I was riding my bike along side this river in Tokyo yesterday afternoon. The weather was perfect and there was a steady mild breeze. I looked up in the sky and saw what I though, at first, were two birds soaring high overhead. They appeard to be hovering still for a few moments, then broke away and dived a hundred feet or so, leveled off just 15 feet above ground and swept across a patch of tall grass. Then they lifted and soared silently back up to what seemed over 200 feet! By this point I realized that these were two R/C gliders and they were obviously being piloted by some extremely skillfull flyers. This was the first time I have ever seen R/C gliders, although I am in the process (still) of building my first. It was one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. I could not believe the acrobatics, the speed and the height that these gliders flew. It was truly inspirational and has motivated me to get my glider kit together as soon as possible! I plan to go back there, and next time try to find the people who were flying these things. Hopefully I can learn a thing or two from them.
- MB