Sunday 1 April 2018

Forecast looked reasonable for a taster day. I met Alan Dew and Ryan Trainor at Ballynure and from there we went to Skeagh. The wind was 10-12mph NNE so, after the usual preliminary paperwork and introductory information we got the kit out and headed part way up the hill. The wind was picking up now and again so the small Firebird Trainer was brought into use as ground handling can be practiced without the risk of the student becoming airborne. After the usual initial instinctive wrong actions were overcome, both students were able to do reverse inflation and keep the wing overhead. By 3:30pm the wind had increased to over 20mph so we stopped for the day.


Back at the cars we were having a chat when a Lycra-clad figure came into view running on the road from the Carnalbana direction. Turned out it was Ken McConnell who had flown from a site just north of Ballycoos to The Sheddings on the Ballymena to Carnlough road and was running back to Robin Young's car park to collect his car. He stopped for a chat and then went on his way before getting too cold.

Thursday  5 April 2018

Out at Big Collin. Whilst waiting for two students to arrive I went for two short soaring flights. It was quite thermic and both flights ended with slope landings. By the time my two students, Paul Cunningham and Gerry Johnston arrived the wind was picking up. Ken McConnell and Ian Cross were getting good height but Martin Bates decided to abandon attempts at aviation in the strengthening wind. Paul made a few excellent ground handling attempts but even in the landing area he was becoming airborne in the gusts. Gerry also abandoned any idea of flight. I had a long discussion with Paul on some theory before heading up the hill to retrieve my wind - BGD Wasp M.

Just as I was about to leave I got a message from a former club member and hang glider pilot, Dr Garth Logan, who was on his way to the hill for a chat. It was good to see him again after many years and we had a good catch-up session. After over 20 years here as a GP, it seems that he wanted a life and he's now a medic in the RAF and I confess to being a bit envious of his stories of flying in a variety of fast jets and tours of duty in the Falklands and other places. Garth is based in England but makes regular trips home and intends to be back flying with us again.