tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911550287885436462024-03-05T18:12:42.940-08:00Sky Rocket Media's Flying BlogBen Philpott reports on his latest flying adventuresAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-53568424121297775322015-10-18T08:35:00.001-07:002015-10-20T06:16:59.274-07:00British Nationals, Ager, Spain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday 9th to Saturday 15th August 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Normally I am as keen as mustard to get my blog written up and published. Its serves as my own personal diary as well as perhaps adding some entertainment and information for those back home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But two months on from Spain, and I am now only getting around to doing it. Immediately after the comp, I was away for a holiday in Portugal with the boys to celebrate my 50th, and my new contract with iFLY keeps me extremely busy both in the UK and the US. But that hasn't been the main reason behind my reticence to get writing.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ager launch above the clouds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bJ3EmjT-PwGaon9Pq1wdsMGy9PL8qaZr-3zbj9T58cM9RLsBSdJdWRraCI6T16KBncd_r4ktSUsgSgfrN_UBVOpmNDghGYDMOJ7y0tNdUAXLr2QFoBUMF0-IXtYSIY4R5an-Vy4iGes/s1600/DSC_2026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bJ3EmjT-PwGaon9Pq1wdsMGy9PL8qaZr-3zbj9T58cM9RLsBSdJdWRraCI6T16KBncd_r4ktSUsgSgfrN_UBVOpmNDghGYDMOJ7y0tNdUAXLr2QFoBUMF0-IXtYSIY4R5an-Vy4iGes/s320/DSC_2026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Team "Wing And A Prayer"<br />Rev, Chris, Ben, Jonthy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Photo: Hamish Atkinson</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The events in Spain started off well. I was in a great retrieve crew along with fellow pilot Chris Pyles. Team "Wing And A Prayer" was run by the Reverend Andrew Dotchin (yes, he really is a man of the cloth) and supported by his son Jonathan. An experienced retrieve driver, "Rev Retrieve" is famous for his speedy retrieves, portable refrigerator stocked with beer and,who knows, perhaps being able to tap in to just a wee bit of extra help for his pilots from the Big Man...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Large field, but the wind switched on landing.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day one of the comp. I wasn't keeping up with the lead gaggle and experienced a downwind landing. I snapped the keel of my glider as I tried to turn it in to wind, side-swiping it across the ground. With limited spares available I thought my comp was over but Paul Cryer, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">unexpectedly having to return home,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> kindly lent me his Moyes RX3. The RX flew beautifully, climbing well and getting me in to goal throughout the comp.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was lucky - I had suffered just a few</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> scratches and managed to get my hands on a replacement glider. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I should have been keen to get tapping away on the keyboard to write up the subsequent brilliant flying. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nervous times. Taking off with a borrowed glider...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and landing. Perfect!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Photos: Hamish Atkinson</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But, half way through the comp, David "Shedsy" Shields had a serious accident which culminated in him experiencing severe trauma to his neck. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Being a close knit community, everyone was and is deeply affected. His closest family and friends went in to overdrive to provide immediate support, making sure he received the best medical, financial and practical support.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Ifanyonecanshedsycan">https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Ifanyonecanshedsycan</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From the regular updates, we know you are fighting back, Shedsy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Keep going mate. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And for your amusement and piss-taking I might just write up one flight - the one where I glided down the "no-go" gorge and ended up doing a 30km detour to get back on track and complete the task, not to mention winning a bottle of the Chairman's pee... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know when I come up to see you I will get an ear bashing - I'm looking forward to it!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-10170380978538370322015-10-17T01:37:00.002-07:002015-10-18T08:49:18.785-07:00Team GB Training Week - Ager, Spain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday 2nd to Friday 7th August 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just three days after the last round of the British Open Series, and it's off to Spain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the car serviced just a couple of weeks previously, and with temperatures in Spain expected to be in the late 30's, early 40's, all I needed to do on the Saturday was get the aircon system re-gassed, something which I had scheduled in my local garage while I re-packed my flying kit, sort out my clothes, pad up my second ladder (so that the car could carry three gliders), and get the streamline camping kit in order. With three adults (me, Phippsy and Sam Allun) travelling together, everyone was having to travel as light as possible, and we would need a comfortable environment for the 13 hour drive. All went well until I picked up the car. Good news - the aircon was re-gassed and didn't have any leaks. Bad news - the pressure sensor had failed and they couldn't get a spare part until Monday. Oops. No aircon for the journey. I stopped on the way back to get a couple of cans of deodorant to keep in the car....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Phippsy and Sam joined Hilly and I late Saturday evening. Having loaded up their gliders and spares, I fed them with curry and beer before we retired early for our rather early start. Alarms were set for 2.45am. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOt1Z4TQrkCs_Nj8QLLz1NQQB_pwxJZhTxqNhAph6wt_lWF_BRA0qTSlbW6ePf3qVfVUiKhg3rc-bUQmk6v3VWX4lxL0Ry2xNkS3g2lJNZ2zzVdprgiObVEPSbpJ6xYmXjRHdWPBc3vIM/s1600/IMG_5869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOt1Z4TQrkCs_Nj8QLLz1NQQB_pwxJZhTxqNhAph6wt_lWF_BRA0qTSlbW6ePf3qVfVUiKhg3rc-bUQmk6v3VWX4lxL0Ry2xNkS3g2lJNZ2zzVdprgiObVEPSbpJ6xYmXjRHdWPBc3vIM/s320/IMG_5869.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beyond the call of duty - 3.00am bacon sarnies</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeVM6_sQDTLD-1foKdLzJkgZzp_PWUNSP_3U-mbVA2dCxrvjVtFol5QMtl40TBep8idEJSXUO_ldFf_BWRNWtnX6pG4t3UNOQ5BpMt2s58SeH1_b0FuXARHfwB0WWzV0FjdMfg4QLoHI/s1600/IMG_5871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeVM6_sQDTLD-1foKdLzJkgZzp_PWUNSP_3U-mbVA2dCxrvjVtFol5QMtl40TBep8idEJSXUO_ldFf_BWRNWtnX6pG4t3UNOQ5BpMt2s58SeH1_b0FuXARHfwB0WWzV0FjdMfg4QLoHI/s320/IMG_5871.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Amazingly Hilly did get up with us, and true to her word cooked bacon sarnies for everyone. Top girl. 3.15am and we were on the road, hoping that the drive to Dover would be trouble free from lorry parks on the M20. As a throw back to my filming days, I've always been good at getting </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">going early in the morning so I opted to take the first driving shift. The TomTom told me that we only had 950 miles to go.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zr3LYwIHZQvk6NloeYlYGa78ULNWvjL0Q_gXyls_Df4D8dVzuawINfwBYnZJ6IIC8HzSpr5tepFhlP-Zr13w6vUVA301ean-21vSZ3oaNNZnfDv3r6ioIjyfqFhVBU0U4UMR3ghDQk4/s1600/IMG_5872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zr3LYwIHZQvk6NloeYlYGa78ULNWvjL0Q_gXyls_Df4D8dVzuawINfwBYnZJ6IIC8HzSpr5tepFhlP-Zr13w6vUVA301ean-21vSZ3oaNNZnfDv3r6ioIjyfqFhVBU0U4UMR3ghDQk4/s320/IMG_5872.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On time for the ferry</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Surprisingly we had a pain free journey to Dover, a pleasant ferry crossing to Calais, and the car effortlessly munched the miles as we motored south through France - with cruise control set at 75mph we were averaging 43 miles to the gallon. Not bad for an eleven year old Audi A4 Avant with 200k miles on the clock.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phippsy flaked out in the heat</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The only problem was that by mid-afternoon we were nearing Limoges and the outside temperature was hitting 30 degrees. Shame about the aircon. Soon enough though we were past Toulouse and by 10pm we had started the drive over the Pyrenees, with Sam doing a sterling job to get us to Ager by midnight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Beer and bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And the next morning, this was Sam's first glimpse of where he would be flying for the next two weeks...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSacsHNkWEGrugb9x2-NiB8VVqdUYE1EWAbDfiML5dPcZ-8iAbM_CfNsLO4pJBRnLaTFBVnEHCz9dhmp6ShF-eAQlMq1pW0K1qF1no6Ei53U-5FrQh5PsgW0YMYpg_8JLGQfHSeGZPT4/s1600/IMG_5900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSacsHNkWEGrugb9x2-NiB8VVqdUYE1EWAbDfiML5dPcZ-8iAbM_CfNsLO4pJBRnLaTFBVnEHCz9dhmp6ShF-eAQlMq1pW0K1qF1no6Ei53U-5FrQh5PsgW0YMYpg_8JLGQfHSeGZPT4/s400/IMG_5900.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Team GB Training Camp</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3qvRAjIHighXay4PTZ43qKbXsL9JypqZ1CokmuH4o4YjRq4As3YJQ4e5Rt2CkmAYlbJzrf9aQ6wj2nBQGqh6nuRfkI0ZBlK1n4wJt02x0nkudRLQVgbjzzIVOOqLnkunHgSl19dRhb0/s1600/The+Ager+ridge+east+lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3qvRAjIHighXay4PTZ43qKbXsL9JypqZ1CokmuH4o4YjRq4As3YJQ4e5Rt2CkmAYlbJzrf9aQ6wj2nBQGqh6nuRfkI0ZBlK1n4wJt02x0nkudRLQVgbjzzIVOOqLnkunHgSl19dRhb0/s640/The+Ager+ridge+east+lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking East along the Ager ridge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The training camp had been scheduled to take place the week before the British Nationals and at the same flying site. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ager, on the South side of the Pyrenese and about 2 hours drive West from Barcelona, is at the foot of a very long ridge running for about 40km East to West that stands about 1000m above the valley floor, which is itself already 650m above sea level. Over the back of the ridge to the North there are three valleys, separated by some fairly inhospitable terrain with lakes, gorges, and limited landings. The "Gurp" proves to be a regular hurdle in crossing over to the Tremp Valley to the East, a common route to the usual goal field near Viliminjata. Further North, and the "big stuff" looms on the horizon, offering some spectacular flying when conditions allow, especially over the Fer de Rocher.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdwPZzy98gJ9wMhQxgr86NO8vZ-MAU6s3V_S43coUSClNzvTQFRKjNo7ruMoNIjTYNHCeAmW6DXUC0wDjeRFAnvaT1W-7FF-BnA4JiBvdKoVc3RuDW8v77FrSZ4zD8Mw3gkwqjxAO5AA/s1600/The+Ager+ridge+west+lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdwPZzy98gJ9wMhQxgr86NO8vZ-MAU6s3V_S43coUSClNzvTQFRKjNo7ruMoNIjTYNHCeAmW6DXUC0wDjeRFAnvaT1W-7FF-BnA4JiBvdKoVc3RuDW8v77FrSZ4zD8Mw3gkwqjxAO5AA/s400/The+Ager+ridge+west+lr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And looking West...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD_qus7kza3rkkKX8Nt0x57dh7kkD3mfJKou25kdIh04Wugp07ww_uv6T5RxpC947x8lTxLX-FoOnciqSYPpesPdmx2req_dSr2CoU8k_kU_qQ2Ot9XrTx3ga2PxUHoa3g0Xc_07FiXs/s1600/Griffon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD_qus7kza3rkkKX8Nt0x57dh7kkD3mfJKou25kdIh04Wugp07ww_uv6T5RxpC947x8lTxLX-FoOnciqSYPpesPdmx2req_dSr2CoU8k_kU_qQ2Ot9XrTx3ga2PxUHoa3g0Xc_07FiXs/s400/Griffon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our best friend in Ager - the Griffon Vulture<br />
Courtesy of Wikipedia</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The flying at Ager is challenging and memorable not just because of the terrain and climate, but also because of the magnificent Griffon Vulture that prolifically inhabits the area. Masters of thermal soaring, these majestic birds will often fly with you, marking better areas of lift, even locating a "life saver" thermal that hauls you away from getting too low in a "no land" zone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, been there, done that. Two years ago I got caught in a valley with no landings - I will never forget the feeling of relief as a vulture flew out from his nest, started circling and allowed me to fly wing tip to wing tip with him as I crawled out of the valley.Times like that make me feel privileged and humble in equal measure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was expecting to have a rest and prep day before the official training camp was started on the Tuesday, but several of the pilots had arrived a few days earlier and were planning heading up the hill for a pre-training practice day. Being "current" and local knowledge all have an important part to play in flying, especially in competition, so I opted to join them. A day to settle in to the glider and the flying conditions was very welcome. And the views were, as always, stunning....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbVT0C4o3e89vNSuTtK8fT01WKoe_CdXhF6p73-6KoLfeSEtHdGeOv_nNNJ2JuxBWYhV95U9E1FRf3-PLMvp3Ct0RjILpxyvVJjiTcAHMCRlmXNfY0S75N4S_F_rsu4tGZfeILM6-5pA/s1600/IMG_5903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbVT0C4o3e89vNSuTtK8fT01WKoe_CdXhF6p73-6KoLfeSEtHdGeOv_nNNJ2JuxBWYhV95U9E1FRf3-PLMvp3Ct0RjILpxyvVJjiTcAHMCRlmXNfY0S75N4S_F_rsu4tGZfeILM6-5pA/s320/IMG_5903.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gordon (top right in red t shirt) briefs the team</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And so the week continued. Every morning, Gordon Rigg ran a briefing session with the motley crew of potential Team GB squad members - a broad range of pilots between the ages of 20 and 50 but all with the common aim of being selected to fly in the British Team at European and World Championships. Fortunately for the older pilots, hang gliding is a sport where age is not necessarily a disadvantage. The more you fly, the better you become. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After the morning briefing, camel backs were filled, gliders and kit loaded, followed by a half hour drive to the top of the hill. With gliders rigged, partners and retrieve drivers could shelter from the blistering midday sun. Further briefing sessions were held, with the crew spilt in to two separate teams. Gordon running one, and Carl Wallbank the other, adding a competitive edge to the training, and making sure that the radio channels did not become too crowded.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks to me new employers "Airkix/iFLY" for the extended leave...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carl Wallbank sharing "the knowledge"</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoZOanZA_yHottE3zeHS7cAYVrS_RkPsQ7QuPZLsNhYip2YeA7O6KHfmszAmq38WVgzxY1HvtMINSwEWzxENtqPaAHoN57bwb9UlBmu1EF4IgZgoIoQfzeI2FtdydznuBjKxYyR9ylV8/s1600/IMG_20150806_132306114_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoZOanZA_yHottE3zeHS7cAYVrS_RkPsQ7QuPZLsNhYip2YeA7O6KHfmszAmq38WVgzxY1HvtMINSwEWzxENtqPaAHoN57bwb9UlBmu1EF4IgZgoIoQfzeI2FtdydznuBjKxYyR9ylV8/s320/IMG_20150806_132306114_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Task over the 5 days ranged from between 70 and 130km, taking in the valleys, mountains, lakes and dams of this stunning Catalan region. My flying started off slowly, deliberately not pushing myself too far and too fast at the beginning of the week, knowing that we had a full competition to follow on from the training camp. Carl's superb coaching allowed me to build on my mistakes, and instilled a true sense of team work, which pushed me on at times when I wanted to land. Keep flying, get the most points you can, each and every time. Do it for the team. Several times I struggled low, fighting for a long time to find lift, often with my landing gear out and sizing up a landing field. Nine times out of ten I was rewarded for my endeavours. The flying was breath taking.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vilamitjana landing field</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The regular goal field at Vilamitjana proved to be a popular finishing</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> point, with several goal beers drunk, thanks to the regular supply from retrieve driver and photographer Alan Moffat (shh, dont tell Andy you nicked them out the back of the truck!) After hours of flying there is a great sense of achievement and a huge "buzz" racing in to goal against fellow flyers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gordon Rigg, Alan Moffat, Neil Atkinson and Phippsy in goal.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Michelle on windsock duty</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DTbRFvZi_-wplmDVtVYiN0AEEDXKcpv9nHuqeUH0FIiniDo9eKgHbWVUIGa9z8JUnw_3hoqfPTaqCYHWAFx6kPBJcBIvXFVBvWT6n_P5Q2yt9oEeIoVGqTnf2T5A1AtT_tokg1JNSik/s1600/IMG_5908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DTbRFvZi_-wplmDVtVYiN0AEEDXKcpv9nHuqeUH0FIiniDo9eKgHbWVUIGa9z8JUnw_3hoqfPTaqCYHWAFx6kPBJcBIvXFVBvWT6n_P5Q2yt9oEeIoVGqTnf2T5A1AtT_tokg1JNSik/s640/IMG_5908.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a full and busy training week, the competition started in earnest....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Report to follow.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-6920740799047525052015-08-03T23:31:00.000-07:002015-08-04T01:06:28.515-07:00All To Play For<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Wednesday 25th July 2015</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The last day of the British Open Series.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Rain. Overnight rain. Damn. With only about 300 points separating 1st and my 6th place, I was willing the weather to deliver a task able day. Being the last day of the last round of the BOS, this was going to be the final chance to improve scores and positions. Some pilots had already gone home, either through work commitments or because of a gloomy forecast, including Gordon Rigg in 1st place, and with such a slim margin of points separating the top places, it would only take one slip up from the remaining leading pilots for it all to change at the top. On track to meet my "Top 6" target, (a national team has 6 pilots so I thought it a good starting point to aim for) did I now dare to believe that a top 3 finish was possible? It was definitely all to play for.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUfdtfgHE27MbuyK1YdiCfwxR4fg6oCkX6IGzwP4j_xdBhlwPdGcLtZFf7V0KTwp9FnV7Ml5U8pvbbpPpLTOwiK1Mhbqf7rWaP1Mr2eB6FKyHR87dMI0vGY-qdgjkJMMH9q4nC2VB7ZU/s1600/IMG_5826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUfdtfgHE27MbuyK1YdiCfwxR4fg6oCkX6IGzwP4j_xdBhlwPdGcLtZFf7V0KTwp9FnV7Ml5U8pvbbpPpLTOwiK1Mhbqf7rWaP1Mr2eB6FKyHR87dMI0vGY-qdgjkJMMH9q4nC2VB7ZU/s400/IMG_5826.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Early morning panoramic view from the Long Mynd</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQlCV459vRAfOLXv-fJtQTcj-lGSeg12wMYgEgwPJQN7EJ_WT2xkFm9-6mOP-pMYLFsE4h-XPA4f8sQKHSZa59x7NNbkE31-8Ti3zukhixpvMo-kCoJA8H8FeuzzSXKTelfg7P1ImIbQ/s1600/IMG_5830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQlCV459vRAfOLXv-fJtQTcj-lGSeg12wMYgEgwPJQN7EJ_WT2xkFm9-6mOP-pMYLFsE4h-XPA4f8sQKHSZa59x7NNbkE31-8Ti3zukhixpvMo-kCoJA8H8FeuzzSXKTelfg7P1ImIbQ/s200/IMG_5830.JPG" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the view over the back....</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">A quick drive up to The Mynd before briefing and I could see that the forecast had been overly pessimistic. Yes, the cloud was still hugging the hill, but it was lifting, and there were large patches of blue sky and just a moderate breeze. Of course, it would suit some pilots to have the day cancelled, rather than risk losing their lead, but we are there to fly. I texted Phippsy (then in third position and who was recovering after his sons wedding in South Wales the day before) to let him know that we might be flying...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"If I can make it, I won't be there until midday at the earliest. Keep me updated." Rightio.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Back at briefing and the number of pilots had decreased significantly but with stand-in Meethead Trevor Birbeck calling the shots, we were soon dispatched off to The Mynd where there would be a task briefing at 11.30am. No retrieve, so back up the hill in my car. Arriving first I had the glider off the roof and half rigged before most of the other pilots had arrived. When they did, I heard rumblings that perhaps the Mynd was not the right site for the day with some pilots forecasting that the wind would veer more to the NW - not the forecast I had seen so I ignored the rumours and finished off rigging.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Shortly before the task briefing, Phippsy arrived on the hill. The one pilot ahead of him in the series and who was still on the hill must have been taken aback - if we did get to fly then the stakes were now rising. Being in 2nd place, and with Gordon not flying, Luke's route to first place had just got a little more complicated.... Would there be another challenger for the top spot? It's exactly these situations that make competition flying so compelling. Amateur, minority sport it might be, but it is no less competitive, with the same pressures, challenges and psychological battles as other more main stream sports. Who would keep calm and not blow their chances.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1sGJYM_W9ZUDTG39tIORPMmcwT9NH7OE66dUmtXv9gGFWG5n2N4J2eaCl6ynPt4KFPHes7Z7R7PcswyEmuAvGRQdkLF0poYRMKSEp1D25pQhyphenhyphenrG_FG8rLv7C5Xbk89EVh1sBFkjev4E/s1600/IMG_5834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1sGJYM_W9ZUDTG39tIORPMmcwT9NH7OE66dUmtXv9gGFWG5n2N4J2eaCl6ynPt4KFPHes7Z7R7PcswyEmuAvGRQdkLF0poYRMKSEp1D25pQhyphenhyphenrG_FG8rLv7C5Xbk89EVh1sBFkjev4E/s400/IMG_5834.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Phippsy, Trevor Birkbeck and Craig Dolwin shelter from the approaching rain</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEivYiJUffWRczUvd0rnS9DGAHOF8OTltVD2-JeQX8iLcBuf4rKnXb63Kykg2N_hD1XtJhpV7ARco6sz8lGLcc3ugjvK0ZtKYVSC9VsyqS_NS2fvVzJgYX3dapjRU1sL7IWi159_-Lr0/s1600/IMG_5844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEivYiJUffWRczUvd0rnS9DGAHOF8OTltVD2-JeQX8iLcBuf4rKnXb63Kykg2N_hD1XtJhpV7ARco6sz8lGLcc3ugjvK0ZtKYVSC9VsyqS_NS2fvVzJgYX3dapjRU1sL7IWi159_-Lr0/s320/IMG_5844.JPG" width="238"></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Darren Brown and I helped Phippsy get rigged in super-quick time before briefing. A 52km race to goal downwind was set. A small task, but very appropriate for the day. Soon, and with rain on the horizon, Justin Needham was clipped in and ready to go, apparently to try and "surf" the gust front from the approaching squall line. Unfortunately the right window of opportunity didn't open up, and he hastily retreated as the rain began.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">And did it ever rain! A veritable downpour. Huddled under Phippsy's wing doubts were starting to creep in that we would fly. As soon as the rain stopped there was a scurry of activity to chamois the gliders to help dry them off. Gliders don like the rain, and fly like planks with a significantly increased stall speed which makes landing at best challenging, and at worst plain dangerous. Some pilots called it a day and de-rigged, but the top 6 (minus Gordon) were still there.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOp3eKYMJO_16EUjqfNoUVWHe507H_3PPOiTitgOF79B5864k5x9tEw-mCtZ2UkGILLQHxEMV4_740ZJgz4pTDD2SL-pXG8SODLhxfMwRYjo7sEZo-MRHlAdQayigycP8Hy7z1LZn6wA/s1600/IMG_5852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOp3eKYMJO_16EUjqfNoUVWHe507H_3PPOiTitgOF79B5864k5x9tEw-mCtZ2UkGILLQHxEMV4_740ZJgz4pTDD2SL-pXG8SODLhxfMwRYjo7sEZo-MRHlAdQayigycP8Hy7z1LZn6wA/s400/IMG_5852.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mark Woodhams, guardian of the Club Class</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0znLnjxYota9iQbxps2nzrr_G40iyQfN1Dwn5pwI58Fj3DGtA7Bi2lneMBeCze8RO7eTAQVzpXEHMEtBJsO0chPN3cL3LzYp-ygE24JlWX0gCAZSN6MER5pyNyF9uC9CaabRZEvhm-A/s1600/over+launch+not+as+high.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0znLnjxYota9iQbxps2nzrr_G40iyQfN1Dwn5pwI58Fj3DGtA7Bi2lneMBeCze8RO7eTAQVzpXEHMEtBJsO0chPN3cL3LzYp-ygE24JlWX0gCAZSN6MER5pyNyF9uC9CaabRZEvhm-A/s320/over+launch+not+as+high.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rain and struggling to make height gains</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then more rain, but a shorter shower and a brighter looking sky developing after it.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another flurry of glider wiping. Right, here we go. No more waiting around. I clipped in and made my way to the take off. A club class pilot beat me to it and started soaring the hill. I waited for signs of other lift, ignoring the jeers of pilots behind me. I launched when three buzzards started climbing out in front. Yep, it was definitely lifty, but very lumpy.</span><br>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Turning right (North) up the ridge I struggled to make decent height gain. Phippsy was off shortly after me and immediately seemed to be doing a lot better to the south, so I flew over to join him. Frustratingly I found it difficult to make the same height gain, something that continued for the entire two hours we eventually spent flying the hill. First Phippsy, then Luke, then Justin, then Dave Matthews all out climbed me. Being heavy on my wing I can expect some loss of performance in sink rate (but gain in gliding performance) but this seemed to above and beyond that. What the blazes was I doing wrong? Luke was calling "wave lift", something that I have little experience of flying. Subsequent feedback from respected pilots is that I was perhaps working the lift too hard, and instead should have just "parked" in to wind to maximise the lift in the apparently small wave bars. Lessons learned for next time.</span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Zde5K2vN5iRbSRHKvzRqxK6nsOqxwI-7FdksegrI33yjngsQw-ZpNnrCPg7hYhZ1jRrD-zjRBRCuT9xYwTDacsIZw3fD2iDUP_E-t2IesYXgiP6ah3P-wiDLSDyB2H488pavp17nWF0/s1600/in+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Zde5K2vN5iRbSRHKvzRqxK6nsOqxwI-7FdksegrI33yjngsQw-ZpNnrCPg7hYhZ1jRrD-zjRBRCuT9xYwTDacsIZw3fD2iDUP_E-t2IesYXgiP6ah3P-wiDLSDyB2H488pavp17nWF0/s400/in+rain.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rain flying.... Lovely. Not.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">More rain, and I'm flying. Not the best place to be. Carl Wallbank pulled some radical turns to descend quickly and land. Luckily with the Mynd ridge being so long (as Phippsy says perhaps that's why it is called "The Long Mynd.."), we could run from the worst of the rain, but the glider was showing all the characteristics of a wet glider so I opted to keep flying, waiting for the weather to cycle and hopefully deliver the forecasted brighter spells.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSBgHAbxZYnR9OOsz4SeZHDBpi9coJ5g__BGRLKIkhmZlIBkuuTEDh5PqLYDgdkKelN2VQuxGwgwY9k8UWvxLmOKcoTjaZ7_fsmaC8JvzntlOoV2W_mQJFibzOHp84eiJ84NILoagY5I/s1600/brighter+weather+approaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSBgHAbxZYnR9OOsz4SeZHDBpi9coJ5g__BGRLKIkhmZlIBkuuTEDh5PqLYDgdkKelN2VQuxGwgwY9k8UWvxLmOKcoTjaZ7_fsmaC8JvzntlOoV2W_mQJFibzOHp84eiJ84NILoagY5I/s320/brighter+weather+approaches.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A glimmer of hope</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> And it did. The sun was now hitting the ground upwind of us and the glider was now behaving more predictably, Luke was the first to leave the hill, going on a death glide to activate the task at 10km. I took a climb to base for (the first time) downwind of Phippsy, Justin, Darren (Brown) and Dave, who called on the radio he was leaving the hill. Struggling to stay out of base at 2500, I was nervous that he would start gliding downwind and not know where I was, I decided to start my glide too, ahead of the gaggle, and to escape the frustration of my poor performance on the hill. </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Suspecting that Luke was on the ground I glided through the "sink hole" heading towards cliking clouds and thermal triggering terrain. A couple of little bleeps, a couple of 360s.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"What you got there Ben?" asked Dave, gliding a few hundred meters behind me.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"I'm going down slightly slower than I was a minute ago..." I replied, as I sized </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">up landing options.Off on a death glide to a factory and rising ground. </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">A few more bleeps and circles but I knew the game was up. Downwind was a large flat field near a lane which I gauged I could get to safely. As a last ditch attempt to stay up I flew to one side of the field where the trees were thrashing about (a sign that a thermal is kicking off) but didn't find anything. Not until that is, I flew a base leg and turned into wind at a perfect height to make a landing near the gate. And that's when I found the thermal. My left wing was violently lifted and I was now heading in the wrong direction. Too low to use it, I hung on to the left upright, intending to ease the glider back into wind without over reacting. Stay calm, it's coming round. Bingo. Back on track. Plenty of speed, round out and a gentle flare. Perfect. And that's why my glider has become such a trusted friend.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">As I carried the glider to the edge of the field I was greeted by Tony, a local chap who lives with his wife in a caravan on the edge of the field while they renovate their adjoining house. An ex-glider pilot he was genuinely enthralled by it all, and we chatted away while I de-rigged, and watched Dave, Justin, Darren and Phippsy circle way above me....</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Mark Woodhams kindly retrieved him having been to pick up Tim Swait from the Club Class who had also managed to squeak away from the hill. A really good effort by him, and landing just a few metres short to activate his task.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU5PgjXKbxYKbvc99E_Sdk1MEJCcVTwoHjBfwSzi2Q0P8SBzOqYIxUs6nXB_bQQ0IC4H7OBKARs2W6x4Svf1twogT-7xWCUvwPie-VUHwdhm_ml1ZhtqOeQd2cExHLHdWgvY3cZgBs3c/s1600/tim+swait+club+class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU5PgjXKbxYKbvc99E_Sdk1MEJCcVTwoHjBfwSzi2Q0P8SBzOqYIxUs6nXB_bQQ0IC4H7OBKARs2W6x4Svf1twogT-7xWCUvwPie-VUHwdhm_ml1ZhtqOeQd2cExHLHdWgvY3cZgBs3c/s640/tim+swait+club+class.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sharing the sky with Tim Swait</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> I was soon back at my car and driving home, waiting with baited breath to hear what had happened. My minimum score wouldn't affect my 6th place, but these boys were about to set the cat among the pigeons. I couldn't wait any longer.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"Phippsy, it's Ben. So what's going on?"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"I'm having supper.... Oh the scores. Luke 10km, Darren, Justin and me 20km, Dave 25km. I've just won the championship".</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"WHAT???"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"Yep. Luke 3rd, Dave 2nd and me 1st!"</span></span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eiwMHVL5u80yrRhDRDNc_LW4k23F2UD91AIPjFen8xLr7JrW9s9WVy2_e_Jv3qnhzxVBr-Eo9AobSSiws6ArP5j0ckXOFDKKKrfOkrUnNpOdau7JhrJMmcpnlkawztLl-s1A5RGhAH4/s1600/Phippsy+recieves+trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eiwMHVL5u80yrRhDRDNc_LW4k23F2UD91AIPjFen8xLr7JrW9s9WVy2_e_Jv3qnhzxVBr-Eo9AobSSiws6ArP5j0ckXOFDKKKrfOkrUnNpOdau7JhrJMmcpnlkawztLl-s1A5RGhAH4/s320/Phippsy+recieves+trophy.jpg" width="237"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Graham Phippsy<br>British Open Series Champion 2015<br>With permission of ASM1Photography</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I could not have been more pleased for him. With an enviable flying CV, including being a member of Team GB, Phippsy has been a major force in keeping hang gliding alive in the UK by bringing new people in to the sport through his highly regarded hang gliding and paragliding school, and often in the face of excessive commercial pressures. What a result for him, his school Cloud 9, and his Wills Wing dealership.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">And what an end to the series. I got my top 6 place and now it's off to Spain to train with Team GB and then fly the British Nationals, hopefully against some of Europe's top pilots.</span></span><br>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-34986653820697622122015-07-26T08:12:00.004-07:002015-07-27T05:40:58.638-07:00Let Your Spirit Fly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday 25th July 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5.30am. Equipment checked the night before, car packed. British Open Series, Round 3 in Mid Wales, here I come. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Looking at the diary for the next month, it would come as no surprise that flying is a rather important part of my life. First this 5 day comp, then a couple of days later, heading off to Spain for a couple of weeks to train with Team GB and compete in the British Nationals, an international competition that attracts some of the best pilots in the world. How lucky am I that I now work for a great company that understands flying, being the world's leading manufacturer and operator of <a href="http://www.iflyworld.com/" target="_blank">indoor skydiving tunnels</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After I hit the road at 6am I received a call from my oldest and dearest friend. His father had passed away in the night after losing the battle with cancer. He was one of those characters that formed a part of my </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">childhood memories - a humble and kind man, and a rock to his family who all adored him. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am told to fly with the spirit of his dear Dad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back on the road and I was never going to make the comp briefing. so I arranged with the organisers to meet at the site of the day. The wind was already blowing strong in the valleys, but the Long Myn</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">d in Shropshire was the place to go</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Mynd" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">"The Mynd"</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> is a very popular flying site, with excellent potential for long flights across the UK, and the countryside in the area is stunning. As I arrived at 10.30am, the hill was already covered with rigged gliders. Right, no time to waste. Time to step in to action. By 11am, I was rigged and ready. Next thing, what to do with the car? Normally I would have tra</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">velled up from briefing in the retrieve car. Oh well, it would have to stay up the hill until I could get back later to pick it up. At least now I had a few minutes to catch up with friends - it's the old "band of brothers" thing again - it's a tight-knit community, but definitely not exclusive. Everyone goes out of their way to make new pilots and their</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> families as welcome as possible. The BHGC works hard at bringing new pilots in to the competitive side of the sport with </span><a href="http://bhgc.wikidot.com/boseries:club-class" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">various initiatives to support</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and nurture those participating for the first time.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Task Board</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At 12pm, the task briefing was called. As pilots fumbled with various electronic gadgetry to enter a newly created waypoint, a 158km race to Aylesbury via a turn point at Banbury was called. A big task for the UK, and just short of the magic 100 miles, but London airspace effectively limits flights, unless you want to meet a 747 head on... A full site briefing was held. The Long Mynd Gliding Club operates just behind the the hang gliding take off and with up to thirty pilots in the air alongside winch operations and sail planes on the ridge, we would all have to follow set procedures to stay safe.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Looking up to the north end of The Mynd</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not one to hang about on the hill, I was one of the first off as the "Launch Window Open" klaxon was sounded. Quickly settling in to being in the air again, I watched as a stream of pilots took to the air. I had turned right (North) up the ridge, whereas some of the other pilots including Gordon Rigg, turned left to the south end, potentially to make it easier to get over the back away from the gliding operations. I struggled for some time to get high, being teased by strong cores that then broke up. I could hear Luke Nicol and Gordon on the radio flying together, and leaving the hill at the first Start Gate at 1.15pm. So I headed to the South side and guess what? I got the climb and got away! I've got to get my starts sorted...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7KQvexTivnaGQbANAYya0EJ1mCSkjcdyA-lo_VP5lA8_UaxUHiTnpNnx5ij7l1DlHt09hmK0DEAKz2d2FzynVYNYhvbM2vmc1XBpFyC9H-v5bME7bSoFZKHx5ETo7JagsQC4QGLlftU/s1600/WIngtip+over+town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7KQvexTivnaGQbANAYya0EJ1mCSkjcdyA-lo_VP5lA8_UaxUHiTnpNnx5ij7l1DlHt09hmK0DEAKz2d2FzynVYNYhvbM2vmc1XBpFyC9H-v5bME7bSoFZKHx5ETo7JagsQC4QGLlftU/s320/WIngtip+over+town.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think that's Ludlow!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivdbum_u06m-OSmvH0aRfL3573ugajfyiYF9cKVem9kbVO9-ZpFfaLneT880dMpDCDRK0GXrYhLTx-ks965pyNRB6mEKxjjOsAhbgfMrRCfZunfIghqOc5tGdKruzb0LnQmhJbyXPhis/s1600/Head+for+the+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivdbum_u06m-OSmvH0aRfL3573ugajfyiYF9cKVem9kbVO9-ZpFfaLneT880dMpDCDRK0GXrYhLTx-ks965pyNRB6mEKxjjOsAhbgfMrRCfZunfIghqOc5tGdKruzb0LnQmhJbyXPhis/s320/Head+for+the+street.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drifting over the back I was now at least half an hour behind the lead gaggle but there were still several pilots around me. Making cloud base for the first of many times, and with various "lessons learned" from previous flights here, I knew that heading for Clee Hill would probably end in a quick landing, so I chose a route to the south, heading for the upwind edge of the clouds and over sunny ground. I was soon hunting for lift over Ludlow, keeping an eye on the gliders to the north of the town. If they started climbing I intended to race over and join them. Instead and after searching over the town, I found a nice climb. As my lift accelerated several gliders came to join me including Darren Brown and Wayne Thompson. My "Push-To-Talk" switch on the radio was broken, but I could hear them discussing that I was turning left, and they were turning right, so I repositioned myself in the thermal and started turning right. Nice and safe for everyone. Don't want any more "proximity calls" do we????</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With dark cloud bases lining up downwind, it was tempting to head straight for them, but the shadowing on the ground was widespread. What if I didn't "connect" with the cloud? What next? With so much shadow killing off any land warming, I did not want to be low over it. Stick to the plan: head for the upwind side of a cloud with upwind ground also in sunshine,visualising where the column of warm air would be connecting ground and cloud. It might not be on track, but a better chance of staying in the air. Beep........ Beep......Beep.. Beep Beep Beep.....! Got it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI2l5ZoqzsR3wUu_i0-WExVPiTlzIxelj72cfiLxuUSYiKdVwcb2U5kTeL057_-UUX4GL4BZ9MseHWpjY8yhz6kY3FInuBkNXcQkP4XxGULVjIDzJKnh9PvBypU6CfcIhgzSQoVufOew/s1600/uprighrt+with+company+Ludlow+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI2l5ZoqzsR3wUu_i0-WExVPiTlzIxelj72cfiLxuUSYiKdVwcb2U5kTeL057_-UUX4GL4BZ9MseHWpjY8yhz6kY3FInuBkNXcQkP4XxGULVjIDzJKnh9PvBypU6CfcIhgzSQoVufOew/s400/uprighrt+with+company+Ludlow+v2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The journey to the first turn point was relatively slow. Continually working "off track" options, but importantly still in the air. To the North of Worcester, Wayne and I joined up again and he caught a belter of a thermal. I was climbing well but left him to enjoy his roller coaster ride. Cloud base and time for a glide.Continuing down towards the turn point I started get low again. Come on. 2000 foot above the ground. 1500'... 1200'... Something start working. Please. Thinking of my childhood friends Dad, I was urging the day to deliver. I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness as I started sizing up landing options.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAgQSazdBHpQ48GthXKkVHJDWrfYgsUMya_g3__95Q-F7UuLXUVGAvBJbT4Q3Y0XL4g6s0pPwO3nj-C9hZMwIgSwckqpC899rGSCdu4CBpmMwJny8Lo08luhdWJt5DtWe4-4ipxQp1zU/s1600/gettoing+low+clouds+ahead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAgQSazdBHpQ48GthXKkVHJDWrfYgsUMya_g3__95Q-F7UuLXUVGAvBJbT4Q3Y0XL4g6s0pPwO3nj-C9hZMwIgSwckqpC899rGSCdu4CBpmMwJny8Lo08luhdWJt5DtWe4-4ipxQp1zU/s400/gettoing+low+clouds+ahead.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting low with "the street" starting to develop to goal.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Come on, Ben. Don't give up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With renewed focus, I started working hard. Very hard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beep...... Something was bubbling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beep...... Beep...... Slow up and start searching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">COME ON.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beep. Beep. Beep. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">YES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After exploring the area, often pushing back up wind while slowly descending, I found it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who knows what happened in those minutes, but I did not feel alone. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Strange thing, the power of thought and spirituality</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From that moment on the flight completely changed. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Slowly but surely I started climbing again, and was soon heading back up to cloud base and easily made the turn-point. I met up with Steve Penfold on his Airborne glider for one of the last climbs of the day. Having had to continually assess where the next climb was going to come form, the sky magically paved a way all the way to goal, some 40km away. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JtqyWqJXzXsj2GFdfoJw_7Fj-rgUUnN97flZim2yDU1irk9aqiCtUTVWFt_moUTCuDhcdhgN4w7yDay9EmkqlGtQUT9aKBQlqLuYkc4-YHr8G13KoLK5XtfYTSZkdhlFi_I-a3RS5VY/s1600/street+to+goal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JtqyWqJXzXsj2GFdfoJw_7Fj-rgUUnN97flZim2yDU1irk9aqiCtUTVWFt_moUTCuDhcdhgN4w7yDay9EmkqlGtQUT9aKBQlqLuYkc4-YHr8G13KoLK5XtfYTSZkdhlFi_I-a3RS5VY/s320/street+to+goal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Clouds paving the way to goal</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A glorious cloud street set up as far as the eye could see. As I pulled on speed I raced along, flying faster than I have ever flown before, ducking in and out of the cloud street. I thought Steve was coming with me but I think the speed with which I took off caught him by surprise! Even flying with the bar to my knees I was still going up. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKR9FgdZH7pVb5zIvtbAlwDpxR0gPKRUVxaDIk30YWhtEy4HRXO7uaWJJkTj4cYLA6e64FTMvOm_WIQIwkVTQ-pWFSGph1i9LpeLUBTwq5-9ZlrD0yoXhT5isO9GJmGSw4JBUGuVaaQs/s1600/skrting+round+the+clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKR9FgdZH7pVb5zIvtbAlwDpxR0gPKRUVxaDIk30YWhtEy4HRXO7uaWJJkTj4cYLA6e64FTMvOm_WIQIwkVTQ-pWFSGph1i9LpeLUBTwq5-9ZlrD0yoXhT5isO9GJmGSw4JBUGuVaaQs/s320/skrting+round+the+clouds.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gliding along the edge of the clouds</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Covering the ground at 120+kph it would not take me long to get there. 4,500'... 4,700'... With airspace at 5500' I was concerned about being sucked in to it, and getting disqualified, so I zig-zagged alongside the cloud to find what little sink there was. Unbelievable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And there was goal. Not difficult</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> to spot from 4,000! I flew over the wind turbine in the middle of the 1km finish radius and could see a field slightly beyond with hang gliders. But how to get down? I was still climbing so headed back up course, with Tim King on his rigid flying nearby. And then the realisation that I had been flying for 5 hours hit me. Having suffered "random cramp" (an inexplicable and unpredictable severe cramp in my left leg that is the only side effect of my back op) several times in the flight, and feeling exhausted, I just wanted to land. I eventually found some sink and started spiralling down. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaznwXyaY6CJVZy2CEvytK7LH6WFk-jq7OLE65PQVOKibanKzwqLioFYUsLVX6ag-_CdpvZeYOKuHDEVlaGO8-Om8u_SkVsTOij9Hoh-40AVUQkLu6eLoeVpVEUITBlzqSJO-dIliuXHw/s1600/Thumbs+up+arriving+at+goal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaznwXyaY6CJVZy2CEvytK7LH6WFk-jq7OLE65PQVOKibanKzwqLioFYUsLVX6ag-_CdpvZeYOKuHDEVlaGO8-Om8u_SkVsTOij9Hoh-40AVUQkLu6eLoeVpVEUITBlzqSJO-dIliuXHw/s400/Thumbs+up+arriving+at+goal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thumbs up for goal!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT02DVvFdon0vbfeH5c7cqsP_i3gxmU5ixY0uAAm-gMze_EP-HLr8wedSA2xqlXIRooOf5WYTla7eOzPB_Q7Z8vdGDpaInKtgKcbJzd6hrR1tvDFPuB_rwxiD3dRSijw7Cb2jGhVs-2bQ/s1600/goal+field+and+the+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT02DVvFdon0vbfeH5c7cqsP_i3gxmU5ixY0uAAm-gMze_EP-HLr8wedSA2xqlXIRooOf5WYTla7eOzPB_Q7Z8vdGDpaInKtgKcbJzd6hrR1tvDFPuB_rwxiD3dRSijw7Cb2jGhVs-2bQ/s400/goal+field+and+the+street.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The landing field and the street clearly visible</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkIb3gl8Hwa4OIl_boVLyO_41Ep3YbvTY_UF5S64fepF4pSjabj0jmwz2-QUxn1EKORNGtbsq2T4somXagLvjQMOF5qJjIgpt40XWWvjuopPWavt6UefRJgtR1r_GOfTvbhrKkDKhZJw/s1600/Just+landed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkIb3gl8Hwa4OIl_boVLyO_41Ep3YbvTY_UF5S64fepF4pSjabj0jmwz2-QUxn1EKORNGtbsq2T4somXagLvjQMOF5qJjIgpt40XWWvjuopPWavt6UefRJgtR1r_GOfTvbhrKkDKhZJw/s320/Just+landed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Touch down!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Touch down. I had made it. I was greeted and congratulated by Team GB and fellow Wills Wing pilot Phippsy from Cloud 9 who took the obligatory goal picture. Neville Almond , flying his first competition task for many years, was already packed and ready to go having stormed the course on his ATOS glider. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKF2g3Qcn5pcmoQrfMak5stxSsv6BIDSjp9wdfLIlp0O20Jq28_r2b8kRHCZmLs7ihyphenhypheniUdkcLXvvOQMW3IZPXpu9eu8BuQxsW4hpk-ZISmGziO-WqucLEYdZNTBYS5gY1oIQWouf_HE8/s1600/Happy+smile+in+goal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKF2g3Qcn5pcmoQrfMak5stxSsv6BIDSjp9wdfLIlp0O20Jq28_r2b8kRHCZmLs7ihyphenhypheniUdkcLXvvOQMW3IZPXpu9eu8BuQxsW4hpk-ZISmGziO-WqucLEYdZNTBYS5gY1oIQWouf_HE8/s320/Happy+smile+in+goal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">158kms later, one happy pilot!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">.After all the big flying I have done over the years at home and abroad this was my first "BOS" goal. I am still a relative newcomer to competitions with this being only my third full season, and up against pilots with more than twenty years of competition experience. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Other Team GB pilots were of course also "in". Carl, Gordon, Dave...it was </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">good to be in a goal field with such company. Now I just need to be there first...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preliminary results <a href="http://bhgcresults.wikidot.com/2015bos-r3:flex-task-1" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Track logs in from Livetrack24<a href="http://www.livetrack24.com/tasks/2170" target="_blank"> here.</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-10928920883819598112015-07-12T10:28:00.004-07:002015-07-12T10:28:59.278-07:00Wet and Windy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday 12th July 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A new full time job and normally in single Dad mode at the weekends, flying is pretty much restricted now to competitions, or the occasional bit of dual flying with the boys.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But today Sunday, a day off. Predicatbly the forecast was looking pretty grim.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not to be deterred and keen to maximise the opportunity I scoured the forecasts, looking for a window to get airborne. 15-25mph SW, RASP indicating lift between 0 and 400fpm, and a cloud-base between 1000 and 4000', plus rain. Hmm. Not too much to get excited about. One glimmer of hope: there seemed to be a spell of "better" weather between 12 and 2pm.... All I wanted was a clear window to take off and embark on a short XC. Decision made. Milk Mountain, here I come.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyjqW0O86wdHjpKZ30cR198pc0sbOmaxmOg1eak1-hhXxo61fFt4Fe9U8jq2u_S50CNFxXOCsNdUvr1S31V-Ehfsb-gQw_1cCRv_CXdyanhYVweq-hRPN-AfcpkDk0F8VNZWhjJgdzII/s1600/Milk+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyjqW0O86wdHjpKZ30cR198pc0sbOmaxmOg1eak1-hhXxo61fFt4Fe9U8jq2u_S50CNFxXOCsNdUvr1S31V-Ehfsb-gQw_1cCRv_CXdyanhYVweq-hRPN-AfcpkDk0F8VNZWhjJgdzII/s400/Milk+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The view from Milk. Not too bad...</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW5b7eQ9Pdj17frVVEQ_vxWBWBNkaytpF_yOx87azjALNCXDTOLuzIVlXipJIZH4u7nGectS8XtmurGlbGb-Pvn2iIITwz6HhXdK2QaLv3aZ5XlOGhY3u2ga1QsZxo6kK45U0U2QkCAY/s1600/Ben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW5b7eQ9Pdj17frVVEQ_vxWBWBNkaytpF_yOx87azjALNCXDTOLuzIVlXipJIZH4u7nGectS8XtmurGlbGb-Pvn2iIITwz6HhXdK2QaLv3aZ5XlOGhY3u2ga1QsZxo6kK45U0U2QkCAY/s320/Ben.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not unexpectedly I was the only one at the hill bar a walkers car parked at the top. The wind was blowing a steady 15mph up the slope and not too gusty - good Milk conditions. I rigged at the lower take off but by the time I was sorting the instruments</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> out, the wind had picked up in strength and gustiness. Looking south west towards Westbury, the sky seemed brighter, with an acceptable cloud base. To the West, there were signs of rain which would easily pass the area by. All ready to go, I sat it out for a while, waiting for the conditions to settle back again. After twenty minutes, and having asked a passing walker to watch me off, I clipped in, and with a couple of steps was up and away from the hill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lumpy. Very lumpy. Thankfully there was plenty of punchy lift in amongst the turbulent air, and I quickly gained 400'. Thinking that it might be safer to push forward on to the White Horse face with more open landing areas, I pulled on speed and glided cross wind to the ridge but was not rewarded with better air. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOQaDDjXeYPpvjuOTR6Q99TFVgGAmmXDnk9KSXGI0a-fToVsjsJsRaMgEsEyFw9akJ7pJEcBZiDf-ibx5JrBIYvWuU0fOvPGJYmXLfjYMhFfdZuHu8YvHyb4OvDpu8VTNG3B_qaAe74k/s1600/White+Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOQaDDjXeYPpvjuOTR6Q99TFVgGAmmXDnk9KSXGI0a-fToVsjsJsRaMgEsEyFw9akJ7pJEcBZiDf-ibx5JrBIYvWuU0fOvPGJYmXLfjYMhFfdZuHu8YvHyb4OvDpu8VTNG3B_qaAe74k/s400/White+Horse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a while exploring the ridge, and contemplating a run down to Martinsell,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> but </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was not convinced there was enough South in the wind to enable a ridge run. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I retreated back to the bowl and immediately climbed again. Up and down. Up and down. It was a bit of a roller coaster. The trees on the hill were thrashing about, so I pushed forward to the White Horse again. Nope, no better, so I retreated once more to the bowl. It was becoming apparent that I was having to fly very fast to keep my position over the ground and occasionally was being sunk out to ridge height. With rain now directly approaching, I was becoming uncomfortable with the flying conditions so decided it was time to land. Unfortunately I was running out of safe landing options. No to the potential rotor in the bottom landing, no to the designated top landing with upwind trees, and not enough height to push on to the south ridge again and the large open fields. So I opted to make an "emergency" landing in the larger "in crop" top landing field, aiming for the mowed path by the fence, and in sight of a group of walkers on the Ridgeway. A quick downwind leg and I was fighting to keep the glider straight as pulled in speed to clear the fence at the back of the field. Pulling hard on the left upright I just managed to touch down before I got turned out of wind. I had missed my spot by about 5 feet. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I could not rerig fast enough to beat the onslaught of rain. And boy did it rain. A proper downpour. Good job I wasn't still flying.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrHFEBb2faYL08V2Zzqxl6bH_XWZg_6utKSRi0jFF0BJfSKKJg_OKlUErzH39neqfwoj3R8_yACcSH8axImZSZz6aglVP0EEN9nN2CqtQe1e-G7mPpyjmLNA7xN3f9nOmzjV4AcGbDGM/s1600/Packed+just+in+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrHFEBb2faYL08V2Zzqxl6bH_XWZg_6utKSRi0jFF0BJfSKKJg_OKlUErzH39neqfwoj3R8_yACcSH8axImZSZz6aglVP0EEN9nN2CqtQe1e-G7mPpyjmLNA7xN3f9nOmzjV4AcGbDGM/s400/Packed+just+in+time.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh well, it might not have been an epic flying day, but just for a short, sweet, amount of time I had escaped in to the world of free flight... It does your soul the world of good!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-58985616953373736652015-06-14T19:20:00.004-07:002015-06-15T03:32:07.176-07:00The Best Flying Day. Ever.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday 14th June 2015</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW6bOaP09wdCWXNzoE53FMmP5jqhLicbDCNi7XvqDCt9C6GlHFOKec8-beok4ExtR15jZy-0CSemaW6l_brcJuhyphenhyphenqQZAPkqao7sDCbQ3PAaCRvsH_WKH5D74hRwn85HxW33t_y2HNktM/s1600/IMG_5552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW6bOaP09wdCWXNzoE53FMmP5jqhLicbDCNi7XvqDCt9C6GlHFOKec8-beok4ExtR15jZy-0CSemaW6l_brcJuhyphenhyphenqQZAPkqao7sDCbQ3PAaCRvsH_WKH5D74hRwn85HxW33t_y2HNktM/s320/IMG_5552.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You can use our dual Wills Wing Falcon glider. Its "spankers" and I'm based just down the road from you..."</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/sports-recovery/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tracking&utm_campaign=sportsrecoverymicrosite" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuygKiwDWh18W7BOvNRwYfqcm-Y3Aedw6lvsHhNWYPKO-2_ntUoi1SdWz_uNIRZeQ3i3cYKZD-wN0U1cwhyphenhyphenOfFzLcPdP48rot9B4SiqlvWxgu4A9XFNNhatRDALZhwj4ouI2zlzbtk_U/s200/HfH+SPorts+Recovery.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For several years I had dreamed of taking my boys flying. Last year I completed my dual training specifically to make this dream come true and now Martin Colclough,joint HG Meethead, had put the final part of the jigsaw in place by offering me access to his Wills Wing Falcon dual glider. As National Head of Sports Recovery, Help for Heroes, Martin is involved with some amazing work. Any time you need a dual pilot, just let me know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With glider on the roof, me, Tom (14) and Jack (11) headed off to Westbury. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">During the 45 minute drive to the hill I had talked them through what the day would look like. Check the site, rig and check the glider, solo test flight, dual flight with Tom, dual flight with Jack. I didn't want to overload them with info but they are already becoming flying "savvy" having been subjected to my relentless flying stories. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The forecast was a bit "iffy" in terms of cross country flying, but with a 10mph NNW wind it was looking likely that we could go dual flying. Much lighter and the hill would be completely overcrowded with PGs. As we approached the hill we could see two PGs climbing gently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"How are you feeling, guys?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Nervous" said Tom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Bricking it" said Jack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Look, we will only fly if its safe to do so. And even then, if you don't want to, you don't have to". </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzLFH7YBoKAUMjYrpwX3PCLxDUcih6tO1_imNwoFS6kLIoyFL3HJogONOradp167XVBLIWj43PTf6_qUhGPoNkYiFs3wBevKJQE3-YhSVpwfAWzIO7Eqmqqqr9schWyk-aemReOkyKCE/s1600/IMG_5545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzLFH7YBoKAUMjYrpwX3PCLxDUcih6tO1_imNwoFS6kLIoyFL3HJogONOradp167XVBLIWj43PTf6_qUhGPoNkYiFs3wBevKJQE3-YhSVpwfAWzIO7Eqmqqqr9schWyk-aemReOkyKCE/s320/IMG_5545.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"But I want to, I just have to overcome my fear". That's my boy. I was bursting with pride, even before we had the glider off the car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a good turn out of hang gliders already rigged including Nev Almond, Till Obermeier, and Sam and Graham (having driven all the way up from Cornwall - mad Kernow boys). As me and the boys went to the front of the hill, chatting to everyone we passed, it was great for them to experience the friendliness and community feel of our sport, especially now as they were going to join the exclusive club of flying.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g9VoAcTOgT4zSwHrMY8v6p_B1Qje8ypuHpCxF2-uTd01cJqOUgGvEjMKl1UZlSufLnHVvbpLMaoLRgtJdKPcj4QYKWX67NMWKs2g4S7IrufDMnVmSyhKGFfAwoG0eF95X_zWLpBudVY/s1600/IMG_5548+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g9VoAcTOgT4zSwHrMY8v6p_B1Qje8ypuHpCxF2-uTd01cJqOUgGvEjMKl1UZlSufLnHVvbpLMaoLRgtJdKPcj4QYKWX67NMWKs2g4S7IrufDMnVmSyhKGFfAwoG0eF95X_zWLpBudVY/s320/IMG_5548+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Err, thats not how it was described in the briefing</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Feeling the breeze on our faces at launch, discussing flight paths along the ridge and landing options, and doing little practice runs with them, it suddenly dawned on me that today really was going to be the day I took my boys flying. I felt focussed but not overly stressed by the magnitude of what I was about to do. A heightened sense of awareness coupled with calmness was definitely kicking in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By midday we had the glider rigged. I made my way to the front through the melee of paragliders and quickly launched for a solo test flight. Predictable, mellow handling meant I was soon climbing above launch. Glider and conditions felt good, and the sky was not overly crowded. With a quick dash downwind to the landing area, I turned in to wind expecting to gently descend. But unusually for Westbury there was little breeze in the field and the floaty dual glider was covering the ground faster than I had expected. Maybe I should have opted to land on the wheels. Bleed off the speed, and "FLARE". A bit too early and a bit too hard. A few feet gained in height and then a "parachute" down on to the wheels. Thank heavens for big, pneumatic wheels. All systems normal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Right, back to the front, and get Tom harnessed up and briefed. A quick recap on how to run at take off, hold the pilot (shoulder and wrist), and what to expect at landing. Clip in. Hang check. This is getting serious. Sam on the nose. Left wing lifting. Back down. Try again. Up with the nose. Wing feeling balanced. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Ready Tom?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yep".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Don't forget to run. Ok, here we go. RELEASE!.....RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN......"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5bzchjlkDhD1ZXUgbeywSuz2h1Z6G_pU-ZCDEcmWwa1Sy5J0BmCvSxtc5cnJLiTebcAZgjZiXO8FZyRo-Ai7pjmuNvFOTTZ0jnXtRxNZzQVeWCva4ryfQ7WyX1eUBmSfMHiMixOKm-Q/s1600/Tom+launch+Sprog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5bzchjlkDhD1ZXUgbeywSuz2h1Z6G_pU-ZCDEcmWwa1Sy5J0BmCvSxtc5cnJLiTebcAZgjZiXO8FZyRo-Ai7pjmuNvFOTTZ0jnXtRxNZzQVeWCva4ryfQ7WyX1eUBmSfMHiMixOKm-Q/s400/Tom+launch+Sprog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ugfACy5Of_IdfELByAfs8SH2ZUnzl9SsW53rKXxW4LQAl_egILtvvUU1MOqCufnQJCWZ8hJgfh_H6Baytyo7aX6wQm7J3fml9KU3Bh-Mcn5GshN2d5z_PPJLkzQpTuAkYdV7aui_omU/s1600/Tom+smiling+Upright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ugfACy5Of_IdfELByAfs8SH2ZUnzl9SsW53rKXxW4LQAl_egILtvvUU1MOqCufnQJCWZ8hJgfh_H6Baytyo7aX6wQm7J3fml9KU3Bh-Mcn5GshN2d5z_PPJLkzQpTuAkYdV7aui_omU/s320/Tom+smiling+Upright.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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And we were flying. WE were flying. I don't know who was more blown away. I always knew it was going to be special, but I am sure even the best word-smith would have trouble describing this moment. We flew up and down the ridge, trying to find lift and gain enough height to make a top landing. As I turned in and fell out of broken lift Tom experienced surges and stalls, but always with me explaining what was happening. His grip on my wrist was tight, but he soon relaxed. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yfgFUcaXJZnBJMZ7vtKjwli4aOENnhFSkiaErO4x-IGjr-0tVMSQv1wcLT3kkMbONuGV887-BnLHk5GiwdHoq_SNYXWG9e9F78RRcBwdkThFV-G8xHjrrm906NSmPCRiVntCf4yUueg/s1600/Tom+White+Horse+PGs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yfgFUcaXJZnBJMZ7vtKjwli4aOENnhFSkiaErO4x-IGjr-0tVMSQv1wcLT3kkMbONuGV887-BnLHk5GiwdHoq_SNYXWG9e9F78RRcBwdkThFV-G8xHjrrm906NSmPCRiVntCf4yUueg/s400/Tom+White+Horse+PGs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flying out from the hill to the landing field below</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After twenty minutes it was time to land, so we flew out from the hill to make an unhurried approach to the bottom field. Tom and I got back in to "upright" mode and I pulled in plenty of speed as we turned in to wind (what little there was of it) on final approach on the up-slope. Wait. Wait. Wait..... FLARE! Better then last time but still not perfect with a bit of a nose in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"OK Tom?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yep, 'll be ok". He had taken a bit of a bash but wasn't letting it get in the way of the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You've done it! You've flown!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That was so cool!" Good response.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJFkxlJCuafWhFkqkPjsVhj9tzQ0fB5yHV3quxyamImyTZ6SjhIarBGVGA195UZXjVJYAKR_Abq8EtvpQtDm0Fraa9WBRxxp1N0VLk2yTktUqm4xfMWeTi44VDlvd6QJbgeD3OWFktH8/s1600/IMG_5554+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJFkxlJCuafWhFkqkPjsVhj9tzQ0fB5yHV3quxyamImyTZ6SjhIarBGVGA195UZXjVJYAKR_Abq8EtvpQtDm0Fraa9WBRxxp1N0VLk2yTktUqm4xfMWeTi44VDlvd6QJbgeD3OWFktH8/s320/IMG_5554+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A not so perfect looking sky</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">RIght, now for Jack. Hmm, not that easy as Jack and the car was at the top, and we were at the bottom. We hadn't heard from Jack on the radio that anyone was coming down so I jogged to the foot of the hill and scrambled up. No mean feat. Just as I reached the top, I looked back to see what I thought was my car pulling in to the field below. How nice, someone had driven my car down. A quick slide, scramble and roll down the hill and I was soon jogging back to the Tom. Ah, it was Till, in his blue VW, not my blue AUDI. I shouldn't have rushed back down. Oh well, I got a lift back up, fetched the car (and a now rather grumpy looking Jack who was being very patient) and hurried back to get the glider, Tom and Kernow Graham who had also bottom landed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back to the top. ice creams all round, and the promise of a quick re-rig and flight. With renewed enthusiasm Jack was soon harnessed up, briefed and clipped in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm having a brown trouser moment!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You OK to do this?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Oh yes". Respect, Jack. Respect.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWqD3lWXmMG7sRemLhrZswiz-CuM_mh85ncqVLd3yOC9rVznAq02wtJBAKqNGCEWrG5PJ7p-ov6rj9pGSXF6RtTzNWZZNpnduGe6L2HdZNS-Keo4v3-d7vDVe9GU-rooHla72_zqpTGo/s1600/Jack+on+launch+with+Tom+Sprog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWqD3lWXmMG7sRemLhrZswiz-CuM_mh85ncqVLd3yOC9rVznAq02wtJBAKqNGCEWrG5PJ7p-ov6rj9pGSXF6RtTzNWZZNpnduGe6L2HdZNS-Keo4v3-d7vDVe9GU-rooHla72_zqpTGo/s320/Jack+on+launch+with+Tom+Sprog.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the PGs got sunk out and landed, I waited for a bit of breeze and any sign of lift. Soon one of the remaining PGs was climbing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Right Tom, let the nose come up. Thank you. Release. You ready Jack? RUN RUN RUN RUN..." Apparently my commands could be heard in the bottom field. With much less breeze, I wanted to ensure that Jack ran for his life. Which he did. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjXekfkdWFBVDDtQB0xv5gcqioin7r5qcSdxiPxvXdDU7yB-MAANM_UWXRFRHyQhDrYBwGCEsGKRaLL_1RuL-v6BdAGQmZ6mdtcLi6sY65cL1sqVfC7R_kGUFFROSxM5zMqioBKDH_ro/s1600/Jack+nervous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjXekfkdWFBVDDtQB0xv5gcqioin7r5qcSdxiPxvXdDU7yB-MAANM_UWXRFRHyQhDrYBwGCEsGKRaLL_1RuL-v6BdAGQmZ6mdtcLi6sY65cL1sqVfC7R_kGUFFROSxM5zMqioBKDH_ro/s200/Jack+nervous.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nervous at take off...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"YAY! We're flying!" And that was me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Oh my god, I can see why you fly. This is amazing" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From fear to euphoria in a nano second. The picture says it all.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoDjtmmwduHOSnnN3bGQRbY6ZsGUvRR9A3fwWuT7omv1OeyzlaAbGu8Ruf2f5HO5ZhRgpcH_44N37K147Fy8l7bMg3utQ1RE1QokTdRDoa4Apl_VNYiX2Dmzl1BypFiZ-H9RDHCdYXfE/s1600/Jack+smiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoDjtmmwduHOSnnN3bGQRbY6ZsGUvRR9A3fwWuT7omv1OeyzlaAbGu8Ruf2f5HO5ZhRgpcH_44N37K147Fy8l7bMg3utQ1RE1QokTdRDoa4Apl_VNYiX2Dmzl1BypFiZ-H9RDHCdYXfE/s320/Jack+smiling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">..but soon enjoying it!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were always going to struggle for height. Less breeze, lees sunshine. I maximised our flight the best I could, scratching in as close as possible to the ridge, turning in little parcels of lumpy lift, but knowing that we were basically on an extended top to bottom. Suddenly, just as I was eyeing up the landing field, and as if to reward Jack for his patience, a Red Kite flew out from the hill just in front of us and started soaring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Do you see that bird Jack?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"WOW!!!"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLnCbq60RzgF51eN2Fcb8D8jwMHTrNphkYNK8Lit223Ii0tUJtZA84Ddj3uox9TeSlNa741yBKa-fs1GC30zzxVDAs60jANnT2SUQnjPZqd_cRuha23aGjzZ97KrbXb1OQEo8fv1wDCU/s1600/Jack+looking+down+the+ridge+Sprog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLnCbq60RzgF51eN2Fcb8D8jwMHTrNphkYNK8Lit223Ii0tUJtZA84Ddj3uox9TeSlNa741yBKa-fs1GC30zzxVDAs60jANnT2SUQnjPZqd_cRuha23aGjzZ97KrbXb1OQEo8fv1wDCU/s320/Jack+looking+down+the+ridge+Sprog.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For a little while we flew very close, following it along the now lifty ridge, but soon we were making our approach to the field. This time I would get it right and "mush" it down on to the wheels, with my passenger safely tucked back and above me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Along the tree line... turn in to wind... pull on speed. glide up the up-slope. bleeding off speed... keep bleeding off speed... and ease the bar out.... PERFECT! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A gentle touch down on the wheels and a VERY happy Jack.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpLTkP1I4_gpAO7JsEkJqUHUE3n3T9XPE5XNUCnvlomMvdSqq5ku67nNPRnqYnm-8cOwWpleP-UkLbz2VHUezTqz9ZTiKRikEdFM32ra1T-mkffyNUyjjZS2dC8hAZGtEFNGGN_eVQFo/s1600/Jack+landing+Sprog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpLTkP1I4_gpAO7JsEkJqUHUE3n3T9XPE5XNUCnvlomMvdSqq5ku67nNPRnqYnm-8cOwWpleP-UkLbz2VHUezTqz9ZTiKRikEdFM32ra1T-mkffyNUyjjZS2dC8hAZGtEFNGGN_eVQFo/s400/Jack+landing+Sprog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A more gentle landing</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"I guess I will be learning how to hang glide then". </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Result. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Selfies all round, and a son grinning from ear to ear. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_QZDqeiPCoPHOr27Rh-UvkAMgV8s3mAyW7XuTWnpblXGi06KEL9o_szsCJ0EhH_LdM2tbue2J-oddEI1Uj3AHw4jhR3pP-ScrEsLVjFUPRwIdBgxVyr7SLpY6iMdI36gr_QZLAKEdhk/s1600/Jack+I+Want+to+Fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_QZDqeiPCoPHOr27Rh-UvkAMgV8s3mAyW7XuTWnpblXGi06KEL9o_szsCJ0EhH_LdM2tbue2J-oddEI1Uj3AHw4jhR3pP-ScrEsLVjFUPRwIdBgxVyr7SLpY6iMdI36gr_QZLAKEdhk/s400/Jack+I+Want+to+Fly.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With a lift up from Sam and Graham, Tom and I were soon driving back down in the car to finish packing the glider with Jack. I insisted on a group shot from our landing spot with the Wills Wing and White Horse in the background. I am so proud of my boys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The best flying day ever? Without a doubt. Nothing will ever top the day I took my boys flying for the first time. A memory to be cherished. And who knows, maybe I have just inspired the next generation of hang glider pilots. Happy days.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-80446927415576005792015-06-14T15:28:00.004-07:002015-06-15T02:31:07.031-07:00A New Site, An Ambitious Task.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Monday 8th June 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">218km? You've got to be kidding me. I woke Monday morning to check forecasts and found Facebook blasted with the news that the British "declared goal" had been smashed the day before - a day that had always been looking like that it would deliver a good day, something that became all too apparent from the touch line of my youngest's football tournament. Hey ho, I would not have missed my lad firing a scorcher in to the top corner of the net. Moments like those are precious, and there will always be another flying day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Tljqx3b3KePaQyaO74mzeMUkx80Ph9yfffxYCvG8yT8diwCza3LjkxUiC4bXX59CC_3Evj1wFlwrl9psP4_U31N1_J__znEZycJd4T99M9QmUGbq0n6efH8BgxfGG0x508mpRolP2dc/s1600/IMG_5504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Tljqx3b3KePaQyaO74mzeMUkx80Ph9yfffxYCvG8yT8diwCza3LjkxUiC4bXX59CC_3Evj1wFlwrl9psP4_U31N1_J__znEZycJd4T99M9QmUGbq0n6efH8BgxfGG0x508mpRolP2dc/s320/IMG_5504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kit prepped and charging from the night before</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And Monday was teasing me in to thinking that perhaps, just perhaps I could have an early stab at making that British Record short lived. The only problem being that in a North Easterly airflow its difficult to find an appropriate launch site with the right amount of distance potential. Cue "Uffington White Horse", a hill south of Oxford where paragliders have been allowed to fly by the National Trust for some time, but only recently had permission been given for hang gliders. Up until last Monday it had never, to my knowledge, been flown by a hang glider.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Me, Malc and a great looking sky</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Malcolm Beard, fellow Wills Wing pilot, and I agreed to meet up at the hill to "give it a go". A big risk on a good day but if it paid off we would encounter minimal airspace restrictions downwind, potentially all the way to Cornwall. Well, you have to aim high...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By 11am we were both rigged and ready to go, with a flight jointly declared of 230km. "Radio check". Silence. "Radio check". Silence. Fiddle with the PTT. "Radio check". Bugger, not again. Oh well, I would be able to hear Malcolm but not transmit, not too helpful when team flying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Uffington is a small "technical" hill, rather like Frocester in Gloucestershire. With rotor inducing mounds out in front, and minimal, sloping landing fields at the bottom of the tree lined ridge, it's not for the inexperienced or faint hearted. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Waiting patiently on launch just by the side of the White Horse we looked for signs of lift out front. A modeller was trying to locate the lift too, and feeding back any information he could. The kites and buzzard were not coming out to play, but the model was occasionally</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> finding big areas of weak lift out from the hill. The sky was looking good, so there was only one thing for it....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A smooth take off. Good. Turn right over the tree lined ridge. Bubbling? No, just rough as old boots. Gain a bit. lose a bit. After ten minutes being thrown around just above the trees, it felt like a lift cycle was starting to come through. Slowly I worked the ridge, and saw Malcolm take off and glide in underneath. Soon we were both being sunk down on to the trees, carefully manoeuvring around each other to stay up. Lower and lower, I started sizing up the landing field. Really? I would rather stay up.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxucFbXwRgAN5jh6nwPywEyUPyaNF6e5WrjAx8gXIAkC-3BjiiXWCgW4IEEQPx1hXGN4Yt7y8a-DJmQNAyONfae3GyPx1Snfpw9aGm68hopLm1YiMLulsxml7Zr1mP9r7zIA3KSyWsVTk/s1600/Climibing+over+fort+and+horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxucFbXwRgAN5jh6nwPywEyUPyaNF6e5WrjAx8gXIAkC-3BjiiXWCgW4IEEQPx1hXGN4Yt7y8a-DJmQNAyONfae3GyPx1Snfpw9aGm68hopLm1YiMLulsxml7Zr1mP9r7zIA3KSyWsVTk/s320/Climibing+over+fort+and+horse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Uffington Iron Age "Castle" and White Horse</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Malcolm started climbing again, so I flew in underneath and we both started climbing slowly, but drifting quite fast over the back. I banked in sharply in a strong surge to core the thermal, and unintentionally forced Malcolm out (something I found out later). I didnt fancy being sunk out on the hill again, so I committed low down to go over the back, while Malcolm pushed back to the ridge. As I glanced back at the hill, he seemed to be climbing again. Good. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7krUeNc0b5xrH6hE2-8rpEpIbgYFXEHPdH3onsX0qpaeMv3Gwqkv5CWjVypirQ4Kidi9ZNeVzkwWIftgCORa42fhmK5B_rQ8ZonquS0Ua48bjgRQf4aFTQTQzQOeU0BupndsK8vDw-1w/s1600/Low+going+over+the+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7krUeNc0b5xrH6hE2-8rpEpIbgYFXEHPdH3onsX0qpaeMv3Gwqkv5CWjVypirQ4Kidi9ZNeVzkwWIftgCORa42fhmK5B_rQ8ZonquS0Ua48bjgRQf4aFTQTQzQOeU0BupndsK8vDw-1w/s320/Low+going+over+the+back.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A low start to an XC</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My climb didn't mature in to anything and I ended up drifting a few hundred feet over the ground. Extending my search pattern out didn't deliver anything better so I headed off downwind towards a farm and ploughed fields, aware of an abundance of horse racing facilities on the Gallops. Best not land in one of those. Luckily the two large fields were kicking off some bubbling air but as soon as I drifted with it, the lift petered out. Push up wind again. There it is. Bubbling. Drift with it. Lost it. Push up wind... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8VZu2tg3CIs08OqBwvQKafu5TCEFhf_p0lqzc3ZFEeICVAHKyyO33GMAKuDVZFQe0TKX-86NZF-E0eALfyHQERUPvI87WHB3UTn62gtT9NCiOsyLK2cyTe3CtIFPKAytVlKTxopMgyI/s1600/Farm+and+ploughed+field+bubbling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8VZu2tg3CIs08OqBwvQKafu5TCEFhf_p0lqzc3ZFEeICVAHKyyO33GMAKuDVZFQe0TKX-86NZF-E0eALfyHQERUPvI87WHB3UTn62gtT9NCiOsyLK2cyTe3CtIFPKAytVlKTxopMgyI/s320/Farm+and+ploughed+field+bubbling.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After three attempts I realised I was not going to get anywhere so I headed SE towards a low ridge, hoping that it would be acting as a trigger. Which it was, but by the time I arrived there I probably only had two hundred feet to play with. I fought with some gnarly punch lift, desperately hanging on in there, maintaining the precious little height I had, but it was futile. Over the power lines in to the next big field next to a farm. Shit, crop. Aim for the tram lines. I flared hard just two feet away from them, the glider stopping perfectly, planting me down on my toes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I carried the glider along the tracks to the edge of the field where there was a flattened piece of crop. A good de-rig area. Minimal impact on the field. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having packed everything up I knocked on the farmers door to apologise for landing in his crop. He hadn't noticed my landing but was keen to see the damage he presumed I had caused. He had in fact misheard me and thought I had landed a sailplane in his field! After a quick explanation and showing him my packed up glider, he was absolutely fine. Its never worth forgetting that our sport is so dependant on the goodwill of these landowners. Thank you Alistair.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Strange looking cumulus</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Malcolm too was down. At the bottom of the hill. Safe and sound. No dramas. He would drive over to pick me up. I started walking the 13km back toward the hill via the roads. It had only been 7km straight distance from take off, but as I marched along the country lanes, I was rewarded with some lovely and interesting views. Well, every cloud had a silver lining.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An unusual view of the M4</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Very "country"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, the British Record will just have to wait. And to fly a new site is always very rewarding. Ben The Pioneer Hang Glider Pilot. Yes, I like that.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-91460863232091876692015-06-02T04:23:00.001-07:002015-06-02T04:23:25.079-07:00BOS - Round 2 Yorkshire Dales. Day 5 Task 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wednesday 27th May 2015</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KPQh2ixy0B3sbyn7Sc4aQlXxt-cQXvOzdBhtML_pHiJXlAG4rCuR0WGqwcsNSKNDUi79WSTYEB3j0-0Q-uWbx1oAfRXGGMPm7XQ8jkOS4WsibPRFP-csIqodWvhB3U2p-r34AuWGKZA/s1600/In+the+queue+with+Rob+Gregg+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KPQh2ixy0B3sbyn7Sc4aQlXxt-cQXvOzdBhtML_pHiJXlAG4rCuR0WGqwcsNSKNDUi79WSTYEB3j0-0Q-uWbx1oAfRXGGMPm7XQ8jkOS4WsibPRFP-csIqodWvhB3U2p-r34AuWGKZA/s320/In+the+queue+with+Rob+Gregg+v2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The final day of Round 2, and again the weather was looking shabby. Low cloud base, not much sunshine. But the circus headed off to Whether Fell again. The wind was very much off to the SW so our local pilots Kevin Gay and Trevor Birbeck gave us the low down on which parts of the ridge would work even though the wind was hitting it at 45 degrees.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGyjWUPknHFvdrtttdi-_MDpeI0kCCnWFoS2Mekh8ieoAWcKmC0iOq5ZXbqfMXG2JP4xwc7o3rRVoZoBpRMMEMwwQM5WGW-k0zc_9F6vEqiifGoOqZPjljezGjR7VuFE6BYnr9ouKo0c/s1600/launch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGyjWUPknHFvdrtttdi-_MDpeI0kCCnWFoS2Mekh8ieoAWcKmC0iOq5ZXbqfMXG2JP4xwc7o3rRVoZoBpRMMEMwwQM5WGW-k0zc_9F6vEqiifGoOqZPjljezGjR7VuFE6BYnr9ouKo0c/s320/launch.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A 60km flight to "anywhere" was called with an early task finish time due to the approaching bad (worse) weather. I opted to go to the launch area where Gordon And Dave Matthews had rigged - it certainly seemed a smoother, safer spot than the "lipped" take off where most were rigged. After kind assistance from Mark Woodhams I got the glider over. The wind felt good. I was ready to go. And off I went, first off the hill again. Brave or stupid. One of the two. You chose.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7whhtvwlLe4O_9PteSP7glx2hiAdCdHYEgrDTZGMFqqM4gYJzY5Pd_Gmy7l_7TxWsdB-VVRrpnMOescHGX2wmuFpB_0yoLLX5q6pk6u-3BhRd01cdX-9YOuzMAq_CdTDdqGGZe1sIQPM/s1600/Gaggle+in+the+merky+low+cloudbase+above+Wetherfell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7whhtvwlLe4O_9PteSP7glx2hiAdCdHYEgrDTZGMFqqM4gYJzY5Pd_Gmy7l_7TxWsdB-VVRrpnMOescHGX2wmuFpB_0yoLLX5q6pk6u-3BhRd01cdX-9YOuzMAq_CdTDdqGGZe1sIQPM/s320/Gaggle+in+the+merky+low+cloudbase+above+Wetherfell.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I struck it lucky. Gliding straight to the part of the hill that had been pointed out as working, I hit a steady 2 up climb and was soon dragging the whole BOS gaggle off the hill to join me. Quickly up at the low cloud base at 2800', the sky was filled with the hazy spectres of gliders in the mist. Some pilots were questioning whether we could task, but seeing that we had left the hill lower yesterday then I thought it was game on. Just stay out of cloud! Before long pilots were bumbling over the back, gliding towards thge windward facing rising ground the other side of the Hawes valley.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-coulFPQ8anUKx3qj3_7HbxdapvpbXojLuhctxKwYMgSQneZ9SldPry6rWAZuTb0IZ-j2cKfrDxnA0AVBP1CiSqqaV1BuyvI-06G98lp16IGpYkxq993pv0mgbx_o5qkqkYwyzI759Y/s1600/gliding+past+Darren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-coulFPQ8anUKx3qj3_7HbxdapvpbXojLuhctxKwYMgSQneZ9SldPry6rWAZuTb0IZ-j2cKfrDxnA0AVBP1CiSqqaV1BuyvI-06G98lp16IGpYkxq993pv0mgbx_o5qkqkYwyzI759Y/s320/gliding+past+Darren.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took me some time to get going, having heard pilots getting low and landing out early. Gordon called on the radio that he had activated the task by flying 10km - was he still flying? Eventually I went on a glide from 2400', watching Wayne Thompson ahead of me head earthwards which out a climb. Passing over the river, the club class pilots seemed to be landing in a field together. Without enough height to reach the rising ground I glided down track, hoping to make as much distance as possible. Paul Harvey and Darren Brown were down at about 7km and as I flew low over their heads I thought about joining them in their field. But on I went. Paul said he just saw me disappearing low behind the trees, downwind....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39HTo1buptf6LylxMMpU4WfCaeDG0n09b3f5moUbysZHQkKqZHkY9fQWU03uo2FqcyjN0sol_UJwQduIuPua8u6SCyDIShRoKBSJOdY0EiQmk0YNg1Vtkdeq8pYR9WAN9iLZJu_Z4fRw/s1600/happy+landing+with+sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39HTo1buptf6LylxMMpU4WfCaeDG0n09b3f5moUbysZHQkKqZHkY9fQWU03uo2FqcyjN0sol_UJwQduIuPua8u6SCyDIShRoKBSJOdY0EiQmk0YNg1Vtkdeq8pYR9WAN9iLZJu_Z4fRw/s320/happy+landing+with+sheep.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nearly! Sheep spot landing competition</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I bumbled down the valley my landing options were decreasing. The field I had spotted had power lines, so I eeked out the glide to the only field available before a road and trees. With a quick turn up slope and a hard flare my lovely wing looked after me once more, stopping quickly and predictably, much to the bewilderment of the sheep in the field. And that was it. A hefty 7.6kms. But points is points, and enough points mean prizes. One day!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3VABgiRyR4kAIBOgwLG-PZuLQ6G-4EDgB-dGVQifFCa4CaEE2CiiGk6DsZAdy1a_aWTaLJm99LRbq45FyK8q4XabTeCxOzOYDR7XWVxWSZCmYTwgoybJKwdp-QAHI1wWZ5vPVzZth7g/s1600/Glider+and+farm+house+moody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3VABgiRyR4kAIBOgwLG-PZuLQ6G-4EDgB-dGVQifFCa4CaEE2CiiGk6DsZAdy1a_aWTaLJm99LRbq45FyK8q4XabTeCxOzOYDR7XWVxWSZCmYTwgoybJKwdp-QAHI1wWZ5vPVzZth7g/s640/Glider+and+farm+house+moody.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My landing field with Wether Fell in the back ground</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A great competition - well done Martin and Jenny and the BHGC. Thanks to the local organisers and to Rebekah for the fantastic retrieves. We only hadTthree tasks, but flying everyday. Its my best season so far, with some good scores going in, and I am currently lying fifth in the UK. <a href="http://bhgcresults.wikidot.com/2015:flexnorm" target="_blank">Full results here</a>. Roll on BOS 3!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flycloud9.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9nJI34wV1s-OrAwQwe07UVWUTbewEx3yF1sXaD1gdv331bVnSl2D0EKO8zDQQJctkCiRrIfCYSdCSuhR2G2Y1c2RbHVg2bMnYHKG9EaThSrAV8hA9dR6no2YePkI9WJ0mzhO8PBpJk/s320/cloud9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-10821464816268048282015-06-02T03:47:00.002-07:002015-06-02T10:57:13.640-07:00BOS - Round 2 Yorkshire Dales. Day 4, Task 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tuesday 26th May 2015</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Phippsy fixing things</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you ever been woken by blood curdling screams? I'm surprised that the police werent called to the campsite after one of our pilots suffered a night terror...! </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The previous days landings had claimed a few victims, but thank fully with the help of Cloud 9 Hang Gliding, dealer assistance was on hand to get pilots in the air again. The support given to the club pilots as they start their competition career is brilliant. Well done Phippsy, Mark Woodhams and the BHGC!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So up to Whether Fell. Conditions were looking promising so a task flying to the East near Hull and the coast via one turn point was called. I was one of the first off again, and even though it was lifty at times, it was a struggle to get high enough to feel confident to go over the back. Several pilots opted to fly forward to Dodds Fell to climb there and then use Wether Fell as a top up.</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0HCzWQhNIYX5TpxghB7p8wD7L1ViZSB-zSJWDkXIWZDaGArMF6cI65_nzbfKEEyJI-QKWp6w3MBviztk6jwcZW4Z4er6GVtP9TZnhMoji81bdG2lEWjkVQeNPtFz0sZRTO3-gDgf-SY/s1600/Close+call+on+the+hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0HCzWQhNIYX5TpxghB7p8wD7L1ViZSB-zSJWDkXIWZDaGArMF6cI65_nzbfKEEyJI-QKWp6w3MBviztk6jwcZW4Z4er6GVtP9TZnhMoji81bdG2lEWjkVQeNPtFz0sZRTO3-gDgf-SY/s320/Close+call+on+the+hill.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For some it worked, with Justin, Luke and Paul Harvey being the first to set off but it became quickly apparent that they were struggling just 20kms in to the task. I had decided not to rush the day - skies and local conditions can change quickly, so I opted to sit it out for a while, flying the ridge waiting to see if things improved. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But they didn't. Eventually I decided to flop over the back at 2500' in the best climb for some time, with Gordon and Darren a few hundred feet higher and slightly ahead. Dave Matthews was also in the wide spread gaggle. On a death glide to the valley behind I connected with a weak bit of lift that kept me up at 2000' while I drifted towards the shallow ridge behind where Gordon and Darren were climbing. I think Dave headed back to take off to find a better climb but was soon calling that he was landing. Radio communications can be a real bonus in these situations, as the three of us exchanged information on climb rates. They were obviously climbing faster so I tucked in a glided towards them. Yes. A stronger climb that was building. Called it. Darren and Gordon came in over the top. Phew. We were getting away.</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3Vo2cKDiuOLpPYg7TKUlztPe0ShcDzqz_MwZNfi5cAa1k48F9hZbqMUC7HlbtmFHs1uhz00YwCXaTp-Ndu5RIQsCDwn6LsJxdGq9eWoWFmXGlbSOblbLP11ibCcRbUVmbcFVpwYwQAc/s1600/Darren+and+Ben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3Vo2cKDiuOLpPYg7TKUlztPe0ShcDzqz_MwZNfi5cAa1k48F9hZbqMUC7HlbtmFHs1uhz00YwCXaTp-Ndu5RIQsCDwn6LsJxdGq9eWoWFmXGlbSOblbLP11ibCcRbUVmbcFVpwYwQAc/s320/Darren+and+Ben.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Right, off to the next ridge, spreading out to find lift. Trying to stay with Gordon isnt easy when he is gliding. Very fast. Boom, up he goes. Get in underneath. Got it. Off on another glide. Boom up he goes again. But this time Darren and I slightly behind and don't connect with it. As i pushed back to the ridge I was being sunk out. Steep at the foot of the hill, but a very flat profile higher up, I had to try and find the lift band as well as the likely thermal trigger spot. Failed. Dareen "Its working back to your left. I'm climbing". Darting over low underneath, I connected and we worked the gnarly lift together to climb out, almost sharing the same parcel of lift!</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqZFkKz1Ja2ekv__0W1wOUC0eub_Ev1LylIu9dKSsYd34nQ6LcxjhRDLits2sQZ4oWIKfATydAEjNXoNG-X5sBs9eNUGj6JbevtvV3xrXgXwPcjsHR4qH55MwZpw-VigxZS9-0vCZyHg/s1600/Near+miss+with+Darren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqZFkKz1Ja2ekv__0W1wOUC0eub_Ev1LylIu9dKSsYd34nQ6LcxjhRDLits2sQZ4oWIKfATydAEjNXoNG-X5sBs9eNUGj6JbevtvV3xrXgXwPcjsHR4qH55MwZpw-VigxZS9-0vCZyHg/s640/Near+miss+with+Darren.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back up near to cloudbase. "Ok, shall we go? Lets fan out a bit". "Right with you" came Darren's reply. Got to love this team flying! And off we sped towards the dams and the edge of the moors. As I approached the reservoirs I had lost 2000' and needed to find lift to get over the moors. Looking over my shoulder to locate my partner in crime, I couldn't see Darren anywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Where are you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I stopped to take a climb".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Thought we were going together?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We were. I did call it..." Bugger. Must have missed that. Or did he whisper it... !</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmv727324gMRrlbwYFFrVHAAoomTmhAlqZA3pjYKrjrt8Tyg_g98xIHfJVthT8Hxbi9NPNI5jAAkiCRVQZ6X7ggv5K4uI7CLIxLXQcayXEpOIo82_g8AUIJYfC-ok79vxp4FFPS-V1EI/s1600/The+dams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmv727324gMRrlbwYFFrVHAAoomTmhAlqZA3pjYKrjrt8Tyg_g98xIHfJVthT8Hxbi9NPNI5jAAkiCRVQZ6X7ggv5K4uI7CLIxLXQcayXEpOIo82_g8AUIJYfC-ok79vxp4FFPS-V1EI/s320/The+dams.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gordon was on the radio, much further right of track. The "wind farm" en route was clearly visible but there was a problem of an uninviting looking sky dividing us. Gently I worked lift until I knew I could glide clear of the moors (always thinking of a retrieve) then bit the bullet and glided on to the left of track, not as high as I would have liked, but towards sunshine and a better sky. The only problem being the imminent airspace near Ripon, but being aware of it meant we could avoid it.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Moors in shade. Not good.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting across the moors checking flight path and airspace on the Kobo</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrrbZNGwob4iqtWFazOEIDXRDctlZrvdVVBVJeJ274FEzUJZsUwGTnP1YTgFdI4jjW12ZC0OTDnAWJ5-yLut72Jeorws2Q3WssD-tlQaWVs45hoBPfDhMOcYCQCD3QXm3txtLA_pKbHw/s1600/Better+to+the+left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrrbZNGwob4iqtWFazOEIDXRDctlZrvdVVBVJeJ274FEzUJZsUwGTnP1YTgFdI4jjW12ZC0OTDnAWJ5-yLut72Jeorws2Q3WssD-tlQaWVs45hoBPfDhMOcYCQCD3QXm3txtLA_pKbHw/s400/Better+to+the+left.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pushing on, I headed to likely clouds and sunny ground but didnt seem to be gaining much height. With no rising ground pushing the thermals up, I was checking out ploughed fields with trees on the downwind side of the field, hoping to catch a thermal there. Darren was now some 400' above me, a really advantageous position to be in as he could see my climbs and potentially join them when they had matured in to stronger cores. If only.</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVDUKWR4VMxDqQw5YAXJdI5hXEKamzuV2dye7nf-AdWhD8DlrcuA6_jYIzaE7XtpBlJDRjETTpGqw4PtLMvawGJp7SFkHaFqicz6yMV_v-8zS38mxkHOglWKbPVJB1lUEn2md982qtdM/s1600/Ploughed+field+again+low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVDUKWR4VMxDqQw5YAXJdI5hXEKamzuV2dye7nf-AdWhD8DlrcuA6_jYIzaE7XtpBlJDRjETTpGqw4PtLMvawGJp7SFkHaFqicz6yMV_v-8zS38mxkHOglWKbPVJB1lUEn2md982qtdM/s400/Ploughed+field+again+low.jpg" width="400"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Teased by a few bubbles I created search patterns but never really connected again. By this time Ripon was looming. Not a problem in itself, in fact a bonus if it was kicking off warm air, but the airspace was right over the top of it. If we didnt get high now, then it would be game over. Frustratingly it just wasnt happening as the text books say. Ploughed field. Line of trees. Birds flying. Come on. Nope. Not happening.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfncPWen-Nmmlz5s4LYNj3HhFrZjw2GYa1JxupAwOYZnJ1Y5Eu5uTI4_9v_ogoe10JpMI6OGEAzgimRbyNNP150AHCJqW340Xo-R3Skij08XkUTIpWddLJk39PbAY0OojhdvekHATeUw/s1600/Cralow+Barrackes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfncPWen-Nmmlz5s4LYNj3HhFrZjw2GYa1JxupAwOYZnJ1Y5Eu5uTI4_9v_ogoe10JpMI6OGEAzgimRbyNNP150AHCJqW340Xo-R3Skij08XkUTIpWddLJk39PbAY0OojhdvekHATeUw/s400/Cralow+Barrackes.jpg" width="400"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That's my old baracks" radio'ed Darren. Yep. There was no mistaking I was headed straight for Claro Army Barracks, working hard in broken lift very low down to try and stay up, hoping for a boomer to save the day. Trees were swaying, seagulls circling, the air was bubbling, but I was just too low and running out of options. The fields each side of the barracks had power lines, crops and trees so there was only one thing for it...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QA3QwHQalMHiFz5UCAtQhDknd4GYKVEQjbTE2LVyAYYf7hWDHrpSHW0W0R1A80ys6hbdXDBYlZB96rViUm7eIJDF-YV3doXLoxU6I8PkDcVmzx0TocrCl5B3CPU0Wph-eAd1yIwUu8U/s1600/Sapper+helpinh+hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QA3QwHQalMHiFz5UCAtQhDknd4GYKVEQjbTE2LVyAYYf7hWDHrpSHW0W0R1A80ys6hbdXDBYlZB96rViUm7eIJDF-YV3doXLoxU6I8PkDcVmzx0TocrCl5B3CPU0Wph-eAd1yIwUu8U/s320/Sapper+helpinh+hand.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sizing up the football field I wondered what my reception committee would be like. Putting on an unintentional rag doll show for the Sappers watching, I landed in a stiff lumpy breeze, It was no surprise that the security messages going around on camp was of a glider "crashing" at the barracks! It must have looked entertaining but in fact it was an "on point" landing, shame that the glider nearly ground looped as soon as I was down. With the help of my new, luckily unarmed, friends the glider was taken to the side of the pitch. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBveVHrFEKNSy-s9QzEn21nceQztt7kTgX097cY8U6IDg1CJ4jGPP5FN2n4dXkLvL9o9aaSn__0nFwqE2p7XTiL_qeWTwSXki12eLT70iMkRmJIrsfWmTIFA4taUlxFgdYNpN5GLSbyA/s1600/sapper+reception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBveVHrFEKNSy-s9QzEn21nceQztt7kTgX097cY8U6IDg1CJ4jGPP5FN2n4dXkLvL9o9aaSn__0nFwqE2p7XTiL_qeWTwSXki12eLT70iMkRmJIrsfWmTIFA4taUlxFgdYNpN5GLSbyA/s320/sapper+reception.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Under guard. I am such a threat to National security.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj8zi79kQpc9-VewNlcLbJPuOUzBjHoiT2G38I6v2n4PQF3pSziMrE21dlKabcsqriRsSuHg0uPZf71VQTFR03OljsUhROlSZiq7RMtuxi5Yp8o9MP5JAc3_75RA5JrlnNUigmCf0gBo/s1600/A+military+cuppa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj8zi79kQpc9-VewNlcLbJPuOUzBjHoiT2G38I6v2n4PQF3pSziMrE21dlKabcsqriRsSuHg0uPZf71VQTFR03OljsUhROlSZiq7RMtuxi5Yp8o9MP5JAc3_75RA5JrlnNUigmCf0gBo/s200/A+military+cuppa.jpg" width="156"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unsurprisingly I was put "under guard" by the army while I de-rigged the glider and arranged for Rebekah to have vehicular access to the barracks. Shamelessly name dropping Major Jenny Buck (our Meethead) might have gone some way to help smooth the way. I was even brought a nice cuppa tea. Top job fellas!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Darren did in fact get a climb above me. As we approached Ripon. I rest my case. His flight was DSQ'ed! Shame really, as he would have won the day otherwise. </span><a href="http://bhgcresults.wikidot.com/2015bos-r2:flex-task-2" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Scores here</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Not a bad day for me coming 3rd as I slowly climb the ladder.....</span><br>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-37339827842745047812015-06-02T02:08:00.000-07:002015-06-02T02:14:03.940-07:00BOS - Round 2 Yorkshire Dales. Day 3, Free Flying<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Monday 25th May 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The previous night at the BOS dinner, I had been handed a letter by the BHGC Secretary Rich Hunt: </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Congratulations! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After consideration of pilots who could form part of a future British Squad and would benefit from some extra focus, the panel would like to offer you the opportunity of attending a select competition workshop .... " At Ager, in the Pyrenees. Result! So my intended trip in August to Ager to fly the British Nationals would have to be extended by a week, the only downside being that the training camp falls over my youngest son's birthday but he had already given me the thumbs up to go if I was selected. Thank you Jack x. Proud of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Will we? Won't we? The weather, unsurprisingly, was proving challenging again. Should we re-brief mid-morning? Jenny and Martin called a halt to the speculation, canning the day at the 9.30 briefing to give everyone the chance to organise their days. Ironically, there were rumblings from many of going straight up the local hill Wether Fell to free fly, but that's not to say that it would have been task-able. Its difficult being a Meethead, and both Jen and Martin are doing a fantastic job.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rU2IJM9a7w5aSS3X4ezo6l8lE05kTuErvzX0UW0DG4j4lkHSpoPCR_NV6Lo07j_liFGdQNUiTi1oulrX4zPEBKP68twQeIsdCp-YfAUzP_lkymZOMwjPuRV8MzySrxM1dCr6WJh4iMc/s1600/Gordon+Ager+talk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rU2IJM9a7w5aSS3X4ezo6l8lE05kTuErvzX0UW0DG4j4lkHSpoPCR_NV6Lo07j_liFGdQNUiTi1oulrX4zPEBKP68twQeIsdCp-YfAUzP_lkymZOMwjPuRV8MzySrxM1dCr6WJh4iMc/s320/Gordon+Ager+talk.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The plus side to a day being binned is that it gives the opportunity for various workshops to be held. Parachute re-packing, instrument programming, decision making... various experienced pilots generously share their knowledge to help up and coming pilots. Gordon Rigg (multiple times British Champion and who is running the training camp), held a talk on flying at Ager with Google Earth fly-bys and information on likely routes. Having only flown their once before, it was good to be reminded of the terrain. Nice one, Gordon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So off up the hill for some free flying. And what a crowd there was! Dual Wills Wing Falcon hang gliders were on hand with Luke Nicol and Kevin Gay taking up various friends and family. What a superb way of sharing what is essentially a solo sport with your loved ones. Wayne Thomspon's daughter Kerry, and Karen Skeggs's lad Josh both got the opportunity to fly, as did Max Brown, Darren's son. Next generation of pilots perhaps? Watch this space - with my recemtly acquired dual licence, and the kind offer to use the RAF <a href="http://www.willswing.com/" target="_blank">Wills Wing</a> Falcon Dual Hang Glider, Tom and Jack will be taking to the skies with me soon. Can't wait.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The smiles say it all!<br />Luke, Josh and Simon<br />(c) Karen Skeggs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luke and Kerry on the RAF Wills Wing Falcon<br />(c) Barbara Thompson</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alongside the dual flying, pilots were trying out each others wings. Graham Phipps from <a href="http://www.flycloud9.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cloud 9 Hang Gliding and Paragliding</a> was there with the demo <span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><a href="https://www.willswing.com/hang-gliders/t2c/" target="_blank">Wills WIng T2C</a> </span>- a superb, sweet handling competition wing. As one of the few remaining hang gliding schools in the UK, <b>Cloud 9</b> does a great job of training up the next generation of pilots, as well as converting experienced pilots like Luke Nicol to fly dual. He even looked quite proud when he heard Luke giving a running commentary to his passengers on what he was doing as he came in to land! Pilots are only too happy to support Phippsy, and Darren Brown kindly lent his larger Wills Wing T2C 154 to various pilots. I eagerly jumped at the opportunity as I constantly struggle with the climb vs glide conundrum. At the top end of the weight range of the 144 I was intrigued to see how the sink rate would improve if I was on the bigger wing. I was not disappointed. Hey presto. Not only was it as sweet handing as my 144, but it went up like a rocket! Top of the stack in no time at all. Ok, time to try a glide. Wow. Straight as a dye, and incredibly fast, responsive and relaxing to fly.If I had the money I would have ordered one there and then. But I don't. So on with the diet it is. Oh how I miss Chelsea Buns.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaD7zufDJk8BwIN2gB5rf9msPdWoLo-BsohQnHLhrRSlTnoQXoegqDJwy-CPv9Hb9j1cCSirlIBktFhmgPqmTECjZ4Te4ek7v3HWN9T97IzyQj9uifQUWkLf7ITZG3sdDhqFiE0BRxsA/s1600/Phippsy+in+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaD7zufDJk8BwIN2gB5rf9msPdWoLo-BsohQnHLhrRSlTnoQXoegqDJwy-CPv9Hb9j1cCSirlIBktFhmgPqmTECjZ4Te4ek7v3HWN9T97IzyQj9uifQUWkLf7ITZG3sdDhqFiE0BRxsA/s640/Phippsy+in+flight.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Phippsy flying on the Wills Wing T2C above Wether Fell</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Other pilots took the opportunity to tune their gliders. Johnny Carr on his new Moyes RX4 had been having trouble getting it to fly right, so ex Brit Champ Gordon Rigg and Moyes pilot kindly took it for another fly, did some tweaking and sorted out the problem. Oh good, we might get some piece and quiet on the radio, Johnny!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpZnyTZBeU2Nuk94xTLV6vj2Zh7gBvKrlZNuoGY4DHNoHEvWRXsk6ZCTOPjT8Y0AfUyBlXDFn_Te-XLfRL2WrqxAiY_Vc3x4d6TCbizmLdj2aYWPaoDZAUZDIEzu-nZAAZMDRlHCxRF0/s1600/Justin+on+WWT2C+144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpZnyTZBeU2Nuk94xTLV6vj2Zh7gBvKrlZNuoGY4DHNoHEvWRXsk6ZCTOPjT8Y0AfUyBlXDFn_Te-XLfRL2WrqxAiY_Vc3x4d6TCbizmLdj2aYWPaoDZAUZDIEzu-nZAAZMDRlHCxRF0/s320/Justin+on+WWT2C+144.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Justin and Phippsy </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1AVjJGLtim2VZ5lG8U72sRSm15R-J_Yzlh-67zczJL3d5_qcwtFDAnSPVflnFey9d0Nxrio7qwzWMdthH-HJpv1k2ZPYqz4yz0qX8T5e1W0ZaCdquE07ngW5hZL4bHgn9K6Q6UYPiJo/s1600/IMG_5358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1AVjJGLtim2VZ5lG8U72sRSm15R-J_Yzlh-67zczJL3d5_qcwtFDAnSPVflnFey9d0Nxrio7qwzWMdthH-HJpv1k2ZPYqz4yz0qX8T5e1W0ZaCdquE07ngW5hZL4bHgn9K6Q6UYPiJo/s200/IMG_5358.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy boy!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the other highlights of the day was to see Justin "climb on a gnat's fart" Needham trying out the Wills Wing T2C144. Having flown his old La Mouette wing for years and years, Justin still manages through his amazing skill to be at the top end of the British competition scene, flying against the keenest pilots on the latest "hot ships", often leading the way and climbing where most go down. Suffice to say, that he took to the wing like a duck to water. The smiles and photos tell the story. Justin, if I win the lottery and buy a 154 you can have my glider! It would be amazing to see what you could achieve on a high performance wing....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Justin launches effortlessly on the Wills WIng T2C</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Reaching cloudbase and still going up</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And so the afternoon went on. It had to be one of the most enjoyable days flying I have had in years. No pressure of competition, playing in the skies with your friends, enjoying spectacular views... what a sport. Nothing like it. Towards the end of the day Gordon and I pushed out to the ridge in front, climbing in weak wave lift which was threatening to "pop" to reward us with classic wave climbs up to several thousand feet. It wasn't going to happen today, but nothing could detract from one of the most fun flying days I have had in a long time.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gliders wave flying in the late afternoon sun</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-43599618626647639372015-06-01T15:05:00.001-07:002015-06-01T15:06:10.512-07:00BOS - Round 2 Yorkshire Dales. Day 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday 24th May 2015</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High winds over the Dales</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The forecast was looking marginal but obediently we drove up to Dodd Fell near Wether Fell and just behind the town of Hawes in the hope that the strong winds would drop off later in the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having being asked to be part of the safety committee, I joined Wayne Thompson and his team in assessing the conditions. With the wind blowing a steady 30+ mph, it was evident that there was a lot of "wave" lift around. Lenticular clouds were forming nicely around us as the wind oscillated and grew in magnitude over the Dales. Potentially very good soaring if you could connect with the wave, but also there was the risk of high turbulence, something you don't want to experience near to the ground.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wave clearly visible above launch</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNQsfch6WVDCC7MwJwzpg7PNhi0jU2Yrm5IGgKKvHTQFVJwiNTp-_zlpk-9pxo9ZRMawqPlzr2SIAuPzbW12yDzwWDrPD_e1mLHaLalvqGPKeJ4g8ID0lAsQFn9jz-KkpwliTSjKCQEc/s1600/Sensible+briefing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNQsfch6WVDCC7MwJwzpg7PNhi0jU2Yrm5IGgKKvHTQFVJwiNTp-_zlpk-9pxo9ZRMawqPlzr2SIAuPzbW12yDzwWDrPD_e1mLHaLalvqGPKeJ4g8ID0lAsQFn9jz-KkpwliTSjKCQEc/s200/Sensible+briefing.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After several re-briefs, we were still hill-waiting at 3pm. As a safety committee we were split between whether it was safe to fly, so erring on the side of caution and casting a deciding vote, Jenny and joint Meethead Martin Colclough decided to can the day, leaving a few of us to free fly in the hope of connecting with the wave, something I have only done once in the Alps and was keen to try in the UK where climbs above the cumulus cloud base are very possible, leading to beautiful views. First Grant, then Luke, me and Gordon were flying but it was apparent over the radio that the seasoned wave flyers were not comfortable with what was going on. "I'm testing my sprogs" from Gordon who had struggled to get above launch and was in nasty air low to the ground.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Still beautiful, even when its rough</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pretty soon we were all landing on the top. luckily without incident or excitement. A classic smooth top landing. Rebekah Sherwin's parents had come up for a few days in their camper and kindly provided tea and home made carrot cake to our little crew. Spot on. While we enjoyed our refreshments, Kevin Gay was spotted being thrown about having gone over the back to Wether Fell. He made good his escape to the valley below to land safely near his accommodation. "I counted them all out, and counted them all in again". Remember that?</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Phippsy and Brett enjoy the Sherwin's hospitality</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-78465734408577448072015-06-01T13:52:00.004-07:002015-06-01T14:04:18.180-07:00BOS - Round 2 Yorkshire Dales. Day1, Task 1.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday 23rd May 2015</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The day starts well</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beep. Beep. Beep. 4am. Too early. But having decided not to battle the Bank Holiday traffic on Friday, a dawn start was the only option for the 250 mile drive to get up to Yorkshire Dales in a sensible time (not a bad decision considering some pilots subsequently reported an eight hour drive. Ouch). At least the day was starting well. Tea, bacon and egg sarnie, plus sausage casserole for the journey courtesy of Hilly, then a beautiful sunrise as I hit the M5. Things were looking </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">up. But not for my diet. And before you ask, no, I hadnt lost the 18lbs I had intended to!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVg6TvuALmFjAHdyEJtYLiM81Vc2oNk3RJX-Ius8qLqNSMVbvbA4mz2k4N1_PH07I7hds7cUvX5gWm8uebjFCBQ-6dDamuuW_PvWwLNrZxS4rQSSD72bNHTrjov7CF9isPV2S9mSOxQs/s1600/Windy+road+to+Dales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVg6TvuALmFjAHdyEJtYLiM81Vc2oNk3RJX-Ius8qLqNSMVbvbA4mz2k4N1_PH07I7hds7cUvX5gWm8uebjFCBQ-6dDamuuW_PvWwLNrZxS4rQSSD72bNHTrjov7CF9isPV2S9mSOxQs/s320/Windy+road+to+Dales.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just over 3.5 hours later I was coasting in to Hawes. The drive in to the Dales had been spectacular with beautiful winding roads against a backdrop of stunning hills. As I parked up outside the Fountain pub (competition HQ) the familiar site of cars loaded up with hang gliders started to slowly invade the town centre, on their way to briefing in the towns car park. And so it started agian. Round 2 of the British Open Series.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Day 1, Task 1</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Windback. Apparently a part drive/part carry up. Yeah right. Having joined Rebekah Sherwins retrieve</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> crew with Graham Phipps (Wills Wing/Cloud 9 Hang Gliding and Paragliding) and Brett Wright we had to transfer to our gliders to a 4x4 for the driver to the top. Well, not quite the top. The final push to the top was quite punishing but with the promise of a good days flying, gliders were eventually lugged to the top, with Jenny the Meethead helping out.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jenny in pink helping the rigids...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An easy carry up. Not.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gliders at launch with promising sky</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before long the top of the hill was a tapestry of colour against the backdrop of a wonderful looking sky. A task of 96km to the coast to the North East was called, via one turn point. Having learnt the lesson from previous years of always being ready to fly as soon as the launch window opens, I was clipped in ready to go next to Rob Gregg on his Avian Cheetah as the klaxon sounded. As we waited, the win dropped off and I could see a bird soaring way out in front of the hill, perhaps a sign that there was a thermal pulling the wind off the hill. As the wind speed picked up again on the hill, my wing felt like it was trying to launch itself in to a climb. So I launched. In to dead quiet. No beeps from my vario. Bugger. I hadn't turned it on. With a bit of gloved-finger fumbling, the vario beeped in to life. Or rather, it burped. I was in sink and rapidly going down below take off. Ok, nothing for it but to make the long glide along the ridge to where the bird had come from, hopefully to find that elusive lift.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I sank lower and lower, starting to curse myself for impetuously taking off first, I hit a strong surge, waited a beat, then started "S" turning until I climbed above take off. First one 360, then another, and I had that reassuring feeling that I was in a solid climb. As I quickly gained 500' a couple of gliders (Justin Needham and Luke Nicol?) took the gamble to make the long glide to my climb, hoping to connect with the lift. They did, but others were not so lucky. Soon a whole gaggle of gliders was streaming off the hill, and I was joined at cloud base by Gordon Rigg and Luke. Over the radio: "Where are you, Ben?" Err, not in the cloud...!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gliders joining the climb</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Staying out of "cloud suck" by skirting round the side of the cloud</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the first start gate came and went at 2pm, the three of us approached and exited the the edge of the 5km start radius. Hearing other pilots on the radio coming along behind, I opted to return to the start cylinder to take the second start gate, confident that I could reconnect with the ample lift that was around, especially with Luke and Gordon for company. But as I headed back the two of them turned tail and headed off down course! Having lost nearly all my height I clipped the start cylinder and crawled back on to the ridge behind take off. eeking out any bit of lift. Below ridge height I opted to work a gulley which, if it all went pear shaped, offered just one escape route to the valley below. Luckily I caught a weak climb that allowed me to drift over to the lower ground en route, buying me more time and distance to find a decent climb. But I had to wait sometime, flying between 2000 and 3000 feet for half an hour, while on the radio I could hear pilots calling 7up climbs to a 5500 cloud base. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzyDgKfV0v5YDGnDIKCXX3ugWo_vQnDL8pO1DmAf4v21k1LIeNn5ES9PwS8E9TM_SUqpyNoAANRGPZ6WEaOlDOomIK6IlYtha-_ajdIDLBmOyGAeTt8lOTzx7Ap-9aVpdHFrF_S-B6ag/s1600/low+in+gully.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzyDgKfV0v5YDGnDIKCXX3ugWo_vQnDL8pO1DmAf4v21k1LIeNn5ES9PwS8E9TM_SUqpyNoAANRGPZ6WEaOlDOomIK6IlYtha-_ajdIDLBmOyGAeTt8lOTzx7Ap-9aVpdHFrF_S-B6ag/s640/low+in+gully.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gulley or bust</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2j3qjYXlnj-KV7yuhGFnE-Kh4t0iJKceR4OJ4lXENFHSeIkG2wEJTfzxV8XkIMECD9DCt6-QjZM_rwAcgivCQb0orX5NSzFgQaJP0niNg7S_fXTgZxEoniBxPCVbfaaqIQUrZpEb3QI/s1600/Getting+low+20km+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2j3qjYXlnj-KV7yuhGFnE-Kh4t0iJKceR4OJ4lXENFHSeIkG2wEJTfzxV8XkIMECD9DCt6-QjZM_rwAcgivCQb0orX5NSzFgQaJP0niNg7S_fXTgZxEoniBxPCVbfaaqIQUrZpEb3QI/s400/Getting+low+20km+in.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One minute at cloudbase, then next grovelling low</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flying on my own, again, I patiently maintained my height while trying to pick out the best course to follow. Various ridges were facing into wind, one notably with a PG parked on the top. Good. A known flying site. Arriving once again well below 2000' ASL I found a climb that allowed me to drift over, then glide clear of, the inhospitable moor land behind. Land-able but not exactly retrievable, unless you fancied a long walk out.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwGCz5yD-ZeB5QG3F7nCUL-o5HV9UplZiYdkIzlGm59zyIbT2tDxcdy2xWL4C14zpxLlx2oST5quEDpZCOdGBcaDi3TP9cd2DyoV3sZWMzuWXdTBRDBBnIHi1d3Ph2eygc5gwaKrrk6o/s1600/fast+glide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwGCz5yD-ZeB5QG3F7nCUL-o5HV9UplZiYdkIzlGm59zyIbT2tDxcdy2xWL4C14zpxLlx2oST5quEDpZCOdGBcaDi3TP9cd2DyoV3sZWMzuWXdTBRDBBnIHi1d3Ph2eygc5gwaKrrk6o/s640/fast+glide.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Limited retrieve options</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As per the earlier radio messages, the climbs got stronger and higher and I was soon able to glide fast towards the turn point at Barnard Castle which now had a glorious looking cloud hanging over the top of it. Clipping the 400m radius at 4500' I cloud hopped for a few km before spotting two gliders climbing ahead and to the right of track. Johnny Carr and Justin Needham. With a big blue hole appearing just beyond their cloud I opted to glide on towards what I to what I thought was a sea breeze convergence line. "How do you fly convergence?" I asked. "Just don't get sucked in!" came Johnny's response. Unfortunately the convergence was just one straggly cloud, the other side of which was the nothing but blue sky. Damn. This was looking terminal. Town in sun en route. A minuscule puff of cumulus to the right of track. Quick, make a decision. Which one to head for?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I chose town. Wrong. On to the next village. A bubble. 300' above the ground. Strong winds. Seagulls flying. Something must be happening. Drifting away from safe big field next to road. Ok, there's another one. No. Power lines. Downwind dash to the next field, next to allotments, flying as far away from the trees as possible. The tall grass in the field was blowing in several directions. This could be messy. Turning in to wind and pulling on plenty of speed I skimmed in over the field to land, flaring hard over the long grass. The Wills WIng T2C is a forgiving glider to land when it all goes a bit unnecessary.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZLdZncVw2prwtup4zthUkBYNFCtxncAkCvDHSODyTY1NnAls4MwamxVhEQSrNyEHa9ze4XWveiIJZ-K59Ibrh0i5-VWyMvz6U67YjiOrlWlDC8RMJIPj99ftoWxz2nM3tITTsN-SZO8/s1600/Brook+crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZLdZncVw2prwtup4zthUkBYNFCtxncAkCvDHSODyTY1NnAls4MwamxVhEQSrNyEHa9ze4XWveiIJZ-K59Ibrh0i5-VWyMvz6U67YjiOrlWlDC8RMJIPj99ftoWxz2nM3tITTsN-SZO8/s320/Brook+crossing.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having landed in a "third option" field, I had failed to appraise the "exit strategy" properly. There was no access to the allotments, so instead I had to get the de-rigged glider across a brook and through a field with a bull, something that the welcoming committee of the farmer and his son seemed to enjoy! With feet on tarmac I updated Rebekah of my location and dozed in the sun waiting for the car to arrive... </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU4IoaCBviGYz8kIIh8GuOLMC8SEUJdJJeEAdWIUoOVfjqn64vOlhN8b2qSYDRa1bOXlSRxN0cy4SKqDxd7Sum6ip4Jz2wKEWfPzugJ5N7dfCozk6lHBokvMApjTobsAy4Eo50ZwQ01Y/s1600/Phippsy+retrieved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU4IoaCBviGYz8kIIh8GuOLMC8SEUJdJJeEAdWIUoOVfjqn64vOlhN8b2qSYDRa1bOXlSRxN0cy4SKqDxd7Sum6ip4Jz2wKEWfPzugJ5N7dfCozk6lHBokvMApjTobsAy4Eo50ZwQ01Y/s200/Phippsy+retrieved.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Phippsy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Brett had landed just up the road having flown a similar 69kms, and we were soon on our way to pick up Phippsy who had managed 82kms - a climb and a glide a\way from goal. Fantastic effort! Only Grant and Luke had made goal on the flexies, with Mike Armstrong and Stewart Reid on the rigids. Nice flying in difficult conditions. <a href="http://bhgcresults.wikidot.com/2015-bos-r2:results" target="_blank">Results</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29ru0D1npX4xAxEA0spq-WeHJ9VC2mIMwpOzBT3pUyp1LpJaBL4IQF3-Jz9BMnMUAdXsKwuLlPMvbiPQxdcnwVNQa8u6RDGoFKHl7zcWLPsYSzBQMgpEDVnsbK3qKrTx2SeaBL3NNhfk/s1600/home+sweet+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29ru0D1npX4xAxEA0spq-WeHJ9VC2mIMwpOzBT3pUyp1LpJaBL4IQF3-Jz9BMnMUAdXsKwuLlPMvbiPQxdcnwVNQa8u6RDGoFKHl7zcWLPsYSzBQMgpEDVnsbK3qKrTx2SeaBL3NNhfk/s320/home+sweet+home.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So back to base and to set up home at Bainbridge Camping and Caravan SIte for the next few nights. Thank you to <a href="http://www.millets.co.uk/" target="_blank">MILLETS ONLINE</a> for ensuring that my bargain new tent and kit arrived in time. A cosy, comfortable base for the competition! A good tip form Justin Needham - use two of the portable inflatable sleeping mats to make a soft supportive mattress. Works a treat! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A beautiful sunset over the Dales</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-53962239824140481462015-05-06T05:15:00.001-07:002015-05-06T06:55:03.842-07:00British Open Series Round 1 - South East Wales 2nd-6th May<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Typical. The forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend was predictably terrible. Must be time for a British flying competition. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A rainy start to the day</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New joint Meethead Jenny Buck getting the troops in order.<br />Concentrate Luke!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Day 1 - Saturday. Briefing at 9.30. Day Cancelled due to "inclement weather". No kidding.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank heavens for "Audrey", Simon White's new caravan out on its inaugural trip to a flying competition. Warm, dry, and with tea a-flowing, accompanied by gorgeous cake courtesy of Kevin Gay's good lady. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Perfect. A nice way to spend an afternoon, catching up with flying buddies. Not wanting to spend the night in my tent in the rain, I opted to drive home and come back in the morning. The call of a hot bath and warm cosy bed was too much to ignore.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bless me ol' tent</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 2 - Sunday. Briefing at 9.00am. Rebrief at 10am. Rebrief at 11am. Day cancelled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An afternoon for catching up with my blog, and drinking more tea and eating cake! Reluctantly I "popped" up my trusty Kyham Igloo tent that has literally travelled the world with me for 25 years. Rip. UV degradation making itself known. Rip. And again. This could be its last outing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKBthM91XvuTUEqHPz_Xwlme4ttZZRprlX4ZpEhDYB-t9YHUD5U94mlXIandGNg__NPzbhhAl9FYL8ThLMNdcgnZ4t8pD6iR-ZoBCa2LMst6L8tixQlUOY4SO4NiyeEsF4pSaR1giha8/s1600/Presidents+Trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKBthM91XvuTUEqHPz_Xwlme4ttZZRprlX4ZpEhDYB-t9YHUD5U94mlXIandGNg__NPzbhhAl9FYL8ThLMNdcgnZ4t8pD6iR-ZoBCa2LMst6L8tixQlUOY4SO4NiyeEsF4pSaR1giha8/s1600/Presidents+Trophy.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I did warn you about the shirts...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A highlight of Sunday was the traditional competition meal at the Old Rectory in Llangatock. As a mark of respect to the late Pete Coad (ex hang gliding Meethead, and super-nice bloke), and in the presence of Angie Coad, many wore Hawaiian shirts in homage to Pete's rather loud dress sense. The food was excellent, with generous helpings of a delicious carvery. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Awards were given out a plenty and I was very pleased to receive the Presidents Trophy for the longest flight on a Flex Wing for my 100 miler last year. Marc Asquith, BHPA Chairman, temporarily handed over the trophy before shooting back home just in time for the birth of his twins 24 hours later. Cutting it fine...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 3 - Bank Holiday Monday. Woken at 5am by a bunch of teenagers singing "Happy Birthday" to one of their gang. The youth of today. Why aren't they drunk and sleeping in until midday nursing terrible hangovers? Shameful behaviour!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9ho_jJVxxIctQ9ByluDL8fpqxanYmvdMZHly4-dG3jEw2kjJnbWSa4R6-Kh5r9B0SLDKUfgkmejzuXlQxxgt-XfDR-XLOi3XReDzzk56YImE4sNQSfnU6X2Bla7DxJVml9qC-esQ0J0/s1600/Weather+brieifng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9ho_jJVxxIctQ9ByluDL8fpqxanYmvdMZHly4-dG3jEw2kjJnbWSa4R6-Kh5r9B0SLDKUfgkmejzuXlQxxgt-XfDR-XLOi3XReDzzk56YImE4sNQSfnU6X2Bla7DxJVml9qC-esQ0J0/s1600/Weather+brieifng.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Weather guru Rebekah Shah<br />and Joint Meethead Martin Colcough</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Briefing at 9am. What? We are going to fly? With the only appropriate site for the predicted wind backing from SW to SSE being Bache Hill in Mid Wales, we loaded up cars for the one and a half hour drive. This season, I have secured a place in Dave Bluett's crew, alongside Rigid Pilot Steve Marnier. Ex-scorer for the hang gliding competitions, Dave has been coming to the comps for years and is renowned for getting a Mini to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">where only the most</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> purpose built off-roaders dare to go. I will try and dig out a photo from last year... The Bluett bus for 2015 is a 4x4 Skoda Yeti - I am confident that wherever we launch from, or land, Dave will get the vehicle close by! And that's just the half of it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsYhnM973aIkXq48DLpQ-33Uw9d1jcNwF7wg_00ifmiJ_EhvpGHZX86mV8MEVupRClqXV4DOYRNbXOLIcoIRTmmkGWGtRtacSoAnGpLIF5hquy6n8G2Pq9PsgsABhB83MHkZm9FZypvg/s1600/The+Bluett+Bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsYhnM973aIkXq48DLpQ-33Uw9d1jcNwF7wg_00ifmiJ_EhvpGHZX86mV8MEVupRClqXV4DOYRNbXOLIcoIRTmmkGWGtRtacSoAnGpLIF5hquy6n8G2Pq9PsgsABhB83MHkZm9FZypvg/s1600/The+Bluett+Bus.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dave Bluett, retrieve driver extraordinaire</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10.30am. Bache Hill. Arriving at the lower launch there were already plenty of cars parked up , with gliders being rigged near to the front. Steve and I quickly unstrapped the gliders and I bagged a place near the front. leaving my harness in the car. There is a real "band of brothers" atmosphere amongst most of the flying community, and its was great to be in amongst some old chums. As I started to rig the glider, my harness suddenly arrived next to me. Thanks Dave. Wasn't expecting that.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7XQ3wUT1TKArOJG_wZ6gNmJ5KuTfm8XVeVjG1aKZojUx0_4wedgWSXUljr-rJWxv0SjLpgHp2SrWcXfTGUDxa8KC9enwahxsJ696rZtSbVdIPl1pWj2LOPgTtC_rqDS4RiWkM3EG7II/s1600/Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7XQ3wUT1TKArOJG_wZ6gNmJ5KuTfm8XVeVjG1aKZojUx0_4wedgWSXUljr-rJWxv0SjLpgHp2SrWcXfTGUDxa8KC9enwahxsJ696rZtSbVdIPl1pWj2LOPgTtC_rqDS4RiWkM3EG7II/s1600/Panorama.jpg" height="138" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Panorama at Bache Hill</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before long, everyone was rigged - rumblings of "briefing" could be heard as pilots were keen to get in the air as soon as possible to make the most of what looked like a good sky, especially as there was a threat of high cloud moving in to shut off the conditions. With military precision the task briefing took place at the pre-ordained 12.30pm. A 97km task was called to Aldford (disused airfield) via a turn point called Mordor near Oswestry. Launch window open at 1pm and first start time at 1.30pm. By 12:55 I was clipped in and ready to go, keen to get an early start. Briefing horn. Damn, Rebrief. Time to unclip. "Stay as you are, Ben. I'll get the information and pass it on". Dave Bluett, again, quietly supporting "his" pilots. I was starting to feel lucky being in his crew.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rigged and ready to go</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The re-briefing was solely about "relights" - if a pilot bombs out at the start, then they can be allowed to start again, this time as long as the pilot landed in the designated bottom field. Good to know, but I didn't intend to end up there. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Turning the glider in to wind, I made my way to the launch area. Rebekah, our resident highly qualified and experienced meteorologist, kindly took the nose to get me to the front. Luke Nicol, Justin Needham, Darren Brown, Kath Rigg were all shuffling forward. We watched a rigid take off from the far take off to the right, and just about maintain height for a minute or so. With their better sink rate, I wasn't keen to rush off and end up going down but as the rigid started to climb, and there were noises of "pushing" (the act of getting a pilot at the front to either take off or make way for pilots prepared to launch) I made a committed run down the shallow slope and was soon flying along the ridge to where the rigid was slowly climbing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Several other pilots were soon following and for a few minutes we explored various parts of the ridge, trying to find the best lift. Back towards launch and I got in to a lumpy bit of a lift. One 360, another 360. As I came around again I was forced to straighten my turn to avoid the chance of conflict with another glider that had joined the lift. Definitely not an intentional move to disrupt my flight path - it was just going to get crowded low down and scratching for lift.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But I wished I had stayed with it, or muscled my way back in. That lift was responsible for</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> taking the lead gaggle away, leaving me fighting for another twenty minutes struggling on the ridge to get high enough to go over the back. The bottom landing field had already started claiming victims, and the lead gaggle could be heard nattering away on the radio, discussing tactics. Gordon Rigg had selflessly been relaying excellent information about location of lift to help get as many pilots up and away from the hill.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stewart and a flex join the fun</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally I crawled over the back, not high but gently climbing or maintaining height at around 2400' ASL. With no gliders visible ahead of me I was on my own - not ideal in weak conditions. As the lift disappeared I took a short glide to a likely looking thermal source, while keeping an eye on the clouds. I was relieved to find another area of broken lift that did eventually mature in to a good 3-4 up climb.Stewart Reid on his rigid </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">came to join the fun, followed by a flex</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> wing much lower.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we drifted on, the lower glider must have dropped out the bottom of the thermal and was soon landing. Stewart and I continued to thermal up to cloud base where he glided off to find the next lift. I elected not to follow but chose a similar but different route to maximise chances of locating the best area. Clouds or terrain? Listening on the radio to the lead flex gaggle ahead made up Gordon, Grant, Dave, Carl, Luke, Shedsy, Phippsy and Darren, their decisions were being made based on cloud formations - with a few of them sharing the sky they could find the best areas. Luke Nicol was clearly pleased with his recently acquired and tuned Moyes RX4! From what I could gather a green king-posted glider (from the Cub Class?) was ahead of them, inviting complimentary comments from members of our British team but unfortunately the pilot lost the lift as they came in to join him. A great effort on a difficult day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr4L1qZjJUhdaZXJppcGKu-W-zeMeavTCvR0n5GPAuI5aC-ycgbVt8gfgCmZGWwLrM68SIlA9-XaGAapj8oXHUhCPM-KDPJ0BeDUvJv_tz9x5_gx64eY96Q_J6TnIkU8PU_NUv6e4HPE/s1600/The+hill+route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr4L1qZjJUhdaZXJppcGKu-W-zeMeavTCvR0n5GPAuI5aC-ycgbVt8gfgCmZGWwLrM68SIlA9-XaGAapj8oXHUhCPM-KDPJ0BeDUvJv_tz9x5_gx64eY96Q_J6TnIkU8PU_NUv6e4HPE/s1600/The+hill+route.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting high, but with high cloud cover increasing</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Some 15kms behind the lead gaggle, Stewart and I continued to make progress until I eventually lost site of him having glided over to where I had last seen him climbing. Decisions. Decisions. An endless analysis of where to fly to next. The area to the right of track would take in the hills around Church Stoke including Corndon. Gliding towards the town I attempted to fly over likely thermal generators but nothing seemed to work until I reached the industrial estate at the foot of Tolpeth Hill. Bingo. A nice climb. As I started gaining height a red kite came in to the thermal to join me. A frequent companion at Combe Gibbet in Berkshire, apparently these beautiful birds hav</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">e only just come back to this area. My new found flying friend was certainly inquisitive,swooping around my glider before formation flying off my wing tip. Stunning. Just wish I had pressed the right GoPro button...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisohmWoUy7_Kz2Aa83rhfSFJgmKos_9H5xMRXRA2SXuJo-M94KzXcZduTA1YaBtQlTI499CRoG0USB88DsMtOMJsrLAfNamQTY2NRGWAZhL-TqTP1Wgd11VAoWjMycUgVA0bodGZpENs0/s1600/Red+Kite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisohmWoUy7_Kz2Aa83rhfSFJgmKos_9H5xMRXRA2SXuJo-M94KzXcZduTA1YaBtQlTI499CRoG0USB88DsMtOMJsrLAfNamQTY2NRGWAZhL-TqTP1Wgd11VAoWjMycUgVA0bodGZpENs0/s1600/Red+Kite.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spot the Red Kite competition - the only picture I have of my flying friend</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gliding on above the ridges I spotted a smaller ridge off to the west further down track. South facing, tress near the top, farm below, ploughed fields. Surely a likely place to find a climb. I wasn't disappointed, but I had noticed that my climbs were topping out lower and lower. The sky was starting to look decidedly overcast. The gaggle ahead were definitely slowing up, with many calling very low saves, or indeed landing. Corndon was my next "stop" en route to the first turn point. As I crossed the valley to reach it, gliding below 1600' I suddenly noticed a helicopter at a similar altitude off to my right flying directly towards me. Had he seen me? Closing fast I was about to initiate some high banked turns to make myself more visible when the chopper turned gently to its left to pass behind me, probably within two or three hundred meters. Close enough for turbulence? Probably not but I pulled on speed nonetheless towards the corner of Corndon Hill where I arrived below ridge height.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spot the helicopter competition - wide angle lens and its approaching fast...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWIWCl3Gws2Pfz_9Ml_WJIpdte9ixeaqTS5HH_l3EBcPwQlo_0OZO69o2pdjOuqVlhgT_-KDPb4PXsVNyGdjuomR6BtZtSXXQ2BA4HTcJ7ex2ip80vCqhkHH3TXlXmnc5KibrLUYO2Ck/s1600/Arriving+Corndon+low.jpg" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Scratching in to Corndon on the tree covered spur</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWIWCl3Gws2Pfz_9Ml_WJIpdte9ixeaqTS5HH_l3EBcPwQlo_0OZO69o2pdjOuqVlhgT_-KDPb4PXsVNyGdjuomR6BtZtSXXQ2BA4HTcJ7ex2ip80vCqhkHH3TXlXmnc5KibrLUYO2Ck/s1600/Arriving+Corndon+low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWIWCl3Gws2Pfz_9Ml_WJIpdte9ixeaqTS5HH_l3EBcPwQlo_0OZO69o2pdjOuqVlhgT_-KDPb4PXsVNyGdjuomR6BtZtSXXQ2BA4HTcJ7ex2ip80vCqhkHH3TXlXmnc5KibrLUYO2Ck/s1600/Arriving+Corndon+low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think the walkers on the top of the hill were quite surprised when I popped up above the trees, circling just above their heads. A PG was further along the ridge, much higher, but the hill seemed to be working where I was, so I stuck with it and climbed away towards the quarry which delivered some punchy pockets of lift but nothing I wanted to stay with. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now getting low, I was working on maximising my distance on glide by heading straight for the turn point which was taking me over likely lifty areas. Nothing. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I heard Gordon was down at the turnpoint only 10kms ahead. All I needed was something to drift with.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg259btG-l9PNxjbiRPEk9RUcBeQ9LqLAAC2AUR8Ks01kYApIGRZyuskLQwoPLdUzhRnCY70Bhulg44NsgQRvObr0Qp7-a8FXE452cliEfeLTXlUrmvCMuQ7htb1RPyjIckOfDhYZAa4No/s1600/Sizing+up+fields+when+boom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg259btG-l9PNxjbiRPEk9RUcBeQ9LqLAAC2AUR8Ks01kYApIGRZyuskLQwoPLdUzhRnCY70Bhulg44NsgQRvObr0Qp7-a8FXE452cliEfeLTXlUrmvCMuQ7htb1RPyjIckOfDhYZAa4No/s1600/Sizing+up+fields+when+boom.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sizing up landing options before the low save.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Less than 300'</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> above the ground and my landing gear was out again. Sizing up a field next to a village I was about to do a base leg when "boom", I hit a gnarly little core that got me back up to 1500' before I lost it. Damnations. More news of pilots landing over the radio. Seemed like the Sky Gods had decided to stop our fun. Full VG, elbows tucked in, I glided as far as I could towards the turn point, gently veering course to fly near a road and houses to make retrieve easy. Big farmhouse, large field alongside. Perfect. With a couple of turns I was down.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The perfect host!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A quick text to Dave with my landing coordinates and I started de-rigging. Rodney, the owner of the house came over, to check all was OK. I apologised for landing unannounced in his field, but he was genuinely interested in flying, and went back inside to put the kettle on! Twenty minutes later with glider and harness packed on his front garden, I was sat in the house </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">with three generations of the family</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, drinking tea and watching British Superbikes... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I carried the kit down to the end of the rather long drive to await Dave's imminent arrival having picked up Steve Marnier further back along the course. Soon I could see the Yeti approaching down the lane and with Dave and Steve's help we were soon on our way back to Crickhowell. And what a drive it was! Little did I know that Dave is a bit of a music nut... As we zoomed over the Brecon Beacons in the Bluett Boogey Bus, Madonna's "Mother and Father"shook the seats.Great fun.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luke grinning from ear to ear!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(Photo courtesy Miles Hockcliffe)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Back at base by 7.45pm and Dave offered to take the GPS's up to the scoring room while Steve and I transferred the gliders to our cars. I also quickly decamped - the forecast was looking terrible and the comp organisers were already talking about cancelling the remaining two days. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luke Nicol had in fact won what turned out to be the only task of the round. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A great achievement considering it was his first task back on a flex wing. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was shame to only fly one day out of a possible five, but I was pleased to have bagged 59km on a weak day, flying mostly on my own and coming in 9th on the day, not far behind the Team GB pilots. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bhgcomps.co.uk/content/round-1-task-1-scores" target="_blank">Full scores here.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thank you Phippsy from Cloud 9 for your kind text and support. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The sweet handling and easy landing of my Wills Wing T2C gives me the confidence to push myself on, but being at the top of the weight range for the 144 (a</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> perfect match in strong conditions)</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, I sometimes wonder if I would gain a better sink rate from a bigger wing when flying weak UK conditions. Well, with stretched finances, a new glider is out of the question for a very long time, so a diet is the only option and I've got just three weeks until Round 2! </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-18469879856770638192015-05-05T16:24:00.000-07:002015-05-05T16:26:26.494-07:00Practice Day Tuesday 28th April<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6am. Not enough sleep. I had eventually got home from the previous day's fun at 1am in the morning, having had to stop for a power nap on the way back. I've learnt to stop driving at the first signs of driver fatigue so at least I had snuck in another half hour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tea in bed, iPad open, checking the forecast. WNW wind, switching around to SW by mid afternoon, but probably a bit blowy. And </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">with RASP looking so good, it would be rude not to try</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Things were still looking good for Frocester, Showered, dressed, light breakfast, and I was back on the road. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My drive to the site was delayed having stopped to help a young mum push her car off the road with her three kids inside - why was everyone else driving past? Unbelievable. With a quick trip to the petrol station to get her some fuel she was soon back on the school run, much to the chagrin of her children! </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By 9.30 I was sat in the car at the Coaley Peak car park, looking out over the Severn Vale. Being a Cotswold boy, this is where I used to come for family picnics and kite flying, often lying on my back in the sunshine watching the sail planes soaring above. Little did I know then that one day I too would be able fly from here, often passing over both my primary and secondary schools, the open play fields of Minchinhampton Common, and the family home where my parents still live. Special indeed. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Panorama over the Severn Vale</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a brief walk to the spur to check conditions, it was fairly obvious that the wind forecast was accurate in terms of strength and direction. Good and bad. Right direction, but maybe too strong. Oh well, I had made the effort to get here, so off the roof came the glider, and by 10.15 I was rigged just in time for the tops of the tress to start blowing over in a two fingered salut to my endeavours. Not to be beaten, I retreated to my car to finalise and declare my flight, and make sure the GPS was correctly programmed. Ambitious it might have been, but a 200km flight to goal at Kings Lynn was set, having carefully chosen a landing field near the train station as I would need to get back home to make sure I could get to an important meeting the next day.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Frocester Hill<br />A technical site. Lower tree line clearly visible.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMxYK-yAnQQbBhj7RudPtyeWvO9qCm3HyQL-YglApmM8D9xr12HYxbv_rbmYRcJlRXbrbUe5VOqeD6gBRYt7RsMJSn23ao-aOkxba_rJs_z8Dst-76hPETtQXIjR0SZDAK79lJvrufQ0/s1600/Over+gliding+club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMxYK-yAnQQbBhj7RudPtyeWvO9qCm3HyQL-YglApmM8D9xr12HYxbv_rbmYRcJlRXbrbUe5VOqeD6gBRYt7RsMJSn23ao-aOkxba_rJs_z8Dst-76hPETtQXIjR0SZDAK79lJvrufQ0/s1600/Over+gliding+club.jpg" height="208" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Struggling to avoid conflict with gliding operations</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Suddenly the wind dropped. A lull? A couple of minutes later and it was still blowing a steady 15mph. Action stations. Glider checked, instruments on, clipped in. Wind? Still good. Three steps later and I was airborne, turning right over the trees which I had expected to climb over. Frocester is a technical site at the best of times, but when its turbulent it is very challenging. Landing fields are not easily accessible, and a quick decision has to be made when getting low to be able to reach them. I spent the first few beats almost at the base of the trees (if you know the site, you know that is "landing approach" time), but I managed to scramble back up in gnarly punchy lift, just in time as the wind switched within minutes to SW. I was lucky to have got airborne, but the hard work was only just beginning. As I gradually gained height in a three steps forward, two steps back fashion, t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">he drift now was taking me along the ridge and not "over the back". </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was struggling to stay off the end of the runway of the adjacent Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club, and was making every effort not to inhibit their winch launching. Losing the battle I opted to go with a broken climb, lower than I had wanted at 2000ASL, but at least I was on my way.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cranking it over in a punchy climb over Selsley</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Slowly sinking I glided on to Selsley Common hoping to pick up a better climb from the ridge. With memories of my last flight there still vivid in my mind, I did not want to get too low, but with the wind now SW it was a gamble. Luckily, the gamble paid off as I stumbled in to a broken rough climb that allowed me to drift over the Stroud Valleys, hopefully to gain enough height to proceed over the rising Cotswold escarpment.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cloudbase at last!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had to drift for most of the flight in broken thermals, quickly covering ground with the strong wind but mostly between 2000' and 3000' ASL. Not high above hilly terrain in weak, broken lift surrounded by strong sink. As I passed to the West of Brize Norton ATZ during the highest point of the flight, I could see a good line of clouds off to the East which I gauged to be in the airspace - would they be clear by the time I glided to them? I couldn't take the risk so I continued to glide on track. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomxNVoapuSvFBvxe8v5bJEHUprmuR0ioMsha7NBY9IvZxmf_Ualr0TANZbTb7zJ3DKwcKuqRpKc6dR3po353CSzayatxaHTkhFPmn1MWSxJ7GguCN4ruNGOAsczVygH44MJT5nkysEGo/s1600/Maybe+I+could+have+pushed+on+faster....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomxNVoapuSvFBvxe8v5bJEHUprmuR0ioMsha7NBY9IvZxmf_Ualr0TANZbTb7zJ3DKwcKuqRpKc6dR3po353CSzayatxaHTkhFPmn1MWSxJ7GguCN4ruNGOAsczVygH44MJT5nkysEGo/s1600/Maybe+I+could+have+pushed+on+faster....jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Damn. Better sky but probably in airspace...<br />So its off to an overcast sky.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtEExYu0z4sxY_FF5_pGX2kyRzmMDHa876LYLkUKD3JBmBplQYRA6jvcFfny_UjC05wMK5OvuCsJBTsCA9ubgH9l0qXawXlTXfXzacdRKF1NX43tAVLWHZyIe2p7Es5QG6dl3JktN8bg/s1600/Getting+high+with+street+ahead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtEExYu0z4sxY_FF5_pGX2kyRzmMDHa876LYLkUKD3JBmBplQYRA6jvcFfny_UjC05wMK5OvuCsJBTsCA9ubgH9l0qXawXlTXfXzacdRKF1NX43tAVLWHZyIe2p7Es5QG6dl3JktN8bg/s1600/Getting+high+with+street+ahead.jpg" height="181" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDMSgvfZt01eA59H9qKENxnuoxv69K4npHZ3wnu5d52F_qghEjYMcm8AebOvLY1TSRYkA8KgioyKUozxfWxwQIFEn9qfvkfZpuVaR6r6BzL9NQ_b_z1YQ0hW8Q7N1DHzscj5pgWjp0vw/s1600/IMG_4996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDMSgvfZt01eA59H9qKENxnuoxv69K4npHZ3wnu5d52F_qghEjYMcm8AebOvLY1TSRYkA8KgioyKUozxfWxwQIFEn9qfvkfZpuVaR6r6BzL9NQ_b_z1YQ0hW8Q7N1DHzscj5pgWjp0vw/s1600/IMG_4996.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A windy landing at Wychwood golf course</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Getting low again, a ploughed field kicked off some bubbling air, so I drifted on, often just maintaining height in the hope that either I would drift over a better source, or the sky would "cycle" and my thermal would mature in to a "boomer". The sailplane whizzing in beneath me obviously thought the same, but soon sped off to find something better. Eventually I became nauseous from circling for nearly two hours, interspersed with only a couple of short glides. I was becoming disorientated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Erring on the side of caution for a safe landing in large field with no upwind "rotor inducing" obstacles, I glided on towards Chipping Norton for the village of Wychwood and its golf course. My initial choice of field turned out to be the driving range. Fearing a few air to ground missiles, I opted for the field over the road and made a perfect landing.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Retrieved in style.<br />And why does the sky always look good after you've landed?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A short walk to the edge of the field next to the main road and I sent a "landed safe" message to Hilly. As always I immediately started de-rigging, first packing harness and instruments, then the glider. The familiar "whistle" of a text message. Hilly: "I'll come and pick you up and take you back to your car..." Seriously? I was expecting to have to either hitch back or take public transport. Perhaps this would cost me a late lunch in a Cotswold hostelry? Oh, what a hardship. No sooner had I packed the glider and propped myself up on my harness to enjoy the rays of Spring sunshine, than I was awoken from my slumber by the throaty growl of an Audi TT pulling up next to me. An impressive retrieve in every respect!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A hard earned 55 kms, but all good practice for the start of the British Open Series in a few days time... </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-73561590740395964782015-05-03T10:05:00.002-07:002015-05-03T23:10:37.841-07:00Practice Day Monday 27th April<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Limited time. Limited weather. With only a couple of short flights under my belt and the first round of the British Open Series looming, I had been champing at the bit to get out and "do some miles". The forecast during the previous week had been showing some promise that Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th April would be the best flyable days of the week so I shifted my contract work around to free up the time and started making plans. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The night before the wind forecast had changed significantly, indicating that it was going to be a light, variable wind day, with only the south coast showing some signs of a consistent north westerly. So, it was either going to be a hill launch from the Dyke or a tow somewhere mid-country. Unfortunately my local tow group couldn't come out to play but after a quick phone call to Andy Hollidge, I had a slot booked with Flylight Aviation at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire for a 2000' tow. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Monday morning. An early start helped along by a glorious sunrise. After a pleasant drive up from Wiltshire I met Andy near the aerodrome for a coffee, decided where our goal field would be (just out of Sywell ATZ), left my car there, transferred my kit to Andy's truck, then made our way to the airfield.</span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sKto_rin884sD1dLMW5Rcb_Zq__OaRi7MRplS_Rb56NyiC0mYFcOVMjsg6TBhAIFZJEdr4kI4ykQ8fjpgeHOgUXBvjDCUpsrjL7FIVFdkItPCHtgO4NwPxrI6HpSN3BWXX_Lhyphenhyphenx530g/s1600/IMG_4976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sKto_rin884sD1dLMW5Rcb_Zq__OaRi7MRplS_Rb56NyiC0mYFcOVMjsg6TBhAIFZJEdr4kI4ykQ8fjpgeHOgUXBvjDCUpsrjL7FIVFdkItPCHtgO4NwPxrI6HpSN3BWXX_Lhyphenhyphenx530g/s1600/IMG_4976.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Andy Keate rigging by the tower</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I do like flying from active airfields - there must be something about mixing with the other aircraft that makes it exciting. With Andy Keate from the local club supervising our visit, we were soon rigging near the tower and our hosts Flylight Aviation. Helicopters, prop planes, microlights... it was all going on. Ollie Chitty was there, looking somewhat bleary eyed after his great 180km flight to South Wales from near Luton the previous day - the long retrieve meant he had only just got back and had gone straight to work. </span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbe3obg30qmFrcygfhuLQ3cErsVTiH5VVBha80FgdK67IRyAnfgKW6ZuelmQWLthnAV209WEILBoUZMyVJ9DLEpBTF9n_qUQrspt7ude9HIvRReI3sCvvmcJbuSfKpOiT-dQL_tmTxMIw/s1600/IMG_4974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbe3obg30qmFrcygfhuLQ3cErsVTiH5VVBha80FgdK67IRyAnfgKW6ZuelmQWLthnAV209WEILBoUZMyVJ9DLEpBTF9n_qUQrspt7ude9HIvRReI3sCvvmcJbuSfKpOiT-dQL_tmTxMIw/s1600/IMG_4974.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a quick test flight Tom the tug pilot was ready to get us in the air. I had declared a 100km triangle starting from just outside Sywell ATZ to the South West, with turnpoints at Stowe School to the South near Silverstone, and then Bedford to the East before returning to the start point. Andy declared a more ambitious triangle of about 150km, with turnpoints extended from mine. The sky at 11.30am was starting to look good. Time to go.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was first on the tow, and had an amazingly "mellow" climb out behind Tom who was flying at just the right speed, and predictably taking us in a left hand circuit to some great looking clouds near the start point. As we cruised at 2000' I got out of shape in some turbulence so immediately pinged off the line, expecting to be able to locate the lift associated with it. After a quick unsuccessful search pattern I headed off to the clouds but met bad sink - looking back at the airfield it was make or break time - do I glide on to the clouds or head back within gliding distance of the airfield? If I needed a relight then it had to be the airfield. Now at only 500' above the ground things were not looking too good. But as I passed over some houses and trees, the air started bubbling. Right, time to start gently searching again. Bingo! I found the start of the thermal that would eventually, after some considerable time working broken lift, get me up to cloud base. Phew.</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just within striking distance of the airfield</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">High at last :-)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Right, time to start the task. With a straight glide over the first turn point (conveniently a large roundabout on the edge of an industrial estate, I headed to the South of Northampton to some fine looking clouds. I made sure my track took me over green areas of the town in case I bombed, and found a good climb over what looked like a large commercial building plot that had been cooking in the sunlight. Up I go, with a couple of buzzards joining in as it turned in to a stonking 900' a minute climb. As I called it on the radio, I could see Andy already headed over towards me. Coming in over the top of me, he climbed very quickly and then sped off again. </span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf3sj9PlU3hv2_VjbHbuuhDGbjct5nnWB2zA8CWogWwsNO7RgH22IbEHvXAOimnP6k2RWF3hxwZZPWC7OVjhux-M-sipxl-NRJ50FiglBc-p_DD2H53Kp11LGB5Y6Ur8zD5PzVuRJktA/s1600/Chinook+Silverstone+sprog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf3sj9PlU3hv2_VjbHbuuhDGbjct5nnWB2zA8CWogWwsNO7RgH22IbEHvXAOimnP6k2RWF3hxwZZPWC7OVjhux-M-sipxl-NRJ50FiglBc-p_DD2H53Kp11LGB5Y6Ur8zD5PzVuRJktA/s1600/Chinook+Silverstone+sprog.jpg" height="195" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So that's where the Chinook is...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before reaching cloud base I headed off to turnpoint two, partly to keep flying with Andy, but also to push on faster while we had good lift and a rising cloud base. Silverstone race circuit was now clearly visible. As I approached I could suddenly hear the "thud, thud, thud" of a Chinook helicopter, but couldn't for the life of me see it. I put a call out to Andy to keep his eyes peeled. Getting louder, I still couldn't see it, so I put in some tight 360 turns to make the glider as visible as possible just in case they hadn't seen me. Luckily, the noise passed away, as did any imminent danger.</span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenO0BI9fkjt6yYxTdl3Vzrls2oKvGBbr-xzj4TI3ABm1XUzfp0u2CHtLwwK1KbDiy9kAfadK8D5CloCvnS-lpJCfASuRHaPU0TzZx_1EiTRtamaK9ga1iNowhQYxZpUDYToVjirCimlY/s1600/View+to+front+great+sky+cloudbase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenO0BI9fkjt6yYxTdl3Vzrls2oKvGBbr-xzj4TI3ABm1XUzfp0u2CHtLwwK1KbDiy9kAfadK8D5CloCvnS-lpJCfASuRHaPU0TzZx_1EiTRtamaK9ga1iNowhQYxZpUDYToVjirCimlY/s1600/View+to+front+great+sky+cloudbase.jpg" height="300" width="400"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fantastic sky with Silverstone below</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFcluRj-8_EtK8-1tu76B-ws72OMXmHUFHRdWe2P9fdx7eypa98J3E3CEvo6WLYESn8kcdu2J1flBbqzYaT19_zin5Kv8SYlMkMRdosi4NVKusq0jh7Rk1ugjQKb8kVYzHusavUAbaxE/s1600/Getting+low+at+Stowe+School+sprog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFcluRj-8_EtK8-1tu76B-ws72OMXmHUFHRdWe2P9fdx7eypa98J3E3CEvo6WLYESn8kcdu2J1flBbqzYaT19_zin5Kv8SYlMkMRdosi4NVKusq0jh7Rk1ugjQKb8kVYzHusavUAbaxE/s1600/Getting+low+at+Stowe+School+sprog.jpg" height="212" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Approaching Stowe School near TP 1</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Past Silverstone and I intended to glide straight for the turn point, then find a climb. But, with a strong headwind and a sky starting to get just a little bit too over active, I found myself getting low 1km from the turn point and eyeing up Stowe School cricket field as a landing site. Taking a weak climb over a ploughed field I managed to work my way back up slowly, but at the price of drifting further away from the turnpoint. With the sky definitely deteriorating I made a glide for the TP, clipped the proximity circle, and immediately returned to the weak thermal I had left, gauging where the drift would have taken it. Luckily with the help of my GPS I was back in the lift and drifting towards my second turnpoint near Bedford.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Looking around, nearly the entire ground was now in shadow. The cloud base also seemed to be lowering - not something I expected to happen at around 2.30pm. Cautiously tiptoeing around broken lift, and doing short glides in-between climbs, I kept myself in the game, passing to the north of Milton Keynes at around 3000'. As rain started to fall, I glided off towards Newport Pagnell, hoping that the buildings would have retained some heat and would be now kicking off lift. I headed for a housing estate, with a nearby park for landing, but sank all the way there, reaching the area with about 500'.</span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnHbvOIx6uXjHSfPTFPLP8061CSdBhrlzO_z_GwCT0bzd38Rn58bTjkdCY_HfJbn3ZoNhx1WPe0Bg6btZIriAZBJR66loxzxLC8_Ff8pMeMtg6_do4-jpfhuAN69zZSlCBaHol1ELIW8/s1600/Getting+low+over+Newport+Pagnell+upright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnHbvOIx6uXjHSfPTFPLP8061CSdBhrlzO_z_GwCT0bzd38Rn58bTjkdCY_HfJbn3ZoNhx1WPe0Bg6btZIriAZBJR66loxzxLC8_Ff8pMeMtg6_do4-jpfhuAN69zZSlCBaHol1ELIW8/s1600/Getting+low+over+Newport+Pagnell+upright.jpg" height="201" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Searching low over Newport Pagnell</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a quick search I was down to 300' but the air was starting to bubble. Quickly assessing the situation, I was prepared to try and work it, but the landing options downwind were not good. Game over after 66km. Rain stopped play. With a quick base leg over the trees I landed my Wills Wing glider with ease close to the gated entrance. Half the battle of cross country flying is having the confidence in your flying and your wing that you can land out. The predictable handling of my Wills Wing T2C makes it very easy. Just love it.</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QaXV14fmFW0WGopi9C4uoOFny4Y6iah91RAxLSCaxAZBhFORBe8G52Q6bhHZORqYfrgLP0Tr6NL6AbV6Az1TLxb2cpgcvqozM8EJBkt6e9sx_vtD04mouXVuBeeRgtr61Ek-8a-f7Fs/s1600/IMG_4979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QaXV14fmFW0WGopi9C4uoOFny4Y6iah91RAxLSCaxAZBhFORBe8G52Q6bhHZORqYfrgLP0Tr6NL6AbV6Az1TLxb2cpgcvqozM8EJBkt6e9sx_vtD04mouXVuBeeRgtr61Ek-8a-f7Fs/s1600/IMG_4979.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I unclipped and started sorting my instruments and harness out, a couple of dog walkers came by and passed the time of day. Very pleasant. That is until another dog-walker came through the gate and with his dog on the lead, allowed it to go up to my glider, cock its leg, and p**s all over the wing tip. Some people. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now quickly de-rigging the glider my phone pinged through a couple of messages. Andy was down and had tried to call. I soon foun</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">d out he had landed further south of my first turn point, was relatively near an airfield and was going to walk there to try and cadge an "air taxi" back to Sywell. I decided to get packed up and try and hitch a lift back up to my car some 25 miles away. Its worked before, especially with my "Glider Pilot Needs A Lift Please" sign.</span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX3-w5TxiwPdkt3-6oRYyBbfuWsHLxBGvtUTyoerC7a6j10mX2WDiHssqG04YxWnwn_PZH8x3EkJp7pP_9p7uOSzaMyOf1HsiN0lGKQsg-MM08kywTZlX8FLkTAO51QKyvtxz6BalcgU/s1600/Andy+in+plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX3-w5TxiwPdkt3-6oRYyBbfuWsHLxBGvtUTyoerC7a6j10mX2WDiHssqG04YxWnwn_PZH8x3EkJp7pP_9p7uOSzaMyOf1HsiN0lGKQsg-MM08kywTZlX8FLkTAO51QKyvtxz6BalcgU/s1600/Andy+in+plane.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Buzz Lightyear does in style...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholNC0sEFW8UzIozY9rxky3QHx0k132LmYwcZRjMeoUuyxRsdhArJdHeBaG6F0Os_Hn0O4Ns0RZFytZOuFz8wGHGaLrxesGP_6KgTlFnUmIi79NxTDw10WAKrUyaFlOcxPvj9KPyZU9d0/s1600/IMG_4982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholNC0sEFW8UzIozY9rxky3QHx0k132LmYwcZRjMeoUuyxRsdhArJdHeBaG6F0Os_Hn0O4Ns0RZFytZOuFz8wGHGaLrxesGP_6KgTlFnUmIi79NxTDw10WAKrUyaFlOcxPvj9KPyZU9d0/s1600/IMG_4982.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...while I take the poor man's retrieve!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZXdgxR9cGUFB2SOObrqryYnEQ3LgcSwNhUM7d5xeUXsuu0hA6EJScW57G-TQQNPFiOSGjfM9iFdjFpxZSi0TcKvGixGHq94HMT0-U72YjYpL2ONK6z-L57Hlgzz3YwcZ-2_YRbzsp7k/s1600/Sky+spreading+out+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But oh no. Having walked through town to what I thought was the correct main road, I ended up on a dual carriageway without any stopping places. 3 miles later, and I turned off back towards Newport Pagnell. One and a half hours of walking with my harness and I was back where I started. Andy texted me a picture. Flash bugger. He had got a lift in a light aircraft back to Sywell and would come and pick me up. Just about to give up with hitching a lift, an ex airline pilot who had seen my grovelling sign, stopped and gave ne a lift to Olney, half way back to Sywell, where Andy met me en route to pick up his glider. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As it was now late in the evening we stopped for a curry in Buckingham before heading back up to my car near Sywell. Reluctantly declining Andy's kind offer of a bed for the night, I opted to drive back home as the next day promised a good day from Frocester in Gloucestershire.....</span><br>
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<a href="http://www.flycloud9.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9nJI34wV1s-OrAwQwe07UVWUTbewEx3yF1sXaD1gdv331bVnSl2D0EKO8zDQQJctkCiRrIfCYSdCSuhR2G2Y1c2RbHVg2bMnYHKG9EaThSrAV8hA9dR6no2YePkI9WJ0mzhO8PBpJk/s1600/cloud9.jpg" height="145" width="320"></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-36827205727289141202015-04-12T16:58:00.003-07:002015-04-12T17:05:45.880-07:00Super Saturday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6am. Saturday 11th April. I had set the alarm early after the previous days chatter of a record breaking day in the UK. The weather forecast had been promising an excellent soaring day with relatively strong winds, indicating that a long distance XC was not only possible, but could also lead to a selection of British HG records being broken, including Open Distance and flight to a declared goal, both for Class 1 (flexwing) and Class 5 (rigid).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd2rDR-26i5UDGHYqQSAm2KFIpF2aaQsFVKmMzjpyXoV7R3XbDAgP6yzMg7XXd-DjThwEzBAMXjemEzm49dw1ieapk-dybUYrGpHJlNE-shQAiRsATqHH7NQ-b6EozP_nX5xs9YMehCU/s1600/Dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd2rDR-26i5UDGHYqQSAm2KFIpF2aaQsFVKmMzjpyXoV7R3XbDAgP6yzMg7XXd-DjThwEzBAMXjemEzm49dw1ieapk-dybUYrGpHJlNE-shQAiRsATqHH7NQ-b6EozP_nX5xs9YMehCU/s1600/Dawn.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dawn with the front passing through</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The forecast good conditions were dependant on a front going through, switching the wind from SW to WNW, and paving the way for the following unstable air to trigger thermal activity. As I looked out of the bedroom window at the rain drenched car below , a beautiful sunrise was starting to develop. Perhaps the forecast was going to be right after all.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ILjNuAC9rkfeXGdovnvSLd3C64qnr6pPJifCnFycSeUjbvBJ3ArLmlhkJgqvxWcZI4WL8Qf1d0VzsXOUlj-UOB-XA2ONrEA8ssxYe3JdIThCnl8IWnuPinyxcNPnK8a4_rshXqDW5l0/s1600/RASP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ILjNuAC9rkfeXGdovnvSLd3C64qnr6pPJifCnFycSeUjbvBJ3ArLmlhkJgqvxWcZI4WL8Qf1d0VzsXOUlj-UOB-XA2ONrEA8ssxYe3JdIThCnl8IWnuPinyxcNPnK8a4_rshXqDW5l0/s1600/RASP.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The RASP forecast - yellow and and red is good!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With my instruments charged and packed the previous night, and preliminary flight planning done, I downed a bowl of porridge, loaded my harness in the car, and headed off to the hangar to pick up my glider and then on to Frocester, near Stroud in Gloucestershire. The forecast had consistently shown the wind switching to the WNW, then coming back round to WSW by early afternoon. This site can potentially handle that variation, but arriving on site at 8.45am it was clear after a walk to the spur and by observing the low clouds, that the wind was more NW and blowing up to 30mph. Wrong site, and marginal conditions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nev Almond arrived shortly afterwards and after a quick assessment decided to head off to Selsley up the ridge towards Stroud - a small NW site with minimal landing options but at least, in these conditions, the potential for a launch to start an XC. After a few minutes hesitation (was the wind going to come back round in the next hourt?) I followed Nev up to Selsley where we were soon joined by Grant Crossingham, Paul Harvey and Tim King. Carl Wallbank had woken early in the Wirral with a view to driving down south to join the record breaking gaggle, but the early rain and howling wind had swayed him to stay home. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7vwlLGy9yiLjOP2n7eNC_c4D-PS5HG16jLS0NQb2enfh1rKJFVxVVDday6iR1EvOab0TxMuT3jTcu0ciptw9UhOEKAIMTIoLX3Idry4PvssJlPFd3PFokxe0iV7Tu5CMMxMA9b6BIRA/s1600/Rigging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7vwlLGy9yiLjOP2n7eNC_c4D-PS5HG16jLS0NQb2enfh1rKJFVxVVDday6iR1EvOab0TxMuT3jTcu0ciptw9UhOEKAIMTIoLX3Idry4PvssJlPFd3PFokxe0iV7Tu5CMMxMA9b6BIRA/s1600/Rigging.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rigging in the dip</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhostrcRvlKXOBVlVZo9aVRByZ27A4EoAhgyx5sx5wuImSWw25WKBQO8oqxd7b9T2OqyifcDRBH3N_xiaMzZOxIOUHgWEDIz7lOTaUurFvjf8q54r4SInxZkUKnkzpkcubV1ssNyEVWE0w/s1600/All+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhostrcRvlKXOBVlVZo9aVRByZ27A4EoAhgyx5sx5wuImSWw25WKBQO8oqxd7b9T2OqyifcDRBH3N_xiaMzZOxIOUHgWEDIz7lOTaUurFvjf8q54r4SInxZkUKnkzpkcubV1ssNyEVWE0w/s1600/All+set.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All systems checked and ready to go</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Soon gliders were being rigged in a convenient dip in the common land, providing some shelter from the strong wind. By 10.30am we were rigged and the final preparation of instruments and declaring flights was taking place. An ambitious flight to the South Downs then along the coast to Deal in Kent was programmed in. Could we beat Carl's 276km flight from Wales to the South Coast? As I checked my cooridnates and submitted my declaration, there was a sudden flury of activity and a noticeable anxiousness amongst some of the pilots. The wind was backing to the west sooner than expected. Damn. Should have stayed at Frocester. Gliders were quickly being "floated" to the front. I opted to do final checks clipped in by the car and with Hilly holding the nose, made my way across the common to the front. With the glider at a 45 degree angle to the path to keep the glider in to wind, I knew that launch was going to be very interesting. Seeing first Nev then Grant take off and be thrown around low to the ground did nothing to allay those fears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I approached the front Paul managed to escape off the hill after nearly being ground looped twice, while Tim hung back from the launch, keeping his glider safe. "Be very careful Ben. The launch is VERY turbulent". He wasn't wrong. With Hilly on the nose and Carmen kindly offering to take a wing, I gingerly made it to a launch spot where I did not have to immediately overfly the trees just below. Luckily the wind was being pulled straight up the hill and felt (relatively) smooth, so after some final instruction to the superb ground crew, I lifted the nose of the glider, shouted "release" and launched. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Immediately the glider climbed, and almost as quickly started sinking towards the hill. Pulling on even more speed I flew towards the lip below then gently converted to height to clear the hill and climb away. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Selsley Mountain....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6KNOqRLdzvZ2O6vpTjz9eMG1fpOI_LQETwbXDtcnX8EoSgX_3pL9t7dNa7wlSBsFAzLht1BJ6vfL2BWFW2paKrFmqfXo8SyPQu722tAiiMPGFsW6ST4HRMV07MM_XcjJsmSgqF1n00M/s1600/Ben+and+Paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6KNOqRLdzvZ2O6vpTjz9eMG1fpOI_LQETwbXDtcnX8EoSgX_3pL9t7dNa7wlSBsFAzLht1BJ6vfL2BWFW2paKrFmqfXo8SyPQu722tAiiMPGFsW6ST4HRMV07MM_XcjJsmSgqF1n00M/s1600/Ben+and+Paul.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paul on his rigid marking better lift</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flying above launch</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As bad as Mexico! No landings...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FmNdB4AfnERLCmivToBm7SEo0OpOIWTJvGshtVKEtZzM_V9nsbMheawXQ39wkNgLjsOT4_N55Ke20jGwH5O74FMuCsrMz0lvpkKjJCU2AkFBNeT48MJ2-eQvkmpDEfcSIqKRnVT4P68/s1600/The+tree+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FmNdB4AfnERLCmivToBm7SEo0OpOIWTJvGshtVKEtZzM_V9nsbMheawXQ39wkNgLjsOT4_N55Ke20jGwH5O74FMuCsrMz0lvpkKjJCU2AkFBNeT48MJ2-eQvkmpDEfcSIqKRnVT4P68/s1600/The+tree+line.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Being flushed out down by the trees</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the roller coaster experience continued. Trying to explore various parts of the ridge to find out where the potential lift would be coming from, I noticed that the end of the ridge East towards Stroud, where Grant and Nev had climbed out, was pumping up in cycles. Keeping an eye on Paul, I worked some lift there until it broke up, and glided over to join Paul who seemed to still be climbing faster. But my short journey towards him was through monstrous sink, to the point that I was soon below ridge height and contemplating a landing in... well, that was the problem. There wasn't anywhere that could be described as a landing field. Small, sloping fiends with power lines, rotor inducing buildings, Cotswold stone walls, roads.... As I flew just above the tree tops at the bottom of the hill, I sized up the only field that I would attempt to land in. Turning in on finals I hit an incredibly strong surge so instead of straightening to glide to the field, I continued to "S" turn my way back up the hill until I could squeeze in a 360. As I quickly cleared ridge height, I was able to 360, so I stayed with it. As the thermal consolidated I was soon committed to going "over the back". Thank feck for that. I had no intention of hanging around on the hill.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting high(ish) at last</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Searching over Minchinhampton Common</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Climbing in broken lift I drifted over the valley behind towards Minchinhampton Common. With my climb petering out, and after a short search pattern, I glided on towards Minch where I would hopefully find a better climb to help me connect with the fantastic clouds that were now creating some inviting streets.Over "Tom Longs Post" in the centre of the common, I connected with a broken thermal which I worked hard to stay in with its ever moving core. Just about maintaining height over Minch, I heard Tim updating the pilots on the radio. He was still on the hill and had opted not to fly. A good call. Paul Harvey was still trying to get away from the hill and Tim informed everyone that I had gone over the back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grant: "Just passing the lakes" (Cotswold Water Park)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ben "I'm struggling low over Minchinhampton".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grant: "Stick with it - once you get past Cirencester the lift sorts itself out. Keep circling"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I did. But I was going down slowly! With Kemble ATZ airspace just ahead I knew I needed a miraculous climb to get over it. Staying where I was not going to deliver it. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Running out of options with Aston Down top right</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Watching a recently winch launched sailplane circling over </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aston Down Gliding Club,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I glided towards the aerodrome, keeping off the centre line of the runway where towing was talking place, hoping to pick up lift from a brown field lined with trees ahead, or even from the hangars as a last ditch attempt to stay up. But my luck had run out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Flying around the perimeter road I turned in to wind, having to pull on lots of speed to stop flying backwards. It was like a top landing on a windy hill top.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Perfect touchdown</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A perfect touch down, in a big wide open space. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Partially relieved to be down in one piece, I felt the pangs of frustration as I heard Grant making good progress towards Swindon, talking to Malcolm Beard as he flew over top of him launching at Liddington. Oh well, better to be safe and to fly another day. I phoned Hilly to organise retrieve and started the usual process of packing harness and instruments first, then de-rigging the glider. Being her first experience of hang gliding I was expecting there to be some delay in the car turning up. I could not have been more wrong! Having just had time to get the battens out, I saw the welcome sight of my car coming around the perimeter road. A well deserved pub lunch followed.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grant climbing over Swindon</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cloud streets forming all over the place</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I knew that Grant and Nev had every chance of doing a big distance. And they did not disappoint. As the day unfolded I received a phone call from Paul Harvey, who had done well to escape the hill and get to Newbury. He told me that he was on his way to Ashford to pick up Grant. Ashford? In Kent? Bloody hell! He must have been very near to smashing the record. Wow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Facebook comments in the evening were filled with a mixture of praise and disgruntled rumblings by those who hadn't made an epic flight. Ironically, Grants flight had not been meticulously planned as some claimed. Speaking to him this morning, he had not pre-programmed the flight, and had experienced problems with an airspace update on his instruments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ben: "You went over the top of Kemble airspace without much clearance, and was even sinking early in to crossing it. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You must have balls of steel!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Grant: "I just decided that if I stayed directly above Nev, then I should be OK! I flew the second part of the flight from memory". Got to love him! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grant and Nev's tracks. Awesome!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, a flight of 266km on a flex wing, with Nev a few kilometers behind on his rigid. Just 10km short of the British Record. Unfortunately Nev just clipped airspace so his flight is DSQ, but you cant take away the fact that both pilots achieved a remarkable feat. Well done, guys. Inspiring flights.</span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just love to fly :-)</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-14211298155765569962015-03-25T13:13:00.002-07:002015-03-25T13:28:45.421-07:00Back in the saddle.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seven months? SEVEN MONTHS? Is that how long it had been since I had last flown? Over the last couple of weeks the weather had shown signs of Spring arriving so I had already checked over the glider and replaced an upright (oh, did I forgot to mention that in my last post?!), and made sure all the electronic gizmos were working and charged. A useful check as I discovered that the rechargeable batteries in my Alinco radio had failed. I decided to order the latest Chinese built radio with an 8W output for the princely sum of £49 - along with the new harness aerial I should be able to get a signal out even in the most remote of locations.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8DneMjju4bXKIinuCK4D_3GfAdXIdpG-3LbGGAUyRFodz8csiQ3oYTXtVGMGX34mFLAQ13rRm4sVDmOUKGAUsP8ZFUes0IXOl05_Od_SXOZDdcWtNunsbwlOW8eJOLAnKSjXmxUYnQ8/s1600/Fake+Forecast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8DneMjju4bXKIinuCK4D_3GfAdXIdpG-3LbGGAUyRFodz8csiQ3oYTXtVGMGX34mFLAQ13rRm4sVDmOUKGAUsP8ZFUes0IXOl05_Od_SXOZDdcWtNunsbwlOW8eJOLAnKSjXmxUYnQ8/s1600/Fake+Forecast.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Itching to get back in the air after the long winter lay off, I had been watching the forecasts with interest, willing the <a href="http://rasp.inn.leedsmet.ac.uk/" target="_blank">RASP forecasts</a> to show some exciting Spring conditions. Nev Almond started posting that it was looking good, and Luke Nicol announced a "Wondrous Wednesday", encouraging more excited Facebook chatter! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My fake weather forecast posting on FB, to discourage the anticipated swarm of Paraglider pilots from descending on the local sites, was soon rumbled :-) One thing was for sure though, and that was all the forecasts were showing an "early" day, with chances of cloud over-development by mid afternoon.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Picking up the glider from the hangar</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Waking up early in the morning, I declared my intended flight from <a href="https://plus.google.com/109790236647234690733/about?gl=uk&hl=en" target="_blank">Combe Gibbet</a>. Nev had set an ambitious 100km triangle, but I downsized to a 60km triangle, planning to first go south with the prevailing wind, and then push North in to wind as the day grew stronger, with the last leg back to Combe cross-wind. Having dropped by the "hangar" at our tow site at Castle Eaton to pick up my glider and after the relatively short drive to launch, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I arrived at 9.30am to find three hang gliders already rigged, and more arriving, along with the a large number of PGs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I immediately rigged the glider, mounted the instruments and cameras, and prepared to launch. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nev Almond was the first HG off the hill at around 1045am, following some PGs who had already found some half decent climbs. With Nev climbing out to the West, I prepared to launch. The sky was increasingly busy so I was looking for definite signs of lift and some clear space. A small gaggle of PGs had pushed out just in front of my launch area, and were gently climbing. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45mfR1qnqMB640VBJ5-u9lob6gmlgGK3GeCyzqrE80ffNiFAThNFmObdd4hKTQX6txf-o0EcS68hPxNQdY_vewrKVEwrAmyXrMCWcUyH_4gf_re_47qhrI4-MctUBuJt-RVvNa9GvfDI/s1600/End+of+ridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45mfR1qnqMB640VBJ5-u9lob6gmlgGK3GeCyzqrE80ffNiFAThNFmObdd4hKTQX6txf-o0EcS68hPxNQdY_vewrKVEwrAmyXrMCWcUyH_4gf_re_47qhrI4-MctUBuJt-RVvNa9GvfDI/s1600/End+of+ridge.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Climbing on the West part of the ridge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGbDToVCGBKS6QZR39YzM5fQ_kkjPgEc1jDABPngNBP-t6j2NFH2MQZSYc2t4W9z2JAc2XXzSZha23shbTTDdyWG69HMQITIQdEhCk3iVUPxlSB78_V9GVSVR1gfPLRAQh4FiAAAK7Ps/s1600/Gliding+with+PGs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGbDToVCGBKS6QZR39YzM5fQ_kkjPgEc1jDABPngNBP-t6j2NFH2MQZSYc2t4W9z2JAc2XXzSZha23shbTTDdyWG69HMQITIQdEhCk3iVUPxlSB78_V9GVSVR1gfPLRAQh4FiAAAK7Ps/s1600/Gliding+with+PGs.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gliding forward with PGs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Suddenly a Red Kite started climbing from the base of the hill between me and the gaggle of PGs. With a quick check around, I immediately launched to join the kite. Hey Presto! First one 360, then another... above hill height... still climbing... clear of PGs. Phew! At about 500' above take off I glided off to the West to explore for lift above the trees in clearer air. Bingo! Another climb. With some strong surges and averaging 2-3 up, my lift petered out at about 2000' ASL so I decided to push North to my first turn point. I had been watching Nev and a couple of PGs working lift up wind. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Quickly losing 1000' I pulled on speed towards three PGs who seemed to be maintaining height. Now only a few hundred feet above the ground and with no chance of getting back to the hill, it seemed pretty hopeless as the grey gloom seemed to be spreading quickly, inviting me to check out landing fields. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I came in underneath the lowest PG, the air started bubbling. For over ten minutes we worked the weak lift, both hunting around for the strongest parts, but flying well together. It was a real pleasure to fly with this pilot. Slowly but surely we were drifting back towards the hill, sometimes slowly descending, but hanging in for the thermal to mature and we were indeed rewarded with a stonking climb that catapulted us back up in a 6 up that occasionally showed 9 up. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYymABfnQGTvtkTfMsghlshe3eFfVX-MZakbG8TifuM3hPjSdfIR8lMcrl2MtPRkGNk2J4-FTnc6hczMcNWiLGnNwLCSbPb8CZqPkTtTe2c-CJaA0gjIH_ynXy4PyDQX0z-JC_iXkf7g/s1600/Climbing+out+from+low+with+PG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYymABfnQGTvtkTfMsghlshe3eFfVX-MZakbG8TifuM3hPjSdfIR8lMcrl2MtPRkGNk2J4-FTnc6hczMcNWiLGnNwLCSbPb8CZqPkTtTe2c-CJaA0gjIH_ynXy4PyDQX0z-JC_iXkf7g/s1600/Climbing+out+from+low+with+PG.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Great flying with my new PG chum!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg846LxkxtFU2w361NetkZRCbA2j6UVZQs1UvLvEJxK_QYgbHsfhrGmKJq3o8eRZaZ6_BGWfiCUf8HuCVDHNf6GaSdcJAP_dvvQ3QDz6yVgTbf8UFc1Crj2i0dk18e7ElhRLei6Um8uxJs/s1600/Looking+back+to+Combe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg846LxkxtFU2w361NetkZRCbA2j6UVZQs1UvLvEJxK_QYgbHsfhrGmKJq3o8eRZaZ6_BGWfiCUf8HuCVDHNf6GaSdcJAP_dvvQ3QDz6yVgTbf8UFc1Crj2i0dk18e7ElhRLei6Um8uxJs/s1600/Looking+back+to+Combe.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Looking back at launch<br />What are those strange shapes in the ground?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cloud base must have been just under 3000' so I decided that I would bin my task and just enjoy the flying. I could hear Luke Nicol and Paul Harvey on the radio, flying some 60 miles away on the South Downs. As I pushed to the East to create a small triangle, the ground became increasingly in shadow. Looking back at the hill, I could see a lot of pilots landing. Malcolm Beard had just launched and was struggling to stay up and landed quickly along the ridge to the West. After a brief weak climb, I decided to glide back to complete my flight.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFZUG2LdGhT1St1t_8jAngjyxVnK8x9cnxnUOkfPjwub5fATIzb2WK5TnaLa9BjtZVLtrBM_9efjdrYwGoiuuf3EOh3nwiov_Wn5YK1cOoobH2LoFAXnFl6NW_z0jM6k9K_5whMIGY9w/s1600/T2C+Wing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFZUG2LdGhT1St1t_8jAngjyxVnK8x9cnxnUOkfPjwub5fATIzb2WK5TnaLa9BjtZVLtrBM_9efjdrYwGoiuuf3EOh3nwiov_Wn5YK1cOoobH2LoFAXnFl6NW_z0jM6k9K_5whMIGY9w/s1600/T2C+Wing.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Random in-flight shot as I messed with the camera!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Top landing at Combe is not that straight forward. It involves crabbing up the hill from the East and then turning in to wind for touch down. Overshoots are not uncommon, so I made sure that I started my approach early from the road, crabbing along the track up to launch and finally turning in to wind to make a perfect landing. Job done. First flight of the year successfully completed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EX0NRvArQtEKXl319UAUrG4KQGlVNA97REDqmBRho767t30dtcgpKRYSsAJzZkMDkSghKk35a3pY9t1_YbGmMm8XrZ7b-HHuwaMgCsNCCN-9k9TeQikWY-YjihGkus-5OF_ZShDNqcA/s1600/Post+flight+smile!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EX0NRvArQtEKXl319UAUrG4KQGlVNA97REDqmBRho767t30dtcgpKRYSsAJzZkMDkSghKk35a3pY9t1_YbGmMm8XrZ7b-HHuwaMgCsNCCN-9k9TeQikWY-YjihGkus-5OF_ZShDNqcA/s1600/Post+flight+smile!.jpg" height="196" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Soon the skies were empty, with most pilots trapped on the ground, while a few had managed to stay high and left the hill. As the skies became more murky, a few hail stones started falling. Nev would be on the ground. Or so we thought. As Craig Dolwin patiently waited for conditions to improve, I suddenly spotted Nev gliding in quite low from the West. As he flew over the Gibbet I expected him to carry on East then turn 180 to the left to crab up the track. But Nev had other ideas. With a sharp, banked, sinking turn to the right he disappeared downwind behind the parked cars, now covering the ground at high speed Expecting to see a cart wheeling glider, I ran up to the field, and over the track to see a rather cool looking Nev nonchalantly taking off his helmet and messing around with his instruments... A bit too cool, methinks. I expect a change of underwear might have been needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think that was the last flying of the day. The wind had dropped right off. Maybe Craig, Miles and Malcolm hung on but I decided to pack up and get an early finish to the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My 60km triangle turned in to a 11.2km epic, but which scored 28km! Nev and the few PGs made it up to Membury then over to Devizes before heading back. Oh well, I've got some points on the board, and all good practice for "the big one".</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flycloud9.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9nJI34wV1s-OrAwQwe07UVWUTbewEx3yF1sXaD1gdv331bVnSl2D0EKO8zDQQJctkCiRrIfCYSdCSuhR2G2Y1c2RbHVg2bMnYHKG9EaThSrAV8hA9dR6no2YePkI9WJ0mzhO8PBpJk/s1600/cloud9.jpg" height="145" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-57465601669613667262014-08-27T01:57:00.002-07:002014-08-27T08:18:26.561-07:00Day 7 British / French HG Nationals (Chabre Open), Laragne, France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The final day of the competition. With only 2 tasks flown out of a possible 6 so far, the pressure was on to get a third and final task in on day 7. British HG Meethead Nick has earnt a lot of respect from within the British hang gliding community for maximising every opportunity to deliver challenging but achievable tasks against the odds. Supported by our French counterparts, Rebekah Sherwin, and other members of the competition organisation, the pressure was on to deliver. And so we were sent on our merry way back South to St Andre....</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flystandre.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXiMX-rCEV9GjlB5SDIIsVwrIgsAkX4uv1hUn4ZkxTo7rwXgTs3tguAY4zkJlWExM12pksg6IHZJv7qMDcYm4iUAJhqwx6MjzAlxNaj7RFAzdz_b0R07Qln4b5m4NOBulqt205LSAn10/s1600/Fly+St+Andre+banner.jpg" height="102" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was definitely very noticeable that there was a signficant reduction in pilots for the last day. I cant remember exactly but the scores will show the true picture. St Andre has a reputation for being "gnarly" (ie very rough thermals that can be very difficult to fly safely) and limited landing options, I have only had a couple of recreational flights there, once on my hangie years ago, and also riding tandem on a PG with British local Mark Taggart who runs "Fly St Andre", holiday accommodation and leisure site situated just on the East side of St Andre, and is rightly known as </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"A Little Piece of Heaven". If you are planning to fly or play in the area its worth checking out by clicking the banner.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gordon Rigg plotting the course<br />with Task Committee</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once up at Le Chalvet take off, there was a bit more room to jostle for a good rigging spot that would also allow a pilot to manoeuvre to a take off position quickly. I managed to squeeze in just behind the early birds so that when the main launch window was open I could get off the hill early. The task committee, under the guidance of Nick Pain, set to work to maximise the days flying from the conditions. deciding evetnually on a race to goal of 89km via a number of turn points across the mountain ranges and valleys, passing close to Digne and eventually landing near Oraison. The sky was looking promising and with some free flyers already starting to climb out it had the making of a good day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Very soon the Early Bird pilots were launching in their window of thirty minutes before main launch. As soon as the main window opened I was one of the first in the launch lane and with the helping hand of the brilliant marshalls, I was guided to the front of the hill where the wind was slightly off to the north and gusty but I made a clean launch in to some good bouyant air and had time to explore the full length of the ridge, eventually coming back down to the south side of take off to where gliders were in established climbs to cloudbase.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the sky filled with gliders quite a few of us who had launched earl;y had a good amount of time to enjoy the spectacular scenery while we waited for the first start gate.I could easily see the Fly St Andre base just by the side of the Lac De Castillan (the white building just above the dog leg where the river turns in to the lake)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the start gate approached, I found myself, along with nearly all the other pilots, up at cloudbase, hanging around on the edge of the start cylinder ready for the off. I have never seen so many gliders all congregating in one place like this, and it took a great del of concentration to keep tabs on where everyone was, especially as some were just creeping in to the edge of the clouds as they pulled away from the "cloud suck" that can take you fully in to cloud. Not a sensible idea when there are lots of gliders flying very close by!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The start glide</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then the start was on. I glided out with the lead gaggle, staying slightly behind as I had no local knowledge of St Andre flying and didnt want to make any unnecessary mistakes. The top pilots were gunning on towards the first turn point, starting to leave some of us in their wake. After a quick top up in a strong core, I took a route over the valley to the edge of the cylinder of the turn point, with a view that there was a ridge beyond that could provide a climb en route to the next turn point, but having got lower than expected I glided back to the ridge where I had seen gliders climbing. After a bit of searching I banked hard in to a strong climb accompanied by what a large bird of prey. (If any knows what it is from the picture let me know). It was absolutely exhilarating flying wing tip to wing tip with this magnificent creature.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7yC-I1VDy5s6u07RqN-ePHacBweDClOwW74ejzrruigBwMsy8-gw6nD48i-vhcQwaacARYuEp3vIC6W7JYyM4a9A0ZNgREnu6bUulLQMXxqZ255sTCnTpWaLZYovJ69AMolOmg8PfXU/s1600/A+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7yC-I1VDy5s6u07RqN-ePHacBweDClOwW74ejzrruigBwMsy8-gw6nD48i-vhcQwaacARYuEp3vIC6W7JYyM4a9A0ZNgREnu6bUulLQMXxqZ255sTCnTpWaLZYovJ69AMolOmg8PfXU/s1600/A+bird.jpg" height="324" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coring up with a bird of prey</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bagging the turnpoint and gliding on, I was soon scrabbling around close to a rocky escarpment accompanied amongst others by Darren Brown and Gordon Rigg - at one point I thought Darren was about to land on the rock face as his shadow almost seemed to meet his glider... Eventually we did all climb out, but not before I had started looking down the valleys for safe fields to glide to, just in case.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There can come a point in a flight where if you make one wrong decision it escalates</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> then in to trying to make the best of a bad job. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now considering pressing on directly for the second turn point, I could see a glider low down on the face of the ridge, struggling to get up. I couldnt see if there were any landing fields so instead of opting for a direct line I fell back on to the ridge, hoping to soar along. But as I approached the ridge two gliders ahead of me had not found a climb, and were now being forced to go lee-side through a saddle back gap on the mountain. I tried for a few minutes to get enough height to push on with my plan, but eventually got drawn round to lee-side, hoping to be able to benefit from watching what the other gliders did. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpbfdc3MDV0lIMSsPvOH_F7Fn_evQxrxQ2W9Uz6qCVPTlXyCG1v0Fs7jzaQQcWmr2Y8uGrQLuEYhE1FVMJXg8H8g3ylL8EuIB7p8VaF-tHsh05SllR3gqli7qOEiXfCp0Pk1JWLGU0jk/s1600/A+landing+meadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpbfdc3MDV0lIMSsPvOH_F7Fn_evQxrxQ2W9Uz6qCVPTlXyCG1v0Fs7jzaQQcWmr2Y8uGrQLuEYhE1FVMJXg8H8g3ylL8EuIB7p8VaF-tHsh05SllR3gqli7qOEiXfCp0Pk1JWLGU0jk/s1600/A+landing+meadow.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With full visibility now down this valley, there we several rocky escarpments that could have triggered thermals, but if not, there was only one possible place to land, an up-slope meadow surrounded by trees, so all decision making on where to search for lift had to bear that in mind. First one, then two, gliders were forced on to land, followed by several others. The air was starting to bubble as I desperately searched for the low save, making an approach towards the field over rocks bathing in sunshine. But no, I was soon turning in to wind for a landing. At was at this point that I realised that I had not shifted my harness slider to the "land" position, making it quite difficult to go up on to the uprights. As I made my final turn I was still grabbing for the right upright, meaning that my turn was a lot flatter than expected. Just in the nick of time I grabbed the upright to s</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">harpen the turn as I chased a few squirrels out of the trees surrounding the field.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ub2bHj3flgcXfzT5mRN2lWSuEnv91HuNuTYVOuovzARuELcvO6_jvXBbT4ur_76KmclTJAJBEdbab2qtfo05rhjeeJtX9rDlUqVRUtIH8nkiZXJLXiJLEI3XeefnL0gV9ZM2yA1JJdo/s1600/A+landed+gliders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ub2bHj3flgcXfzT5mRN2lWSuEnv91HuNuTYVOuovzARuELcvO6_jvXBbT4ur_76KmclTJAJBEdbab2qtfo05rhjeeJtX9rDlUqVRUtIH8nkiZXJLXiJLEI3XeefnL0gV9ZM2yA1JJdo/s1600/A+landed+gliders.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Glen McFarlane asleep with his derigged wing,<br />with the sunny rock face that didnt deliver in the background</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caroline Greiser - up and coming German star?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was very disappointed to be down. I could see my mistake of having not gone directly to the turnpoint, and the sky was looking fantastic, including a small cloud starting to form just where I had need to find lift. As I joined the other pilots I was surprised to Glen McFarlane derigging his glider. Oh well, if I can make the same mistake as the Aussie champ, perhaps I'm not doing too bad. Also down in the field was German female pilot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caroline Greiser who is doing extrmeley well after only a short spell in competitions - perhaps a name to be looking out for in the future?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Having texted the organisers and Geoff Sykes, we had to wait about an hour for first the retrieve bus and then for Geoff to arrive. He was amazed that we had found somewhere safe to land, something which became apparent when we drove back down to Digne. The road was surrounded by steep, rocky, tree lined cliffs - not a landing site in place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We stopped in Digne for a quiock drink, waiting for news of Richard. As the land-by time came and went, and the sky looked like it had stopped working, both Geoff and I became a little concerned. But then, the text came through "GOAL!". A fantastic effort by Rich on the last day. When we went to the goal field he was grinning from ear to ear! I'm sure I had a piccie :-(</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So a dash back to Laragne for the Closing and Award Ceremony. Once again the French laid on a great evening with a fun atmosphere, a band playing, including the National Anthems when the winners were announced - as our British Champion Grant Crossingham said "I felt like a racing driver, but without the money!!"</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> There a lots of pictures from others on Facebook and via </span><a href="http://asm1.co.uk/Sports/Hang-Gliding-Paragliding/British-Nationals-Laragne-2014/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Alan Moffat Photography</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> so check those out too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Brits were pipped to the post by the French, and it was a shame we only had three task-able days out of seven, but it was a good, well organised, fun, sociable competition. A big thanks to ALL the organisers for a great event.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bhgcresults.wikidot.com/2014-nationals:results" target="_blank">Full results here</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-53654048970825366662014-08-25T01:53:00.000-07:002014-08-27T08:27:15.174-07:00Day 6 British / French HG Nationals (Chabre Open), Laragne, France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To fly or not to fly, that is the question...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today was always going to be a hard call for the competition organisers. The Mistral was still threatening to blow the day out but, maximising every opportunity to fly competition tasks, we were promptly dispatched after briefing to the Chabre North take off, with strict instructions from UK Meethead Nick Pain not to take our gliders off the cars, let alone rig. A further briefing was to be held on launch once the conditions had been assessed.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Windsock on take off <br />indicating a strong cross wind</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With the wind round to the North West and blowing fairly strong it was in the balance whether a task would be called - launching in gutsy conditions when the wind is "off" the hill can lead to disastrous consequences. The streamers at take off point 1 were blowing in different directions to the main windsock that was frequently indicating either a 90 degree crosswind or indeed a tail wind. Timing a take off was going to be critical, and getting 120 pilots off the hill safely was becoming questionable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the vast majority of the top 30 pilots electing to rig and launch at take off 3, the most eastern launch area favoured by the vast majority of HG and PG pilots, there was a scurry of activity when Nick Pain gave the go-ahead to rig. I had gone for take off -1 which , even though was deemed to be more problematic, I thought would be all right if given the time to chose a launch window. Having seized the opportunity to take one of the six "early bird" slots (allowed to take off up to thirty minutes before the main group of competitors) I felt confident that I could time my launch appropriately.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A task was set - first to Col St Jean to the West then back over the valley to a couple of way-points to the East with goal in the South. But as luck would have it, take off 1 was closed on safety grounds due to the erratic nature and strength of the wind. With my early bird ticket I was allowed to push to the front of the queue at take off 2, managing to manoeuvre my glider across the spine back ridge with the help of our trusty local ex-pat flying guru/driver Geoff Sykes. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While the rumblings of "this is crazy" and "I refuse to marshal the take-offs when its this dangerous" became more noticeable, Nick Pain(UK Meethead) tried to find various creative solutions to get a task in, including sending up six volunteers to test the launch and conditions, armed with the task IF the wind dummy pilots thought it safe. Unorthodox, but a valiant effort to get everyone flying. I volunteered. Get the timing right and there should be no problem.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3rd briefing of the day...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A blast of the air-horn. Another briefing. Bad news, the task was cancelled on safety grounds. A ripple of applause greeted the announcement. Not deterred by this, I was keen to have a fly. I recall certain non-French marshals reminding me that "its only a sport", "Its just for fun" and "think of your boys..." as I made my way to launch. Once at the top of the ramp. it became abundantly clear how turbulent the air was but several French pilots were already flying, apparently with the aim of flying the task. Quickly decking the base bar as first the right and then left wing lifted violently, I was soon being helped by two wing wiremen and a noseman. Jena Louis Fuglia (French Meet Director) jumped in to take the nose as I tested the air several times by shouldering the glider as if to launch, but each time quickly either dropping the base bar to the floor or relying on my helpers to keep the glider straight and level. Suddenly everything was pointing in the right direction - windsock and streamers were all blowing up the hill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With reassuring confirmation from Jean Louis that it was good, I committed to take off and was soon climbing out in very rough air in front of launch. Listening to the French radio channel I could hear them making their way to Col St Jean and then pushing out over the valley to Gash before attempting to glide upwind back to the Laragne Monteglin goal field.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I decided to try and push up north towards Serres, before heading back down south to goal. The strong head wind meant that it was a big challenge to push upwind, with heavy sink making the going very tough. A couple of sail planes were also enjoying the gnarly conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having got a part way to Serres I decided to head back for the campsite. It was apparent with the speed with which I was covering the ground that the wind speed was indeed very high, confirmed by the radio messages from the French that the wind in the goal field was extrmely strong and gusty. As I made my final approach a whole gaggle of gliders were racing in, using the whole length of the field to stay away from the rotor inducing trees and buildings by the campsite office. I was un-ceremoniously dumped from ten feet to make a not so perfect landing, but got away with it. The Brit retrieve crews were running about the field helping pilots control their gliders as they struggled to the derigging area - thank you to Babs and Charlie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So another day not taskable, but a fun days flying.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-86618441917518346902014-08-14T10:07:00.000-07:002014-08-14T10:38:20.571-07:00Day 5 British / French HG Nationals (Chabre Open), Laragne, France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day canned. The Mistral wind is blowing a hoony through the area, effectively grounding all hang gliding and paragliding. The only gliders able to play in the strong winds are the full scale sailplanes. Perhaps that's why quite a few hang glider pilots end up switching over, when they can afford to...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As like every morning though, the comp organisers had their team of sandwich makers working hard to provide the packed lunches for the pilots. A sterling effort by all. Thank you to everyone involved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, another day to find some amusement. After yesterdays five hour mountain trek, a more sedantory day was on the cards. The Laragne market was on today, a great place to wander around and see local fresh produce. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Quite a few pilots and their families were out buying olive oil, paprika, fruit... It made for a very colourful scene.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a leisurely morning, a party of French and Britsh pilots headed off to the lake where Laurent Thevenot had discovered the "Blob Jump" - you know, when someone jumps on to a huge inflatable bag to launch someone sitting on the end in to the air and in to the lake. All harmless good fun. That is until you have the catastrophic mix of Ollie Chitty, Luke Nichol and Laurent working together to create a record breaking jump... As Laurent and Luke jumped from the top platform to launch Ollie, Luke's knees slammed in to Laurent's nose as he hit the bag. Its not much fun pushing a broken nose back in to place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, time for a pizza and a glass of wine before an early night. If the Mistral continues to blow through, then tomorrow I may well pack up and head up north to Annecy to at least get fly on my way home. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-2290286504912384772014-08-14T03:42:00.003-07:002014-08-14T04:00:03.531-07:00Day 4 British /French HG Nationals (Chabre Open), Laragne, France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">After a rather bizarre start to the day with a dog trying to serve us coffee in a local cafe, we arrived at HQ just before 9.30am to find Brian the Scorer, Nick the Meethead and Rebekah the Weather, all huddled together under an umbrella. A pretty clear sign that there was a strong likelihood that the day was going to be canned. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Brian, Nick and Rebekah</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2xQZWzj3_kcn0G2G_DJS2yh1FInBzVz4idwQgP0CZ7C_1msfYogqUBM7cmrUj9gOd9fKj-pgx2BknyKAsWMTgLY9Kaquk9Ju9smVNpNPnD0sHpdEwkXu5hgyh3ccEIw8AKxrDA67958/s1600/A+Rebekah+weather+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2xQZWzj3_kcn0G2G_DJS2yh1FInBzVz4idwQgP0CZ7C_1msfYogqUBM7cmrUj9gOd9fKj-pgx2BknyKAsWMTgLY9Kaquk9Ju9smVNpNPnD0sHpdEwkXu5hgyh3ccEIw8AKxrDA67958/s1600/A+Rebekah+weather+map.jpg" height="293" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At briefing, Rebekah gave us a rather pessimistic view on not only todays weather, but the next few days, As soon as the day was canned, contingency plans were already being made amongst huddles of pilots: cycling, swimming in the lakes or the gorge, diving, mountain walking, shopping in Sisteron.... Luckily, there is a lot to do around here on non-flyable days. One thing is for certain though, there is a French group of friends who will always find something radical or different to do, and I found out later today was no exception.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhircS2yWEtnZoa4yhe15Z6pE0MORZtvZ5R_4p_k5A8dhJaAP7V94U9Njvg8k4u3vfhX7_-JWLN03Gc6gHvP1_npe_3NbGgIPfeIAN6YkQXejQkFwikYo5CSk54gbwtl5FQWCdmyMYHIHA/s1600/A+mountain+in+cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhircS2yWEtnZoa4yhe15Z6pE0MORZtvZ5R_4p_k5A8dhJaAP7V94U9Njvg8k4u3vfhX7_-JWLN03Gc6gHvP1_npe_3NbGgIPfeIAN6YkQXejQkFwikYo5CSk54gbwtl5FQWCdmyMYHIHA/s1600/A+mountain+in+cloud.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I, on the other hand, opted for the rather more "sedantry"pursuit of mountain walking. Teaming up with my travelling companion Richard Hunt and a few other pilots including "H" from the Netherlands. During the drive along to St Genis, North of Laragne, we could clearly see the clouds hugging the mountain tops, but the sun was starting to heat things up nicely. After a brief drive to the foot of the volcano, we parked up near an ancient church and started walking....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Richard (left) and "H" (centre) with our walking crew</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And did we walk! Some two and a half hours later we reached the "Col de Lazer", a south facing peak on the range with amazing views across to Laragne and Sisteron. We were all admitting to some tightening of the muscles after th continual climb and</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chabre from Col de Lazer</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vista south east from Col de Lazer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a brief snack and water stop, it was a quick step march to get back down the mountain again. Tonight was going to be the Championship party night at the "Salon des Fetes" - we all wanted the chance to rest our weary limbs before a night of fine food, wine and dancing. Returning back to the campsite I bumped in to Lou Belin and Laurent Thevenot (of the previously mentioned French group) - they had managed to find a lake that had one of those large bouncy balls that someone sits on, and then two people jump on to catapult them in to the air for a big fall in to the lake. Such a "joie de vivre"! I know where I will be headed on the next non-flying day...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7Chy9G-CSnTVc505sWjKhQavtYg6mS09RNw_-dLHbT-zbRtbsgXIWBkvp47W4PPvXELp2YuENw2C4eEEci6vOCbRU7FhURXdmE9h-aKnjVyAaTVPLG4OnsJ_i8ir5aMjpOsKBG7Ut-k/s1600/A+noisy+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7Chy9G-CSnTVc505sWjKhQavtYg6mS09RNw_-dLHbT-zbRtbsgXIWBkvp47W4PPvXELp2YuENw2C4eEEci6vOCbRU7FhURXdmE9h-aKnjVyAaTVPLG4OnsJ_i8ir5aMjpOsKBG7Ut-k/s1600/A+noisy+table.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The evening did not disappoint. The French organisers had sourced a fantastic band called "Wanted Soul" who managed to get more pilots up and dancing than I have seen before - no mean feat when the average age is rather older than we would like to admit. In amongst renditions of old favourites from the likes of James Brown, Stevie Wonder and The Commitments, food </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">for the gathering of nearly two hundred people (that had been </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">prepared and cooked by volunteers) was served up. Music. Food. Music. Food. Music. Food... accompanied by free flowing wine. A fantastic effort by the local community. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The food, wine, company, ambience and music was superb. Thank you Laragne for embracing the flying community and for putting on such a great night. I think some pilots will be grateful if its not flyable tomorrow!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wanted Soul" in full swing</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-55569548439336197902014-08-12T11:31:00.002-07:002014-08-12T11:42:43.598-07:00Day 3 British/French Hang Gliding Nationals (Chabre Open), Laragne, France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunrise at Camping Laragne Monteglin</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A beautiful start to the day. The light here is fantastic, with the mountains glowing bronze in the early morning sunlight. The windsock in the landing field was already blowing horizontally, reinforcing the previous evenings rumours of strong winds threatening the days flying. With the possibility of a trip to St Andre, some two hours drive to the south, an early briefing was called at 8.30am to allow for the extra travel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">St Andre was chosen as the site to give us the best chance to have a task. Arriving at around 11am the area around take off was soon choc-a-bloc with gliders taking up every bit of rigging space. With the wind off to the NW we were going to have to play a waiting game for the sun to come round on to the face of the West facing launch, hopefully drawing the wind up the face for a safe take off. Several paragliders were parked in to wind, as Brit Meethead Nick Pain worked with the safety and task committee to decide the days plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the PG pilots flying was Mark Taggart who runs "A LIttle of Piece of Paradise", a gite and holiday accommodation specifically geared up, but ont exclusively, for free flyers. Its a great pace to stay. <a href="http://www.flystandre.com/">www.flystandre.com</a></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jean Luis Foglia (French Meet Director)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jean Louis Foglia, the French Meet Director, was busy gathering as much information as possible to help the decision making process. Its a difficult call, especially as so much is at risk if the wrong decision is made. The level of responsibility that free flying competition organisers have is immense, and they don't do it for the money... And apart from a few expected communication issues, the joint comp between the French and the British is working very well.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lenticularis (wave clouds) forming over the mountains</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As wave clouds started forming to the East of St Andre, it was becoming more evident that there was a strong possibility that the day would be canned. With strong winds over the mountains, flying canbeco me very dangerous both near to the ground and high in the air, as the wind speed and direction can change dramatically, causing a glider to either crash on landing or even tumble in the air. Not events that a pilot tends to walk away from. Many a discussion could be heard amongst the grounded pilots on whether it was safe to fly or not.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A bug waits on my sail...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Glen McFarlane (Aussie Champion) waiting at launch </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nick Pain cancels the day</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At 1.30pm the safety committee finally put a stop to the days flying, having had reports from a non-competing pilot who had launched that the conditions were incredibly difficult, with rough broken thermals and an incredible choppy landing. A ripple of applause greeted the announcement - no-one want to feel compeled to fly when they think it is too dangerous. Good call. Right , time to pack up and drive the two hours back to Laragne, and enjoy the glorious views en route. May be tomorrow will be a good day...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunflower field in the foothills</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-61173229842579760152014-08-11T15:40:00.002-07:002014-08-11T15:53:22.357-07:00Task 2 British/French Hang Gliding Nationals (Chabre Open), Laragne, France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The pitter-p</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">atter of rain woke me in the night, but by 7am we were greeted with the early morning sunshine bathing the area in glorious light. If the forecast strong westerly winds held off, we could be in for a good day.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Circus arrives at Aspres</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a short delay we were dispatched off to Aspres, a West facing mountain to the North of Laragne and another great flying site. By midday everyone was up at the top launch. At 1.30pm a task was set that would take us south towards Sisteron and then back north via couple fo turn points before goal at Laragne.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mountain top briefing</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5LpbfzzGLkghb0KxbSQH5MfPud3ySJlFhSylvnOkeg7tMBh_o8ryytN6TzUxzR0qxgIaskMVbGDaGOTMs9XczdycQNozPtAkRmEowEZpy52TsnMU4VpU11wRj6D5SOht1gsR_8Z6Ktw/s1600/A+Ben+at+TO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5LpbfzzGLkghb0KxbSQH5MfPud3ySJlFhSylvnOkeg7tMBh_o8ryytN6TzUxzR0qxgIaskMVbGDaGOTMs9XczdycQNozPtAkRmEowEZpy52TsnMU4VpU11wRj6D5SOht1gsR_8Z6Ktw/s1600/A+Ben+at+TO.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rigged and ready to go</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSijKQpbuj0uPhTdkjNvUfFPxhIodqN0Hyw0dF0iJBLoeFRib-Zbx-mFCw8XmKa52BISDfyQPbmA-xla48FzlCQ0SvnJgvy9pTI9m1RBo6diPo59jf9CghNfmPZS6FRVOXk28WYMQVnY/s1600/A+Aspres+crowded+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSijKQpbuj0uPhTdkjNvUfFPxhIodqN0Hyw0dF0iJBLoeFRib-Zbx-mFCw8XmKa52BISDfyQPbmA-xla48FzlCQ0SvnJgvy9pTI9m1RBo6diPo59jf9CghNfmPZS6FRVOXk28WYMQVnY/s1600/A+Aspres+crowded+2.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Launching soon after the window opened, the sky was soon filled with over one hundred gliders fighting for lift. As soon as one glider is seen to be going up well, then like a swarm of bees around a honey pot, the rest of the gaggle of pilots will race to the same area, trying to catch the same thermal that has hoisted a competitor towards the clouds.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Climbing out from Aspres</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At cloudbase 7200'</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYEBKjz1XXe3s69RtOO_zUahY9PjAW_2yf_8oobhsI2r5LSla1aa34ovG07j8WTlftNVYxTXzPNZNTqMFblf6VPdt34A_BwD3_ZsFNy_T1ejG6thSCTUpyNRr-1XTLDfjsVqxUlJl2pA/s1600/A+arrival+at+second+ridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYEBKjz1XXe3s69RtOO_zUahY9PjAW_2yf_8oobhsI2r5LSla1aa34ovG07j8WTlftNVYxTXzPNZNTqMFblf6VPdt34A_BwD3_ZsFNy_T1ejG6thSCTUpyNRr-1XTLDfjsVqxUlJl2pA/s1600/A+arrival+at+second+ridge.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting high at launch I was in a good position to glide out towards the start cylinder. Gordon Rigg was just ahead with several gliders below. Watching the gliders around me I was adjusting my glide to try and keep in the best air and I managed to arrive at the next mountain above cliff height, while some pilots struggled low down to stay up. Working my way along the ridge I thought it was just a matter of time before I took another climb to cloud base. But no, with climbs breaking up at 5600', the next move to reach the first turn point was becoming more tricky.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNH86wVULtqvTX0saPUp038tqKNf8aJVHx-Pk1Nn9mFlemDXARekoOfo_AJ8xXJtaKXY3tr98MaBnmpZqLPSSG-CpYVYXQZzfmdn_uw2wdBHrFGSkdWw_zpEPX6BLiAQwi0STLZq_J_o/s1600/A+glider+on+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNH86wVULtqvTX0saPUp038tqKNf8aJVHx-Pk1Nn9mFlemDXARekoOfo_AJ8xXJtaKXY3tr98MaBnmpZqLPSSG-CpYVYXQZzfmdn_uw2wdBHrFGSkdWw_zpEPX6BLiAQwi0STLZq_J_o/s1600/A+glider+on+road.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Several fields at the foot of the mountain soon claimed more and more gliders. I pushed out towards the turn point, only to be drilled lower. Soon I was one of the many that landed after just a few kilometres. Frustrating, but at least I gave it my best shot, still working lift two hundred feet above the valley, but drifting downwind over inhospitable terrain. I made a good landing to join some of my fellow competitors. As I de-rigged a couple more pilots came in to land, one managing to overshoot the field to</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> land on the road.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a swift retrieve by our driver Jeff Sykes, a UK ex-pat who now lives near Laragne, we were soon back at HQ, just in time to see Grant Crossingham make a final glide to goal having completed the task. Even though many pilots landed well short of completing the task, several of the top guns did make it in, proving that the task was good and valid. What did I do wrong? That's the million dollar question...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh well, a good excuse to have a beer or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Results here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bhgcresults.wikidot.com/2014-nationals:results">http://bhgcresults.wikidot.com/2014-nationals:results</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9XhDsw2DUgDXcXWv83YNIi_USu4YmTzfMx6PignTKAncGn62apRIUwMMf1s0jsfiQRqb4sBQ0xbyKwdNTo5IlUaiw4oVPxv-4WAceRTf4g2TGQy5vlJ3brtN6hMZgxhoTSCgoNZRvQc/s1600/A+Aspres+crowded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9XhDsw2DUgDXcXWv83YNIi_USu4YmTzfMx6PignTKAncGn62apRIUwMMf1s0jsfiQRqb4sBQ0xbyKwdNTo5IlUaiw4oVPxv-4WAceRTf4g2TGQy5vlJ3brtN6hMZgxhoTSCgoNZRvQc/s1600/A+Aspres+crowded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9XhDsw2DUgDXcXWv83YNIi_USu4YmTzfMx6PignTKAncGn62apRIUwMMf1s0jsfiQRqb4sBQ0xbyKwdNTo5IlUaiw4oVPxv-4WAceRTf4g2TGQy5vlJ3brtN6hMZgxhoTSCgoNZRvQc/s1600/A+Aspres+crowded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9XhDsw2DUgDXcXWv83YNIi_USu4YmTzfMx6PignTKAncGn62apRIUwMMf1s0jsfiQRqb4sBQ0xbyKwdNTo5IlUaiw4oVPxv-4WAceRTf4g2TGQy5vlJ3brtN6hMZgxhoTSCgoNZRvQc/s1600/A+Aspres+crowded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9XhDsw2DUgDXcXWv83YNIi_USu4YmTzfMx6PignTKAncGn62apRIUwMMf1s0jsfiQRqb4sBQ0xbyKwdNTo5IlUaiw4oVPxv-4WAceRTf4g2TGQy5vlJ3brtN6hMZgxhoTSCgoNZRvQc/s1600/A+Aspres+crowded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9XhDsw2DUgDXcXWv83YNIi_USu4YmTzfMx6PignTKAncGn62apRIUwMMf1s0jsfiQRqb4sBQ0xbyKwdNTo5IlUaiw4oVPxv-4WAceRTf4g2TGQy5vlJ3brtN6hMZgxhoTSCgoNZRvQc/s1600/A+Aspres+crowded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-87057551544311864542014-08-11T14:22:00.003-07:002014-08-11T23:55:39.730-07:00Task 1 British/French Hang Gliding Nationals (Chabre Open), Laragne,
France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's something about a big hang gliding competition that is addictive. Well quite a few things about it are, now I come to think of it. A shared passion, sociable, an eclectic mix of people, stunning locations, a chance to meet up with old friends from around the world. I'm hooked.</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowBj5MQNI3og-iwpz-C4bCPLVomqVOykjdM_OCMTbEmeJR5h1bYF5Xrg4FiCaGBFny1iTwdtCB96CsP_KzKqC6AeVliUT8DiH121DTg47RP69O7VBT-auI2b9siOAdxdq7y1tdntZ1Fs/s1600/A+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowBj5MQNI3og-iwpz-C4bCPLVomqVOykjdM_OCMTbEmeJR5h1bYF5Xrg4FiCaGBFny1iTwdtCB96CsP_KzKqC6AeVliUT8DiH121DTg47RP69O7VBT-auI2b9siOAdxdq7y1tdntZ1Fs/s1600/A+map.jpg" height="202" width="400"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Every year the British Hang Gliding Competition panel organise the British Nationals, a competition held abroad in locations known to deliver great flying conditions both in terms of weather and terrain, and its where the British Champion is decided. So this year we are back at Laragne, just north of Sisteron and south west of Gap. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have a quick look at the official website (<a href="http://www.tourisme-laragne.fr/en">www.tourisme-laragne.fr/en</a>). Laragne is an unpretentious town, with friendly, warm locals and surrounded by amazing scenery. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's a free-flying mecca, a place where hang gliding and para gliding pilots come year after year to enjoy the mountains and wide safe valleys for landing. The town is in the shadow of "Le Chabre", a long mountain ridge that delivers some excellent flying and a launch place for long cross country flights to various mountain peaks around the huge valley.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year we have joined up with the Federation Francaise de Vol Libre to combine both t</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">he British and French National Competitions in to one big event. 120 pilots, many travelling with their families, all gathering in one place to enjoy a sport that they are so passionate about. Its a lifestyle, and once its in your blood....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, enough of that. Back to the flying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Task 1, Sunday 10th August.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A compulsory safety briefing was called for 9am at the town hall, the competition HQ. The main hall was packed out, reminiscent of a the World Championships where I had been Team GB Manager. Serious stuff, especially when a representative from the local electricity company gives a presentation on the dangers of "landing" in power lines. I don't think any of us had the intention of doing so.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafjnV4j0sFId1z8wvLB9Z46fyQbl_olMzjBUahZPjKaDEcPHQlz4n4wP3nTxtJBoQVckC1Lpw14Wc36UIN33EZVKUVykBl0MJ6WW4tNQXGlxS-41LikXHsKFnXiooJ4DCiPZ9QKTTcek/s1600/A+safety+briefing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafjnV4j0sFId1z8wvLB9Z46fyQbl_olMzjBUahZPjKaDEcPHQlz4n4wP3nTxtJBoQVckC1Lpw14Wc36UIN33EZVKUVykBl0MJ6WW4tNQXGlxS-41LikXHsKFnXiooJ4DCiPZ9QKTTcek/s1600/A+safety+briefing.jpg" height="342" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nick Pain, UK HG Meethead, at the safety briefing</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rebekah Sherwin, our weather guru, was greeted with the now mandatory "Good Morning Rebekah!" from the attentive pilots, all of whom have come to respect her immense meteorological knowledge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Shortly afterwards the "circus" made the long winding drive up to the Chabre take off, some 6000" above sea level. I quickly got my glider off the roof of the car and carried to a rigging spot next to the wooden take off ramp, just next to British Champion Grant Crossingham. An 89km task was called, carefully set to take in to account the strong southerly wind. which, if we were sent in to the wrong places, could cause some serious problems. A leg West for 20km, then back across take off to a point some 40km away, then a turn point just north of Laragne with the goal set at the usual Laragne Monteglin camp-site, with its huge landing field and beer on tap...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy days, before I realised my mistake...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I took off early, hoping to get high, and stay with the "top guns". And so I did. Until I realised I had not set one of my instruments up correctly (I blame the 16 hour drive from the day before). Having taken what I thought was the first start gate I had flown over 10km down the course, staying with a Moyes glider (not dissimilar to Gordon Riggs, one of the worlds best pilots) when I heard over the radio that pilots were just about to start the race on the first gate. Damn, I had jumped the gun, by a big margin. As I glided back to the start, a squadron of hang glider pilots were racing towards me. From thinking I was at the front, I was now definitely playing catch up. And that was how the day panned out, scrabbling to catch up , but realising that I had made a costly mistake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gliding along the ridge, I was amazed at how low some pilots were prepared to go before flying out towards the safe landings of the valleys. Having been caught out last year in Spain, but managing to crawl out of a "Death Valley" (ie no landings) I am not prepared to put myself in that position again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Crossing the valley toward the turn point in the East I had to fight to stay up, drifting in light thermals. As I crossed a wide gulley I could see a field full of gliders - well, perhaps being slower and just staying high might pay dividends. I wasn't going to be last! Taking the second turnpoint I was now flying in bouyant air, thnking that I might make the last turn point and goal. But no. After a drilling in turbulent winds I made a dash for a safe landing in large field near to the main road.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A View Junkie</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My day had been average, punished by a stupid mistake, coming in 37th on the day. But special mention has to go to the British up and coming hot shots, Ollie Chitty and Luke Nicol. Ollie, flying in Class 1 and on his first foreign flying trip, came in 9th, a truly remarkable performance. Luke Nicol (Class 5 rigid) won the day for his class, flying against some strong international competition. Well done lads. You are doing us proud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Full results here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bhgcresults.wikidot.com/2014-nationals:results">http://bhgcresults.wikidot.com/2014-nationals:results</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815955598320343808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791155028788543646.post-80743269351025812622014-05-22T01:33:00.004-07:002014-05-23T01:30:54.591-07:00The Man That Never Flies Anywhere And The 100 Mile Club<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday 18th May 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have been flying since the early eighties. That's nearly twenty years chasing clouds (taking in to account time out from the sport). Initially I didn't get involved with competition flying, but that didn't mean that the flying was any less adventurous or challenging. 15000' cloud bases and very long flights in South Africa, being the first to make a 75km task to goal in Hungary during a free flying practice week of "The League", exploring little known flying sites abroad, squeezing in to small landing fields on my Solar WIngs Scandal. I know I can fly, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">sometimes pretty well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So the start of my season this year has been what you might call a wee bit frustrating. Low XC scores, unorthodox landings and failed take offs, a near miss with a Paraglider. It had felt as though nothing was going right. And if beating myself up about it wasn't enough, there were rumblings that "Ben never flies anywhere...". Who needs enemies, and all that. The nice surprise this year though was winning the Royal Aero Club "Prince of Wales Cup" (awarded to Team GB for winning Bronze Medal at the 2013 World Championships) and receiving the award from HRH Duke of York at the very swanky RAF Club in Piccadilly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even though I had been sceptical about the forecast for last weekend, it had surprisingly been improving during the preceding days, much to the delight of Tim King who had been watching the forecast with great expectations of a good day. Saturday had delivered mediocre flying conditions for a days towing , but the start of Sunday was bright and breezy, the wind blowing strongly from the SSE. Well, at least the PGs would be grounded to give the HGs more room to find a climb (or so we thought). A few phone calls later and Tim had persuaded me to go to the best site for the day ("don't worry about the logistics") and agreed to meet at the Mere "Rifle Range" in South Wiltshire, just off the A303, while Rich Hunt and Andy Hollidge, driving down from Cambridgeshire, opted to go for my local site Milk Hill. Launching from Mere would buy Tim and I a further 30km, and we did try and persuade them to join us...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKbkgOzMeIekoXiQ6ASSP2dIMhnnfRaFxvwYeVDKMcwDy27ttaC141c0af8XNZIG__fxKk2KNVZh52s6QjSEcfbxwdZqUCFTfIM6twgudo0o-S-3W8AoyH1WNM13LncxI_6USLG9PX7s/s1600/RASP+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKbkgOzMeIekoXiQ6ASSP2dIMhnnfRaFxvwYeVDKMcwDy27ttaC141c0af8XNZIG__fxKk2KNVZh52s6QjSEcfbxwdZqUCFTfIM6twgudo0o-S-3W8AoyH1WNM13LncxI_6USLG9PX7s/s1600/RASP+v2.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">RASP Forecast showing good lift for Southern England</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was out the house by 8.15 for the hour long 70km drive to Mere. One of the first to arrive I walked to the front and immediately got that "butterfly" feeling of anticipation and excitement. The wind was spot on the hill and blowing 15-20mph. If the thermic activity kicked off and we could get away from the hill, then some serious distance could be covered. Soon more HG pilots arrived, and a good number of PG pilots. I rigged behind a mound in the field to protect the glider and by 11am was ready to fly, apart from deciding and declaring my route for the purposes of maximising scores in the<a href="http://www.uknxcl.co.uk/" target="_blank"> UKNXCL</a>. After a brief conversation with Tim as he rigged his rigid, and having asked Tim if I could get a lift back with him, I decided to follow his declared flight plan of 160km to a goal near Dudley on the West side of Birmingham, navigating past several airspace restrictions. I downloaded the coordinates to my main GPS and texted the declaration to Phil Chettleburgh (our Scorer) and returned to my glider for final preparation: Glider rigged - check. Main GPS - check. Back up SeeYou IGC flight recorder - check. KOBO rolling airspace map (also a second back up flight recorder) - check. Radio - check. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Right, good to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At around 12pm I launched in to a lovely fresh breeze with the signs of nice cumulus starting to form. Very quickly I stumbled in to a good climb which took me immediately to over 2000'. As I drifted quickly over the back, Grant gave me the heads up over the radio that more cloud was forming up wind so, wanting to wait for Tim to launch, I pushed forward of the ridge again, something which almost cost me the day. For the next hour I was part of a gaggle of rigid and flex wing hang gliders and paragliders thrashing about at ridge height, trying to core lumpy gnarly thermals. One rigid went to the bottom while a couple of other hang gliders landed as soon as they could. A yellow canopy paraglider pilot flew in company with me as we got thrown about on the West side of the ridge. Having to focus hard on keeping the gliders pointed where we wanted to, I could not believe my eyes when a light blue and white canopy below us started doing acrobatic manoeuvres right in front of take off while we were all struggling to safely stay in the air. This selfish act basically took away 50% off the usable flying space, making the East side of the bowl even more crowded as we all opted to stay away from the dangerous antics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Shortly afterwards Tim started to climb slowly from the hill, drifting low over the back but hanging on to the thermal he had cored. I missed the boat, and caught glances of him getting further away as I battled to stay up. His dulcet tones came over the radio: "Hurry up Ben. You can bring the sandwiches..." For a further hour I fought to find a climb out and was eventually rewarded with a solid 3 up which I knew I was going to take over the back. I was very relieved to be leaving the turbulent mess of the Mere bowl behind. I decided to stay as long as I could with this first climb. With the wind blowing at times over 30kmh the drift underneath my forming cloud would quickly take me away from the hill. As I reached cloudbase for the first of many times, I began to relax, taking in the beautiful sight of Longleat House and Safari Park (and yes, I flew over it high as I didn't fancy being lion dinner), and the views to the East of the Westbury White Horse and the Bratton Camp ridge.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drifting on the edge of a cloud<br />waiting for things to develop</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A glide in to the blue</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A big blue hole appeared downwind towards Melksham and Trowbridge so I patiently drifted with my cloud until it started dissipating. As I took the glide out in to the blue, unable to reach an excellent looking sky much further downwind, a few whisps of cloud started forming East of my glide so I diverted towards them. Bingo. Back up to 4000'. And that was the pattern of the first 40km of the flight. Glide, climb, drift, glide climb, drift... With the Bath Gap approaching the Mini Kobo e-Reader runniung XCSoar really came in to its own. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The clarity with which you can read the map, your projected glide direction and glide angle is fantastic. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Always gliding to the NE I was on a perfect course to clear the East tip of the Gap and make it to the M4 and a turnpoint at Sutton that was set to help guide us through airspace. Strangely the Kobo kept dropping its GPS fix.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">probably due to my dodgy soldering but a quick reboot mid-flight seemed to do the trick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">North of the M4 and it was a great to fly over my old stomping ground of South Gloucestershire, even flying over the old family home near Minchinhampton, where the open common land created an inviting landing field to go for Sunday tea with Mum and Dad, and an easy retrieve back home. But, w</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ith the thought of Tim racing on ahead, and superb cloud streets forming both over the Severn Vale and the Cotswold Hills, there was only one thing to do: Push on. And fast.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51xf6z9cU_rLs07hzLGh9E3nBrxFNRq-FG8OailbGlhALhDzfi4X0QtUiOkwgw8wjsvU5j0BBciZSuhiYkO8I3Fk63AFPYZQMaF_OQDduCK85uhwxR4ndbGG56d-XJ0m2hAyJd2KRSd4/s1600/A+cloud+street+Stroud+Valleys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51xf6z9cU_rLs07hzLGh9E3nBrxFNRq-FG8OailbGlhALhDzfi4X0QtUiOkwgw8wjsvU5j0BBciZSuhiYkO8I3Fk63AFPYZQMaF_OQDduCK85uhwxR4ndbGG56d-XJ0m2hAyJd2KRSd4/s1600/A+cloud+street+Stroud+Valleys.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first cloud street of the day over the Cotswolds</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Suddenly my GPS stopped recording my track. First the Kobo and then this? I thought that carrying three flight recorders, and a back up mobile using the <a href="http://mycloudbase.com/tracker/" target="_blank">Tracker</a> app to send location updates via text and Livetrack24, would be enough to log the flight. But now I was getting concerned. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJliaQdoJ1y5XznWkt7YeoHWjoTTecdnckP-rKSPYfasNEnTcbzt6xuYUxweNgT2pUubLBC6fCMBIgZudIJ0VCR96ERTrAlJXs1AtXJXB_-5JmaR86-rzxKzoVIfEzvIG30W-NRd-pdMw/s1600/A+release+VG+over+Cheltenham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJliaQdoJ1y5XznWkt7YeoHWjoTTecdnckP-rKSPYfasNEnTcbzt6xuYUxweNgT2pUubLBC6fCMBIgZudIJ0VCR96ERTrAlJXs1AtXJXB_-5JmaR86-rzxKzoVIfEzvIG30W-NRd-pdMw/s1600/A+release+VG+over+Cheltenham.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finding lift low over Cheltenham</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(Race Course in the background) </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Fly the sky!" is a saying often quoted by Nev Almond, one of the UKs most experienced XC hounds. Well Sunday was a classic example of that. With Gloucester and Cheltenham now firmly in my sights I was choosing my route to get round Gloucester Airport based on the sky. I decided to glide to the East of the airspace, aiming to go over the middle of Cheltenham which had a nice looking cloud over it. As I pushed on through heavy sink, I approached Cheltenham lower than I wanted to be,and began scouting out various large playing fields in the centre of town. Luckily my right wing started lifting, indicating that over to the right there could be lift. Now sizing up Cheltenham Race Course as a possible "bomb out" landing zone I turned right over the town and was rewarded with a 2 up climb which took me back to base at the start of a cloud street directly on track.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> With no airspace to worry about and about 70kms to go, I pulled on speed, and headed straight down the street. At times I was covering the ground at 120kmh. With an improving sky, i</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">t was at this moment that I realised that maybe, just maybe, I was going to make goal. I was getting tired after four and a half hours in the air, but a quick calculation reassured me that at this speed I could be in goal easily within the hour. Virtually following the M5 past Tewkesbury, Worcester and the Malverns, Birmingham became visible to the North East. I was getting close to goal. I began to look at my "Glide Ratio to Goal". 30;1, 25:1, 23:1, 20:1 - it was coming down very quickly. I wanted 15:1 or less to think about a final glide in with a possible top up if necessary. 30kms to go and it was going to be one more climb and glide to get in. It was all happening very quickly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Climbing East of Kidderminster 15kms out I decided to go for goal. Ahead I could see the town of Stourbridge and my final destination of Wombourne beyond. I knew from the angle at which I was approaching, that goal was in the bag. And then I looked up. Clouds were still well formed. I had a quick glance at the Kobo to appraise the onward journey...Voices in my head were telling my to carry on. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3O-cjvWs3yjP0pwrvpXVVowIy5wOFExzQ6dByfZlkSSdPTs1zw7t9fpSdODrvcGPhx8jIQf4xgazN5Bg8JoB1CTjEQOhqppqDU3z7sV3_NyIE62tGiumF0FDxyTjJLeEOqdpTg-F9Ps/s1600/A+final+approach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3O-cjvWs3yjP0pwrvpXVVowIy5wOFExzQ6dByfZlkSSdPTs1zw7t9fpSdODrvcGPhx8jIQf4xgazN5Bg8JoB1CTjEQOhqppqDU3z7sV3_NyIE62tGiumF0FDxyTjJLeEOqdpTg-F9Ps/s1600/A+final+approach.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Final approach in to Wombourne</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Luckily my brain switched in to common sense mode. One of the reasons to fly the same plan as Tim was to make sure I could get a lift back (in time for shooting a commercial in Wales on Monday). As I made the goal radius, I sized up a large open landing field on the south edge of town, near to the main road and a cricket match. Burning off the extra height, it was apparent that the wind was still very strong, but I made a perfect touchdown in the middle of the field away from any rotor inducing obstacles.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2D3uaxhyphenhyphenw5PGx1Nfk4knLsC7mUb3jLUxC9soaSkF4hmcvSA0XKc2GwPqbaJ6KTRe96VuZIHeo99GF1kTJ5z2yXRksnX2rxTvEwHyBD6hydSFPmt7Z4lhqAXaxL1CNA5M8VVK1E0Ls5s/s1600/A+thumbs+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2D3uaxhyphenhyphenw5PGx1Nfk4knLsC7mUb3jLUxC9soaSkF4hmcvSA0XKc2GwPqbaJ6KTRe96VuZIHeo99GF1kTJ5z2yXRksnX2rxTvEwHyBD6hydSFPmt7Z4lhqAXaxL1CNA5M8VVK1E0Ls5s/s1600/A+thumbs+up.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">100 MILES!</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I quickly unclipped and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">phoned Tim to ask him if he was in goal:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Of course. And I am having a BBQ and a beer. Where are you?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"In goal" </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Silence. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"No! Really?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Yep, I've just landed at Wombourne by the cricket club".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Well done. We better come and find you..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When I went to check my back up track, my heart sank. The IGC recorder on the iPhone had not recorded the track. Trying not to</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> panic, I checked the Tracker App on the back up Android phone. S**t. No data sent. This could not be happening. There was only one last chance; my newly built Mini-KOBO/GPS unit running XCSoar is meant to record tracks, but as it was the first time that I had used the instrument on a scoring flight, I had never checked the files. The only way to check is to plug the unit in to a computer, which led to an agonising 36 hour delay before I could find out if my 100 mile "</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">declared goal" </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">flight could be verified.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTj3ed8jFokfjDzs8GQOmCGg7W3e8yBR9__zCdrf3RPGeEziVIYS9SmrjEId_rnd8_zeRYblkw7Rox2kTTb1_d_teTuEcC7heesU-zxKaz4M9w8wxRGu0AuTsr3fvmuhEod75G1ymnAyo/s1600/A+Dave+the+farmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTj3ed8jFokfjDzs8GQOmCGg7W3e8yBR9__zCdrf3RPGeEziVIYS9SmrjEId_rnd8_zeRYblkw7Rox2kTTb1_d_teTuEcC7heesU-zxKaz4M9w8wxRGu0AuTsr3fvmuhEod75G1ymnAyo/s1600/A+Dave+the+farmer.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dave the farmer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While de-rigging the local farmer and owner of the field kindly came over to check that I was OK. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When he asked where I had flown from, thinking that it would have been somewhere local, he was very surprised to hear that I had flown up from South Wiltshire. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Because I had concerns over my track log we exchanged contact details in case I needed a landing witness. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiImw0M8yauVipP3_ZsyoxWFl3SzIzwVy2Z5i1fI-EJugw7foj1lO_JJt50mgwekDAJnR7Z_UDF_-Q9v3OwQTDliwbKhT2jU7E7mPbUy6TtRq5v-fjqfmLhMXWsTxSuvRo1nD7-xGs40g/s1600/Raymond027A+(Read-Only).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiImw0M8yauVipP3_ZsyoxWFl3SzIzwVy2Z5i1fI-EJugw7foj1lO_JJt50mgwekDAJnR7Z_UDF_-Q9v3OwQTDliwbKhT2jU7E7mPbUy6TtRq5v-fjqfmLhMXWsTxSuvRo1nD7-xGs40g/s1600/Raymond027A+(Read-Only).jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Babs Raymond</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(C) Hampshire Chronicle</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I finished packing up the glider, Tim and his BBQ host Dave arrived and took me back to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the paddock near to where Tim had landed and where the BBQ was in full swing and the beer flowing. What a great way to celebrate the flight thanks to some generous Black Country hospitality! Perhaps we should set this as a BOS goal field? At around 8pm Tim's partner Babs arrived after driving the 100 miles AND having cycled 50 miles to the hill to pick the truck up... well, it was planned as training for the 400 mile </span><a href="http://www.bmycharity.com/BabsH4HBBBR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">"Help For Heroes - Big Battlefield Bike Ride"</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> charity cycle ride, but nonetheless respect is due.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEdTLiZA1gnvoxW0zy1nHTq231ffXrE7SpuJqD_sA8utqW6i18hoE6pX6NQzqgViR3R_CQgwaRNob17uC8v7ebJGRtFAnuo_QUHgJrtcgomAB2nQiMHXLB7lreax9Rk6rkkf2i0IJsaQ/s1600/A+BBQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEdTLiZA1gnvoxW0zy1nHTq231ffXrE7SpuJqD_sA8utqW6i18hoE6pX6NQzqgViR3R_CQgwaRNob17uC8v7ebJGRtFAnuo_QUHgJrtcgomAB2nQiMHXLB7lreax9Rk6rkkf2i0IJsaQ/s1600/A+BBQ.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tim with the Dudley BBQ Crew,</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Back home at midnight. Where's the cable for the Kobo? In the car. Where's the car? At launch. I set my alarm for 4am to give me time to cycle the 70kms to the hill, drive back, shower, download the track, and drive off to work. Unsurprisingly when the alarm did go off I quickly reconsidered the decision and went back to sleep!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Needless to say that I managed to meet my colleagues en route to Wales to shoot a test commercial for AT&T, our location conveniently being at the top of Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales. Again arriving home at midnight, I grabbed some sleep before jumping on the bike and cycling to the hill (I think the urgency to find out the outcome of the track saga helped me average 19.6mph over the two hour ride!) As soon as I had driven home and was through the door the Kobo was plugged in and with some "live" email support from Miles Hockcliffe (the Mini Kobo/GPS/XCSOar guru) I managed to download the tracks and immediately dispatched them to Phil for ratification.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX2rYiiZowYs2GjhyvW5SeoQAet0xIscAuf6nUixBZjj6ZCF8rb8igb-vOGJDlb9bkvK9zGdiaxof-3GcAa9oQ-SpRVE8MrPunGKN6oB5VAWd5cd8WkmXvdkb_hcj-bQsdfcTBkA_vZE/s1600/Google+Earth+Track+Ben+and+Tim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX2rYiiZowYs2GjhyvW5SeoQAet0xIscAuf6nUixBZjj6ZCF8rb8igb-vOGJDlb9bkvK9zGdiaxof-3GcAa9oQ-SpRVE8MrPunGKN6oB5VAWd5cd8WkmXvdkb_hcj-bQsdfcTBkA_vZE/s1600/Google+Earth+Track+Ben+and+Tim.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My track in purple, Tim's track in red</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Later that evening I received a brief Skype message "All good. Check UKNXCL". And there it was. Clear as day. 197.5 points. And who was it that said I don't fly anywhere? Well, stick that in your pipe and smoke it!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm04_UklQUcx5LBFs2lJyymP1yXLFTF0GeJBkdhP8Dis2641kyNqnNz85bSvenoand8BiMPKpMDGYj6fYhpg9CxDfSWgLBfwEVVmK5AIr4npzEHDGInynxE0Txw1nLtmgiB_e7M7Zti4/s1600/A+UKNXCL+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm04_UklQUcx5LBFs2lJyymP1yXLFTF0GeJBkdhP8Dis2641kyNqnNz85bSvenoand8BiMPKpMDGYj6fYhpg9CxDfSWgLBfwEVVmK5AIr4npzEHDGInynxE0Txw1nLtmgiB_e7M7Zti4/s1600/A+UKNXCL+v2.jpg" height="323" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">197.5 points (158.13km x 1.25 multiplier)</span></td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanks again to Babs for the retrieve, to Phil the scorer for working on the tracks and to the Dudley Crew for their amazing hospitality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flycloud9.co.uk/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkPOI2JyMcxOyGoIgZcnN3rQT68Pvp0u3dH7pYvfj1-ideFytZaCD2iW1gmP3ZviDyd7DyCQOGS1d21HX4arCYRChnd6TKmOY9ZlCSiDJfok68HbPetV4SvZoLcbIsxd4K7f8xJ44ezY/s200/blogger-image-1553348037.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And of course, the flight would not have been possible without my trusty steed, my Wills Wing T2C 144, and the support of Cloud 9 Hang Gliding and Paragliding </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lets hope things keep improving...</span></div>
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