The world's fastest model aircraft is a glider, a specialised slope-soarer being flown off the top of tall mountains in the US by pilot Kyle Paulson. During recent speed trials, it was timed at 301 mph.
 

The world's highest flight was performed by US pilot Maynard Hill. His model achieved an altitude gain of 27,000 feet.
 

Word's greatest flight duration for a radio-control model aircraft is 39 hours.
 

The world's longest flight, covering the most distance in a straight line, was a staggering 1,882 miles, or 3030 km. How much fuel did the aircraft carry for the flight? Exactly one gallon. The model took-off on one side of the Atlantic Ocean and landed on the other side, helped along the way by a home-made autopilot and satelite navigation systems.
 

The FAI world record flight duration for a glider is 36 hrs, 3 mins.
 

FAI world record for duration by an electric model is 15 hours, 36 mins.
 

FAI world record for altitude gain by an electric model is 14,892 feet
 

FAI world speed record for an electric model is 176 mph.
 

FAI world record for fastest control-line model is 246 mph, achieved using a jet turbine.
 

The world's fastest RC pure jet model flies at 272 mph.
 

The world's fastest RC piston-engined aircraft exceeds 213 mph.
 

Australia's fastest model glider is flown by a local, Eric Smith of Byron Bay. His glider has been clocked at 171.5 mph.
 

The world's most unusual power source: the world's smallest model aircraft weighs in at less than 0.1g. It is powered by a horse fly. No, that's not a spelling mistake. The model was built and flown by Don Emmick of Seattle, USA. Now that's thinking outside the box.
 

The world's most promising power source: Despite the advent of the use of insects as model aircraft power systems, perhaps the most interesting new development, one that seems destined to have future benefit for our slow-fly fans, is a power source that weighs even less than a horse fly. An aircraft has recently flown that uses a power source that weighs nothing at all. And you or I could build this aircraft from parts we can buy at our local model aircraft hobby shop and the electronic component outlet next door to it.

NASA scientists have recently designed, constructed and successful flown a radio-control model aircraft that uses light as its power source. The aircraft, a typical slow-flyer design, has a large bank of very small photo-voltaic cells strung along the bottom of its fuselage. All you need to take-off and fly is to shine a torch on the aircraft.

Looking into our crystal ball, we see a time coming when we will be able to power light-weight models by bathing them in low-wattage laser beams.