Club Info
If you enjoy flying RC sailplanes and are looking to connect with a vibrant and welcoming community, the Phoenix Model Glider Club is the perfect place for you.
We have many flying events but focus on three main areas of competition; F5J, F3L, and F3K.
F5J
F5J is an international RC soaring class where the objective is to keep a large, electric-powered glider airborne for exactly 10 minutes before performing a precision spot landing. The strategic “hook” is the launch height penalty: pilots use an onboard sensor to record their altitude at motor cut-off, and the higher they climb, the more points are deducted from their score. This creates a daring “chess match” where competitors must decide whether to launch high for safety or cut their motor dangerously low to maximize points, betting their entire round on the ability to find a thermal near the ground.
F3L
F3L (formerly F3-RES) is a “back-to-basics” soaring class that emphasizes affordability and traditional craftsmanship by requiring gliders to be primarily constructed of balsa wood with a maximum two-meter wingspan. The competition centers on a 6-minute flight and a precision landing, using only a rudder, elevator, and spoilers for control, which strips away the complexity of modern carbon fiber designs. Launched via a shared bungee “hi-start” system, F3L levels the playing field, making for highly accessible and social events where success depends more on a pilot’s ability to read the air and find thermals than on having the most expensive equipment.
F3K
F3K is a fast-paced RC glider class where pilots launch 1.5-meter sailplanes using a 360-degree discus-style throw, reaching heights of up to 80 meters through sheer human power. Unlike other soaring disciplines, an F3K round consists of a series of diverse timed tasks within a 10-minute window. It is often considered the most “hands-on” form of aeromodelling, stripping away motors and launch equipment to focus purely on the pilot’s athletic ability, reflexive handling, and the tactical skill required to find thermals at very low altitudes.
PMGC Glider Port
PMGC flies at a dedicated site located near Stanfield, AZ
Directions
GPS coordinates for the field: 32.93099° N, 111.89596° W
Driving directions:
- Using Sky Harbor airport as a general starting point- The contest field can be found by driving south on Interstate 10 and exiting I10 at Exit 185- the 387 (North Pinal Ave.).
- Continue south on the 387- N Pinal Ave. to the intersection with West Val Vista Blvd. and go right (west) on Val Vista. approximately 8.5 miles to the intersection with West Maricopa Hwy.
- Turn right, and go about 2.5 miles to North Anderson Rd. (left turn at a YELLOW sign-marked railroad crossing).
- Turn left over the railroad tracks and go about 4 miles south to West Barnes Rd..
- At Barnes Rd. (dirt) turn left and go east about 2 miles (passing the Evergreen Turf farm) to an old gate (marked No Trespassing) at the intersection with North Indian Valley Rd.
- The gate may appear locked but is not. Open the gate, drive thru, close the gate and secure as you found it. Hang an immediate left around the end of wooden pole laying on the ground to your left and drive north (passing by Evergreen Turf on your left) until you reach the flying field on your left.
Field Rules
- Pilots must have current AMA membership (see below) and obey all AMA and local flight regulations.
- Heavy rain may make Barnes Rd. difficult to travel. Please be careful.
- Leave no trace. Leave the field as clean or cleaner than you found it. Porta-pots will be on site
Join our thriving RC glider community today and experience the joy of soaring high with the Phoenix Model Glider Club. We can’t wait to welcome you into our friendly and enthusiastic group of flyers.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
PMGC is an AMA charted club #5592. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is the world’s largest sport aviation organization representing a membership of more than 170,000 from every walk of life. It is a self-supporting, non-profit group whose purpose is to promote development of model aviation as a recognized sport and worthwhile recreational activity. The AMA is open to anyone interested in model aviation and is the official national body for model aviation in the United States.