TVHGC Flying Diary

Name	::	Peter Waters
Email	::	news64 _at_ btinternet.com
Date	::	25 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	West
Comments	::	Nice day out! Triangle to start with 4500ft climbs out front. I then went down wind for 35km. lots of climbs to base. Taxi back to hill!
Pictures	::	http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Mark Chamberlain
Email	::	mark _at_ cageuk.co.uk
Date	::	25 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	West
Comments	::	I can't believe I've not flown Milk since 2003! Got there at about 13:30 with pilots on the hill but not flying. A hangie in the air was having a good time. Sat parawaiting for the wind to drop and having a chat. A couple of hours or so later and it became do-able. Had trouble getting off initially due to a very strong cross wind component but a couple of attempts saw me in the air. VERY lively with some small but strong and fast moving thermals. My vario making some very strange noises usually followed by a frontal. Also one or two tip collapses, nothing worrying and even the frontals were very benign. The other pilots decided not to venture into the air (propably seeing my wing make some very interesting shapes) so had the hill to myself and it was a great 1 3/4 hour flight. It was rough at times but with my single hang point felt safe as houses. Didn't take a map with me so didn't attempt to get away but did achieve some 6-700 ft climbs. Due to the wind strength anything more than one 360 took me behind the hill struggling to get back so it was difficult to stay with the thermals. I did get pinned in a thermal gust once and landed behind the fence. I turned on landing though and managed a backwards touch and go, propelling myself back over the fence without deflating the wing so could continue my flight. Eventually took one 360 too much and got stuck behind the hill. Rather than struggle to get back I took the chance to go downwind to head back towards my van (at Golden Ball car park). However I was low and in hindsight should have landed on top due to the low level rotor. It got a bit rough but I landed without incident in the small valley behind the hill. One of my more exciting flights and good to see the old Cage still has it :) The downside was I'd forgotten about the Par-Avion BBQ. Hope you had a good time!
Pictures	::
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Bob Johnston
Email	::	_at_
Date	::	25 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	South West
Comments	::	Popped down to Milk on the way to the Par Avion BBQ, got there at about 7pm and not a sole in sight just Malcom's car in the top car park. It was fairly blowy but got a nice smooth half hour in before the wind dropped and it was time to head to Par Av anyway. PS Don't worry I wasn't flying on my own.
Pictures	::	http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Robert Ager
Email	::	robertager _at_ ash-studios.co.uk
Date	::	25 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	South West
Comments	::	Headed out early and picked Kay and Paul up en route as the weather men had promised a beautiful day and we wanted to make the most of it. Arrived at 10.30 and by 10.45 we were in the air. Very good lift right along the ridge and the thermals were starting to get very bouncy, the lift however was incredible! Weather was beautiful and the view out over Portland and along the coast was stunning (but that wind was cold!) Landed for coffee at mid-day and whilst down the wind got steadily stronger and wisps of orographic cloud kept appearing. We hung in there for the afternoon and were rewarded with an arial display by the Red Arrows over Swanage. At 6.30 the howling of the wind died and we all got in the air for another hours flight. The height gain we were getting was amazing and I couldn't resist the temptation to fly over to the sea cliffs, this was a mistake however as the wind did not have enough south in it so had to land and walk back up to the ridge again. By the time I got back in the air, Kay and Paul had landed and as I got higher and higher I noticed how pronounced the Orographic cloud had become, forming a solid layer. Was very damp in the sky and I landed backwards as the wind had picked up again with a rather wet wing. I nice pint finished off a very pleasant day.
Pictures	::	http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Malcolm Beard
Email	::	highviz _at_ smartemail.co.uk
Date	::	25 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	West
Comments	::	Milk Hill to Henley on Thames - 70km Goal flight It looked windy on the way to Milk, but was suprisingly light on arrival. A couple of paragliders were scuffing around in the bowl and nobody in the air on Rybury, even though there were lots of cars parked at the bottom. The breeze picked up while I rigged the HG and PG's were doing better, so I set myself a goal at Henley on Thames and launched. Turned out to be quite lively, with small strong cores that fell apart as quickly as they formed. I could not quite hang in the climbs long enough to get away and the wind strength varied from strong to barely enough to stay up. I landed for a rest after an hour or so of fairly physical exercise. A bit later a good looking set of clouds were approaching and the lone PG flying started to gain height, so I tried again. Much smoother climbs this time and was able to head over the back pretty quickly. A friendly peregrine helped me to find a nice climb at Lockeridge, then had a reasonable run to Aldbourne. I had to take a slow climb here, but once north of the M4 it got really easy. 85km/hr ground speed and dolphin flying cloud to cloud to Pangbourne. East of the Thames I had to take a dogleg north, out of the lift, to get low enough to get under the airspace, then final glided to Henley. In retrospect I should have set a bigger goal further north, but that's the power of hindsight!
Pictures	::	http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Get to Ringstead and the hangies are packing up after a brill day for them. Word is it's dropping so we hang about and do some wait and see. We haven't flown hereand there's nobody here so there's much reading of the site guide and it's numerous hazards.......... Ringstead is a most intereting site. You take off on a little ridge some way back from the cliffs and make a transition to them if you get enough height over a few fields and the last bit being trees with a powerline. The guide makes it very clear that this can be somehat dangerous! I can see that.......... Anyway, it becomes takeoffable so we take to the air and boat around the little ridge for a bit. I can easily get height so my mind starts thinking about the 'death glide' transition. I would have preferred someone else to show me the way but nothing ventured nothing gained so I tentatively set off. About half way and I've still got height but being cautious by nature I turn back to see what the return is like. No problem! Confident that conditions are right I top up my height and set off again. It's miraculous! Lift all the way across and a beautiful unfolding of the cliffs below me accompanied by the gentle beeping of my vario. Alone, in all this space with spectacular veiws up and down the coast, I can see just about see people on the beach and their tents. Floaty, boaty coastal flying! High up the wind is strong, being pinned on a 2/3 on half bar reminds me to keep a careful eye on conditons as cloudbase is very low a I can see them forming upwind of me and I DO NOT want to be caught up here if it goes orographic!. I can see Ron back on the ridge having a go at the transition so decide to head back to see what it's like to get back. This concentrates my mind somewhat as I'm actually flying into a headwind on bar! Nonetheless the transition back is uneventful and I maintain my altitude all the way back. Ron's still not getting the same height and two others arrive and takeoff and set off straight from takeoff!! I figure they know what their doing and aim for the cliffs again with ron below me and the two others below Ron! Ron must have figured that if they can get there he can! The two stay low and mess around at cliff height, I stay high and float about in wispy cloud that seem to scoot by me at an alarming rate..... After a a bit I do another run back to takeoff and return to check on things as the wind high is quite easterly of the lower wind and getting more cloudy. As time goes by it's getting very, very damp in the air and upwind I can see the clouds getting darker and darker and cloudbase is lowering with the setting sun so I beckon to Ron about the clouds who has also seen them and I'm off to the ridge for a vertical landing. My wing is so damp it's almost wet! Duly everyone comes in to land and an excellent apres flight chat is had!

We leave as dark falls and off to Weymouth for some fish and chips on the seafront! A silk purse from a sow's ear day!

WSW 10-16 Sunshine, wind and thermals. Fun time was had in 'testing' air until it blew out..... CUnims in the distance were dropping bombs on someone......... Ron and I then went to Ringstead.

Name	::	Bob Johnston
Email	::	_at_
Date	::	24 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	South West
Comments	::	Desperation drove me to Bald hill tonight as the wind dropped but still had to wait until 8.30ish for it to drop enough to try my new glider out, still nearly got blown back twice but at least it was flying, what a great month July is turning out to be, not!
Pictures	::	http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Steve Empringham
Email	::	_at_
Date	::	23 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	South West
Comments	::	Chanced it early on. Very lifty, but turbulent, with a brick wall of wind beyond 100 ft ato. Then became way too strong as expected. Glad to get down in one piece. I guess 3 weeks without flying made me desparate! Interesting sky as I left; street of doom-laden dark clouds with some mammatus from upwind horizon to downwind horizon directly over the hill, but nice Cu to either side. Good to be enjoying the delights of last summer's weather all over again!
Pictures	::	http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Mike Manners
Email	::	mtllama _at_ live.co.uk
Date	::	15 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	South
Comments	::	Arrived at Milk WH with Tracy, bright & early flying from just after 8.30 in a smooth 8-10mph, had the hill to ourselves until 2ish when we were joined by Rob cursing his faulty alarm clock! Had a fabtaculous day ground handling, soaring, slope landing & decision making. Got back to the car after 4.30 as the rain came & patted ourselves on the back having had our first successful uncoached venture.
Pictures	::	http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	mike Hibbit
Email	::	cloud9airsports@btopenworld.com _at_
Date	::	16 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	South
Comments	::	Arrived with Bryan Regan about 11am just as the rain arrived also! But we could see about four wings in the air, so set off up the hill. Lawrence, Jim, Fi, Lee, Ian and a few more pilots including two Aussies, Mike and Graham, three dogs, old uncle Tom Cobbly and all! Rain stopped and some good height gains could be acheived although the fairly low base was quite threatening. Nobody got away. Mid afternoon I had a go on Fi's Team 5 DHV 1/2 wing. Wow! Very nice machine. Confidence inspiring with immaculate handling. Probably the best 1/2 I've ever flown. Do your self a favour and ask the Cloudbase 'guys' for a demo flight if you're thinking about a new wing. Flew most of the day until about 4pm when the wind increased and the persistent rain finally kicked in. Milk Hill Massif was also being flown.
Pictures	::	http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Cloudbase - Fi
Email	::	fiona _at_ cloudbaseparagliding.com
Date	::	10 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	West
Comments	::	Cloudbase went with 2 students plus ChrisW crammed in the truck and had a fabulous day with all of us flying and Marcus getting 2 perfect top landings to qualify for his CP (very well done!). Both Nik and Marcus showed off impeccable ground handling & launching and had 2 great big high flights each. Found Mr Hibbit there too as well as the joint services school and lots of others flying. Loads of lift and space for everyone, picked up quite strong but we only had to stop because the warm front came early and rained on us at 3pm.
Pictures	::	Here, courtesy of Chris Williams
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Al Wilson
Email	::	al _at_ mrog.co.uk
Date	::	10 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	West
Comments	::	We got there too late - early strong wind and reasonable climbs turned to to light wind and crap thermals, followed by strong wsw wind and crap thermals as the front came in. A few got away around 11.
Pictures	::
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Steve Newcombe
Email	::	_at_
Date	::	10 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	West
Comments	::	Site is 13 miles WSW of Salisbury & takes due west. Rough in the air & not much lift. Sun came out & gave rough, punchy thermals. Messed up decent XC opportunity by pushing forward again from a climb to big Cu just in front of hill, which gave nothing. Then it quickly clouded over, wind picked up & even started raining as I drove away. Lesson learnt: Go over the back with the first good opportunity!
Pictures	::
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Fi Burgess
Email	::	_at_
Date	::	04 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	South
Comments	::	3 of us made an early call and arrived at 9am. Although it was strong it didn't work initially, then we had better height until about 10.30 when it got very strong. More hopefuls arrived, but no hope. We had hoped to get away but there was too much cloud cover and the thermals broke up about 400 feet, plus the downwind sky looked miserable. All went back to Cloudbase hq to drink tea and reminisce. I saw the hangies up later on having a whale of a time, lucky things!
Pictures	::
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National

Name	::	Malcolm Beard
Email	::	highviz _at_ smartemail.co.uk
Date	::	05 / 07 / 2009
Direction	::	South
Comments	::	Only three HG's flying at Milk today. Overdevelopment broke up mid afternoon to give nice cumulus and a fair bit of sunshine. Took off from the south face and jumped forward onto the white horse,where cloudbase was about 3000ft. Had fun flying over the crop circles and taking a few pictures.
Pictures	::	http://www.highvizphotography.co.uk/download/P1010012e1small.jpg http://www.highvizphotography.co.uk/download/P1010017e1small.jpg http://www.highvizphotography.co.uk/download/P1010021e1small.jpg
XC League	::	TVHGC :: National