Thames Valley Silent Flyers (TVSF) is a silent flight model flying club.The club was established in 1983 and has flown models from various sites near Bracknell. The members fly both gliders and electric powered model aircraft.
Our flying fields are in Warfield near Bracknell.
We also fly gliders on slope soaring sites in the local area.
Slope soaring flight is possible when the prevailing wind blows directly on to the face of a suitably shaped hill. Locally there are sites at Kingsclere, Butser Hill and Marlborough.
In the right conditions, when there is an abundance of lift on the slope, it allows many types of model to be flown: large scale representations of scale gliders and glider versions of powered aircraft. Slope flying also allows models to be used to practise aerobatics and to polish up general model flying skills.
Members also participate in aero-towing events, although not at our field in Warfield.
At an aero towing event radio controlled tug aircraft tow a model glider up to height. The glider is released around 1000 feet plus to seek out thermal lift before landing. Special permission is required from The Civil Aviation Authority(CAA) to hold an aerotowing event.
We also have a contest calendar, events are normally held on a weekend but we also have mid-week thermal and electric soaring contests. We hold a Discus Launch Glider(DLG) contest on some summer evenings and weekend afternoons.
For those not contest-minded there is plenty of sport flying, usually at the weekend but the field can be used 7 days a week by those who have sufficient leisure!
We have occasional 'Days Out' on a weekday when we visit a more distant slope site for a change of scenery and twice a year we organise 'mini holidays' of 7 days duration.
On this trip we can accommodate up to 18 members in North Wales, where we fly over the sea from coastal sites which is great fun.
TVSF is a British Model Flying Association (BMFA) affiliated club, therefore all club members must be members of the BMFA and be authorised by the CAA to fly models legally in the United Kingdom.
Trainers are available in the club for new members to bring them up to a safe and competent level in line with BMFA standards.
The TVSF subscription is currently (for 2025) £10.00. Joining after 1st September the fee is £10.00 . There is also £49.00 for BMFA membership if arranged via the BMFA membership portal and there is an initial TVSF club joining fee of £0. However, junior members are expected to pay only £20.00 or family junior £15.00 for BMFA membership. TVSF Membership runs from January 1st each year. There is also a £10.33 fee for CAA registration which can be arranged via the BMFA portal.
Membership entitles new members to the use of our field, and attendance at our monthly meetings which are held at the Binfield Social Club near Bracknell, or on Zoom, on the first Monday of the month.
If you would like to talk to us about membership, then please use the form below to get in contact with us.