With the torrential rain we have been having lately (wettest June on record etc.) I was glad to get out today for a bit of soaring. I got a message from Bertie to say that Robin Young's hill was soar-able.
When I turned the corner that brought the hill into view I could see a Martin was flying his glider high in the ridge lift above the hill. It still makes the hairs go up on the back of my neck when I see a glider in the sky.
So I excitedly parked and put on my boots and climbed up the hill with my gear. Half way up I got a text from Bertie saying the wind was a bit rough which deflated me a little, but this was evidenced by Martin opting to land out in the middle of the field. When I reached the top of the hill Bertie was walking down to drive and collect Martin. So I busied myself with sitting on a rock checking the wind every now and then. I got bored sitting on my own after a bit so I left my gear next to Bertie's and walked back down to the car. A sandwich and a chat with Bertie and Martin later the conditions seemed to have improved, so we climbed back up. Conditions were now a wee bit choppy but nothing to worry about so I got ready while Bertie flew for a bit. By the time I had made myself happy with the conditions and equipment Bertie was setting up his top landing so I waited for a for a full report... "A bit choppy, should be fine."
A few moments later I was off the hill being watched by two experienced pilots who would now and then give me hand signals on how to improve my flight. It was always the same hand signals, move further in over the hill. The way Bertie explained this is that if you have the height to be in over the hill there will still be lift there, and when you turn out from the hill to change direction you will not fly out of the lift (or at least not so far out of it).
Below is my track log:
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13/07/2012
04/07/2012
New site, wind still shite
Today I intended to head out after work but I my wings were clipped due to not having a car as the missus took the children out for the day. Just when I was considering phoning to see what time my car would be back I got a call from a friend up the road asking if I fancied a trip out to Shane's hill. So of course I took him up on his kind offer.
I have been to Shane's hill before but never flown it. On route we phoned my old training instructor ("old" as in he isn't my training instructor any more) who was already out at Big Collin (which takes a similar wind direction to Shane's hill). The news was not what we wanted, apparently the wind was too weak to fly and they were packing up, so we decided to head to Shane's to see if it was any different.
We arrived and went through a site assessment from the bottom of the hill. Nothing to worry about just a busy bypass road, trees, houses and power lines for hazards before you get to the bottom landing field. It wasn't all bad as you can slope land on most of the hill if necessary and there are options to fly onto a nice long ridge called Agnew's hill in the right conditions.
We climbed to the top which was a nice easy walk up the back of the hill and Ian talked me through the site once more. We both went through our daily checks and Ian took of first. He was just about maintaining his height so based on previous experiences I wouldn't be up for long if I launched, so I contented my self with a bit of ground handling. Just bringing the wing up and standing with it above my head for a while then collapsing it back down again, rinse and repeat.
I got a call from Bertie letting us know that he had parked in a lay-by at the bottom of the hill with a windsock in the bottom landing field, offering us a lift back to the car if we flew down. So I took him up on his offer and launched. I knew it was going to be a quick flight because I had to really gun it to get airborne. I encountered absolutely no lift at all on my way down and didn't even make it to the bottom landing field.
It was somehow re-assuring that I wasn't on my own, the lack of lift meant Ian also didn't make it to landing field.
I have been to Shane's hill before but never flown it. On route we phoned my old training instructor ("old" as in he isn't my training instructor any more) who was already out at Big Collin (which takes a similar wind direction to Shane's hill). The news was not what we wanted, apparently the wind was too weak to fly and they were packing up, so we decided to head to Shane's to see if it was any different.
We arrived and went through a site assessment from the bottom of the hill. Nothing to worry about just a busy bypass road, trees, houses and power lines for hazards before you get to the bottom landing field. It wasn't all bad as you can slope land on most of the hill if necessary and there are options to fly onto a nice long ridge called Agnew's hill in the right conditions.
We climbed to the top which was a nice easy walk up the back of the hill and Ian talked me through the site once more. We both went through our daily checks and Ian took of first. He was just about maintaining his height so based on previous experiences I wouldn't be up for long if I launched, so I contented my self with a bit of ground handling. Just bringing the wing up and standing with it above my head for a while then collapsing it back down again, rinse and repeat.
I got a call from Bertie letting us know that he had parked in a lay-by at the bottom of the hill with a windsock in the bottom landing field, offering us a lift back to the car if we flew down. So I took him up on his offer and launched. I knew it was going to be a quick flight because I had to really gun it to get airborne. I encountered absolutely no lift at all on my way down and didn't even make it to the bottom landing field.
It was somehow re-assuring that I wasn't on my own, the lack of lift meant Ian also didn't make it to landing field.
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