Gusty day at Big Collin

Arrived at Big Collin at around 11:30am - Ken McConnell was airborne on his paraglider in what looked like choppy air. He later was working with a student, ground handling and risking a couple of low flights in momentary lulls.

After the introductory paperwork etc I got Tammy Watson, who was on a taster day, organised with daily inspection and the usual preparations for ground handling with a Firebird F1rst S paraglider. Quickly realising that the gusts in the bottom landing area were no good for a beginner, we switched to the small Firebird Trainer wing. Despite the gusts, Tammy managed to control the wing after some initial confusion between 'right' and 'left'.

CP students Richard Neill and Gerry Johnston arrived and both took turns at ground handling with the Small F1rst as it was too gusty for flying. Experienced pilots Mark Piggott and Alastair McMaster nevertheless enjoyed some roller-coaster flights, getting high at times working the small thermals that were coming through in the sunshine. Dermot Lagan and Colin Dowey arrived but did not fly. Meanwhile Martin Bates who has recovered from his bicycle crash induced wrist injury attempted ground handling with a lightweight unruly Niviuk Skin single surface paraglider. I had a go ground handling that  wing myself but counteracting the frequent gusts was hard work.

Agnew's West

After checking that it was ok with the gamekeeper for Agnew's Hill West, I met Trevor Fisher who was on a taster day and Paul Cunningham, EP student, at Corr's Corner before lunchtime. Wind was westerly when we got to Agnew's and a light 8-10mph.

Although Paul had not flown for a while he had already done all the tasks for EP and was our for a refresher. He had two excellent flights from near the top of the hill before the wind swung to the NW, blowing along the hill.

With the wind picking up to 12-14mph at times, Trevor worked at ground handling with the Firebird F1rst L and the Firebird Trainer. He soon caught on to the reactions necessary for control and both he and Paul worked at perfecting their reverse launch techniques until the arrival of a very light drizzle.

            
Trevor concentrates!     

Trevor was hooked and signed up for an EP course. Paul did the EP exam and passed and is raring to go forward with the CPN course.

No luck today.

Calm at home but went out to Big Collin anyway before lunchtime. Wind was S and very light. I decided to have a top to bottom flight anyway but by the time I had climbed the hill and got ready to fly the wind had picked up and was gusting from 11-12mph to 26mph at times. I was joined by Davy Boyd and Martin Bates.

We waited...and waited.... but no change so nothing for it but to pack up and carry down. Ken was out with a couple of students  but too much for them to manage ground handling at the bottom.

So ended another exciting day parawaiting.