Monday 7 October 2013

Sunday 6th October 2013 Avon Aerotow Group

Sunday 6th October 2013

Avon Aerotow Club
North Farm, Castle Eaton, Gloucestershire.


With the cross country season drawing to a close, I was keen to get some flying in before Autumn fully set in. Having to do parental duties watching rugby I was late to the airstrip, but Mark Robinson provides a brilliant summary. Shame I couldn't stay for the pub grub and drinks at the end of the day. Next time. Mark continues....

"Sunday
Approaching Fairford...
Good to see lots of enthusiastic fliers out on a lovely October day. Streets of smaller flat cumulus seemed to tease us by diverging to the north & south but several people had extended flights climbing in weak thermals. Chris & Nigel shared all the tows (thanks again )and competed with each other on line parachute dropping accuracy. I think it has to be a draw cos while Chris hit the trolley target he did also drag it through a tree. Jason serenely oversaw events.

Slalom around the trees
 David Tyrer gets the days prize with 4 flights ambling about the sky.
Ben earns a new nickname .  We're going to vote for either.    "Stray" or " Slalom" as he provided the days entertainment. Reasons cannot be committed to email.
Till had several attempts each getting better but all culminating in low releases.  Malcolm had the most impressive flight of the day. . . . . .  using his quad copter to film Murray on an outgoing tow AND also catch Dave exhibiting perfect landing. 

North Farm Airstrip
Landing next to our fantastic private strip

Malcolm also orchestrated a repair of the tug exhaust which broke an attachment spotted by eagle-eye Chris.
Nick successfully completed a flight without losing a flap thanks to the Miracle of fresh Velcro
And me?  Well despite a short flight I was simply overjoyed to be landing somewhere other than Laragne fish field.

Drinks and nosh were partaken afterwards in Castle Eaton Red Lion.

Good day . . . . .  thanks all"

I second that!

Sunday 22 September 2013

22nd September 2013. Final Call - Apply for TEAM GB now!


For all you budding TEAM GB pilots out there, the BHGC are calling you!
Below is the email they have just sent out....

Click here to view the email

FINAL CALL - APPLY FOR TEAM GB NOW!
Right, this is it! Your final chance to put your name forward for TEAM GB for the events listed below.
Email the Competition Panel immediately...
press.bhgc@goskyrocketnow.com





Class 1 Pre World Championships 2014
Valle de Bravo, Mexico
27th February - 8th March 2014
(CAT 2 comp being considered for Training Camp)


Class 5, Women and Sports Class 1 World Championships 2014
Annecy, France
21st June - 5th July 2014
(CAT 1)



Class 1 European Championships 2014
Lumbier, Spain
8th - 20th July 2014
(CAT 1)




Wednesday 28 August 2013

23rd-27th August 2013 British Open Series 2013

23rd-27th August 2013 British Open Series 2013
Round 3 - South East Wales

Battling the marginal soaring conditions, we still managed to fly four out of the five days for the final round of the series. Not exactly epic flying, but still a great community to be involved with. More information on the competition and results is available here. I will endeavour to find the time next year to do a more comprehensive blog on the series, but in the meantime, here are a few pics and a couple of videos...

Round 1 Scotland


The brave souls

Great views

In goal, but a technical issue meant I only scored minimum points :(

BBC Scotland Adventure Show covers "SCOTBOS"

Round 2 Mid Wales




Top of the Stack at the Long Mynd
Round 3 South East Wales

Take off at the Blorenge

Patchwork quilt near Abergavenny
Darren Brown enjoys a cup of tea with Liz from The Old Rectory Bed and Breakfast after we landed next to her beautiful B&B and holiday cottage www.oldrectorybedandbreakfast.co.uk



Cloud base at Forest Farm - a high 2500 feet!






A short video of a short flight!


10th August 2013 British Nationals

10th August 2013 British Nationals Ager, Spain. Some views to remember...

With little time to do a proper blog, these photos hopefully go some way to illustrate why hang glliding is such an amazing sport. Task 4 delivered some epic views as I climbed up the side of clouds with Gordon Rigg (GB) and Glen McFarlane (AUS). I then I lost sight of them. Nothing to do with cloud - they just flew so fast that I couldn't keep up! 

The full results of the competition can be found here on the official BHGC "Welcome to Goal" website (www.bhgcomps.co.uk). 


Clouds forming over launch

I just love my Wills WIng T2C! Big thanks to Cloud 9 for supplying  such a beautiful, sweet handling glider.


Approaching cloud base

A localised lowering of cloud base


Starting to climb up the side of the clouds

Just beautiful - following a glider through a cloud tunnel!


Keeping a close eye on gliders nearby



The Ager ridge with swirling clouds forming beneath

Sunday 4 August 2013

3rd August 2013 Belgian Catalan HG Open Closing Ceremony


3rd August 2013 Belgian Catalan HG Open Closing Ceremony

After four very good flying days, the wind became too strong with too much East to allow for safe take off at Ager so there was no more flying after Task 4. The Closing Ceremony and Prize Giving was held on Saturday 3rd August.

The full results can be found here:
http://www.belgianandcatalanopen.org/

And a few pictures...

Ager ridge from the "Pig Farm" bottom landing

Belgian Catalan Open podium

Belgian Nationals podium
Rigid winners
Catalan winners
Sports class podium
All the winners
Sangria by the bucket
Ready for BBQ and party















Saturday 3 August 2013

31st July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 4

31st July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 4

http://www.belgianandcatalanopen.org/


Task 4 track and route

Climbing at the start circle

Gliding at start
Meeting the lead gaggle on their way back from TP2

Climbing out of danger - where are the landings?

"No Land" zone

Gliding to TP3


Getting low around TP3


Concentrating on landing!

So close yet so far - goal only another 4km on towards the ridge

30th July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 3

30th July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 3

http://www.belgianandcatalanopen.org/


Task 3 track and route