Sugar 30 March SW
Mike Hibbit
Went to Sugar the long way round! Flyable all afternoon though a bit scratchy at times. With 'new' Sigma and Bobcat harness managed to soar to telegraph wires to the south of take off, back, and then full length of ridge to the north of the track up to Liddington Warren Farm, and back. All in dynamic lift, sometimes just above the fence line!
Really good challenging flying. Why is there never anybody at this site?
Went to Sugar the long way round! Flyable all afternoon though a bit scratchy at times. With 'new' Sigma and Bobcat harness managed to soar to telegraph wires to the south of take off, back, and then full length of ridge to the north of the track up to Liddington Warren Farm, and back. All in dynamic lift, sometimes just above the fence line!
Really good challenging flying. Why is there never anybody at this site?
2009-03-29 Nant Y Moel
Strong conditions with good lift. A bit bumpy but hey........ It's Spring. Manged to get high but was forced down by unbelievably painful frozen fingers.
Reech
Reech
2009-03-22 Big Fat Repack
An instructional and fun day at the Thames Valley Big Fat Repack.
Reech
Reech
Liddington 22 March
Tom Clowes
Last week was a great week for flying and after the BFR on Sunday, Ben and I drove to Liddington. An hour’s airtime and the perfect way to end a brilliant day at the BFR which was brilliantly organized and very, very useful. THANK YOU to all those who helped organize it. I am now confident to repack my reserve next time. The zip line was a superb way to practice throwing too!
Liddington 22 March
Mark Chamberlain
Tried Combe in the morning but it was too strong (predictably but it was worth a try). Went on to Liddington where it was strong but doable. Launching from low down and staying away from the top saw tricky soaring conditions but later as the thermals kicked of opened up the lift band. 3 got away (where did you get to?) but I'd taken off without a map or gps, not intending to go XC so when I got into the same big thermal and got a 1200ft height gain was racked with indecision and ended up flopping over the back of the hill not wanting to commit myself to an XC and not being able to get back to the hill.
An excellent day that I really enjoyed.
2009-03-20 Cwmbran Fairwater
Spectacular site. Hard carry up and down. Well worth it. Only just over the bridge.
Reech
Reech
Pandy Thursday 19th March
Mike Long and I paid a visit to Pandy today, vis not great but from midday flying commenced with gliders taking off from both upper and lower launches in mainly dynamic conditions but with the occasional thermal giving 450m max ato for me. I almost managed to get to the Northern most point up the ridge, just that last gnarly bowl proved a too sinky obstacle, Mike had a great time flying 1/2 mile either side of the top launch for many hours and performed several flawless strong wind takeoff and landings. The only thing that marred the day was me loosing my phone, think it was while I practicing some infinite tumbles over the bottom launch, so keep a look out for it next time your flying at Pandy. - IanP
Speed Flying La Clusaz
Peter and I had done a lot of skiing as well as some paragliding and pretty much were flying from the off, however Rupert hadn't done any paragliding and really struggled.
Would definitely recommend it, but only if you can ski and fly really well if you want to progress quickly.
Here is a little video from the second half of my first ever flight and then one from the second day on a bigger slope...
Combe Sat 21st March
N- NW Combe Mike Silvester 21 03 09 Got to site about 1030. 3 or 4 pilots in the car park getting ready and half dozen on take off. Wind was off to the West to begin with. but slowly came round to NW. Sion Roberts and one other then myself launched about 1150. Slowly but surely more pilots started to arrive and the take off was really busy by 1300. Wind/thermals were fairly strong but flyable. Got two and half hours in with three flights. not sure on height as vario still in rucksack but got to the top of stack for a few moments looking down on Richard Bungay, but he soon climbed above me. Chris Jones borrowed my electron and he had a good flight as l flew my red UP. Wind really started to pick up about 1545 and so Chris and one other bottom landed, l eventually got down just before it was blown out. Good to see so many familiar faces today. See you all at the BFR Sunday Regards Mike |
Sunday 22 Mar 09 Liddington
Sunday 22 Mar 09
John Eades
After a trip over to Combe and finding it absolutely howling through, ended up at Liddington. Had a nice little boat about in the thermals that were kicking off the big brown field in front and some good launching and landing practice. Probably arrived too late after the Combe fiasco and missed the best part of the day, so not a great deal of airtime had before the wind went off to the west. Finished off the day's action with a nice dragging through the grass after being caught out by a gust on landing ( I wasn't the only one to experience this). No harm done though, and nice to be off the ground again.
After a trip over to Combe and finding it absolutely howling through, ended up at Liddington. Had a nice little boat about in the thermals that were kicking off the big brown field in front and some good launching and landing practice. Probably arrived too late after the Combe fiasco and missed the best part of the day, so not a great deal of airtime had before the wind went off to the west. Finished off the day's action with a nice dragging through the grass after being caught out by a gust on landing ( I wasn't the only one to experience this). No harm done though, and nice to be off the ground again.
2009-03-19 Pandy
Here's what things looked like at Pandy
Reech
Reech
Mercury 17 March ESE 10MPH
Tom Clowes
Took the day off and the conditions were spot on at Mercury with 10mph ESE winds. Sunshine and thermic action was had. Flew for about three hours – went over the back to Whitewool to wave at other pilots and then back to Mercury on full speedbar – shame about the airspace further back… About 10 other paragliders there with a couple of hangliders. A really good day.2009-03-17 Kettle Sings
Short vid of Kettle Sings in a gale.......
2009-03-15 Merthyr
Eventually wandered over to Merthyr. Was just getting a bit strong so waited it out until things had calmed down (enough to takeoff!) and had a good time with quite a few others. Lurvely.......
Combe Gibbet 15 March 12 kmh NW
Sunday 15th March - Combe - James Learmont
The best days on the hill are often the most surprising. An unpromising light westerly morning was eventually overcome by some thermic activity driving a nice on slope breeze around midday. I had unwisely repacked just before the first wave of thermals came through and the handful of die hards waiting on the hill were rewarded with some flying action. I was persuaded to unpack again and caught the second wave just as the cloud closed in. Not as good as first time, but after my lay off nice to get to 1000ft again. Jonty did a mini XC to Sinkenholt and Mr Bungay did triangles with the sailplanes, and although a fair few got height I don't think anyone else got away. Good atmosphere on the hill, quite uncrowded for a Sunday and one lucky passenger got a 20 minute tandem flight during the best bit of the day. Also worth mentioning our three red ribbons looking assured and taking off competently and landing safely and nobody falling over. It had been a bit of an 'airshow on the hill' day, with a paramotor buzzing overhead in the morning, the artificial model 'Kite' out, duelling with the real bird, some normal kites, numerous sailplanes and to finish with some ballons. Let's hope we get more good Combe days and soon!
James
The best days on the hill are often the most surprising. An unpromising light westerly morning was eventually overcome by some thermic activity driving a nice on slope breeze around midday. I had unwisely repacked just before the first wave of thermals came through and the handful of die hards waiting on the hill were rewarded with some flying action. I was persuaded to unpack again and caught the second wave just as the cloud closed in. Not as good as first time, but after my lay off nice to get to 1000ft again. Jonty did a mini XC to Sinkenholt and Mr Bungay did triangles with the sailplanes, and although a fair few got height I don't think anyone else got away. Good atmosphere on the hill, quite uncrowded for a Sunday and one lucky passenger got a 20 minute tandem flight during the best bit of the day. Also worth mentioning our three red ribbons looking assured and taking off competently and landing safely and nobody falling over. It had been a bit of an 'airshow on the hill' day, with a paramotor buzzing overhead in the morning, the artificial model 'Kite' out, duelling with the real bird, some normal kites, numerous sailplanes and to finish with some ballons. Let's hope we get more good Combe days and soon!
James
Liddington 15 March
A very pleasant afternoon in the spring sun with a light variable breeze and occasional small thermals allowing short flights. As soon as I had packed up some of the others popped up a few hundred feet above launch – ain’t that always the way?!
Chris Williams
Chris Williams
Devils Dyke 15 March
Steve Empringham
Sweet and sour.........plenty of height to be had at the Dyke today, but eventually I had to land after becoming fed up playing aerial dodgems.
Sweet and sour.........plenty of height to be had at the Dyke today, but eventually I had to land after becoming fed up playing aerial dodgems.
Combe Gibbet 10th March NW
Mike Hibbit
Pleasant evening soaring, with wind 10-12 mph switching between NW and NNW.
Tree hopping and a bit of aerial sheep herding, in the gap, then watching the sun go down over Ham Hill, was a nice way to end a working day.
Pleasant evening soaring, with wind 10-12 mph switching between NW and NNW.
Tree hopping and a bit of aerial sheep herding, in the gap, then watching the sun go down over Ham Hill, was a nice way to end a working day.
Milk Hill 6 March 09
Steve Empringham
Took off shortly before 11. Dave 'also on an orange Atis 2' Hague sportingly dissuaded others from taking off with his 'am I getting blown back or doing this on purpose' tricks followed by a 'watch me knitting with my lines' routine. So, the sky to myself for a while - cheers Dave. Eventually committed to a drifty climb off the back, in the company of Dave who by now had sorted himself out down the bottom of the slope, then hooned up from his take-off a third of the way up the slope. Great fun was had climbing out - much easier to find the lift with another wing there. Saw at least two more climbing out as we drifted away - from Rybury? Then a 60 km/h downwind blast to a bit past Marlborough - must look for a second thermal next time! Saw three wings go past as I trudged towards Marlborough to get a cab. A great day - what a start to the XC season we're having!
http://www.pgcomps.org.uk/xcleague/xc/view.php?year=2009&leagueView=1&showView=1&showFlightDate=2009-03-06
Took off shortly before 11. Dave 'also on an orange Atis 2' Hague sportingly dissuaded others from taking off with his 'am I getting blown back or doing this on purpose' tricks followed by a 'watch me knitting with my lines' routine. So, the sky to myself for a while - cheers Dave. Eventually committed to a drifty climb off the back, in the company of Dave who by now had sorted himself out down the bottom of the slope, then hooned up from his take-off a third of the way up the slope. Great fun was had climbing out - much easier to find the lift with another wing there. Saw at least two more climbing out as we drifted away - from Rybury? Then a 60 km/h downwind blast to a bit past Marlborough - must look for a second thermal next time! Saw three wings go past as I trudged towards Marlborough to get a cab. A great day - what a start to the XC season we're having!
http://www.pgcomps.org.uk/xcleague/xc/view.php?year=2009&leagueView=1&showView=1&showFlightDate=2009-03-06
Combe 05 March 08 NNW
Fi Burgess
Got to Combe about 3pm having heard it was a great morning. Lee took Lucy on the brand new, crispy beautiful TEAM 5 tandem and got to Cloudbase - it was her first ever flight and I think she might be hooked! I think Lee is rather keen on the tandem too. Also heard that some xc had been committed - 30km perhaps. Now it was quite blowy so I watched for a while, only to see 2 barbed wire victims almost at the same time at opposite ends of the Gibbet, both with speed bars, big ears and collapses, plus lots of mud and a very sore looking knee and toe. Feeling very sorry for them we waited a bit longer and sure enough it settled down for a wonderful soar around with the red kites until sunset. Ground handling wing wars were rather good fun too. Very nice to see Lawrence and Simon out as well.
Got to Combe about 3pm having heard it was a great morning. Lee took Lucy on the brand new, crispy beautiful TEAM 5 tandem and got to Cloudbase - it was her first ever flight and I think she might be hooked! I think Lee is rather keen on the tandem too. Also heard that some xc had been committed - 30km perhaps. Now it was quite blowy so I watched for a while, only to see 2 barbed wire victims almost at the same time at opposite ends of the Gibbet, both with speed bars, big ears and collapses, plus lots of mud and a very sore looking knee and toe. Feeling very sorry for them we waited a bit longer and sure enough it settled down for a wonderful soar around with the red kites until sunset. Ground handling wing wars were rather good fun too. Very nice to see Lawrence and Simon out as well.
Combe 05/03/09 NNW 15 MPH
Nice day at Combe – arrived at 11.30 left at 5.00. Fairly consistent strength all day with not many pilots on the hill. Did drop off around 4 but still enough for some late afternoon scratching. Fairly strongish day but with spring thermals around enabled plenty of climbs out front (and everywhere else) but a little cold at times.
Milk Hill 2nd March WSW 11mph
Mike Long
Now that's a bit more like it ! Arrived with Chris W to an 11mph wsw wind and sunny skies. Had 20 mins of nice ,lifty air before more pilots arrived. Some nice thermals, nothing gnarly and good height gains. Pilots at Rybury doing well too. A couple got away , one flying along the front of Milk to Golden Ball and then climbed out from there and was off ! ( who was it and where did they get to ?) A bit windy by 12- ish so landed.
Now that's a bit more like it ! Arrived with Chris W to an 11mph wsw wind and sunny skies. Had 20 mins of nice ,lifty air before more pilots arrived. Some nice thermals, nothing gnarly and good height gains. Pilots at Rybury doing well too. A couple got away , one flying along the front of Milk to Golden Ball and then climbed out from there and was off ! ( who was it and where did they get to ?) A bit windy by 12- ish so landed.
Rybury 2nd March Westerly
David Hague
Arrived at 10 am with 2 scratching on Milk Hill, but decided to try Rybury as it looked westerly. Took off at 11 am, when the next non milkman arrived. Not much lift to start, given the 15 mph wind, but generally improved and occasional small bubbles started to come through. Was best at about 12:30 when I found my only large thermal of the day.
Arrived at 10 am with 2 scratching on Milk Hill, but decided to try Rybury as it looked westerly. Took off at 11 am, when the next non milkman arrived. Not much lift to start, given the 15 mph wind, but generally improved and occasional small bubbles started to come through. Was best at about 12:30 when I found my only large thermal of the day.
A few circling birds coaxed me out of the thermal at 500' ATO and into sink, where I got drilled, going in reverse on 1/2 bar, to a backwards landing. Just for good measure, my thermal partner on an Aspen climbed out.
Had one more flight for 20 minutes or so, ending with another drilling and another backwards landing. Risked the higher tariff backwards roll, which came off pretty well. Mum'll kill me when she sees my harnesss though. Wind really picked up then and at 2:00 it was 20-25 mph on the ridge, forcing the two remaining pilots to bottom land.
All good fun, and nice to be in one piece.
Combe 1st March 2009 WNW / W
Richard Barber
I turned up at Combe at around 2pm to find 2 gliders in the air and a couple getting ready. A quick chat revealed that it had been really good until lunchtime, but the wind had picked up a bit.
Although quite Westerly both pilots were above launch, but soon came down and landed. got myself ready and took off with a couple of the other pilots who'd arrived just before me. The wind was strong and along way off the hill. After being pinned for 10 minutes or so and having seen (Aiden?) on a redbull X-alps glider head out and then slope land at the bottom I decided that I didn't fancy that option as it'd mean landing in the lee of trees. Being a complete chicken and light on my wing, I headed over to the bottom landing field and landed vertically perpendicular to the landing field (it is quite small W - E).
When I left the other guys were slowly working their way westward along the ridge and as i left one had got a some decent height above a westerly bowl
I packed up and then headed off to Rybury / Milk Hill, but there was no one there and so headed home having done my little bit for the environment?!
Bell Hill 1st March, NW
Mike Silvester Great day today and as my car is off the road Kay and Paul gave me a lift down to Bell hill. Arrived to see at least 15 in the air and a few on the ground struggling to take off. We kitted up and it was breezy but one in the air it was good. From about noon till 2pm it was peachy then l was the last to land just as the wind really started to pelt through.
2009-02-28 Sandy Bay
Took a trek to the south coast. Fun was had.
Reech
Reech
