Eye in the Sky Mar 2007
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Thu 29 Mar 2007
Report by Keith Burridge
Listened to the Site messages for bell and decided perhaps late afternoon
might be a goer. Arrived to see everybody on the ground, bar Gary M struggling
in the light winds (probably due to the big black cloud overhead) which
had earlier been too strong. On examination of the sky the cumulus were
towering and obviously active with cunimbs not far off to the west. Much
deliberation was considered over the conditions in the now ideal wind
speed accompanied by the active cloud formations. Derek S became wind
dummy no. 1 closely followed by myself, Keith W, Mike A (the younger)
and one other(sorry about the name). The €œwise€, Gary M, Pete C and Marcus
W decided to watch and wait. By wise I mean that they watched five pilots
endeavour to spend twenty minutes trying to reach terra firma in cloud
suck conditions. Big ears were a common and necessary practise and all
but one plumbed for the bottom landing field (eventually!). Good points:
A good exercise in coping with difficult conditions, good decision making
once in the air and all landed safely. Noteworthy Points: Sometimes discretion
can be a better point than valour or desperation to fly.
Wed 28 Mar 2007
Report by Alastair Florence
I went to Bell on my way home tonight as conditions still looked ok.
Still fairly murky as it seemed to have been all day but wind not too
bad. Keith B was cruising about with reasonable height and a Blue XIX
smile just landed (sorry dont know your name) After about 20 mins the
wind died a bit but then picked up again to give 1/2 an hour + of comfortable
wafting before packing up by 1930. Cant beat these light evenings, 5.
Mon 26 Mar 2007
Report by Neville Almond
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Thu 22 Mar 2007
Report by Cpcrab@aol.com
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Wed 21 Mar 2007
Report by Mark Tattersall
Weatherjack had been consistently forecasting a 4 in the West of England
+ Sth Wales, so I decided to travel (from Wimbledon) to where the conditions
were best. In the end I went to Westbury, as it was closer than Wales
(and the car park at the Blorenge is being re-tarmaced this week), pretty
much everywhere else was blown out, I would be able to divert to Monks
Down, Bell or Coombe if any of these looked like they would be better,
and it was a site I had not flown before.
When I arrived at 9 it was too windy, cold and no lift. This improved
as the temperature past Weatherjack's predicted trigger of 4 degrees.
HGs flew from about 11, PGs from 12. 30 as the wind began to ease off.
Strong (and at times quite exciting) spring thermals to base (good views
of the Dorset coast to the south, and to the NW the mouth of the severn
with the mountains in Wales beyond) for 1hr 45, then it died down. From
Wendywindblows and the sitephone it was still blown out at Monks and Coombe
though. After a while I tried the packing up my glider trick, which worked
a treat, and I had another 1hr 45, including an hour or so of smooth restitution
like lift (fuelled by the heat from the cement factory chimney a mile
in front of the ridge, which I flew out over). This took me from a low
save 1/2 way down the hill (not a good place to be at Westbury) to 2,100'
and allowed effortless motoring about the sky for several miles in all
directions. The lift finally switched off at 5. 30. Would have been a
great day for photos, and I had sorted out my camera - but left it a home!
10 out of 10 on the peachometer.
Mon 19 Mar 2007
Report by RW
Another day at the Cuchi. Different conditions with the thermals very "punchy". Watched a guy have a massive frontal followed by a large asymmetric he was OK but my nether regions were feeling a little strange, then my wake up call with a big asymmetric on my left, had to lean very hard to the right but the "Oasis" proved its worth. Couldnt do much over the back so an hour out in front and a bottom landing by the Rio Pinto. I got an immediate retrieve from the other guys` girlfriend. When I got back to the top my local mentor borrowed my boots to fly his Tandem passenger and I carried out my first retrieve! Such friendly people here. Its definetly a place worth the effort of a visit. Internal flights are cheap as are the costs of accommodation and food. Beer is 20p a pint?Next week the Argentina Paragliding Championships in La Rioja.
Sun 18 Mar 2007
Report by RW
Cuchi Coral 18-3-07 Hello from across the water.
The temperature today was 30C and the thermals were wafting consistently
after midday. I did the usual waiting until all the Tandem Posse were
clear of T. O. and launched at 1230hrs. Played out in front over the river
at 1000´ ATO which is at about 3000`AMSL. I found a sweet core which added
another grand and went over the back and added another grand. It was good
conditions and others were much higher. I went back in front and just
enjoyed myself. The vario was still making those "nice" noises so went
with it over the back and after 2hrs landed back in the town of La Cumbre
about a 10minute walk to my lodgings. Bloody marvellous. Will post the
photos when I find a suitable lead.
Sat 17 Mar 2007
Report by RW
Cuchi Coral Argentina St Patrick's Day had to bring some luck.
Arrived at T. O. in some illustrious company, bright sunshine and temperature
of 28c. Thermals were just starting to come up the hill.
Then the local Tandem Posse` 8 in number started their days work giving
the Americans their moneys worth. I was not going to T. O. and get in
the way as you can understand the wash effect would have stretched the
nerves a little further. Carlos Vega was ever the gentleman and said "Now
was a good time to fly". I took off without embarassment and was wafted
up several hundred feet and then another good thermal came my way and
up another several hundred feet and then the Tandem pilots started coming
my way? I thought OK I'll move forward and then a boomer took me to just
below cloudbase, with the inevitable small collapses. I watched a few
other solo Pilots go over the back to the local AeroClub but I was having
none of it. I explored a little more forward and then decided to bottom
land. A good hour plus of thermal practise for the log book! A swift swim
in the Rio Pinto had the locals calling out "El Blanco" at my white flesh.
I then watched a couple of Acro Pilots frightening the life out of everyone!
So off for a good drink tonight. Hope the flying is good back home. I
did get a sneak look at EITS but we here is a little fraught.
Safe flying RW
Fri 16 Mar 2007
Report by Gary Mullins
Flying or golf? Flying or golf? Decisions, decisions. So both sets of
equipment were put in the boot. The late morning sky looked good so Bell
it was.
Martin H, Brian M, John B, Neil Mac, Mike A and "The Grandfather" were
already there. Some had flown earlier.
Concern was for the forecast of increased wind strength later. But for
the moment all seemed ok.
Once in the air conditions felt nice. Thermic once more. Not long before
3 or 4 decided to have a wander over the back.
Neil, John and myself had a very enjoyable waft towards The Winterbornes.
On returning to the hill it was fairly obvious that the weather forecast
was correct.
A bit too windy for comfort now. Went home via Ringstead, where it was
also blown out. Had a quick chat with Stuckie and Mark F. They had also
flown earlier.
A good week. A good two weeks, even.
The chairman returns from a fortnight in Nepal this weekend. Look at the
forecast for next week. Oh dear :-)
Report by Neil Mccain
You have to make your own luck. I went to Bell this morning, despite
a variety of predicitions for wind directions and strength, and found
it smack on and, by the time I'd donned flying suit and helmet, distinctly
soarable. Up we went and soon, JB, MF and I were joined by others, boating
around a fairly energetic sky. I took off into what I thought was a lull,
but turned out to be the lead in to a terrific thermal, urging me up to
1200 above take off. I couldn't maintain it, and bled off the height back
towards the ridge, intending to relax, stay on the hill and be sensible
- after all, I had an another appointment mid-afternoon. As I came in
I saw GM kindly marking out a thermal by circling in front of me. That's
lucky, I thought, and together we zoomed off to cloudbase. It was a huge
patch of lift - Gary and I were hundreds of feet apart spinning round
each other. I was amazed at how Gary caught and passed me, but persevered,
and together we hit cloudbase at about 2,300ft. Below us, JB was making
remarkable strides to keep with us, depsite being considerably lower.
The SE drift was now just full of sink, and JB went down at Winterborne
Stickland. I was followed Gary as he tracked further south, looking for
a thermal off a large wood. I was higher, to the north, and also in sink.
As I watched Gary prepare to land a few hundred feet beneath me, I could
see he'd found the thermal he was looking for but was too low to take
advantage of it. Seconds later, I felt myself lifted by the same themal
and I was heading back to base. But my dilemma was equally frustrating
- with my height I could add a couple more km to my XC, but with a deadline
to meet, landing next to someone who knew the way home was a powerful
incentive too. 7km's not bad for a second XC, so I shortened the odds,
and within 15 minutes, we were on the road, walking our way back to the
hill. To crown the day, a lovely lady stopped to give us a lift, almost
all the way back, and we strolled onto the ridge, realising that the wind
was now so strong, no-one was in the air, let alone getting away. You
make your own luck. I got to my appointment with 20 minutes to spare.
-- No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7. 5. 446 / Virus Database: 268. 18. 11/723 - Release Date: 15/03/2007
11:27
Thu 15 Mar 2007
Report by Jon Harvey
Arrived mid morning, dull, overcast and wind well off westwards.
Phone call from Wessex members also sat at Ringstead, similar conditions.
Midday bright sun and wind 12mph but now semi-reasonable direction. Called
local pilots and flyphone updated. Joined by Alan Bleasdale, then later
by Tony Brooks. All up at Thorncombe.
Watched TB go for Golden Cap, but didn't quite make it, low down on leaside,
so turned around, having to land at Seatown, as very little lift low down,
on the eastside of Seatown. Joined by Mike Richards and Dinks. Returned
to t/o, landed and arranged retrieve for Tony.
Dinks made it to GC, (good effort as wind still quite Westerly) but now
picking up stronger. Returned to Eype for another fly, just myself and
D.
Pretty good day, first this year, 2+ hrs , chilly but happy.
Report by Paul Escott
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From Colmore we went to Butser Hill and then on to the coast aiming roughly for Langstone harbour. This was our turn point for the return, again following the A3M to Butser, turn NW then follow the power lines back to Colmore.
Total flight time 1:30, about 6L of two-stroke mix burnt.
We are very happy bunnies :-) & :-)
Thu 15 Mar 2007
Report by Mike Drew
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Listened to sitephone message and arranged to meet my "mustang buddy" John S at Ringstead. Conditions were not bad but for some reason it took a while to get any height on the ridge before heading to the cliffs. Once there 350ft ato was about the average with some getting a little more, plenty for some playing around anyway. Lots of people on the hill and they were all grateful of a nice couple of hours after the recent bad winter. Not been a bad week so far!
Tue 13 Mar 2007
Report by Keith
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Monitored the wind map most of the day in the office and saw nothing promising until a message on the site phone said Barton was possible. I thought if Barton was on, Southbourne may be too and sure enough it was with the wind a little off to the west. Arrived to see Dave W launching and setting off towards Boscombe Pier. We both had an hour plus of (200m exclusion zone) crane restricted flying and landed. We then decided another flight was on the cards as Barrats had ceased work and a closer look at the crane was in order. Yes it is BIG and certainly deserves respect and careful consideration. Another half an hour of cliff soaring was had just before the dying breeze at sunset.
Report by RW
Cuchi Coral La Cumbre Argentina 13-3-07 After a day of Site familiarisation
and getting to know the local posse´ yesterday, a decent chap name of
Carlos Vega gave me a lift to the Cuchi Corral for an early start today
at 1100hrs. Conditions were tested by local tandem Pilot Pablo Kuniss
and it was a "go" for flying.
I was a little nervous to say the least with no thermals since Bassano
in October 2006. The house thermal was consistent and strong and it was
a case of sit tight and try and relax. I managed an hour of staying above
T. O. and out in front going over the River Pintos and trying to enjoy
the spectacular scenery. before too long I spotted a dark cloud coming
from the east and decided to try and top land, it took a couple of attempts
but it was OK and no embarassing moments. These locals were all friendly
and helpful even to the point of treating me to lunch. So if you fancy
something different come to Argentina. Here in La Cumbre the accommodation
is cheap, a good B&B with en suite is ten pounds a night and dinner with
wine & 3 courses is less than ten pounds. I have some photos which I will
upload on my return to UK.
Tue 13 Mar 2007
Report by Marcus Webster
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Report by Keith
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Report by Alastair Florence
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Plenty of pilots on Bell all day. I didn't get there until late pm but
had a very pleasant 1 1/2 hrs cruising with plenty of company, smooth
and bouyant right to the last. Left around sunset.
Hope Russell's getting some flying in Argentina cause its been flyable
almost every day since he left. (coincidence or what)
Report by Mike Bretherton
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The forecast had looked quite good for a few days before and Weatherjack had up rated today to a 3. I took half a day off and went to bell with Simon Herbert and James Bentham. The wind had died a bit when we arrived but it picked up again and we had almost 3 continuous hours of flying in very nice light thermals. A couple of pilots even managed to go Xc.
Mon 12 Mar 2007
Report by Rich Westgate
A big thank you to 'The grandfather' for a lift down the hill to my car
and back, without which I probably wouldn't have bothered flying. . .
I owe you one! First time on Bell for a while, initially buoyant in smoke
from bonfire then had fun scratching low in the bowl. Plenty of wildlife,
dive bombed by a buzzard early on; got my own back chasing a kestrel around
the hill. Good opportunity to sort out my Ram C harness and speed system.
Steve (sorry can't remember your last name) arrived just as the wind dropped.
Luckily picked up again and we both flew watching a beautiful sunset over
the Blackmore Vale.
Report by Alastair Florence
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I had been following the sitephone developments during the day with a
view to coming home via Barton. The last few messages and a call to Brian
M prompted a change of plan as the wind seemed to have gone NW. I was
running short of time to get to Bell so gave a call to Marleycombe to
gain permission to fly (as required before flying this site)(see site
guide). Marleycombe is currently open but may close temporarily in about
a months time due to livestock, but give a ring first and Liz will tell
you if its OK. Anyway drove up to the barn to park although I had to be
a bit selective about rut depths here and there. The wind was nice and
steady but well off to the West. It seemed worth a try and actually worked
fine although only about a 1/4 of the ridge was working. One plus here
is that the ridge has several changes of angle hence taking a small variety
of directions. Not stacks of height, average 60 - 100ft ato with the odd
bob up to 200ft.
Pleasant enough though. Didn't bother to sitephone as I really couldn't
imagine anyone else turning out after 1630hrs.
Report by Mike Adkins
Got a call from The Grandfather to say he was on Bell and it was flyable. I gobbled some lunch and roared off, to find the track dry and drivable and the grass at the top parkable. I was in the air by 1427 with Derek and Marcus also flying. (At one point Marcus took William up in a little harness, but he soon came down again as William was shivering - whether from abject fear at Marcus's flying or just the cold, we didn't know!) We each got about an hour over three flights, with a cool but fairly steady breeze almost dead on the hill. When we finally landed at somewhen after 1600 - I could definitely feel a G&T coming on - who should come wandering up the hill but our newly homolgated World Tandem Distance Record Holder, Richard Westgate . . . . without his kit! So I obsequiously ushered him into The Grandfather's car, and Derek taxied him back down to get his wing. (Well, I might be in the market for a Gradient before too long!) Whether Richard flew, and if so, for how long, I don't know 'cos I headed home to answer the call of the G&T! Mike Adkins
Sun 11 Mar 2007
Report by Shamus Pitts
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The wind was strong - I was getting 17 to 20mph on my wind meter so on Keith's advice I took off halfway down the hill. The wind was a bit off to the South which meant that the ridge to the right of takeoff (as you look out to sea) was working quite well, so we spent a while over there. It was surprising how little lift there was considering the strength of the wind - it must have been some sort of heavy wind! I struggled to get 100' ATO, although that's not necessarily any reflection of the amount of lift! After half an hour the wind seemed to have picked up, with the occasional gust coming through and it was time to land. I picked up 100 feet or so ATO, turned and hurtled back to the landing field, where I managed to land unscathed! All in all a reasonable flight, except for the weird "heavy" wind!
Report by Alastair Florence
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Looked like a strongish southerly today so I went up Knitson first. To
strong though. I decided that Ballard Downs (not the cliff as no East
in it) might work. A short walk up from behind the obelisk and found a
suitable launch spot. Although still quite gusty the wind strength was
much better as its 200ft lower than Knitson here. Launched into plenty
of lift although the wind was off to the west a bit. This ridge always
seems a bit rough and punchy and today was no exception. After 1/2 hour
and several lowish collapses I decided that Knitson might be better after
all and landed again.
Back to Knitson to find it still 22 - 24 mph. Then found water bottle
had leaked all over my reserve and so went home to air it. All the more
annoying as I only repacked it about 2 weeks ago. Still, day gets a 4
on the scaremeter rather than the peachometer.
Thu 08 Mar 2007
Report by Martin Foley
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Report by Neil Mccain
At least three pilots - Gary M, Steve (?) and myself - had 700ft ato at the White Nothe this afternoon. We were all flying Atis's as well (is the plural Atii?). The conditions were beginning to strengthen, and back on the deck Gary confirmed the wind at take-off was a steady 17-20mph. Besides the wind, a navy helicopter on exercise focused the mind, hovering just to the east of the Nothe, and occasionally darting away back to the mother ship. When the wind blew, the floppies' place was taken by the hangies, including Neville A's hot-ship, with which he buzzed a couple of camera-wielding onlookers. When they look at their slide-show tonight, he'll seem mighty close for comfort! That's three days on the trot I've got in the air - unprecedented! I wonder why the Wind Gods are looking on us so kindly right now? Forecast no so good for tomorrow - I can give my typing fingers a rest! Cheers Neil -- No virus found in this outgoing message.
Report by Mike Adkins
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The Spanish sites are undeniably rugged, rocky and difficult compared with our benign grass-covered slopes, and some of the LZs were a bit tricky too, but I came home with another four and a half hours in my logbook - and we had temperatures of 26C and more a lot of the time! The food and booze was excellent and cheap as well. Roll on Bassano!
Wed 07 Mar 2007
Report by Keith Burridge
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Report by Neil Mccain
A great day at Bell - someone remarked that it had the hallmarks of a
classic XC summer's day. I couldn't vouch for that before, never having
been cross-country before, but today changed that. I managed to get away,
riding fairly smooth thermals all the way to base at about 2,700 - 3,000ft
ato. Grant also left the hill at about 1pm, and we flew to Badbury Rings,
where we were met by that nice Mr Metcalfe, who was on his way to the
hill and kindly gave us a lift back. Is XC always as easy as this? (Don't
flame me, I know the answer to this one). Others got away too, including
Keith B, but the wind stiffened in the late afternoon, and had blown any
further opportunities away. Couldn't blow the mad grin off my face, though!
Excellent day.
Tue 06 Mar 2007
Report by Kaye Escott
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Cheers to Russel for the off site site brief and to Paul for showing me how to put up these piccies!
Report by Neil Mccain
RW's sitephone message said Ringstead was on at lunchtime - I could only get there at 16:50, and saw Keith in the air over the White Nothe, and a frustrated hangie on the ground (sorry, didn't get your name). The conditions looked lovely, with about 90 minutes of sun left in the sky, and smooth, steady wind. I had all manner of twists and tangles in my lines, not helped by my eagerness to fly, but it did come right without incident in the end, although I'd lost about 20 minutes to faffing around. Once in the air, it was clear that conditions had changed, with wisps of mist forming on the cliff, and within a few minutes, orographic cloud started streaming across the take-off bowl. Pretty soon it was thick enough to obscure the track and cars completely, but flying in front of the ridge and above the clouds was incredible, especially with the low sun adding long shadows and drama. Keith top landed before conditions became too awkward, and helped Fritz (visiting?, with Marcus?) to launch. The two of us wafted around the bowl, dodging cloudlets, until it was clear that the cloud was beginning to appear ahead of the ridge, and we both landed at the bottom whilst we could still see it. Personally, I've not flown in these conditions before: it was amazing how different the landscape looked, and interesting watching how and where the cloud formed . Sorry I don't have any photos - taking them from the air is not something I'm comfortable with yet.
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