Eye in the Sky Sep 2006
Your Flying News Notice Board. Send me
your news and photos.
If you're wondering where your report is, hit CTRL-F5 whilst in your browser to make sure you are not seeing a cached version. If it is still not there, it's probably because you fell foul of the Submission guidelines
Thu 28 Sep 2006
Report by Steve
 |
 |
Having just read Ali's comments about Mere only being a '2', I would
say that flying at Barton was somewhere around 9 (out of ten, I presume?)
today, Thursday. I arrived to find Brian M already in the air - and if
I hadn't seen him I think I would have thought it was too strong.
But he seemed to be coping ok with it, so I thought I'd give it a go at
launching, which I managed from the usual flat take off by the hole in
the cliff. It was doing around 18-21mph and so the first go at getting
the glider up resulted in it overflying and front tucking, but after that
I pulled it up as slowly as possible and turned to face forward. Leaning
forward and trying to move forward almost horizontally didn't work very
well, so turned round again and found that deliberately staying facing
downwind and leaning right back and walking backwards toward the cliff
edge and not turning round until the last moment worked very well.
Anyhow, once in the air it was good and lifty, so went up very well, with
no danger of going down at all. And it seemed ok as far as strength was
concerned - no going backwards today unless you held on some brake - so
it wasn't quite so strong up and out from the cliff.
A bit later, Martin H and Pete C arrived (Brian had phoned the site phone)
and I got down and landed followed by Brian - it was picking up and hit
around 26mph in the gusts. However, shortly after, it dropped again to
around 20mph and Brian took off ok - the other two went down to the lower
take off. I sat it out for a little while and then took off too and was
soon flying with Martin. . . I pointed in Milford direction, but he indicated
Highcliffe direction, so west it was and we both headed that way, following
Brian and Pete.
In spite of the many years flying here, this was the first time I got
across and past the Chewton Bunny into Dorset - touching down for ten
yards or so on the way - took off again and continued west for about 1/4mile
or so. Turned and headed east and kept on going east all the way down
to Milford on Sea - got down right past the 'white building' (called Richmond
Court, btw) to where the 'cliff' was only a few feet high - turned and
flew all the way back to TO area. . .
So a personal best in both directions in one day. . . . I must admit,
for a fun recreational glider, this Airwave Sport 3 is an excellent wing.
Take care, Steve ps Pictures of Brian, with IOW in background of one pic.
Report by Alastair Florence
 |
(might well be a while before I bother to go back again). A couple of guys tried flying at Rifle range soon after and didn't seem to get far so we probably had the best of a bad lot. The flights Barely scraping in with a 2 rating.
Tue 26 Sep 2006
Report by Roy Menage
 |
 |
 |
 |
After some morning shopping I set of for the flying sites. Thanks to Russell W's SitePhone message, I arrived at Ringstead around 1:00pm to see Russell on the cliffs and Mike D hanging about the t/o ridge. I quickly joined them to find the ridge air somewhat frisky but sufficient height to head for the cliffs easy to gain. I joined Russell and found height gains of well over 350ft ATO very easy to achieve (and up to 420 with patience).
Throughout the afternoon, various others (including Gaz M, John Stuck,.
Pete C, Ian McGowan (red ribbon - wisely stayed on the ridge), Martin
Heywood, Phil Venn, Alan Wells and Steve Phillips - sorry if I missed
any) arrived to enjoy the super-smooth air of the cliffs. Various people
tried spirals and wing-overs and other tricks. I played around with the
speed-bar and found that I could get to and from the cliffs with less
height loss than without it. All down to the polar-curve. I noticed Phil
V taking another look around the corner of the Nothe, but this time with
much more height (over 350ato). He made it back fine this time and found,
as suspected, that there was no lift there today. He felt it necessary
to lay that ghost to rest, he said. It was still significantly flyable
when I left around 4:30 so I hope the late-comers got some fun.
Report by David Franklin
 |
Report by RW
Portland West Enjoyed a half hour of benign cliff soaring with glorious
sunshine views.
The breeze started to have an element of S. so decided to top land to
ensure making it back to the car. Ala tua tibi locquator. No translation
other than for the initiated, Keith B proving to be quite a scholar. Then
off to the "Office" for the rest of the day. Hurray for some consistent
flying. Mind you, it may be better to join Martin F in Algodonales right
now or the Wessex Posse' in Bassano next month.
Mon 25 Sep 2006
Report by Keith Burridge
 |
Report by RW
 |
 |
 |
 |
After lots of "Wagga" at low coastal cliffs yesterday I thought it might
just be possible ( according to forecasts) that somewhere might be flyable.
I headed to Portland W where Steve P was enjoying some good westerly lift.
Interupted by Martin F with a request to go to Cowdown and after 2 long
climb ups decided to go to the "Office" to enjoy a brief flight with Mike
D & Steve P. Briefed a visiting German Pilot, name of Fritz ( I kid you
not) who enjoyed half an hour of strong conditions. I gave up the ghost
and went home to cook dinner. Maybe tomorrow will be better?Ala tua tibi
locquator. Also heard a rumour that there was flying to be had at Bell
Report by Jon Harvey
Visited Eype, and at front carpark, seemed ok, so informed hotline. Walked
to top, and definitely ok, 12/15mph and nearly straight on. Unfortunately
no mobile signal today, so went flying.
Yep, strong and lifty, but strangely no cloud movement at all, just hanging
about, No problems to Thorncombe other than strong, on the cliffs, so
made for Golden Cap, and lift the whole way there, crossing the Seatown
gap. Topped out at 1400ft. Sea definitely picking up, so hasty retreat
back to Eype, and landed on the beach.
Forth visit to Golden Cap this year so far. 45 mins airtime before blown
out.
Phoned TD at Easthill and basically nothing, and rather overcast, so packed
up for the afternoon. Still blown out at 5. 30 pm so stacked for the day.
Report by Steve A.
I could swing it into a turn with no warning and complete disregard for
all other paragliders today - because there were no other paragliders.
. . Was everybody sitting on Bell Hill, hoping for a good XC before it
went too ballistic? Anyhow, I had a very enjoyable hour flying at Barton
in pretty strong conditions, with the wind slightly off to the west -
it must have been 16-18mph when I took off. Got some good height and was
able to get out over the sea still with plenty of height, and then finally
turn back to the cliff to get back up again. In the end it got too good
and became too strong - was hovering about 30 feet over TO area, with
hands up, not sure that I was actually going forwards anymore. . .
So got down and landed. Anyway, there was some rain on it's way over from
Swanage direction, so packed up before it got to Barton.
Shortly before that it had been possible to take off with no run at the
cliff, just walk forward slowly until your feet just left the ground,
give it some brake and then 'hover' about the place, around 3feet off
the ground, still talking to some guy interested in learning PG'ing. .
. So gave him one of John W's cards - hopefully another potential pilot.
Sun 24 Sep 2006
Report by Sean Staines
I finally achieved a long held goal of crossing Chewton Bunny both ways
without landing and taking off again, flying from Barton.
I Saw Gary Puhl do this on his Airwave XXX about 6 years ago and have
been wanting to do it ever since.
It was very lifty on the downwind leg to the beach huts at Mudeford with
height gains of about 100ft but slow progress on the way back.
I eventually managed to sneak back onto the cliff top just after the static
caravan site but it was touch and go for a while whether or not I would
end up in the swamp below the cliff.
Luckily Paul (Sorry don't know your second name) was passing on his way
from Ballard and gave me a lift back to take off.
The final goal for Barton is the entire out and return ridgerun from Milford
to Mudeford beach huts. Has anyone done it yet?
Report by Alastair Florence
 |
Got back Sunday pm to a fresh SE. So drove up to Ballard to find Grant O just gone and Dave T leaving as it was to strong. Walked out to the green to find gusts to 18 +mph, no point in going any further then. At home an hour later things looked calmer so I took another look, now lack of wind was the problem, still, walked up and had 20 mins. The Peregrines were very active in their usual spot, there's a free wine gum for the first person to spot 2 of them in the photo. The flight would have been worth a 3 but only gets a 2 owing to having to walk up for it.
Fri 22 Sep 2006
Report by Keith Burridge
 |
 |
Report by RW
An unexpected window of opportunity at the Horse. Ala tua tibi locquator.
Three wings enjoying lifty and at times strong conditions. Good height
gains with the thermals from 3 ploughed fields in front of T. O.
All Pilots took off & landed back in the bowl. Keith B & Steve P with
yours truly
Report by Paul & Kaye Escott
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Tuesday: We awoke to light to medium NW and off we went to Ceret. As you can see from the pictures there is a reason Udo's guiding operation is called Clear Skies. During the whole day perhaps as many as six local pilots turned up to share the site with us. The flying was good though you have to keep a close eye on your height as the landing field is a couple of kilometres in front of the workable ridges. Three flights each today resulting in some very aching arms and cheeks. The arms from locking into thermals, sore cheeks from the resultant grins. Got home quite late so it was round the corner to Tirriers for steaks, un montania du frite, and lots of beer.
Wednesday: Woke late, not sure why, and the day was getting hot already. A plan was hatched to spend the day at the cascades and lake at Peyrepertuse and soar the ridge above later when the thermals died down a little. We packed a lunch and drove down stopping at sporting supermarket to pick up a cheapo mask and fin set. But when we got to the cascades we found that someone had stolen most of the water! Apparently the local council removes the lock gate at the end of the summer season leaving the river to take it's natural route. Plenty left to swim in though and crystal clear but crikey it's cold. I was instantly the proud owner of a four mill nadger. Incidentally, that is Kaye and I in the picture, that is really what we look like under our extremely padded flightsuits.
Around four we left and went up to the Peyrepertuse takeoff which is just below the castle car park. Reverse launch, fly out to the left, then; WHOOSH! There is a bowl just above a thermal trigger point and it's like being plucked into the sky on a catapult. I'm glad we took Udo's advice and waited until the heat of the day dropped a bit. The pictures of this site tell it better than I can. There is a sensation of being part of history and that combined with the views that can only be gained from the seat of a paraglider, it is very special place to fly. Its also a good feeling as your audience, the tourists on the battlements, go nuts every time you swoop past. One thing I did notice though, most pictures of this site always feature the castle, rarely is it pointed out that the ridge actually continues soarable for several kilometres. We spent over two hours up there, choosing to come down to the landing field when our arms and bums were going numb and we could take no more.
Thursday: Weather forecast is predicting stronger winds so Udo takes us to mountain site that may be useable for longer. Alas, as we arrive the locals are bigearing down with talk of "Bugger this, I'm off home". Clock the size of the wave formation that developed just a little later. But, as we were close, Udo took us to a hot spring hidden away in a copse on the side of a hill. I've never sat in a hot spring pool before and I can tell you we may not of flown but it remained a grand day out.
Mon 18 Sep 2006
Report by Alan Webb
Ringstead: A quick glance at XC weather showed that it was either this
morning or next week for a fly. Went to Ringstead to see Jason just getting
his boots on. The wind was about 12MPH slightly west of SW, so no time
to loose before it strengthened too much. As I unpacked RW was just arriving,
what an opportunity to beat RW to the cliffs. Launched and striaght up
into nice lifty air. At 140ft ATO headed for the cliffs, RW was combing
his hair ! To cut along story short, beat RW to the cliffs played for
about 30 minutes before a noticeable increase in wind speed called us
home. Nice to get to the "Office" before you RW, I'm sure I impressed
the Boss!
Report by RW
Ringstead: I thought an early start would pay a flying dividend. Ala
tua tibi locquator.
Alan W was there as advance party and actually got in the air before me
Oh Woe, Thrice woe? Suddenly another wing stole into the air, Jason "The
Gunman" on a stealth mission. So with no more ado it was out to the cliffs
for a waft about before the whitehorses started to develop. As sure as
eggs is eggs they were preceded by the wind streaks on the water. The
early bird catches the worm an all that!
Sun 17 Sep 2006
Report by Nicole Barnard
And yes it was my hubbie (Dave M) and I flying at White Horse in the morning for an hour in lovely little thermals. Then Portland disappeared under a bank of cloud, we landed briefly on take off and decided it was worth trying to fly back to the van before the rain cought us. On the way there, however the rain started - canopies a bit damp but better than walking back whilst getting soaked! Cheers Nicole
Report by Craig Byrne
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Good day at the office with all the usual suspects, the photos are of
George and me on the tandem managing two flights before the rain came
and pub suck ensued. George liked the flight so much she went up again
and now has the bug!
Report by Alastair Florence
Who said no one flies at Kimmeridge anymore, oh yeh it was me.
I arranged to meet Dave W at St. Aldhelms fairly early but found it well
off to the South so diverted to Kimmeridge. It felt a little strong at
times on arrival but generally ok so we had a go. Finding it suprisingly
light and well South we had a reasonable fly. Low cloud was developing
in front of the ridge and providing some useable lift although a little
punchy at times. Dave decided to head for Ringstead as Keith W and Rob
Ozone arrived.
Conditions improved somewhat with a bit more wind, a bit more SW direction
and more lift from the low cloud. the whole ridge was flyable to a degree
from end to end. Soon after midday a rain front could be seen approaching
over the sea which hit around 1215hrs ending the session.
Yes the tracks still diabolical, but I guess thats why god gave us legs
(or 4 wd vehicles), yes theres still lots of thistles and nettles and
barbed wire fences, yes you still have to pay ?2, Despite these drawbacks
i'd rate the day (or morning) an easy 4 on the peachometer.
Report by Steve Auld
 |
 |
Sat 16 Sep 2006
Report by Craig Byrne
 |
 |
 |
 |
Monks Good morning then it went west and everyone headed off to Bell,
very good at times and to many to name flying. The photos are of Dave
Moores and a local who had a great flight on The GIN Beetle Tandem.
Report by Alastair Florence
 |
Pete C, keith B and I went to Winklebury, it was Pete and Keiths first time here, not perfect conditions as it was maybe a bit Northerly still and light but never the less we had a reasonable fly. keith stayed on Winklebury whilst Pete and I thought it had gone back Northerly so we flew back toward Monks only to get stuck between the two sites just to and fro-ing for ages, Pete got bored and landed, at this point it did go more North and I got back to Monks flying past the now clipped in Hangies, I gained enough height to get back within 200 m of Winklebury so not to far to walk, at this point we all gave up. Average peachometer reading for day as a whole, 5 (just).
Report by Dave Winn
Arrived at Monks 9am with wind on the hill but a tad too strong. Met
Russell W for tea at compton abbas cafe (nice bacon butties) and then
returned to find it top end but flyable.
Had an hour or so and then tried my first P1 on the tandem courtesy of
Russell. Managed to get off on second attempt and enjoyed half hour of
getting used to flying and turning before bottom landing and using the
quickouts. Very interesting. Glad to get the first one out of the way
though. Millions of others there and at Bell later too where after the
lift died off some of us decided cutting down some trees would create
more. It didn't! Dave W
Tue 12 Sep 2006
Report by Keith Burridge
 |
 |
 |
 |
White Horse 12/09/06. Keith Burridge Took a chance on XC weather being correct on headed to the Horse at about two. No messages on sitephone so called RW and arranged a rendezvous 1430 hrs. Russell and I made our way up the track to find Kiwi Carl calling it a day as the cloud hovered above the hill. Carl was talked into a change of heart and the three of us enjoyed the first half hour at cloudbase (about 30feet ATO). The cloud gradually lifted and smooth lifty conditions prevailed for another hour and a half before the wind dropped off. A couple of good hours was had by all.
Report by Alastair Florence
 |
 |
 |
 |
It looked like a reasonable Southerly tonight, I figured that even if
I gave the car a booting I wouldn't get back to Knitson before 1830hrs
so took a chance on Mere at just over 30 mins drive away.
A couple of wings were flying as I approached which was pleasing.
On launch there was a nice steady 12- 15mph breeze on the hill so got
straight on with a bit of flying. Try as I might I couldn't break the
200ft ato barrier but the air to that level had that lovely smooth, bouyant,
bouncy, soft sort of feel if you know what I mean. No more than 4 wings
flying so plenty of space, the cows on launch are also very sensible and
really dont care about paragliders, all they want is grass and water.
Pilots still arriving as I left at 1900hrs. Registering a 7 on the peachometer
(would have been higher if my altitude also been).
Mon 11 Sep 2006
Report by RW
WHITEHORSE Monday 11-9-06 A strange start to the day with a belter of
a S. E. allowing John S to manage 10mins at a local low cliff. I felt
a shift in the wind and headed to the Horse to find Peter R groundhandling
( good practice ) and managing a couple of hops in and around the gorse.
A band of cloud was rolling in towards Portland and the air felt lifty
so oft I went along the ridge & up. A number of gulls and swallows were
chasing 2 buzzards around in a thermal at the bowl end, this allowed me
to gain about 350'ATO. Meanwhile, Peter R was struggling to put on his
Flying Suit & missing all the fun. I managed nearly half an hour before
the wind started to veer to SW and ease off. Late arrival Mark R had a
short flight and even later arrival Neil ? exchanged phone numbers. Massive
clouds then started to make thundery noises so I departed.
Friday 8th September
Report by Matthew Whicher
A busy day on Pandy in very good conditions. I launched at 11ish just
as the thermals were starting to work. Cloud base was 3,300' early on
and the thermals got better past midday. I did the ridge run and then
tried going upwind. I did OK until I missed a climb when 3 miles in front
of the ridge and couldn't get back. I was kicking myself for being too
impatient, as I knew conditions were improving and my chances of O & R
would have been better later.
By the time I was back at take off for a second flight it was blue and
mellow but I still enjoyed a couple of hours of gentle thermalling practice.
Sunday 10th September Deptford Down, Avon Aerotow Group The first proper
outing of the Aerotow syndicate. A successful day, as all 8 pilots present
had a couple of flights from the grass strip. It was a bit of a lottery
as to whether you stayed up or not, my first flight was straight back
down, the second was 25 minutes after releasing at 2,000'. Others managed
45 minutes and only the proximity of Salisbury Plain airspace curtailed
this. I look forward to many more days here, discovering the possibilities
offered by aerotowing.
Thu 07 Sep 2006
Report by Keith Burridge
 |
 |
P. S. Congrats Derek S on flying at ????ty years young
5/6 Sep 2006
Report by Paul Escott
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
6th Sept Cap'n Phil phoned me at work, "The little cliff is on". Two hours later when I got out I went down there and it was still on. Hurrah, forty minutes of boating about before the sun went down.
Wed 06 Sep 2006
Report by Jon Harvey
 |
 |
 |
Second flight to Thorncombe again and the highlight of this flight, whilst along the cliffs at Seatown, was two RAF Chinook helicopters passing below us, but luckily just inland from us. I had seen them approaching from the east, and seen them head off inland downwind of us all. Good chaps those pilots. Unfortunately couldn't get a photo of them with JP in the foreground!! Others arrived later, Stephen C, Steve Cuddles, Chris B, from flying Charmouth, and Tony F, for his first coastal flight. Sorry if I missed anybody out.
A pretty good afternoon flying. Myself and JP manage some 3+ hrs today.
Report by Alastair Florence
 |
I'm working just behind Combe Gibbett now which is a bit frustrating
with a Northerly forecast tomorrow and the site just closed for the season,
but thats the way it goes. Plus its a hell of a long way to get back for
an evening fly, but I did manage tonight, late at St. Aldhelms, the wind
was ok when I launched ( 210ft ato max ) but steadily dropped as dusk
approached. Not very exciting and nothing special (only really worth a
3 on peachy scale at best) but havent flown for a bit so twas good to
get out.
Sunset nothing special, not much else inspiring to photograph so took
one of the under side of the wing as some people seem to like looking
at it (well I asume thats why they dont bother to go above me anyway).
Report by Neill Franklin
 |
Another busy day at Russell's office. Oh and David didn't go to talk
with the cows, he was the one talking to the donkey in the next field.
Report by Mike Adkins
Derek S and I arrived Ringstead around 1430 having been to Bell (too light and too West) and Kimmeridge (just a tad too strong) on the way. Five wings over the cliffs and many other pilots there including RW, the brothers Franklin (one of whom went to talk to the cows in the bottom field), Keith B, Paul Hawkins (full name 'cos he and his red ribbon got to the cliffs for the first time - congrats), Matthew Jacro, Alan W, Adrian C, Richard Sheridan (who bought a Wessex shirt - a man of good taste) John F, James T, Kaye E and Marcus W and perhaps others. Light conditions gave us about 220ft above the cliffs, but very pleasant and warm.
Mon 04 Sep 2006
Report by RW
Ringstead 4-9-06 Well, I could not "bl**dy well believe it! All on my
ownsome in perfectly flyable conditions at the "Office". I left a message
on the Sitephone at 1040hrs ( I actually programmed the number into 2
Pilots phones today). Folks use the site Phone, its not "rocket science".
Several pilots turned up too late as they thought it blown out. I had
many flights out to the cliffs in good conditions sharing the sky with
peregrines, ravens and house martins.
Good thermals in front of T. O. from the manure being spread by our friends
the Wilkinsons. Orographic put a stop to the day at about 1630hrs. Holiday
makers provided tea & biscuits so all is well with civilisation.
Others:- Mike D, Derek S, James T, Richard S, Keith B, Simon H? & someone
who's name I have forgotten. Ala tua tibi locquator. RW
Previous reports
If you find that some of the earlier pages don't have a navigation menu,
just use your browser's Back button to return to this page once you have
finished reading it.