Eye in the Sky Mar 2006
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Wed 29 Mar 2006
Report by Steve Auld
For a brief period this afternoon, the wind dropped enough to consider
paragliding here at Bournemouth cliffs. The direction was ok, confirmed
by ATC as being 210degrees, with a speed of 12-16knots. So I had a flight
here for about 45 minutes or so, before the wind started picking up again.
I had flown up and down the cliffs to Boscombe pier with not a lot of
height above the cliffs, but with the lift feeling solid and good - not
feeling like that I may go down any minute. And then, getting back near
take off area, I started gaining height well, in fact, got up to around
150 feet above the clifftop and found I was hardly going forwards without
speedbar - even a kestrel I was watching from above was starting to fold
his wings in slightly. Pulling big ears got me down somewhat where I found
I could go forward no problem, but decided that landing would be the best
idea in any case. After landing on top and packing up completely out of
the wind (ie 25 feet back from the white fence) I checked the wind speed
again at the white fence and found it was indeed picking up and was now
too much for anyone considering taking off.
A couple of small points to note for any pilots flying here in the near
future - first, the council have been very busy trimming some bushes and
cutting others right back, all along the clifftop on the cliff side of
the white fence. This means that when the wind is light and scratchy,
that instead of having to go out and round some bushes (and possibly down
to the beach), you now don't need to because they aren't there anymore
- thus making the flying in such situations a little easier. Whether the
council have done all this solely for our benefit, I kind of doubt, somehow...
And secondly, there is a new seat on the flat area just east of take off,
just where a lot of people land a lot of the time... Obviously, landing
here in future will have to be a little more precise than some pilots
are perhaps used to in the past.
Tue 14 Mar 2006
Report by RW
Called Site Phone to say it was "On" At the "Office".
Had nearly an hour with Steve P, and it became too strong to be enjoyable.
As I got to Weymouth Seafront I could see that the wind dropped. Not too
worry others enjoyed an afternoon of free flight. Confirms the Site Phone
does work. Oh! Steve P did leave a message at 1200hrs to say it was too
strong!
Report by MIKE DREW
Listened to a Sitephone message saying that Ringstead was flyable so went there, arriving around 12.30. Thought it strange that only Gary M was there but conditions seemed ok so had a go. Wind was slightly off to the south but plenty of height to be had and there were even some thermals coming off the farm. Gary and I then enjoyed some really smooth flying for the next couple of hours and Gary was showing off with his spin landings. Keith B turned up later and I eventually called it a day around 3.30. I later hear that there was a Sitephone message left just before I arrived saying it wasn't flyable, so that would explain the lack of pilots! A totally unexpected day and great fun.
Mon 13 Mar 2006
More pictures from Bassano Trip
Pictures by John Blessing
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Pictures by RW
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Report by Mike Adkins
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A Wessex posse - Russell W & Jacquie; Mike A & Annie; Peter R; Peter
C; John B & Martin F - flew Easyjet to Venice on 05 03 06, where we were
picked up by Wessex member, Luigi, who drove us, in a rubber mini-bus,
to Semonzo, near Bassano. Out of the 7days, only 2 were not flyable. Most
of the time we had bright sunshine while flying Monte Grappa, with low
temperatures and powerful thermals. Everyone flew plenty, Luigi staying
up for 4hrs.20mins one day (the daft bugger!) while Martin did his usual
trick of disappearing and clocked up the only XC of the trip! We all had
interesting experiences - Pete R renewed his love-affair with trees, and
Mike discovered that he can slide down the South take-off on his nose
just as well as he ever did. The flying was good fun with impressive views
of the Dolomites once you were up high. Luigi and his many Italian friends
made us all very welcome: Annie & Jacquie did several interesting trips
using the cheap trains: the food and booze was excellent, and I think
it's a fair bet that several of us will be going back when it's a bit
warmer.
Sat 04 Mar 2006
Report by Jeremy Mortimer
As I was driving towards Monks I spotted at glider at Marleycoombe and
decided to give it a try. As I had not been to the site for some years
and had neither map nor site guide it took a while to get there. Sean
Stains had been flying for 45 minutes, landed and gave me a site briefing.
The two of us flew for another hour or more in light to moderate thermic
conditions. Thermals were to be found over the tree line and also over
the village. Maximum height was around 1000 ATO and XC would have possible
had I been prepared with and Air Map. We had a good view of what looked
like madding crowds at Monks. A very enjoyable mornings flying.
Report by Craig Byrne
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Everyone had a good day as Ali said I was lucky to hang in there and
just scrape to Blandford Camp on the last flight. Conditions were good
but I battled with the drift that kept taking me towards Bournemouth,
some amazing views of Salisbury Cathedral and later Portland + Poole Harbour.
As I was setting up to land then notice a shoot so landed in big field
by the gate to be greeted by soldiers and guards. Once reassured I was
not with The Wessex Branch of Al Qaeda they were very helpful even giving
me a lift to the road. A big thanks to Bob and Dave who picked me up after
both flights.
Report by Alastair Florence
Monksdown was quite incredible during the morning. Dave W, Russell, Stuart
M, Dave the Ferry, Craig B Jim c plus several more I apologise for forgetting
but can always write in anyway themselves. Had a brilliant time, Dave
topping the stack reaching 2000ft on several occasions on his well trained
Asprin, Craig doing two XC's, Dave the Ferry doing one. So much lift many
of us flew out over Berwick village and Winklebury at around 1000ft. Many
more turned up after lunch when conditions deterorated with the wind off
a bit and getting strong. Mike M tried Winklebury but it didnt go so well.
Jim flew over as well and back. Nice to hear one or two went to Marleycombe
for a change.
I came home via a deserted Bell other than a defunked Pope mobile and
topped up with another 1/4 hour which was nice and relaxing although a
little off to the North.
Report by Mike Bretherton
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Fri 03 Mar 2006
Report by jon harvey
Eype:
A few new faces here this afternoon, Jeff, John M, and Simon F. Welcome.
Strange conditions, strong wind though appeared to be straight on, it
was also blowing up the slope from the carpark. SF was in the air, when
others arrived, with much debate whether to fly and where to launch from,
top was too strong as was the middle area. Eventually settled t/o as low
as poss, then wind began to fade somewhat. Everyone up and away to Thorncombe,
and a few tried for GC, but turned back when above Seatown. Good afternoon
by all.
Thu 02 Mar 2006
Report by Martin Foley
Arrived at Cowdown a bit late to find the excellent sky earlier had slightly overdeveloped.Nobody else about even though weatherjack was giving it a 4 .Took of and climbed immediateley in snow flurries to over 4000ft, but being too late the sky soon overdeveloped and I landed after about 17 kms near Bellhill totally frozen and a bit cheesed off having missed the best part of the day,Russel very kindly came out and retrieved me.
Report by Colin Davies
Whitesheet: A crystal blue sky morning had me phoning in for a day off. After getting permission to fly at Whitesheet it was up to join the buzzards. Initially the thermals were soft and gentle but as the clouds arrived, and then grew, the breeze was pulled all over the place and the edges of the thermals got sharper. I flew for an hour and managed 400' ATO (the buzzards only got a few hundred feet higher). At lunchtime it became hard to penetrate so I decided call it a day, erring on the side of caution after a month without flying.
Thu 02 Mar 2006
Report by Gary Pocock
Had a call from RW about 10:30am. It looked flyable but which site? After some discussion and then a call from Steve P we opted for Portland W. Heading across Chesil beach road we could see Steve already 200-300ft above T/O. Having not flown this site before I was grateful for the site brief from RW who kindly offered to see me off first, with a good T/O I made 200ft easily in very smooth conditions. Maintained this height maxing at about 370ft ATO while soaking up the fantastic views on a very clear day. I was expecting the wind to move more to the SW and after about 30min RW had top landed with Steve P a little earlier, I opted for a beach landing as it was easier and closer to the pub where we had agreed to de-brief. A great flight after over a month down and a new site under my belt, what more can you ask on your day off?- That elusive XC!
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