification to nearby pilots.

Recommended Starter Models

Buddy Box - Ask around in our club’s Discord server or come to an event and a member will be happy to let you fly one of their airplanes while connected to a “Buddy Box” which allows them to take over if necessary. No stress.

Used Model From a Club Member - Many members have a garage full of old airplanes that they no longer fly and which they may be willing to part with if they were going to a new member who is excited to learn. Ask around!

UMX Radian - Ultra-light, cheap, easy to fly. Motorized launch. Under 250g.

Radian - Big brother to the UMX Radian (2m wingspan). Classic airplane, stable, durable, easy to fly. Motorized launch.

Dream Flight Weasel - Popular slope soarer. Cheap and durable. Under 250g.

Dream Flight Libelle - Cheap foam DLG.

Flite Test Simple Soarer - Budget-friendly foam board kit that goes together quickly and is easy to repair. Slope Soarer and can be modified for bungee launch.

Transmitter

Get a transmitter with at least 6 channels. Spektrum is popular because it can connect with many popular store bought ready-to-fly models. Many club members also like FrSky equipment.

Get a Mentor

Before you fly your new airplane for the first time, meet up with an experienced club member and have them give your airplane a look over. It's very common for a new pilot to get the controls backwards, or have something adjusted incorrectly. Many club members are happy to help you get started and your new friend will ensure that you are successful. Someone from the club is flying almost every weekend, so ask around on Discord and plan a meetup.