Monday 25th May 2015
The previous night at the BOS dinner, I had been handed a letter by the BHGC Secretary Rich Hunt: "Congratulations! 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.
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.
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.
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 Wills Wing Falcon Dual Hang Glider, Tom and Jack will be taking to the skies with me soon. Can't wait.
Alongside the dual flying, pilots were trying out each others wings. Graham Phipps from Cloud 9 Hang Gliding and Paragliding was there with the demo Wills WIng T2C - a superb, sweet handling competition wing. As one of the few remaining hang gliding schools in the UK, Cloud 9 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.
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!!
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....
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.
The previous night at the BOS dinner, I had been handed a letter by the BHGC Secretary Rich Hunt: "Congratulations! 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.
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.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 Wills Wing Falcon Dual Hang Glider, Tom and Jack will be taking to the skies with me soon. Can't wait.
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| The smiles say it all! Luke, Josh and Simon (c) Karen Skeggs |
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| Luke and Kerry on the RAF Wills Wing Falcon (c) Barbara Thompson |
Alongside the dual flying, pilots were trying out each others wings. Graham Phipps from Cloud 9 Hang Gliding and Paragliding was there with the demo Wills WIng T2C - a superb, sweet handling competition wing. As one of the few remaining hang gliding schools in the UK, Cloud 9 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.
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| Phippsy flying on the Wills Wing T2C above Wether Fell |
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!!
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| Justin and Phippsy |
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| Happy boy! |
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| Justin launches effortlessly on the Wills WIng T2C |
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| Reaching cloudbase and still going up |
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Gliders wave flying in the late afternoon sun  |
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