Eye in the Sky Sep 2006

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Report by Steve

Having just read Ali's comments about Mere only being a '2', I would say that flying at Barton was somewhere around 9 (out of ten, I presume?) today, Thursday. I arrived to find Brian M already in the air - and if I hadn't seen him I think I would have thought it was too strong.

But he seemed to be coping ok with it, so I thought I'd give it a go at launching, which I managed from the usual flat take off by the hole in the cliff. It was doing around 18-21mph and so the first go at getting the glider up resulted in it overflying and front tucking, but after that I pulled it up as slowly as possible and turned to face forward. Leaning forward and trying to move forward almost horizontally didn't work very well, so turned round again and found that deliberately staying facing downwind and leaning right back and walking backwards toward the cliff edge and not turning round until the last moment worked very well.

Anyhow, once in the air it was good and lifty, so went up very well, with no danger of going down at all. And it seemed ok as far as strength was concerned - no going backwards today unless you held on some brake - so it wasn't quite so strong up and out from the cliff.

A bit later, Martin H and Pete C arrived (Brian had phoned the site phone) and I got down and landed followed by Brian - it was picking up and hit around 26mph in the gusts. However, shortly after, it dropped again to around 20mph and Brian took off ok - the other two went down to the lower take off. I sat it out for a little while and then took off too and was soon flying with Martin. . . I pointed in Milford direction, but he indicated Highcliffe direction, so west it was and we both headed that way, following Brian and Pete.

In spite of the many years flying here, this was the first time I got across and past the Chewton Bunny into Dorset - touching down for ten yards or so on the way - took off again and continued west for about 1/4mile or so. Turned and headed east and kept on going east all the way down to Milford on Sea - got down right past the 'white building' (called Richmond Court, btw) to where the 'cliff' was only a few feet high - turned and flew all the way back to TO area. . .

So a personal best in both directions in one day. . . . I must admit, for a fun recreational glider, this Airwave Sport 3 is an excellent wing.

Take care, Steve ps Pictures of Brian, with IOW in background of one pic.

Report by Alastair Florence

I headed for Mere area after work today as it looked possibly flyable. No one present on Rifle Range and the wind felt sort of between Rifle range and Cowards Bowl next door. I opted for Cowards as I noticed a wing pop up there which turned out to be a Dave from Bristol. T'was still fairly strong but not out of the question. The direction was only just on and the air felt a bit rotored down the Southern Spur. Not that exciting really but I got a fly out of it anyway, plus its been a while since I was last at Cowards.

(might well be a while before I bother to go back again). A couple of guys tried flying at Rifle range soon after and didn't seem to get far so we probably had the best of a bad lot. The flights Barely scraping in with a 2 rating.

Tue 26 Sep 2006

Report by Roy Menage

After some morning shopping I set of for the flying sites. Thanks to Russell W's SitePhone message, I arrived at Ringstead around 1:00pm to see Russell on the cliffs and Mike D hanging about the t/o ridge. I quickly joined them to find the ridge air somewhat frisky but sufficient height to head for the cliffs easy to gain. I joined Russell and found height gains of well over 350ft ATO very easy to achieve (and up to 420 with patience).

Throughout the afternoon, various others (including Gaz M, John Stuck,.

Pete C, Ian McGowan (red ribbon - wisely stayed on the ridge), Martin Heywood, Phil Venn, Alan Wells and Steve Phillips - sorry if I missed any) arrived to enjoy the super-smooth air of the cliffs. Various people tried spirals and wing-overs and other tricks. I played around with the speed-bar and found that I could get to and from the cliffs with less height loss than without it. All down to the polar-curve. I noticed Phil V taking another look around the corner of the Nothe, but this time with much more height (over 350ato). He made it back fine this time and found, as suspected, that there was no lift there today. He felt it necessary to lay that ghost to rest, he said. It was still significantly flyable when I left around 4:30 so I hope the late-comers got some fun.

Report by David Franklin

Myself and a few other desperados mostly loitered on Bell today. I was fortunate enough to get away and although I did not get far I enjoyed getting there. Having arrived back and got prepared for another go a lone glider was spotted heading our way. It was Mark Russell who then proceeded to wind of a lot of height to join us on the hill. This was the first time he had made the transition between Telegraph and Bell and was delighted to have done so. The wind after this went very westerly. Other hopefuls were Derek S,Marcus W,Peter R,Martin H.


Report by RW

Portland West Enjoyed a half hour of benign cliff soaring with glorious sunshine views.

The breeze started to have an element of S. so decided to top land to ensure making it back to the car. Ala tua tibi locquator. No translation other than for the initiated, Keith B proving to be quite a scholar. Then off to the "Office" for the rest of the day. Hurray for some consistent flying. Mind you, it may be better to join Martin F in Algodonales right now or the Wessex Posse' in Bassano next month.

Report by Keith Burridge

Arrived late in the afternoon with at the same time as John A when the wind had died and everybody who hadn’t gone home was preparing to do so. Just after all but four had left Bell the wind god sighed one last breath which provided 90 mins of flyable conditions for myself John A, Paul, Mark (sorry don’t know surnames), and another late arriving desperado Harry D. The wind actually picked up towards top end flying and all but John A (hangies are used to higher windspeeds I guess) landed. Melius tarde, quam nunquam - Better late than never

Report by RW

After lots of "Wagga" at low coastal cliffs yesterday I thought it might just be possible ( according to forecasts) that somewhere might be flyable.

I headed to Portland W where Steve P was enjoying some good westerly lift.

Interupted by Martin F with a request to go to Cowdown and after 2 long climb ups decided to go to the "Office" to enjoy a brief flight with Mike D & Steve P. Briefed a visiting German Pilot, name of Fritz ( I kid you not) who enjoyed half an hour of strong conditions. I gave up the ghost and went home to cook dinner. Maybe tomorrow will be better?Ala tua tibi locquator. Also heard a rumour that there was flying to be had at Bell

Report by Jon Harvey

Visited Eype, and at front carpark, seemed ok, so informed hotline. Walked to top, and definitely ok, 12/15mph and nearly straight on. Unfortunately no mobile signal today, so went flying.

Yep, strong and lifty, but strangely no cloud movement at all, just hanging about, No problems to Thorncombe other than strong, on the cliffs, so made for Golden Cap, and lift the whole way there, crossing the Seatown gap. Topped out at 1400ft. Sea definitely picking up, so hasty retreat back to Eype, and landed on the beach.

Forth visit to Golden Cap this year so far. 45 mins airtime before blown out.

Phoned TD at Easthill and basically nothing, and rather overcast, so packed up for the afternoon. Still blown out at 5. 30 pm so stacked for the day.

Report by Steve A.

I could swing it into a turn with no warning and complete disregard for all other paragliders today - because there were no other paragliders. . . Was everybody sitting on Bell Hill, hoping for a good XC before it went too ballistic? Anyhow, I had a very enjoyable hour flying at Barton in pretty strong conditions, with the wind slightly off to the west - it must have been 16-18mph when I took off. Got some good height and was able to get out over the sea still with plenty of height, and then finally turn back to the cliff to get back up again. In the end it got too good and became too strong - was hovering about 30 feet over TO area, with hands up, not sure that I was actually going forwards anymore. . .

So got down and landed. Anyway, there was some rain on it's way over from Swanage direction, so packed up before it got to Barton.

Shortly before that it had been possible to take off with no run at the cliff, just walk forward slowly until your feet just left the ground, give it some brake and then 'hover' about the place, around 3feet off the ground, still talking to some guy interested in learning PG'ing. . . So gave him one of John W's cards - hopefully another potential pilot.

Report by Sean Staines

I finally achieved a long held goal of crossing Chewton Bunny both ways without landing and taking off again, flying from Barton.

I Saw Gary Puhl do this on his Airwave XXX about 6 years ago and have been wanting to do it ever since.

It was very lifty on the downwind leg to the beach huts at Mudeford with height gains of about 100ft but slow progress on the way back.

I eventually managed to sneak back onto the cliff top just after the static caravan site but it was touch and go for a while whether or not I would end up in the swamp below the cliff.

Luckily Paul (Sorry don’t know your second name) was passing on his way from Ballard and gave me a lift back to take off.

The final goal for Barton is the entire out and return ridgerun from Milford to Mudeford beach huts. Has anyone done it yet?

Report by Alastair Florence

I decided to have a not really flying weekend this week and went away instead.

Got back Sunday pm to a fresh SE. So drove up to Ballard to find Grant O just gone and Dave T leaving as it was to strong. Walked out to the green to find gusts to 18 +mph, no point in going any further then. At home an hour later things looked calmer so I took another look, now lack of wind was the problem, still, walked up and had 20 mins. The Peregrines were very active in their usual spot, there's a free wine gum for the first person to spot 2 of them in the photo. The flight would have been worth a 3 but only gets a 2 owing to having to walk up for it.

Report by Keith Burridge

Watched the rain all day and decided the Friday pub was beckoning when all of a sudden shafts of sunlight were bursting through the murk. What the heck I’ll take a chance on passing by White Horse (it’s only half an hour in the wrong direction). Half way there received a call from Russell saying conditions were very promising. On arrival noticed R already soaring with plenty of height and proceeded to join him. Steve P also showed up and an hour plus was enjoyed by all with plenty of lift being provide by the ploughed field out in front.

Report by RW

An unexpected window of opportunity at the Horse. Ala tua tibi locquator.

Three wings enjoying lifty and at times strong conditions. Good height gains with the thermals from 3 ploughed fields in front of T. O.

All Pilots took off & landed back in the bowl. Keith B & Steve P with yours truly

Report by Paul & Kaye Escott

Arrived Gerona from Bournemouth Monday evening to be met at the airport by Jen & Udo from Clear Skies Paragliding (www. fly1166. com) who drove us up to their home in the eastern Pyrenees where we will be staying for this week.

Tuesday: We awoke to light to medium NW and off we went to Ceret. As you can see from the pictures there is a reason Udo's guiding operation is called Clear Skies. During the whole day perhaps as many as six local pilots turned up to share the site with us. The flying was good though you have to keep a close eye on your height as the landing field is a couple of kilometres in front of the workable ridges. Three flights each today resulting in some very aching arms and cheeks. The arms from locking into thermals, sore cheeks from the resultant grins. Got home quite late so it was round the corner to Tirriers for steaks, un montania du frite, and lots of beer.

Wednesday: Woke late, not sure why, and the day was getting hot already. A plan was hatched to spend the day at the cascades and lake at Peyrepertuse and soar the ridge above later when the thermals died down a little. We packed a lunch and drove down stopping at sporting supermarket to pick up a cheapo mask and fin set. But when we got to the cascades we found that someone had stolen most of the water! Apparently the local council removes the lock gate at the end of the summer season leaving the river to take it's natural route. Plenty left to swim in though and crystal clear but crikey it's cold. I was instantly the proud owner of a four mill nadger. Incidentally, that is Kaye and I in the picture, that is really what we look like under our extremely padded flightsuits.

Around four we left and went up to the Peyrepertuse takeoff which is just below the castle car park. Reverse launch, fly out to the left, then; WHOOSH! There is a bowl just above a thermal trigger point and it's like being plucked into the sky on a catapult. I'm glad we took Udo's advice and waited until the heat of the day dropped a bit. The pictures of this site tell it better than I can. There is a sensation of being part of history and that combined with the views that can only be gained from the seat of a paraglider, it is very special place to fly. Its also a good feeling as your audience, the tourists on the battlements, go nuts every time you swoop past. One thing I did notice though, most pictures of this site always feature the castle, rarely is it pointed out that the ridge actually continues soarable for several kilometres. We spent over two hours up there, choosing to come down to the landing field when our arms and bums were going numb and we could take no more.

Thursday: Weather forecast is predicting stronger winds so Udo takes us to mountain site that may be useable for longer. Alas, as we arrive the locals are bigearing down with talk of "Bugger this, I'm off home". Clock the size of the wave formation that developed just a little later. But, as we were close, Udo took us to a hot spring hidden away in a copse on the side of a hill. I've never sat in a hot spring pool before and I can tell you we may not of flown but it remained a grand day out.

Report by Alan Webb

Ringstead: A quick glance at XC weather showed that it was either this morning or next week for a fly. Went to Ringstead to see Jason just getting his boots on. The wind was about 12MPH slightly west of SW, so no time to loose before it strengthened too much. As I unpacked RW was just arriving, what an opportunity to beat RW to the cliffs. Launched and striaght up into nice lifty air. At 140ft ATO headed for the cliffs, RW was combing his hair ! To cut along story short, beat RW to the cliffs played for about 30 minutes before a noticeable increase in wind speed called us home. Nice to get to the "Office" before you RW, I'm sure I impressed the Boss!

Report by RW

Ringstead: I thought an early start would pay a flying dividend. Ala tua tibi locquator.

Alan W was there as advance party and actually got in the air before me Oh Woe, Thrice woe? Suddenly another wing stole into the air, Jason "The Gunman" on a stealth mission. So with no more ado it was out to the cliffs for a waft about before the whitehorses started to develop. As sure as eggs is eggs they were preceded by the wind streaks on the water. The early bird catches the worm an all that!

Report by Nicole Barnard

And yes it was my hubbie (Dave M) and I flying at White Horse in the morning for an hour in lovely little thermals. Then Portland disappeared under a bank of cloud, we landed briefly on take off and decided it was worth trying to fly back to the van before the rain cought us. On the way there, however the rain started - canopies a bit damp but better than walking back whilst getting soaked! Cheers Nicole

Report by Craig Byrne

Good day at the office with all the usual suspects, the photos are of George and me on the tandem managing two flights before the rain came and pub suck ensued. George liked the flight so much she went up again and now has the bug!

Report by Alastair Florence

Who said no one flies at Kimmeridge anymore, oh yeh it was me.

I arranged to meet Dave W at St. Aldhelms fairly early but found it well off to the South so diverted to Kimmeridge. It felt a little strong at times on arrival but generally ok so we had a go. Finding it suprisingly light and well South we had a reasonable fly. Low cloud was developing in front of the ridge and providing some useable lift although a little punchy at times. Dave decided to head for Ringstead as Keith W and Rob Ozone arrived.

Conditions improved somewhat with a bit more wind, a bit more SW direction and more lift from the low cloud. the whole ridge was flyable to a degree from end to end. Soon after midday a rain front could be seen approaching over the sea which hit around 1215hrs ending the session.

Yes the tracks still diabolical, but I guess thats why god gave us legs (or 4 wd vehicles), yes theres still lots of thistles and nettles and barbed wire fences, yes you still have to pay ?2, Despite these drawbacks i'd rate the day (or morning) an easy 4 on the peachometer.

Report by Steve Auld

Had a nice couple of hours flying at Barton on Sunday afternoon until the clag came in from the southwest and it began to look like it was going to rain any minute. One picture is of Paul H on the red glider and Craig B in the distance on his solo glider. The other picture is Craig B on the tandem. Several people there - Brian M, Craig B, Paul H, Richard D and later there was John R and also another pilot who I don't know arrived just a little too late to get into the air before the weather came in.

Sat 16 Sep 2006

Report by Craig Byrne

Monks Good morning then it went west and everyone headed off to Bell, very good at times and to many to name flying. The photos are of Dave Moores and a local who had a great flight on The GIN Beetle Tandem.

Report by Alastair Florence

A murky windy start to the day was not that promising, Dave W called to say he was off to Monks, I had stuff to do so didnt get out for a bit. By this time cloud base at Monks had lifted to about 400 ft ATO and the wind was a flyable strength. Conditions where really quite reasonable considering the amount of murk about and there was certainly a good turn out on the hill, I think all of us must have had a reasonable day apart from maybe any late comers as the went wind went off West a bit and everyone left for either Bell, home or Winklebury, except for some HG's who had been looking at each others gliders for a while, they carried on doing this for a while after everyone else left but did fly in the end (briefly).

Pete C, keith B and I went to Winklebury, it was Pete and Keiths first time here, not perfect conditions as it was maybe a bit Northerly still and light but never the less we had a reasonable fly. keith stayed on Winklebury whilst Pete and I thought it had gone back Northerly so we flew back toward Monks only to get stuck between the two sites just to and fro-ing for ages, Pete got bored and landed, at this point it did go more North and I got back to Monks flying past the now clipped in Hangies, I gained enough height to get back within 200 m of Winklebury so not to far to walk, at this point we all gave up. Average peachometer reading for day as a whole, 5 (just).

Report by Dave Winn

Arrived at Monks 9am with wind on the hill but a tad too strong. Met Russell W for tea at compton abbas cafe (nice bacon butties) and then returned to find it top end but flyable.

Had an hour or so and then tried my first P1 on the tandem courtesy of Russell. Managed to get off on second attempt and enjoyed half hour of getting used to flying and turning before bottom landing and using the quickouts. Very interesting. Glad to get the first one out of the way though. Millions of others there and at Bell later too where after the lift died off some of us decided cutting down some trees would create more. It didn't! Dave W

Report by Keith Burridge

White Horse 12/09/06. Keith Burridge Took a chance on XC weather being correct on headed to the Horse at about two. No messages on sitephone so called RW and arranged a rendezvous 1430 hrs. Russell and I made our way up the track to find Kiwi Carl calling it a day as the cloud hovered above the hill. Carl was talked into a change of heart and the three of us enjoyed the first half hour at cloudbase (about 30feet ATO). The cloud gradually lifted and smooth lifty conditions prevailed for another hour and a half before the wind dropped off. A couple of good hours was had by all.

Report by Alastair Florence

It looked like a reasonable Southerly tonight, I figured that even if I gave the car a booting I wouldn't get back to Knitson before 1830hrs so took a chance on Mere at just over 30 mins drive away.

A couple of wings were flying as I approached which was pleasing.

On launch there was a nice steady 12- 15mph breeze on the hill so got straight on with a bit of flying. Try as I might I couldn't break the 200ft ato barrier but the air to that level had that lovely smooth, bouyant, bouncy, soft sort of feel if you know what I mean. No more than 4 wings flying so plenty of space, the cows on launch are also very sensible and really dont care about paragliders, all they want is grass and water.

Pilots still arriving as I left at 1900hrs. Registering a 7 on the peachometer (would have been higher if my altitude also been).

Report by RW

WHITEHORSE Monday 11-9-06 A strange start to the day with a belter of a S. E. allowing John S to manage 10mins at a local low cliff. I felt a shift in the wind and headed to the Horse to find Peter R groundhandling ( good practice ) and managing a couple of hops in and around the gorse.

A band of cloud was rolling in towards Portland and the air felt lifty so oft I went along the ridge & up. A number of gulls and swallows were chasing 2 buzzards around in a thermal at the bowl end, this allowed me to gain about 350'ATO. Meanwhile, Peter R was struggling to put on his Flying Suit & missing all the fun. I managed nearly half an hour before the wind started to veer to SW and ease off. Late arrival Mark R had a short flight and even later arrival Neil ? exchanged phone numbers. Massive clouds then started to make thundery noises so I departed.

Report by Matthew Whicher

A busy day on Pandy in very good conditions. I launched at 11ish just as the thermals were starting to work. Cloud base was 3,300’ early on and the thermals got better past midday. I did the ridge run and then tried going upwind. I did OK until I missed a climb when 3 miles in front of the ridge and couldn’t get back. I was kicking myself for being too impatient, as I knew conditions were improving and my chances of O & R would have been better later.

By the time I was back at take off for a second flight it was blue and mellow but I still enjoyed a couple of hours of gentle thermalling practice.

Sunday 10th September Deptford Down, Avon Aerotow Group The first proper outing of the Aerotow syndicate. A successful day, as all 8 pilots present had a couple of flights from the grass strip. It was a bit of a lottery as to whether you stayed up or not, my first flight was straight back down, the second was 25 minutes after releasing at 2,000’. Others managed 45 minutes and only the proximity of Salisbury Plain airspace curtailed this. I look forward to many more days here, discovering the possibilities offered by aerotowing.

Report by Keith Burridge

Arrived Monks approx 4. 30pm hoping the forecast for the wind to ease would be correct only to find John A rigging his hang glider (conditions obviously too hot for floppies). Assisted (or more likely distracted) John with setting up and launch then proceeded to spectate, have a nap and hope for the floppy wind gods to assist. Almost an hour later John landed and conditions showed signs of easing. Andy from Wilton (sorry about not knowing surname) arrived. Had to wait until the Sun started sinking toward the horizon and ended up getting 45 mins of evening restitution before having to dash to make Elm Tree meet.

P. S. Congrats Derek S on flying at ????ty years young

Report by Paul Escott

5th Sept Skived off work early (though I now have to go in on Sunday to make up) as the weather just looked so peachy. A phonecall to Cap'n Phil revealed that the Little Cliffs at Meon Shore were not working so after some prevarication due mainly to nerves Kaye and I took the Doodlebugs up to Colemore Airfield (home of the Hampshire Microlight Club). As we are still quite new at this and because we were the only ones on site we deceided to just rig one machine and take turns. I aborted my first attempted launch (nose too high). Then Kaye (as usual) showed me how it was done and took the bug off for a flight to Butser and back. On her return we topped the fuel off again then I took the same route. It was a bit bumpy and thermic but I let go just long enough to take a few pix.

6th Sept Cap'n Phil phoned me at work, "The little cliff is on". Two hours later when I got out I went down there and it was still on. Hurrah, forty minutes of boating about before the sun went down.

Report by Jon Harvey

Arrived at Eype, with John P, & Bob M. Called Tony B, and updated flyphone. Wind at t/o virtually straight on, and reasonably strength. Up and away, but wind direction above the cliffs was well towards the west, but still flyable. Scratched our way eventually up to Thorncombe, and by the time I arrived the others were already along the cliffs from Doghouse to Seatown. Joined up with them and all made a crossing over Seatown gap, but no lift on the far side up to GC. Subsequently joined by Ben T, and spent some two hours before landing at Eype.

Second flight to Thorncombe again and the highlight of this flight, whilst along the cliffs at Seatown, was two RAF Chinook helicopters passing below us, but luckily just inland from us. I had seen them approaching from the east, and seen them head off inland downwind of us all. Good chaps those pilots. Unfortunately couldn't get a photo of them with JP in the foreground!! Others arrived later, Stephen C, Steve Cuddles, Chris B, from flying Charmouth, and Tony F, for his first coastal flight. Sorry if I missed anybody out.

A pretty good afternoon flying. Myself and JP manage some 3+ hrs today.

Report by Alastair Florence

I'm working just behind Combe Gibbett now which is a bit frustrating with a Northerly forecast tomorrow and the site just closed for the season, but thats the way it goes. Plus its a hell of a long way to get back for an evening fly, but I did manage tonight, late at St. Aldhelms, the wind was ok when I launched ( 210ft ato max ) but steadily dropped as dusk approached. Not very exciting and nothing special (only really worth a 3 on peachy scale at best) but havent flown for a bit so twas good to get out.

Sunset nothing special, not much else inspiring to photograph so took one of the under side of the wing as some people seem to like looking at it (well I asume thats why they dont bother to go above me anyway).

Report by Neill Franklin

Another busy day at Russell's office. Oh and David didn't go to talk with the cows, he was the one talking to the donkey in the next field.

Report by Mike Adkins

Derek S and I arrived Ringstead around 1430 having been to Bell (too light and too West) and Kimmeridge (just a tad too strong) on the way. Five wings over the cliffs and many other pilots there including RW, the brothers Franklin (one of whom went to talk to the cows in the bottom field), Keith B, Paul Hawkins (full name 'cos he and his red ribbon got to the cliffs for the first time - congrats), Matthew Jacro, Alan W, Adrian C, Richard Sheridan (who bought a Wessex shirt - a man of good taste) John F, James T, Kaye E and Marcus W and perhaps others. Light conditions gave us about 220ft above the cliffs, but very pleasant and warm.

Report by RW

Ringstead 4-9-06 Well, I could not "bl**dy well believe it! All on my ownsome in perfectly flyable conditions at the "Office". I left a message on the Sitephone at 1040hrs ( I actually programmed the number into 2 Pilots phones today). Folks use the site Phone, its not "rocket science". Several pilots turned up too late as they thought it blown out. I had many flights out to the cliffs in good conditions sharing the sky with peregrines, ravens and house martins.

Good thermals in front of T. O. from the manure being spread by our friends the Wilkinsons. Orographic put a stop to the day at about 1630hrs. Holiday makers provided tea & biscuits so all is well with civilisation.

Others:- Mike D, Derek S, James T, Richard S, Keith B, Simon H? & someone who's name I have forgotten. Ala tua tibi locquator. RW

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