Sky Surfing Club Flying Diary

New Glider

2011-11-20T20:53:00.001Z

I have been very lucky and acquired an "as new" Airborne Shark. C/w a pair of spare uprights that hope I will never need!
If any one is going out please give me a call. I am keen to get my first flight in at Harting or Mercury or possibly Swanborough[NE private site HG only with nice TL and BL] near Newhaven.
If anyone is thinking of a new glider the guy I bought this from has a laminar topless also in immaculate condition.

Ian P

Ringstead 21st October, windy sunset flight.

2011-10-21T22:27:00.001+01:00

I got to Ringstead about 3.30pm and watched the hangies fly about for a few hours waiting for the wind to drop enough for paragliding. By 5.30pm it seemed to have dropped a bit (maybe my imagination or wishful thinking!) and gone south so I set my kit up on the hill. Sods law, it seemed to pick up as soon as I clipped in and I spent 5 minutes holding on for dear life as the wing thrashed about. I took my chance in a short dip in the wind to get up and away. Penetration was ok, sometimes no ground speed at trim speed, guessing wind was 18-24mph. After getting great height on the ridge I pushed forward on half bar towards the cliffs, easily making it with loads of height. I'm very impressed with the Gin Sprint as it penetrated the wind very well, as it can be difficult to get to the cliffs on a paraglider in a southerly. On the cliffs the lift band was huge and it was very easy to get very high considering the wind was off the cliffs. If only I had launched earlier I could have made it to Lulworth and back easily. As it was I had a bimble about for a while and then landed in the back field just before sunset. Peachy in the end and I had the site to myself!

I also have some photos from St Aldhelms Head last Sunday, beautiful Skysurfers outing with myself, Darren Griffin, Neil Withers and Simon Vacher. We had a couple of hours there before moving to Kimmeridge for another couple of hours there. Have to be greedy with airtime this time of year, as good conditions are few and far between.

Photos here

Richard

Ringstead - Friday 21st October

2011-10-21T21:02:00.000+01:00

Cracker of a day.Overcast until mid-afternoon, then the sun made an appearance. Solid and consistent 18-20mph SW backing slightly by teatime. Ian P. and I arrived around 11am, rigged and flying by noon. Even the hill was working to 400ft with gentle lift wafting up from the farm. Best height on the cliffs 900ft. Ian enjoyed 3 flights and top landings – another new site. I accrued over 2.5hours airtime. We were joined later by a couple of Wessex pilots, but otherwise had the place to ourselves. Perfect day to relive during the coming winter months!

Brian.

Bell Hill - Monday 29th August

2011-08-29T21:36:00.000+01:00

More breeze and more sunshine than forecast. Arrived just after 11am with Ian P., (new site). Parking space was at a premium. As expected, packed with PG but good to see several HG as well.

Breeze picked up not long after we arrived and PG were grounded for most of the day. The hangies enjoyed themselves with good height gains, (I got 2,200ft ATO on my 40min flight.) Lots of usable lift. Good to see Tony B. having a couple of long soaring flights.

Top field still in high crop which put me off. After watching a number of tricky landings I elected to land at the bottom and join Ian who totalled 3 flights. A very pleasant day.

(Other SSC pilots went to Westbury – what was it like there, chaps?)

Brian.

Blorenge Fly In

2011-08-29T20:55:00.003+01:00

Headed to the Blorenge for the SE Wales fly-in. I was the only SSC Hangie, in fact there were only about 5 in the whole event. Forecast was not great and turned out to be pretty windy, Saturday blown out so on Sunday headed for the coast. Had a corking day at Rhossilli, never flown here before and what a lovely site. Unexpectedly, for a coastal site, I hooked into something that took me all the way to base at 3k.

Thanks to the SSC PG crown for entertaining me, we had a good BBQ on Saturday night.

Had to return home for parenting duties on Monday which looked far better.

James

P.S am I the only person reading or using this blog?

My Favourite Site, 8th August

2011-08-09T23:45:00.003+01:00

My favourite site.....at the beach in Cornwall. No phones, email, computers, deadlines, clients, haven't shaved in over 2 weeks, no TV, no bills to pay, no traffic jams, no junk mail.......just a smooth and steady onshore breeze acres of pristine sand and the smell of salt in the air.

Thanks to Brian P for the donation of my new beach glider...she will be happy in retirement down here!

James

Combe Monday 25th July

2011-07-25T22:41:00.001+01:00

A good day at combe. More westerly than ideal on the hill but plenty of climbs to be had. Left in big gaggle at midday and flew together for the next two hours. Blue thermals to 6000ft and very good visability, Spinaker tower at Portsmouth and Isle of wight easily visable from 5 grand above Combe! Loads of sailplanes about and we had a great view of a Pitts flying aerobatics between popham and lasham below us. A bit rough a times at the inversion and increasingly windy, we were caught by the top cover comming from the west and all landed just short of Butser for 50k. Ken W retrieved us after two hours sat in the pub at west meon.

Chris J

Bell Hill Sunday 24th July

2011-07-24T22:00:00.000+01:00

Lovery day at Bell today. Sky didnt look that gret, overcast but on arrival but some dark bases were forming. Paragliders were blown out by 12.30 and whilst it was off to the west at first it came on from 1pm onwards.

Very buoyant and climbs to cloudbase at 2800 ATO. The arrival of some sea air after 2 limited height gains but still very flyable.

James

Westbury - 14th July 2011

2011-07-15T21:56:00.001+01:00

Westbury 14th July 2011

Conditions just about as good as it gets - 10Mph Northerly, very unstable, nice big fluffy Cu's every 5 miles.
Took off at around 12, up to 4500ft in around 10-15 minutes, then down to behind Bell hill where I had a TP. Struggled a bit to get to TP (why are they always in a blue hole - odds on I guesss!) so flew a few miles away to PG's going XC, got up, refused to share cloud with fellow PG (two is one too many) and embarked on long trip back home in the 10-ish Mph headwind. Conditions steadily improved, with some incredible lift but also corresponding rapid sink in between clouds. Nice to be in shorts at 5500ft and not feel cold, felt like Florida! Flew back into Westbury at around 3:15 feeling very happy with the day. Trace below.

Loads of HG's out (incl Tim, Brian), quite a few went XC, but the large gaps made it difficult for some. PG's seem to be scaring themselves - it was very unstable.

Nev

Harting Down 13th July 2011

2011-07-14T23:29:00.001+01:00

You know how it goes – haven’t flown for nearly a month, desperation rising and then a good forecast. Having convinced yourself you are going flying in three days time the forecast slowly deteriorates, but some how you convince yourself that you have got it wrong, so you ask everyone else what they think in the vain hope that they will highlight to you that the forecast is in fact as it was three days ago. Its hopeless, you are going no matter what, some kind of homing beacon drawing you to the hill regardless of conditions.

And so I went to Harting on Wednesday afternoon, rigged and ready to fly by 1.30. The sky was overcast but there were some clouds around with good dark bases and plenty of wind, slightly off to the west (far from ideal). After taking off it turned out to be typical Harting conditions; lumpy broken lift that is difficult to soar and I resigned myself to a flight close to take off and close to the ground. After 15 mins I was at minus 59ft ATO and eyeing up the bottom landing, already cursing the sport, my lack of time to go flying, and formulating how my blog entry might read.

Then I got a low save just in front of the main spur and found room to put in a few turns, I was soon at 1000ft ATO and headed over to the beacon where I got another climb to 2k. Then had a very pleasant 45 mins in a fairly buoyant sky.

Graham G was out on his Target and put in a good flight and top landing.

Second flight ended in typical Harting style…..at the bottom.

James

Real Dads at Butser West on Fathers Day

2011-06-19T20:13:00.002+01:00

Promised my son Thomas that I would take him swimming today as it looked to windy today to go flying. When I woke up I was asked, "are you sure you don't want to go flying today it doesn't look that windy". As it was fathers day I could of course exercise my right to change my mind without any fear of recrimination. After procrastinating for an hour I was on my way to Butser.

Arrived to find another Dad, Grant, rigging. I started getting set up and it promptly rained, heavily. I considered going home again to try and go swimming before the day was a right off but decided to wait a while. It came good in the end and we had a nice afternoon in some buoyant air, wind was a bit strong and mashed up the thermals at times.

James

1st June Rybuy Hill

2011-06-02T11:14:00.001+01:00

Fun day in the end, nothing close to the forecast, almost complete cloud cover and drizzle when I turned up at 12! Snotty and windy on hill (usual rybury) so took a windy rough climb, eventually got to base 10k from the hill, about 3400ft. The glider I was with disappeared into cloud and I never saw it again for an hour... some good lift lines under the cloud and shared some really rough thermals with sailplanes who were all over the place, and quite a few in fields below. Once past combe there was no sun anywhere so headed towards the m4 / a34 junction where I saw the white glider I had started with. dribbled along for a bit together but the end was inevitable. Thanks to Lawrence for the retrieve.

Chris J.

photos. 21/May Ringstead

2011-05-23T10:18:00.001+01:00

for photo's see Wessex Sky in Eye Report by Grant Oseland

Wayne

Sat May 21 Ringstead

2011-05-23T09:48:00.001+01:00

ah; so you were all at Milk!

Ringstead was on with a 10-15mph SSW which allowed myself & Derek with a bunch of local PG pilots to enjoy runs to Lulworth in the east & Osminton Mills to the west! The air wasn't bumpy or crowded!

Ok, I only went as far as Durdle Door as the max hieght I had was only 1200ft asl, those who went further came back low!

As for going east I had 750ft asl at Hannas Ledge looking at the jump across Osmington Mills but chickened out!

The glide back to Ringstead was very informative for future flights!

[Read Nev's article on this coastal challenge]

Later in the day the air went S/SSE & the run to Durdle Door only gave me 400ft ato (900asl) & then it went very strange so the top landing beckoned!

It was one of the nicest days that I have ever had at Ringstead.

Brian & Ian arrived to late in the day to fly having been to Mere!

safe flying & above all enjoy it!

wayne

Milk Hill 21 May

2011-05-21T22:42:00.003+01:00

Hang glider jamboree at Milk Hill today dominated by Sky Surfing Club. Some got away others just had fun. Great sky, rough at times and a tad windy but plenty of airtime.

James

Sunday 15th May Westbury

2011-05-16T10:58:00.001+01:00

Firstly my apologies to Babs & co who heard the "expletive" as I took off Vertically. There was also a suggestion that I went slightly backwards! (I hadn't reached my take-off point!)
After that excitement it couldn't get worse-could it?
The air was smooth but strong, I could feel something different with the Atos & as I turned over the White Horse all hell broke loose! The glider vibrated violently with the control frame shaking!
I kept her straight & level in the 25mph+ breeze & looked around to see what was wrong. Nothing appeared broken or loose. Tail & winglets were still attached but there was vibration through the glider. This eased below 25mph but was violent above! Due to the increasing wind strength I was flying at 30mph & decided to alter my normal landing approach ie set up at 200ft over the northern end & glide in.
I was expecting something to break & life to become very interesting so the approach was low & fast. The plan almost worked until I was about to touch down in the bumpy air & I got dumped the last 4ft. The left upright needs repairing but hey I was on the ground & safe!
The cause of the vibration:- The nose cone had come loose from the top surface & was flapping. This disrupted the airflow over the tail! ( which was trying to compensate & keeping the pitch control within tolerances)
So lesson learnt:- My pre-flights always include checking the nose cone, now I will use superglue!

Stay safe & have fun

Wayne
Atos VR

FRiday 13th May & Saturday 14th May

2011-05-14T19:43:00.001+01:00

FRiday 13th May - Ringstead; Nice soaring in a steady sea breeze, 3 HG's & 3~4 PG's. Nev

Saturday 14th May - Westbury; Good sky, but a tad strong; av. 18, but rsing to 25, sometimes 30 when good clouds nearby. I launched at 1pm and immediately put everyone off, even myself. Flew to 3500ft where it was smoother, probably a good XC day (but I had commitments and had to be derigged by 2:45pm). Really strong and turbulent climbs, flew for 20 minutes, found a smooth patch to descend in and hoped that the same smooth air would be in the landing area - it was, phew.

Nev

New British XC record

2011-05-12T21:08:00.000+01:00

Well Done Nev Almond
New British record of 282 km via turn points
or 167 miles launch to end point in HG money
Milk Hill to Cley by the sea (Cromer Norfolk)

Mercury, 4th May

2011-05-04T22:36:00.001+01:00

Arrived at Mercury at 10:20 with an OK-ish forecast, looking like a blue day, but living in hope for some Cu's to show us the way. Forecast 4up thermals & 12mph +blue meant that open distance was probably the only option, so declared goal north of Aberystwyth on the welsh coast. Too off at 11:25, and started creeping over the back at 11:30, with 2800ft asl and bitty lift, edging towards the West Meon Hut and then the Fourmarks area, after which it opened up to 4k, then eventually 5k by the A303 (Popham). Onwards to Whitchurch was quite good, giving me confidence to continue albeit the blue sky (still no clouds). However, after Whitchurch I regularly have to fly down to 1000-1500ft before finding lift, mostly 3-4 ups but a few corking 7 ups. Flying without clouds is like roulette, and I eventualy landed at 2pm after 60 miles at Cricklade, between Swindon and Cirencester. I only saw one sailplane en-route, and heard that a few Lasham pilots cut short there 300km tasks to make sure they got back. Trip back to hill involved 1 Bus, 4 trains, 1 hitche, 1 mile run, and finally another hitch from Wayne who just happened to be going the other way near Clanfield (thanks again chap).

Thanks too to Tim for opening my eyes to this route, I always thought it was too far off track. I think we have a potential record-breaking site at Mercury.

Nev

p.s. Great Karma too from picking up 4 hitchers in the last 6 weeks - Petersfield to Mercury in 25 minutes

Westbury 12th April 2011

2011-04-12T22:44:00.010+01:00

James

Mercury Saturday 9th April

2011-04-12T22:34:00.004+01:00

South of east at the start but it came good and there was plenty of lift. Glorious day.

James

Monday April 4. Milk Hill

2011-04-06T10:27:00.001+01:00

I arrived early at Milk to find a brisk SW'ly blowing. Whilst waiting for Mr King I flew the model glider which seemed to want to fly backwards! must adjust the trim or add lots of ballast!!

Mr King arrived & encouraged me to rig which we duely did.

A wind reading indicated a 20mph gusting 25mph which is at my limit so I decided not to fly but wait for conditions to improve.

Mr King decided to fly & enjoyed a smooth take-off from behind the fence. He quickly gained enough height to progress onto the front ridge where he appeared to be enjoying himself. Wonderful gliders these Atos's.

After a while he appeared to get bored at ridge height pulling over 30mph & took a thermal to cloudbase to find somewhere safer to land!

By this time I had de-rigged in about 20minutes!

A short while later Tim phoned to say he had landed nr Axford about 15k down wind! Tim was in fine spirit & very happy having either survived or having a retrieve organised!

The sun had also come out to play with ever increasing breeze!

stay safe & have fun

Wayne

Mercury 27th March

2011-03-28T21:24:00.002+01:00

A lovely day on Mercury, very light and not particularly thermic but just nice to be on the hill.

James

Repack 26th March 2011

2011-03-28T21:12:00.006+01:00

38 pilots spent a sunny afternoon indoors packing their reserve chutes - a great turnout and a real contribution to safety, well done all and many thanks to Bill Morris from the BHPA, and his helpers for assisting us.

James

Ringstead

2011-03-22T07:34:00.002Z

Surfers at Ringstead

2011-03-21T21:55:00.000Z

Plenty of Skysurfers at Ringstead on Sun including Rich, Darren, Andy, Simon and we had perfect conditions to get to Lullworth and back - what a beauty!

Ringstead Sunday March 20th

2011-03-21T12:09:00.001Z

I arrived at Ringstead by 9.30am & rigged the Atos. I was joined by Derek McCann on one of his permitted days out!
A couple of PG pilots indicated that it was soarable so at 11.20am after the usual formalities I took of & flew straight for the cliffs. The lift was light in the light SSW'ly. I was joined by Derek on his Top Secret & together we explored the southerly side of White Nothe progressing as far as Bats Head.
A few PG pilots ventured down to Durdle Door but looked very low, so not wishing to give up the 400-600ft ato we both stayed where we were! The PG pilots all got back but they were extremely low between Durdle Door & Bats Head.
The tide was out & there was ample beach however beach landings in this area on a modern HG should be the 'last card' option!
At 1240 it was time to let the dog out of the car so I top landed in time to see Tim King take off!
During the afternoon the wind stayed SSW & at one time there were 4 rigid wings in the air along with Grant who was having a family day out!
I didn't fly again as I was unable to get the Atos out of the top landing field without assistance & everyone else was either in the air(somewhere nr Lulworth) or had left the site.
It was soarable on the ridge until dusk as indicated by Richard who had de-rigged his Atos & got his PG out!
Another enjoyable day

Combe Gibbet Sunday 13th March

2011-03-16T09:41:00.001Z

The optimist decided to go to Combe which is only 8miles from home as opposed to the 50mile drive to Westbury! Looking at the reports Wetbury may have been better as I didn't get airborne until 1536!

However gentle thermals meant that the Atos soon climbed above the 20 or so PGs on the ridge & gentle climbs to 2000ft ato were made in the light WNW.

After an hour of exploring the ridge & returning to what shall be known as the M25 (Combe's ridge) a top landing was attempted.

Everything appeared fine which was surprising as I have a new harness & getting 'upright' in the control frame requires an effort & the harness tends to make me push out!

However I had slowed up too much & the final flare did not have the required authority. Thanks to the foresight of A.I.R the only damage was to the £20 weak link.

This did not however detract from the pleasure of the flight & the bonus was watching 2 Red Kites playing at 10-20ft ato!

Spring has arrived. Stay safe & enjoy

Wayne

Brisk day at Mercury

2011-03-08T15:29:00.000Z

Monday 7th March, bright, cold with an easterly averaging 14mph. At least it was steady unlike previous day with gusts up to 25mph and only the foolish or expert paragliding. Monday, being foolish and inexpert I launched into lotsa lift but lost it six minutes later by pushing out too far from the hill (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzefrQV8ZQg for evidence) and bottom landed. Saw farmer on lift back up – he had seen me land (on edge of field) and apologised for not offering me a lift! You just don’t get that respect for senior citizens nowadays.

Flying my Swing Arcus 4 I made another big mistake on flight 2 by applying far too much brake attempting to top land and plummeted in. Won’t do that again in a hurry. Indeed my aches and pains will ensure I will not be doing too much in a hurry for a day or two. Flight 3 was simply wonderful so one mark out of three. Simply not good enough Davis. Will try harder next time. Inshallah.

Thanks for advice and help from all concerned. I’m CP + 15 hrs.

Kind regards,

Barry Davis

Davis Wadicci
Marketing consultants, graphic and web designers
10 Oak Tree Farm
Hambrook
Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 8QA

T 01243 572 504
www.daviswadicci.co.uk

Frostbite Perranporth

2011-03-02T21:31:00.002Z

perranporth saturday 26th feb
windy to very windy 20 to 35 mph
sunshine and mainly blue sky with a few showers blown just south of us
Ridge race but no where near fast enough
TK

Optimism vs. Realism vs. Stupidity

2011-02-28T21:42:00.005Z

Optimism....."hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something; a tendency to take a favourable or hopeful view."

The forecast for Monday looked like this;

Wind, N to NNE, sunshine.

Given the time of year desperation is high, so take a much needed day off work.

Realism....."the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth"

Wake up, its grey and overcast, very damp, rain hanging in the air. RASP now looks like this;

Stupidity....."a lack of intelligence, understanding, reason"

Get in car, drive to Harting. It starts raining, carry on, arrive, its raining.

At least when I arrived I was not alone, two other hang glider pilots there (names witheld).....

James

Devils Dyke

2011-02-27T20:15:00.003Z

Nice day at the Dyke, loads of hang gliders out, rain arrived about 13.30. Thanks Brian for the loan of a classic HG, in great shape for age and flies like a treat.

James

Spring arrives 17th February 2011

2011-02-18T18:08:00.000Z

And returns from whence it came next day!

However how fortunate to one of the lucky ones at Whitewool on such a perfect paragliding day, for low hours pilots like me anyway. I particularly like the soft squidgy turf, the absence of hawthorn – and aeromodellers too. Just one hour there would have justified my membership subs so I’m well in pocket. Thanks Skysurfers.

For a looksee go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_cOMY4zH8Q

Barry Davis
flying a Swing Arcus 4 (I keep my utility Apco Fiesta 2 for Butser West!)

Mercury sunday30 January

2011-01-30T20:52:00.001Z

arrived at 11.30
blue sky,sunshine,blowing a gale
several coffees and a walk later returned to find wind had subsided
Grant and i rigged took off and cruised
loverly buoyant air once away from the shadows
Pete tried the PG but didn't really like it and might yet change to a HG
Tim King

Mercury

2011-01-29T17:42:00.001Z

Sent from my iPhoneLovely day on Mercury, thermic as well. Nice to be going round in circles again!

Very very very very very cold...

James

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Westbury Monday Jan 24.

2011-01-26T13:40:00.001Z

The three optimistic HG pilots arrived at Westbury by 10.30am to find a very light WNW. Undeterred they rigged & waited for conditions to improve.
PG pilots indicated that conditions were soarable & at 1250hrs the mighty Atos went airborne & quickly rose above the PGs at about 200ft ato!
Alan & Ian drew straws to see who would follow as there were about 6 PGs airborne. Alan lost & joined me shortly followed by Ian. (assisted by Chris Jones who had left his Atos at home & was tempting fate by flying his PG).
Conditions remained soarable albeit very light. The whole ridge was working with light thermal.(please read 0-1up!)
Alan was the first to top land followed by Ian. The conditions permitted a low approach-they didn't have the height to try anything else. Both landings were uneventful.
After 1hr 40mins of endlessly circling to maintain between 100-450ft ato, my heated socks were getting cold & it was time to land.
A pleasant afternoon at Westbury & on the way home by 4pm.

have fun

Wayne

Harting Down 21st January

2011-01-23T21:14:00.001Z

First flight of the new year
James, Nev , Grant ,Jamie Ian ,and me at harting -so max no of gliders and Brian you may spectate?
northerly breeze 15mph
Take off over the electric fence (is that on the risk assessment?) little lift to start but improved as cloud lifted from 100 ato to about 450 ato
flew down ridge to cocking gap but not enough height to cross
Grant and Jamie joined me for a short while until the rain started and we retreated back to take off landing with wet wings
Spring must be on its way soon
Tim King

Harting Thursday Jan 20th.

2011-01-21T10:37:00.001Z

Yesterday Thursday Jan 20th saw 3 optimistic HG pilots at Harting where they were confronted by low cloud & a 10mph NNE.

At 1250 the Atos went airborne & headed to a bowl 200meters to the east where the nat trust were working & burning! A few beats along the ridge at 50-75ft ato convinced me to head for the bowl at Beacon where I arrived & disappeared from view! The air was damp ,lumpy & very light lift with cloudbase about 400ft ato!

However after 25mins sufficient height was gained (200ft ato) to fly back & show Alan & Ian how to do a top landing!

An enjoyable & challenging flight with a little bit of excitement when a Chinook flew towards me at Beacon. A high banked 360 to show my presence & the pilot banked right, desended to ridge height & flew up the valley between Beacon & take-off!

Both Alan & Ian enjoyed exended top to bottoms.

For the info of PG pilots:- Chinooks frequently fly in this area & the pilots may give you a low flying display at a safe distance! Also in a NNE the wind at below ridge height may be due EAST!

safe flying

Wayne

St Aldhelms Head, Dorset, 9th January

2011-01-11T18:47:00.001Z

A very blowy afternoon watching some Polish pilots doing acro over a blown out St Aldhelms before it calmed down enough to let us mere mortals in the air. I think the lack of airtime over winter has gone to peoples heads as the 4 in the air rule was stretched somewhat for a while. Still, a lovely few hours in the air watching a beautiful sunset over the stunning Jurassic coast, followed by a landing by the car and a pint in the pub. Does it get any better than that?

Richard

Butser NE Sunday morning 2nd Jan 2011

2011-01-03T12:41:00.001Z

Had a very nice early morning flight for a couple of hours. Wind was
initially very light (about 7 mph), and I was amazed not to sink down.
Then it picked up to about 10 mph, making it easy to maintain height
above the fence line. Explored all along the ridge as far as the big
(oak?) tree, beyond which I feared there might turbulence coming off
pillow mound. Practiced spot landings and pitch-roll turns, and waved
to dog-walkers.

Dave Harvey

Harting 12th December

2010-12-12T20:40:00.000Z

Sunday at the place of worship
4 members of the congregation spent an hour on their knees waiting hoping and praying for the wind to pickup
as apathy and the bottom field beckoned Nev legged it down the hill in search of the mince pie and the lift was more than enough (although if he had eaten the pie first it wouldn't have been)
having been shown the truepath we followed for a cruise down to cocking and back
8 to 10 mph NNE cold but sunny
now we have seen the light
alleluia

TK

To Cold To Bother Sunday 28th Nov

2010-11-30T13:12:00.005Z

Woke up after little sleep (children) and made an expert judgement on the weather from beneath the warmth of my duvet - it obviously wasn't flyable!

So set about spending the day designing and building the next generation of hang glider. See the photos below.

Marvel at the latest frameless wing technology (no that's not the same as a PG) and integrated basebar and uprights constructed from the latest plastics technology.

Due to go on sale in 2011, get your order in now!

All patent pending....

James

tuesday 23rd November

2010-11-23T22:39:00.001Z

Devils Dyke
north north westerly 10 to 20mph later at times
cold damp but good winter ridge soaring aroundthe dyke and up to tru

Harting 20th november

2010-11-21T21:06:00.001Z

wind 12 to 15mph North
flew for an hour up to cocking gap and back
came back to see all the HGs rigging and ready for a nice november day
went for another hours flight up to Treyford and visited the PG's
Thermals seem to work from the village to the east or from the farm and spur just to the west
back to harting just after every one had derigged and gone home
TK

Harting Sunday 7 Nov

2010-11-10T19:43:00.001Z

Much aviation took place on a lovely winters day. Sometimes it was good, sometimes not so. Many hangers out.

Bust an upright, must have been down to metal fatigue I guess.

James

Sent from my iPhone

Flying on my Birthday!

2010-10-30T18:41:00.001+01:00

Well as it was my birthday and it was flyable, I think it would be rude not to fly don't you? For a bit more excitement I thought I would fly from Winklebury to Monks Down (flying sites in Dorset) and practice some low level flying. Apart from misjudging the lift on the way back to Winklebury and doing a down wind crash landing in the bowl at the bottom, I don't think that it went too badly. I have uploaded it to Vimeo and Youtube so you can choose your poison...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmv_TOFkclo

http://vimeo.com/16341494

Richard

Harting sunday 24th october

2010-10-24T20:37:00.001+01:00

Harting down northerly 10 mph
launched 1230 having seeen PG's doing well at Treyford
picked up some lift at Beacon hill and cruised past Treyford and on to Cocking but failed to get enough to comfortably cross the gap
Pg's now found a thermal so came back to them and got up to 2200 asl
Came back to ridge after a while to find a sailplane wandering around with engine/sustainer
running looking for lift
flew back to harting and landed to see what was holding up Bruce and Grant who promply dissappeared towards Beacon
threw a Graham and Tony off the hill.
nice flying and landing Graham
Flew again for another hour and got a cloud street to 3000
some bloke called Jim was there
Had something to do with filming "only fools and horses"
borrowed my glider and i didn't htink i wa going to get it back
nice flight Mr Chairmen
Tim King

Westbury 20th October

2010-10-20T21:07:00.001+01:00

Sky surfers secret day out to westbury
nice cold night followed by a bright morning was going to give a good days flying
slightly to much wind meant that going upwind was going to be difficult but several cloud streets helped although they seemed to dissipate and build quickly
very good climbs to 4500 asl helped me to just short of Trowbridge before i turned back for westbury although Tony S carried on past the town to the Kennet canal
Got back to the white horse and found myself another street and cruised round a 20 km triangle and a 3 hour flight
great for october and good to see low airtime pilots having some good flights too
Tim King

Windsor, London 9th October

2010-10-09T23:04:00.005+01:00

Paid a visit to Windsor today and was shocked to see this guy paragliding. Does he not know he is within controlled airspace on the main approach to Heathrow? Totally irresponsible.

Also, and Im no expert, but Lego is probably not a good construction material for a paraglider? Im guessing his wing is not BHPA certified.....

James R

Mercury Friday 8th

2010-10-08T21:49:00.004+01:00

Arrived at 12.30 to find a few PGs and a few hangers, one PG in the air. Quickly rigged and stood on launch, it was that annoying wind speed that was right for both disciplines.

Waited an hour then launched, seemingly at the same time as a few PGs so a bit of weaving about. Only lasted 10 mins and they got the better of me (thanks to Ian for the retrive). Just as an observation there is not enough looking before turning going on - not exaggerating - I'm seeing your hands go down to execute the turn before your head turns to look.

Second flight was better as the wind had picked up and had a pleasant 45 mins at height, some thermic activity but it was slightly off to the SE so a bit rough.

Weekend looks good!

James Roy

Ringstead - Wednesday 22nd September

2010-09-23T12:21:00.001+01:00

A lovely warm, sunny morning as Brian C. and myself set off for Ringstead with the promise of some gentle coastal soaring. We arrived early afternoon to a gentle 12-14mph SW – and the news it had been stronger earlier! Several PG and an ATOS present, all making the cliffs without difficulty. However, the light wind and low cloudbase limited height gains. By the time we finished rigging, orographic cloud had blotted out White Nothe.

We waited it out and sunny spells appeared on the horizon as Portland emerged from the clag. I launched for a short 10min run along the cliffs, gaining 300ft before entering the mist. (Enough height to get back to the hill for a comfortable top landing.) A further wait, then another 30min flight. The cloud ceiling limited height gains but fun was had nevertheless. (The hill was working nicely without the usual rough thermals from the farmyard below – no sun, you see!)

Another surprisingly comfortable top landing – I expected more rotor from the hedgerow. The mist descended further as everything became damp. We decided to pack up and head from home. (It was refreshing to "play around" on the glider in the smooth conditions; more height next time, please?)
Brian P.

Westbury HG 12th Sept and 17th Sept

2010-09-20T17:56:00.001+01:00

Novice under direction of Wayne.

12th Sept. Thermic? Rough at times. 15mph
Brilliant day for me with 3 flights of 20+min each with top landings. PG traffic thinned out with an increase in wind and allowed me to enjoy 3 significant flights,
Every take off provides a learning opportunity but equally enjoyable is the like minded company who all share their experience and flying wisdom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW8xEPAYs2w all comments welcome!

17th Sept. Light. 10mph

I still have hesitation to get back far enough over the ridge to stay in the lift by the time I have completed the turn. I think some of it is related to concerns about being bumped in the turn. Anyway the first flight was 4min to the bottom and then I put it down too far out. At least the t/o was ok!
Several pilots waited for the wind to increase as a couple soared above. Then in text book form a squadron of swallows arrived feeding on insects carried up with thermal activity. Within 5 minuets everyone launched.
With some prevarication we decided to go for it and I did the most appalling launch ever, nearly stalling it. I believe I was not prepared for a gust and just got lifted before I was ready. I have never had to think about launch, it just seemed natural? Anyway, got on with it fighting to stay up in the back end of the thermal and followed Alex to the bottom for 8-9min. Just hope it won't freak me out next time.

Ian P

Westbury 12 Sept

2010-09-12T22:48:00.001+01:00

Loooovely day at Westbury today.

Hangers out in force.

Good conditions, last of the summer wine....

James R

Mercury Friday 3rd Sept

2010-09-08T09:38:00.001+01:00

Mercury Friday 3rd

2010-09-08T09:21:00.001+01:00

Arrived at Mercury to a couple of PG’s flying and absolutely no hangies. Rigged and flew as soon as some good clouds came over and immediately headed north for Abingdon…

Perhaps a bit over ambitious for a 2PM start as the blue hole beyond Basingstoke caused me to hesitate tried to carry on but got low only finally recovering over the A34 north of whitchurch which was well west of course. Toyed with giving up and flying home to Andover but instead decided to try and get back. Unfortunately should have hung around in the last bit of lift a bit longer as I was 200 feet to low to get back on top in the non soarable SE so ended up landed at the bottom and get a lift back from a generous PG pilot who kindly came down to fetch me…

Mercury - Sunday 5th Sept

2010-09-05T21:49:00.004+01:00

Having just got back from a beautifully sunny week in the Swiss Alps (no flying) I was disappointed to wake up to grey and wet sky. I had even loaded the glider onto the roof on Saturday night in anticipation of a day on Mercury.

So I canned it fairly early in the day but couldn't resist a quick round robin text at lunch time to see if anyone had headed out. Obviously that was silly as I was informed that Grant was flying so of I headed only to receive a second text, 10 mins from Mercury, to say that it had gone way off to the South.

I carried on and arrived to see Grant flying in a SE, Tim was there drying his Atos.

Headed home.

James R

Mercury - Thursday 2nd September

2010-09-05T11:27:00.001+01:00

An unpleasant day for me, personally. For a weekday, surprisingly busy with 4xHG, a bevy of PG (some visitors?) and several models. A gentle E-ESE wind promised much and Wayne B. had an impressive tour of the valley on his ATOS before I arrived at midday. Some PG got away during the afternoon from Whitewool and Mercury when the gentle lift patches came through, (well done!) but it was not consistent despite the breeze.

I had a horrible experience on my first launch, got a nasty wing up just over the fence. (Later, a PG suffered a minor collapse in the same spot.) Luck smiled on me and somehow I recovered, but the remaining 15min flight was just as nasty. The air was jumbled and difficult to work. (The southerly component probably didn't help.) Then the sky filled with PG which made it impossible to navigate safely and I had to land.

It was a long wait for a spell of clear, lifting air to attempt another flight. Once airborne, the sky filled with PG again. Like Dementors, they sucked the joy out of the flight. Instead of relaxing and enjoying the improving conditions, I spent the entire time dodging canopies and pleading loudly for others not to launch. I guess my shouts were heard, but not before half a dozen or more had packed out the 150ft lift band. Matters weren't helped by the wind direction which prevented access to the bowl. We were all operating in a very confined space, altogether far too risky.

This is not the excitement we fly for, is it?

Wayne was coaching a couple of CP red-streamers. With no room to explore the ridge, they inevitably ended up at the bottom. Experienced pilots may be able to cope, but we are doing our novices a disservice with this density of traffic. It just ain't safe, folks.

Brian

Photos not uploaded

2010-09-03T21:51:00.001+01:00

Strange eh? My photo's haven't made it to the blog!

Simon Vacher

Motion Graphic Designer & Digital Video Editor

LinkedIn Profile

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Be sure to check out www.simonvacherfilm.com - UK Adventure, paragliding and wildlife blog!

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Harting - Monday 30th August

2010-09-01T23:23:00.000+01:00

A lovely looking day. Started blue but Cu started forming early. The previous day's strong winds appeared to persist so I didn't make a move until lunchtime. On arrival I thought I'd blown it as the wind had dropped significantly.

The car park was very busy with folk out for the day enjoying the scenery. A HG top landed as I was getting the gear off the car – this spurred me on! At the top Dean ? from TVHGC was finishing off rigging. Mark B. was in the bottom field having just had his second flight of the day – after a 2-year break!

Dean launched, gained around 100ft for a while but ended up at the bottom as well. Not so encouraging. The sky became overcast at times with occasional sunny breaks. The lift definitely improved during the sunny spells.

I launched around 3pm with Mark B's help. (He had walked back up – character-building stuff!). Lovely! Scatchy at times but workable thermals to 800ft ATO. Best lift in front of the Beacon in the N breeze. Played with a group of buzzards for a while. Got some nice height behind launch so worked forward towards South Harting village – and lost the lot! Elected to top land after 35mins, a surprisingly gentle affair.

Second flight around 4pm produced height gains of around 1,200ft ATO and more organised lift above the Beacon. The wind strengthened, backed NNW and the air became lumpy. The lift faded so a second top landing. The third flight was entirely at ridge height. At one point I had resigned myself to a "downer" as I was scratching half way down the hill. Not a pleasant place to be as the trees created all manner of turbulence. I flew east towards the lower tree-covered slopes and was rewarded with some weak lift. Working this for several minutes I gained sufficient height to slide in for a top landing.

Phew! Time to pack up and head home – a better afternoon than anticipated!

Brian

Westbury, Monday 31st August

2010-09-01T23:07:00.001+01:00

Westbury, Monday 31st August

Left the hill once a few Cu's appeared after midday. Flight downwind to behind Bell (nr Dorchester) quick and uneventful, then turned around and started the trip back, but at Shaftesbury the overdevelopment appeared, meaning I had to fly westwards towards Gillingham/Wincanton just to stay airbourne. 2 sailplanes below me landed in the flat lands, I lucked out near A303, back to base (typ. 4300asl) and faced with spreadout cloud-flew to 5000ft for height advantage. Continued north, flying west of the ridge near Bruton, thought I could make it back but downed at Frome in the spreadout, 6 miles west of Westbury. A nice 4 hours soaring though........

Nev

Sat 28th Aug

2010-08-30T08:43:00.001+01:00

Ian Parker & I arrived at Westbury to find conditions suitable for Ians soaring flights to complete his CP!
Ian achieved the two flights required each with a top landing-not bad as it was only his 3rd & 4th soaring flights!
Conditions in the air were as Brian described, however on occasions I found myself being bounced about quite roughly-which is disconcerting on an ATOS!
Top landing was also on the bumpy side as the wind had a westerly component.
Just one moment in the air which caused me a lot of concern. I was at about 350ft ato on the westerly end of the ridge. The other pilots were high at the White Horse . I checked before turning back towards the Horse & got a shock! Grant appeared about 50ft below me! 'Where the F### did he come from?' were my initial thoughts!
Grant was returning to the ridge low & fast from an upwind glide. I never saw him as the glider bended in with ground!
Hang gliders & rigids are difficult to see in the air-all I can advise is stay vigilant & expect the unexpected.
Stay safe

Westbury - Saturday 28th August

2010-08-29T14:29:00.001+01:00

Despite a classic sky, not the best of days. A brisk WNW wind confined most flying to around the bowl and chopped up the thermals. The threatened showers never materialised although we did see some dark clouds at times.

Very much a "Sky Surfers outing" with Grant C., Wayne B., Derek M. and Oleg already onsite when I arrived, (11:30am-ish). Four HG launched just as I arrived – this added a spurt of enthusiasm! Sky Surfer newcomer and novice Ian P. completed another soaring flight and top landing towards his CP-rating.

I eventually launched around 1:15pm. Conditions looked good with respectable heights. I got to 800ft ATO and felt quite pleased with the U2's performance in the stronger conditions. (Others commented on it being rough.) The top landing raised a little apprehensive with the entire area covered with Kite Surfers and general public. Got down safely after a good 45min blowout. Grant showed us all a clean pair of heels, of course, (cloudbase?)

The second flight was less pleasant. Got bounced around a bit as the wind strengthened to 20mph+ and backed more to the west. After 30mins, decided to call it a day. Most were packing up and leaving as I drove away at 5:30pm. (Mind you, Oleg was sticking around – sunset was another 3-hours away!)

Some hardy PG were in evidence, but conditions not to their liking. (The wind did increase as forecast during the entire day.)

Brian.

Sunday 22nd August - Anna's First Tandem!

2010-08-29T13:55:00.000+01:00

On a wet and drizzly day at Barton, we met Gary Puhl from the Mighty Wessex, who had kindly agreed to give Anna a tandem flight. The weather didn't look promising with rain the whole drive down, but it was forecast to clear in the afternoon. We got to Barton and it was cloudy and wet so decided to skip off for a pub lunch. After that the weather wasn't much better so we sat in the car to wait. Every so often the rain would stop, but only for long enough to get the gear out and wet!

Eventually, with the weather not looking like improving, Gary set the tandem up in the very light drizzle and strapped Anna in. With me as anchor man and Anna briefed, the wing was soon above them, but the wind appeared to be too light, typical! After a little bit of a ground handling master class from Gary, the wind seemed like it had picked up a tad, so the command was given to run. Off the edge with a scream of excitement and they were away. Gary hugged the cliff scratching his way back up and managed to turn and fly back past us just above cliff height. Within another beat they were at a comfortable height and could relax.

I filmed a bit and took some pictures from the ground for a while before deciding to join them in the air for a bit of aerial filming. I couldn't seem to find somewhere to park the wing that was in the airflow, but with the help of my ground crew holding the wing up my launch was not bad at all (even if I do say so myself!). It was quite refreshing flying around with the drizzle in your face in the lovely English summer weather. After around 40 minutes of boating around the rain increased so we all decided to land.

Anna was over the moon and can't wait to start learning to fly herself. I have lost a retrieve driver but gained a flying partner!

I can't thank Gary enough for taking Anna up on the tandem, just need to save up for a new wing and training for Anna now.

Oh and you don't realise how big a paraglider is until you try to spread it out indoors to dry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAaQ9srWl2g

Richard

http://dukeofted.wordpress.com/

flying sat 28/8

2010-08-28T20:37:00.001+01:00

No flying for myself at Westbury today like everywhere else blown out for us floppies, but it was good to see the skysurfers hangies out in force and having fun. New skills learnt nose man, well it gave me something to do for five mins.

Fw: sunday 15th aug.

2010-08-17T10:36:00.001+01:00

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Wayne Bevan <waynebevan23@yahoo.co.uk>
To: web06@wessexhgpg.org.uk
Sent: Tue, 17 August, 2010 10:25:13
Subject: sunday 15th aug.

Sunday Aug 15 @ Harting.

At 0730am it was soarable apart from the mist being in which cleared by 10am. This allowed Ian (red ribbon) to achieve 2 soaring flights. The latter being 20mins before landing at the bottom!

It then picked up to a NNE gusting between 15-20mph! It didn't get any better with height!

The 'home ridge' was quite bumpy & I indicated to Graham (red ribbon) to land which he did.

Progress to Beacon was easy on the Atos. Beacon has a NE'ly wooded bowl which normally works but was rough!

Progress east means a glide across a low section before connecting with the ridge at Treyford & then on to Didling. From 1000ft ato it was easy!

I headed for Cocking with the intention of crossing the gap-but not today as the wind had picked up & gusting to around 30mph!

Thermals were rough, broken with some heavy sink! Being within 200ft of the ridge meant the Atos was being bounced about!

I saw Sean's hang glider safely on the ground around Elstead-good decision as one doesn't want to get low there as landing options are interesting!

The glide back from Beacon to take off was interesting so after a 40minute flight I landed & called it a day!

safe flying

Wayne

Atos VR

Westbury 16th August

2010-08-16T22:37:00.003+01:00

Nice afternoons flying at Westbury today. Wind was NNW backing to the west as the day went on, 20 - 25mph, rough at times. Four hangers in total.

First time out in a month so life is feeling good again!

James R

Ringstead Bay - 8th August 2010

2010-08-14T13:29:00.000+01:00

Well Sunday was promising to be fantastic at Bell Hill, then the good weather moved to Combe, and then in the morning the good weather seemed to have disappeared! After looking at RASP hoping for somewhere that maybe, just maybe might be flyable, it was looking a bit pants. Hmm the south coast looks like it has a breeze and it is looking like WSW or maybe even SW. After talking Neil into a 2 hour drive to Dorset we decided to head to Ringstead rather than St. Albans as I hadn't yet made it to the cliffs despite flying there twice already. Neil had never been to Ringstead so it was going to be a new one for both of us.

The whole drive down we were looking at the trees not moving a bit and thinking that we have made a horrible mistake. But we pulled up at Ringstead to a 14mph SW breeze!

Neil was off first and after boating around the bowl for a bit went down for a slope landing. I took up as the wind picked up again and the air was surprisingly thermic and rough. I gained quite a bit of height and pointed towards the cliffs. I flew over the trees giving me a lifty line and made it to the houses where I did a few beats to gain back some height. Once over the main cliff the lift band was massive and the air the smoothest I have ever flown in (hence the large amount of photos!). Neil soon joined me on the cliffs and you couldn't drag us away from the cliffs. Flying out over the sea and doing spirals before racing back to the cliffs to climb back up, what a laugh. It was lovely to be able to kick back and enjoy the view for once without worrying about going down or keeping the wing above your head in rough thermals. I certainly wouldn't trade thermalling to base for this, but why not have your cake and eat it!

My vario battery died about two and a half hours in and a bit later the call of nature decided it was time to land. An easy glide back into the rough(er) air of the bowl and straight into the back field for a nice touch down next to Shamus.

Richard

Harting, Sunday 8th Aug

2010-08-08T18:59:00.001+01:00

Harting.

Arrived late at 11pm, as Lasham weather guru prdicted thermals wouldnt get going until midday.
By Midday it was just me, one modeller and no wind. Mostly zero, sometimes 2mph, but from any direction, it wasn't looking good (although the sky did!)
I was so confident I would go down I only put a ski vest & thin gloves. No birds, no indicators, took a chance at 1pm and circled to 4000ft, reaching base above the top landing field.
I spent and hour or so going 3 miles here, 4 miles there, but there were obvious routes. Flew back to the coast and played with the sea air (lower clouds at 4000, base now 4600), flew back inland an then west towards Buster & Mercury, finally arriving at the hill west of Mercury faced with a great line but airspace. Moved NE, and then a monumental street appeared, from north of Petersfield to what was probably newbury.....I flew to near Popham (West of Basingstoke), where base exceeded 5500 (could have been 6k, didn't look, eyes peeled for sailplanes) and then back to Harting via a few miles from Midhurst, to land in the 8mph south sea breeze at 4pm. Light clothing is usually a guarantee for getting a thermal, luckily it was just a bit cool at base.

Surprised I was the only one there with such a good sky................

Nev

Bell Hill 25th July 2010

2010-07-29T20:23:00.001+01:00

A beautiful day in rough conditions at Bell Hill.

Spent most of the day floating around Bell in fairly bouncy conditions, sometimes lots of lift, sometimes dashing quickly back to take off! The wind was fairly strong so anytime a thermal came through you had to be very committed as you were past the point of no return very quickly indeed. This kept me tethered to the hill until 4pm when I picked up a thermal to the west of take off in a very blue sky. I overflew Neil Withers (skysurfer) and shouted for him to join me as I thought, sod it I'm staying with this one!

After circling over the back field very low in this pitiful climb it finally picked up and took me right up to a little cloud, the only one for miles! I floated around under this for a while watching Neil skimming the ground behind Bell but somehow still in the air. Once the lift died off I turned downwind for what I thought would be a glide to the deck, sometimes hitting the odd bubble but not enough to stay up. Having read stories of tractors kicking off thermals and thinking it would be nice to land near to someone in case I have a bad landing, I pointed at a nice brown field with the farmer ploughing. I arrived over the field with what seemed like only a few hundred feet and on cue the glider pitched back and the vario started making the right noises again. The thermal was so rough I was struggling to stay in it and gain height but slowly I creeped up until it smoothed out and shot me to base again.

I was starting to get close to Poole harbour now and a quick check on the gps showed my path heading towards airspace so glided cross wind in an attempt to avoid it. The wind was more westerly here and the sea breeze front was just in front of me. If only the airspace wasn't in the way I could surf the front to the east. As I flew through the front my ground speed went from 60kmh to 5kmh and I got tossed about a bit!

With the lift and my forward speed gone I spotted a nice big field next to Sandford and put down next to a load of kids playing football who all wanted to know where the plane I jumped from was.

25.4km and a new PB! http://www.xcleague.com/xc/flights/20101683.html?vx=06

Neil somehow managed to scratch his way to 7.1km for his first ever XC and then came and picked me up from Sandford, top man!

Richard

New marker post Butser

2010-07-25T07:59:00.000+01:00

Hi, There is a new white marker post at Butser West which hopefully will help you to identify the different airspace.(See pic) the modellers and ours. Make your turn just before the post to avoid infringement except when flying in very low to land .

As the landing will be in the modeller's airspace paragliders will need to gather their wing and return to SSC take-off area. Do NOT launch from that area.

Pass the word around please. Shippo

Perranporth, Cornwall

2010-07-05T18:10:00.001+01:00

Holidays are FANTASTIC.....

My 1st entry into the British Clubs Challenge - Sat 19 June

2010-06-22T01:03:00.002+01:00

A last-minute decision to enter the comp late Friday evening after a long week in London led to a panic pack early Sat morning and long drive to central Wales (including getting lost a couple of times). The organisation was marginally sub-optimal and most of the entries only got up to the flying site takeoff Hundred House at about 1-ish.

It was beautifully sunny with perfect looking clouds, but it was also gusting up to 30 mph at times. A few brave/desperate/delusional pilots proceeded to fly backwards though some admittedly managed to make headway to be rewarded by being bounced around close to the hill - so perhaps they weren't so bad! It did gradually smooth off a bit and the strong gusts came less frequently giving me a chance to takeoff at about 1645 - rather a late start for a typical cross country flight (the goal being to get as far from takeoff as possible today), but the days are long at the moment...

I managed to hook into a few little thermals, but couldn't keep with them and get enough height to set off. That is until Simon who was hunting around a little below me and out in front of the hill found a core. I joined him and we shot up. Simon, (perhaps a little over-keen!) promptly headed off South, I decided to keep at this thermal though it was weak at times and eventually managed to get to cloud-base which was approximately 5300 ft, and 3822 ft above takeoff, drifting back from the hill all the while. Its cold up there - about 9 degrees with a constant breeze on my face (why is that!?) and my fingers and nose were getting a bit chilly, but the view more than compensated!

This being only my 2nd UK cross country flight, its a nerve-wracking moment when you need to decide either try to head back to the hill, or go with it. Dithering probably means the worst as you bomb out just a few km from the hill potentially faced with a long walk back! I hung on to the thermal for dear-life but it eventually died and after an agonising few moments indecision, I followed Simon, now below and South of me - now I'm truly on an XC!

It was hard work as the thermals were mostly weak (or I wasn't that good at coring them!) but perseverance was the key; try to stay in the thermal to cloud-base, when there, or having lost it, head downwind and towards a likely looking bubbly cloud on half speed-bar. And it worked! I watched a few other gliders doing better or worse but I was mostly on my own. Simon was scraping around what looked to be very low indeed over a wood, and soon had to land - in a lovely meadow I later hear!

Though weak, the thermals became wider and I seemed to be able to fairly reliably hop from one to the other, never getting really low. It's actually really relaxing now, I've no idea where I am or where Ill end up, but who cares with the fluffy clouds above to keep me up, and the beautiful Welsh countryside and river Wye below. The Brecon Beacons are gradually becoming clearer - that would be a nice goal (I don't think I've the guts to go over them!).

There is one solitary glider I can now see in the distance heading for the Beacons, so I vaguely and slowly follow, but ahead the sky is turning blue - nice and warm, but not lifty! I watch as the glider ahead lands just on the edge of the Beacons, and I also start to sink. With a fantastic view of Llangorse lake, I decide on a nice looking field by a village and land. 1 hr 15 min and 25 km - wow what a brilliant flight - next time Ill remember to turn on the GPS!

Greeted by a bunch of delighted children who were watching me land including one little lad dressed as Spiderman, I answer a myriad of questions; where I came from, how it works, is it scary etc. Once packed up, their Dad invited me in to use his phone - I did manage to land somewhere with absolutely no signal. Very convenient, but better still, once there I get to talk to an interested audience about flying, fed tea and scones (with butter and jam) made by the local head-teacher. And later when Dad's friend arrives and now safe in the knowledge that a lift is on its way (thanks Nick), some local bitter gathered from the pub in a plastic milk bottle - this has all worked out very nicely indeed!

Cheers, all guys in the SSC team for making it a great weekend!

Alasdair Jones
PG

sunday 20th june

2010-06-21T10:12:00.001+01:00

Sunday 20th June. N/NNE

Conditions at Combe were a light & thermic with the usual crowded sky. PGs were enjoying the conditions.

It appears so much more relaxing when you can scratch around & land on the slope whilst waiting for a thermal!

Eventually got off & enjoyed a pleasant hour exploring the whole ridge. Well it was my first flight at Combe!

Had a few moments amongst the Pgs where I had to be very alert-please remind me about the rules regarding turning & thermalling! (And we think Mercury gets busy!!!!)

Eventually sunk out-looked at the top landing but having seen a HG pilot overshoot it didn't look inviting as he negotiated PGs taking off!

Good safe bottom landing in the 'bean field' below takeoff-it's the one where you can see the chalk through the crop.

(de-rigg in the top right corner & its a 4 minute walk along a hidden track to the road!)

Anyone for Ringstead this week?

wayne

Sunday 20th June - Westbury

2010-06-20T23:07:00.001+01:00

Sunday saw a fair contingent of skysurfers at Westbury, with a forecast of better sun & thermals in the West. Unfortunately the wind was just east of north (not north as forecast), and being 5-6 mph this made it very difficult to get started. After two landings by the trig point (Yikes), I connected properley on the third flight and set off XC. The lift didn't feel quite as good as RASP precited, and at Warminster I nearly turned back, but the lack of clouds around Westbury and the seemingly better ones off to the south I continued.

The flight turned into a 74 miles out and return.

The flight downwind was uneventful, but I was wary that getting to Dorechester in an hour meant that there was quite a lot of wind at Height (showing 15-17mph in Bell hill area) and I nearly considered landing at Dorchester to the train back (even considered heading towards Exeter where the train line retruns to Westbury). Still, I set off back northwards, hoping I wouldnt land in boonie-land between Dorchester/Blandford. Once north of Blandford I followed the hills northwards, shadowing the A350 in case I needed to hitch back (wasn't confident about the day). Passing Shaftesbury the wind up aloft had dropped to beneath 10mph which was making life wasier, but with no clouds it was now roulette. I got low near the A303, and again adjacent to the gliding club near Mere, managed to glide on to Warminister where a landing seemed certain. Then, at 5:25-ish, lift started to bubble (I'm very low on the outskirts), and after 7-ish miniutes of the thermal growing and doing whatever they do, it then let rip and gave me the 4000ft I needed to glide the final 5 miles back to Westbury, landed 5 minutes short of 6pm, knackered after 5.5 hours in the air.

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Harting Down

2010-06-19T22:49:00.003+01:00

Arrived just before mid day to see a rigid flying, as I walked up to T/O Nev landed reporting gusty and lumpy conditions. Wind was on and strong but flyable. Alan was also on the hill with his RIO but opting to stay put for now.

Just as I finished rigging a Lancaster bomber came past, probably only 100ft ATO and not far out, an awesome sight and sound.

I had a flight and yes it was lumpy, most I got was 1000 ATO, lift very broken by the wind. Landed and lunched, was going to go again when as I was ready to go the wind got up to hoolie strength so I parked the glider. This happened another couple of times over the next hour or so, as I had to be home at 4.30 I left. Wind was actually NNW on the face and NNE at height.

Til from Westbury arrived and Brian P turned up as I was walking back to the car. I spotted Oleg driving up as I was driving down, hope the late afternoon / early evening calmed down.

James Roy

Monksdown 17th June

2010-06-17T23:04:00.001+01:00

Wind NNE-NE 10-22 mph

Steve Gale and I turned up with Jamie Cannon already there. His glider was out of action so brought his models along. The wind was quite off the hill but I figured the bowl section would be fine, Steve chose not to fly.

Soon after launch I found out why Steve kept his glider on the car, the wind seemed to be almost running along the hill. Well below take-off I figured that was the end of the day but got a blip to put me level with take-off.

Jamie launched his model and searched for thermals for me. What a help he turned out to be, after scratching then getting up to a more comfortable height Jamie found a good climb well out in front of the ridge. I headed to it and bingo, a nice steady 3 up.

As this was a consistent thermal I left the hill and went over the back. Climbing out I see Compton Abbas and light aircraft doing circuits to the North of me. Peaking around 3800ft ASL I headed off on a glide.

My route took me right over Okeford Hill which was directly into the wind (I guess we should have gone there) and then I continued to Bell hill.

Climbs were slow and broken with no Cu's for pointers, complete blue sky flying. At times I could see hazy stuff that can imply thermals and flew to them and they generally worked.

The coast was coming up fast despite cross winding at every opportunity. With thermal tops no more than 4000 ft ASL and often lower, it gave me little time to find a new thermal. I had 2 or 3 low saves as a result before getting low one last time that was just too much and I landed at Whitchurch Canonicorum, some 5 km NE of Lyme Regis.

The view was great looking at the coast line, especially fossil beach. Shame I was running out of land forcing me to crosswind it as it was hard enough doing a downwind dash. I recorded my first 'open' distance flight of the year with some 64 km.

Thanks goes to Steve Gale for retrieving me and Jamie Cannon for getting his model out and finding that thermal for me.

Tony

Double Dip

2010-06-17T21:17:00.005+01:00

Forecast was NNE in the morning moving to ENE in the afternoon. I headed to Harting, arriving around 11am, it was indeed NNE and a nice 12mph at launch. Quickly rigged and had a flight out the the beacon, not a whole load of any lift, then it went like a washing machine and had gone East.

Julian turned up but had forgotten parts of his VQ. I decided to go to Mercury.

Arrived around 1.30pm, wind NE, swinging between NNE and ENE, not easy but I rigged and after a short wait had a fly. Pretty cra* to begin with, then I got a climb that allowed me to fly up to the N end of the ridge, still not a whole load of anything, windy at times. Ended up going down between cycles.

A beautiful day on the downs and I made a new friend....

James Roy

My First UK XC! Monks Down to Pimperne

2010-06-17T17:58:00.000+01:00

Saturday 12th June 2010

A day of two halves for sure. The morning was cold and the wind was strong and gusty. I had a couple of flights but it wasn't very nice and you found yourself going backwards at times.

Paragliding Monks Down in Gusty Wind

After lunch the wind dropped somewhat and I launched at what looked like the end of a cycle (typical). Instead I found myself in some decent lift and got above the trees and started to 360 in it. Before I knew it I was at cloudbase and become untethered from the hill! I decided it would be a good plan to follow a pilot ahead of me as he looked like he knew what he was doing. Big mistake as he was clearly better than me and I kept leaving lift to keep up with him rather than topping up on each climb. This put me very low over Pimperne, where I found a likely looking field and landed. Forgot to turn the GPS on so I had to use my phone to work out the distance (a massive 13km! I even entered it in the league). I'm over the moon and can't wait to do my next cross country, I know I can go further next time...

Monks Down Paragliding XC

Richard

Festival of Flight 2010

2010-06-15T14:33:00.001+01:00

Hi, Thanks for the few pilots that turned up at this year's Festival of Flight.

Unfortunately the wind did not favour us but at least it was sunny and dry.

A few PG pilots did manage some flying at the "Mushroom"

Everyone appeared to have enjoyed themselves and a special thanks to Brian Parkins and his HG buddy for all their hard work entertaining the kiddies and parents with the hang glider experience. Once again Bob Dear of Wessex fame arrived with his Hang glider rig and he too was busy hooking the kiddies in the harness, All tiring work but they stuck at it all day.

Mike Sylvester stayed all day with his paramotor which attracted much interest. This year of course we had to be satisfied with a static display. That was well worth his effort. All deserve a big thank you.

I guess without the Kite people it would have been a duller day as the wind did favour them and the variety and colour of the kites was extraordinary.

All in all ,a darn good show. Do come along another time ,it is only once a year.

It was also good to see our Chairman Jim Whitney and Matthew his son on the hill.

Later I hope to post more photos at Yahoo gallery.

I took the opportunity to speak with Tim Speller the Manager of QEP with reference to THAT marker post at Butser West. He has agreed that it can be placed at the fence line. Of course this means that it will not suddenly appear as someone has to provide and place the marker!! Any takers!!

Shippo

Westbury 12 June

2010-06-13T23:02:00.000+01:00

Wind NNW-NNE 7-14 MPH

The day was forecast to be very good, however it started with strato cumulus which was not forecast. That took a long time to clear and conditions slowly improved throughout the afternoon. By 2.30 it had really started to pick up.

Many were at Westbury including Wayne, Jamie, Grant, Nev and Steve Gale. Jamie and Grant enjoyed the early poorer conditions heading upwind towards Bath and returned to land just as conditions were getting good. I think they had to head home.

I persevered and was closing in on Trowbridge as things really seemed to get better. I pushed on and had a great view of the Avon and kennet canal directly benieth me as well as Bradford-on-Avon.

I decided to head towards Marlborough and jumped a few cloud streets to reach Olivers Castle and just West of Devises. Cloud base was steadily rising from 3800 at the start to 4700 at 4pm. By this time I was feeling tired so glided straight back to Westbury to record a nice 45 km triangle.

A lovely flight that included a 700ft p/min climb on the averager.

Tony

tick warning

2010-06-08T15:12:00.001+01:00

judging by the number of Sheep & Cattle Ticks my dog has picked up in recent weeks I can safely say that the little critters have thrived in the recent weather.
The critters lay in the grass & will give you a nibble if you sit around long enough!
They may also carry that nasty disease called Lymes Disease.
The easiest way to remove them is useing a tick remover purchased for a few pounds from the vets! You don't want to squash the critter as this will force the blood inside back though its jaws & into whatever it is biting!
stay safe & have fun

wayne

Sunday 6th June 2010, Butser West, PG

2010-06-08T13:11:00.001+01:00

My name is Pete and its been 3 months since my last flight. On Saturday, as I felt quite rusty, I did a couple of hours ground-handling at Mercury in very light NE.

Sunday was W so headed to Butser. Had 2 short flights with rubbish landings including being dragged through cow pats in the bottom of the bowl. Decided to spend the rest of the day fixing my landing technique before I hurt myself. There didn't seem to be much lift about anyway. Had 2 more short flights with excellent landings. 'Excellent' meaning landing softly on my feet within the field I was aiming for without getting more cow-muck on me or my kit.

By about 3pm most people had gone home and it was getting a bit late for that lunch I'd promised my driver so decided on one more top-to-bottom. If I could pull off another good landing I'd go home feeling pretty pleased myself.

At launch it was a bit tussly but with some encouragement from Stu I got off. Penetrating over the trees was really slow but once past them I started to go up. And up and up. I kept stumbling through patches of lift generally slowing down while going through then turning round for a second go. Not quite managing to circle, but it worked. I eventually topped out at about 1400 feet ATO. A experienced pilot would have been making XC plans but I was just "I'm actually doing it" and "Wow this is awesome" and "where's Butser".

I'd been up for about 40 minutes and decided that would do me, after all I was only doing a top-to-bottom. I did manage to dig out my phone for a couple of snaps on the way down. Total flight time was 57 minutes and I landed gently on my feet in the right field and without acquiring any more excrement. I'm over the moon and been boring everyone I know (and some I don't) ever since.

Pete

Butser sunday 6/6/10

2010-06-07T21:55:00.001+01:00

what a surprise Sunday was the forecast was for it to get strong and blown out by lunch time but as we were to find out it they got it wrong again. I arrived on the hill about 8:45 to find five other PG's enjoying an early start and the wind varying from light to perfect and smack on. So after a quick catch up with Richard C and Stu it was set up time and have a flight. A bit lively in places but good to not be smacked about by snotty thermals and racked up 100 ato and a couple of nice top landing one almost in formation with Richard. Headed over to oxenbourn but hit a load of sink before getting anywhere near so made a trip to the upper field, one of two trips I made down there. Missed the best of the day by the sound of it though with Pete (he was on a red ribbon) and Grant C having a great flight after Al, Richard and I left. Well done you Guys

Nigel B

Whitewool

2010-06-03T19:46:00.001+01:00

A pleasant 30 minutes flying this morning at Whitewool with James and Justin. A little thermal now and again but enough to get a couple of hundred feet.

Alun

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My Optimism Brain Cell Part 2

2010-05-30T23:07:00.002+01:00

2pm today I find myself driving to Westbury in a real hoolie.

This side of Warminster I spot Steve Gale driving back towards Southampton.

But under control of the Optimism Brain Cell I carry on regardless arriving around 3.30.

Its windy but very nice. No hangers there, one comes and goes.

I wait, wait some more, get rigged, walk to launch around 5, as I get there it gets windy again.

I wait some more, eventually take off at 6pm, 20mph, sky to myself. Beautiful "no-brain" conditions, gentle evening thermals to 1500 ATO. Land at 7.30 relaxed and happy.

James Roy

Mercury tuesday 25th may.

2010-05-26T11:03:00.001+01:00

In spite of the reasonable forecast the wind was a light NE-ENE & thermic. The thermals were small & broken.

The main ridge produced the most consistent lift, albeit very light. The NE bowl was an unpleasant place to be with large area's of sink which dropped me to the tree line fast. I attempted a very low save over the trees but a bottom landing beckoned.

I set up a good approach to land on the rise near the road in the south field but at 50ft agl hit very heavy sink whilst gliding down the slope. This was aggravated by a thermal in front of me which pulled the air towards it. I was now forced to attempt a down wind,down slope landing in crop whilst flying at 30mph!

The result was an Atos laying upside down in the crop. The damage was restricted to the weak link in an upright.

The crop had actually cushioned the glider as she went over.

Sometimes 'lady luck' gives you a little test!

safe flying

wayne

Mercury - 22nd May

2010-05-22T21:21:00.001+01:00

Mercury - 22nd May. Better than I expected. At 12pm it was quite light with small thermals toppoing out at 3000ft, but by 1:30-2pm it became more established and the thermals went to just over 4000ft, with 4-500ft/min, pretty much as RASp predicted. Light on the hill making it difficult to get up, but once up (and on a HG) you could jump the gaps between lift every 2-3 miles. I am constantly impressed by what is quite a small cramped hill - I bet we had better flying than those in the mountains in SE Wales. Nev.

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Mercury Saturday 22 may

2010-05-22T21:00:00.001+01:00

Well what an interesting day. Driving up to the hill there were several wings in the air at varying heights but be the time I got to the hill face most had landed and so the cycles came through as the day progressed. I made a couple of trips down the hill to check that the bottom of the hill was still there (which it was). I then took off into a bit of a gust and made my way along into a very tight and punchy thermal which rocketed me skywards before spitting me out. After a bit of a SAT I top landed to find everyone out of there harnesses and not wanting to take off :) I cant think why ha ha. After waiting for it to die down I had a very pleasant flight just before the sea breeze kicked in and killed it. Still good day in good company.

Saturday 14th May - Westbury

2010-05-17T21:16:00.001+01:00

Saturday 14th May - Westbury

A good 1/2 day. I had to be at my Son's school (10 miles east of Westbury) by 2:30, so was relieved that RASP said the good thermals would be from 11:00 till 1pm. By 1pm I was circling up to base, despite the 5mph wind at takeoff (westbury works so well). I then flew 8 miles NNE to Lyneham airspce, then west past Bath to between Frome/Midsommer Norton for an approx 25 mile square, landing back at Westbury at 1pm where it was OD'ing. Base rose from a modest 3500 to 5000 by 1pm. Thermals were predictable, generally around 4up but up to 9up underneath the big dark clouds.

As I was winding down Bruce & Grant were climbing out and setting off, Bruce getting to somewhere near Combe (where did Grant go?). Neil made it past Pewsey. One of my best 2 days out this year so far.

Nev

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Mercury 9th May

2010-05-10T10:47:00.003+01:00

Decided to go to the Hampshire Green Festival at the Sustainability Centre (behind Mercury). With a NE and a decent blow there was no way I was going without taking my glider.

So sent the family to the festival and I went to Mercury. On arrival I found Grant in the air, no one else there. It was blowing about 20mph at launch. Quickly rigged and had a flight, the bowl was working well in the NE and at times the whole ridge as well, Grant made it to base, as I recall around 1500. I found it a bit rough, the lift was very broken at times.

Landed for lunch, then another go. A PG pilot turned up and decided to have a go, I think it was still blowing pretty hard. Then walked down to the festival, Tony Blackburn came up the track with his HG, not sure if he flew.

On returning to the car at around 4.45 Steve Green and Bruce K (pictured above) were rigged. It was now a lot lighter, they were flying when we left.

James

My Optimism Brain Cell

2010-05-03T22:46:00.004+01:00

Had been watching the forecast all weekend and Monday looked good for Harting but was probably going to be blown out.

Looking out the window this morning my rational self told me to do something else but body control suddenly came under the authority of the optimism brain cell.

Driving through the A3 cutting I could see a gaggle of sail planes thermalling above. It was raining at this point and very windy.

My finger went for the indicator to turn the car round but again the optimism brain cell took over and I continued to Harting.

Cleared up as I got there, loads of sail planes on the ridge. Walked up to launch and measured the wind speed. It looked OK, the occasional gust into the mid 20’s.

“See I told you it was flyable” said the optimism brain cell.

Walked back to the car and unloaded, hiked up to launch with glider. It was now gusting 30mph.

Safety brain cell said no thanks.

Optimism brain cell said wait until this evening.

Rational self said go home.

After a protracted fight I went home.

Bloody brain cells, bloody weather, bloody sport. To make matters worse they had an awesome day in Wales at the British Open Series as well but lazy brain cell had said it wasn't worth the drive....

James Roy

Whitewool XC 4th April

2010-05-02T22:10:00.001+01:00

Had a pucker little XC from Whitewool, only 6k to Cor(e)hampton limited only by SOTN airspace!

Day was post cold front (I think), so dry Easterly air, very little meteo wind 5 mph but thermic cycles coming through to enhance that wind to about 8 mph at times, mixed in by some 5 up's when leaving the hill. No clouds.

Left from the middle, fenced area of Whitewool, testing the air, then over the road and back over Winchester hill, constantly lifting in a thermal to about 2,500 ft over Cor(e)hampton. Tried to make a return to Whitewool or at least towards New Arlesford but not enough forward speed in a light headwind, so landed out on a path next to a lovley green field! Potential to go much further, if that damn airspace wasn't so close!

Thanks Greg new member for the pickup!

Simon Vacher | Hampshire, United Kingdom | +44 (0) 7765488101

Check out my adventure and flying blog at www.simonvacherfilm.com

Or video production and camera services at Pixelblock Media www.pixelblockmedia.com

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Harting Wednesday 21st April

2010-04-23T17:37:00.001+01:00

Wind on hill NNW 10-12 mph

Steve Gale and I turned up a little later than wanted and could see James Roy already ridge soaring. He bottom landed whilst we rigged. Tim and Wayne were rigging their Atos rigids too.

I declared an out and return to Devils Dyke, some 94.5 km was the gps reading. Steve and Tim decided to try it too and punched in the co-ords I supplied.

The wind was off to the West so not ideal for Harting. I took off at 12.50 and instantly cored a thermal. I was shortly followed by Steve and Tim, not sure what happened to Wayne but I know James had another try later.

At 2500 ASL I set off towards a wispy cu and got a 3 up climb. Had a couple of other small climbs before heading out in front of the hill before Cocking to take me to about 4000ft. It was soon apparent this was not as good as yesterday and I radioed saying I think I've over set the task.

Anyway pushing on I headed across the Cocking gap to another wispy cu and got a 5 up. Heading the other way was Steve Cook on his Phantom rigid who had come from Devils Dyke. He joined me in the thermal at the same height, we waved at each other, topped up what we needed and went different ways. Steve Cook continued towards Harting.

Climbs were regular but nothing spectacular all the way until I got to South of Parham. But after Parham no good formed Cu's but the odd wispy bits here and there. It got quite difficult and I nearly paid the price for pushing on too fast by ignoring weak and broken 2 up climbs.

Down to 1600ft ASL when just West of Steyning I spotted a wispy cu forming out in the flats and could see a field sheltered by a small forest. It's got to be coming off that field and going straight up in this light wind, so I glided a couple of km to it and arrived at 900ft when my luck turned good. I took a broken climb that turned into a 4 up and took me to around 4500.

Decisions, decisions were my thoughts, shall I head back as it really looks tough carrying on? I'll just try this wispy and if it works I'll do the last 10 km to the Dyke. Fortunately it worked and even more luck a decent cu was now forming 5 km from the Dyke so I took that one too.

Then a beautiful cu behind the Dyke was tempting but I ignored it to head back to Harting. Soon I was to rue that decision as the next 10 km I had nothing but sink and some very big 7 down stuff too. At 1100ft ASL next to Steyning a broken half up was found and looking up I saw Steve Gale pass overhead. He turned back in hope of getting a thermal he thought I was in but found out to his horror it was rubbish.

Soon Steve and I were at approx 1300ft, he'd lost a 1000ft looking for my thermal! We scraped around together for a while though never actually ridge soaring before a 3 up helped us. When at 2300ft I opted to try a wispy cu in the flats and it worked, which proved to be very significant. Steve stayed with the weak climb unaware I had left.

Climbing under the wispy cu I think I topped another 700ft before spotting another wispy forming nearer the ridge, that topped me up more and I proceeded after another wispy before spotting a better wispy forming just SW of Parham gliding club. This was 'the one' and it took me to 5500ft, I reluctantly left it whilst still climbing as I FL55 was right above me but it was enough. Just before setting off I could see Steve Gale still stuck at Steyning where I left him.

Gliding cross the Arundal gap was mainly good air and it wasn't until reaching near Duncton I hit big sink. Just South of Graffham I hit a good one, no pointers of a cu for me it was just pot luck and I made good use of my fortune topping up to about 4500.

Next climb was just past the Cocking gap, I probably didn't need it but thought I'm not racing into goal in a comp and it would be a crying shame to fall short at this stage so topped up for a 9-1 glide in. Arriving at 2500ft over Harting took me a while to find sink!

I even pondered about carrying on a few km to try break the British record but thought that's being greedy as there was a lot of cirrus shutting out the sun now.

To sum it up, it was not easy but the saving grace was that the drift at flying heights was 15 kph, otherwise I could never have afforded the 2 up climbs.

Tony

Fw: WHITEWOOL

2010-04-23T10:39:00.001+01:00

----- Original Message -----

From: Don Shipton

To: Skysurfers Flying diary

Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 8:06 AM

Subject: WHITEWOOL

Hi , Whitewool looked beautiful I had hoped for some really good flying but it didn't happen as it was very much up and down and more down that up. On the plus side James lane went over the back, not far but at 1000ft ato had hoped for a longer XC .Simon Vacher also left the hill at the same time and managed to fly to Corhampton and had a quick retrieve.

Full house with eight pilots ,four of these low airtime who were very pleased to have their longest flights lasting all of 5/10 minutes .Now they are really hooked! Another low airtime pilot PG but high airtime airline pilot! Brian did well and enjoyed his flying having a few good flights. I asked the usual 'tongue in cheek' question. "Which do you enjoy flying the most, your passenger jet or your wind paraglider?"

The answer is always the same .No contest, which just shows how addicted our sport can be.

More good news. I have met with the landowners at Whitewool to try improving communications to avoid losing flying days and have been successful.

No visit by a warden but a visit to a website. This will indicate "Closed days" some are already posted for clay shoots. (The site remains controlled as per the rules except for this change.)

All pilots will have access to this website but it is still top priority that a warden be present for all flying.

These changes will come into effect very soon and will be posted ASAP.so for the time being continue as normal.

Mercury ,looking across ,didn't do any better than Whitewool and only a few pilots were there.

We remain optimistic.

Hope you are making a good recovery Jason. (and getting a good tan looking up to the sky!) Shippo

Devils Dyke 20th April

2010-04-22T20:10:00.001+01:00

Wind on hill. NNW 10-18 MPH

The forecast was for an excellent day and it did not disappoint. I headed for Devils Dyke with an out and return in mind. I needed to be ready to fly the following day as that was forecast as epic too so I had to try an out and return.

My flight was declared as Dyke to Cocking and back, some 78 kms in total. In radio contact with Ron Richardson as he fancied trying the same task too. It turned out we never did fly together.

I took off just before 12 and was soon on track. Several strong climbs encountered as I approached Parham gliding club, some even 8 ups! Steve Cook joined me on his Phantom by catching me up and passing me.

Conditions were more difficult on approaching the Arundal gap, the wind had now become a 30 kph head wind. I was getting readings varying from 330-270 degrees. Two attempts were needed to make the jump, though I never dropped below 2000ft. I also saw a PG bomb out near Arundal. Joining Cooky and a sailplane thermalling in the middle of the gap proved fruitless and it was here Steve Cook said he headed back to the Dyke. He couldn't stand the cold in his hands anymore!

Getting across on my second attempt I made good height and needed it as the strong headwind made it tough and exhausting. After three good climbs coming off the ridge I finally had enough height to making the Cocking turn point after setting off 3 hours earlier.

Looking down there was another PG on an xc. We shared a thermal briefly though it was at least a 1000ft below me. Now with a tailwind the flying became so much easier and I just bimbled along relaxing and despite this the 39 km to the Dyke took just 46 minutes.

On the ground I caught up with Steve Cook and we both had plans to try out and returns the next day. Steve aimed to head up towards Harting from the Dyke and I said I intended to do it the other way round. We parted saying "may well see each other tomorrow on route".

What a cracking day, a new PB out and return distance of 78 km.

Harting 22nd April

2010-04-22T12:16:00.003+01:00

I have always regarded Harting as my 'spiritual home' of hang gliding. It is where after school I cut my teeth and really learnt to fly. However it can be a sod of a place and despite being of a fair size just doesn't seem to work that well as a ridge soaring site (and its a horrid ridge to scratch on). I have lost count of the number of top to bottoms Ive had here. The other side of the coin is that when its good it can be really good. I have a handful of memories of some cracking days here but, for me, they are few and far between.
So today I kind of knew what to expect with a lightish wind and a red RASP; if you could get up and away from launch it would be great, if not it was probably going to be a day with the sheep in the bottom landing field.
I arrived early around 9.30am and was ready to launch by 10.30. I considered waiting but gave it a go at 11. By that time Tim and Wayne had arrived. As I lunched I suddenly realised that I had the words 'wind dummy' written on my forehead but as my feet had already left the ground it was to late. After a short flight I bottomed out as expected.
Getting back up for another go Tony and Steve Gale had also arrived. Tony took off first and found a climb off to the east of launch, then was gone. Steve Gale looked like he was heading for lunch with the sheep but found the bottom of Tony's climb and after working the weak climb was also away. Tim ditto.
Wayne got up so I went for it again finding weak and broken lift to the east of launch. I got up (a bit) but there were also pockets of massive sink and after about 10 mins I was back with my woolly friends, shortly followed by Wayne.
So not quite the epic day I had hoped for but given it was Harting I kind of knew it was coming.
James Roy

Liddington 20th April

2010-04-22T10:58:00.001+01:00

A good day if a little windy, would have been great for Hangies I'm
sure. Quite rough on the hill and hard to penertrate forward, I was
10k from the hill before getting to cloudbase. Quite often the climbs
were broken and there was lots of big sink around but loads of
sailplanes marking the lift. Looks like more good weather this
week.....

Chris Jones PG

Mercury, Friday 16th April

2010-04-18T21:42:00.001+01:00

Arrived early afternoon - only Brian C. there! A bit strong and gusty at times but forecast to drop through the day so rigged the hangie in anticipation. Three more arrived, including Tony S. and Steve G. As ever, Tony was keen so the rest of us let him "wind dummy". Not terrific height for the windspeed, but eminently soarable. Best lift tended to be in the bowl as the wind was off to the north. I joined Tony and we shared the bumps. Steve soon followed. Tony top landed and wrote off an upright and bottom bar. (He got gusted up then dumped heavily on the A-frame.) Later I was joined by an ATOS which thrived in the stronger conditions. Some strong cores at time, but bumpy.

Clocked up nearly an hour's airtime - most welcome. Later, the para-waiters had the slope to themselves as the wind dropped sufficiently for them to have a turn. The lift seemed disappointing, though.

Left just after 6pm - a lovely clear, sunny evening.

Brian.

Harting April 13th

2010-04-14T21:25:00.000+01:00

Wind NNE-ENE 15-25 MPH

Tim, Alan, Jamie and I the only souls there. Too Windy and gusty for Alan so he never flew to my knowledge.

We all took off together around 13.15. Tim raced off down the ridge on his Atos leaving Jamie and I behind.

All 3 of us joined up at the Cocking gap. We headed across together but Jamie and I in radio contact decided to try and connect with an approaching cloud street half way across. We aimed towards the street and eventually got sucked up towards it. Tim raced off along the ridge.

Jamie and I enjoyed the next two hours between 3500 and 5500 ft jumping from street to street. We both flew over the Arundal gap to the other side before deciding to head back as clouds were thinning and looking fewer.

We both had frozen hands which put a bit of a shine off what was a great fun flight. Jamie and I landed around 16.30.

Jamie did around about 49 km out and return and I around 54 km out and return.

Tim landed just behind Harting.

If we could have had 5mph less wind would have been perfect conditions.

Tony

Mercury, Saturday 10th

2010-04-11T19:44:00.001+01:00

>>Where did you get to Neville? (I heard you took a trip to Cosham and back!)

I flew ENE to just beyond Petersfield (north of Harting), where I lost my map during a refold so resorted to flying where I knew the airspace...south past Harting towards Corsham, then back to downs, Westwards towards Fareham, then back to the hill for a great 2 1/4 hour flight. Base at just over 5000ft, thermals only 300-400ft/min north of the downs, but further south in the convergence reached 900ft/min on the averager. Well worth the patient 25min wait to find upgoing air in the near near wind.

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