Calm at home all morning. Decided to go out to Robin Young's. Just as I was leaving home, Martin Bates rang from Agnew's hill to say the wind there was well off to the NE.
I joined Martin at Young's and we climbed to the top takeoff with our gear - only to find that the wind was off to the East and gusting to 21mph. Meanwhile Dermot Lagan and Paul Cunningham had arrived in the car park but a quick phone call to Dermot saved them the trouble of coming up to join us.
After heading back to the car park and hanging around for a while and entertaining Dermot with tales of the early hang gliding days, there was no sign of the wind dying down so we gave up and went home.
Monday, May 08, 2017
Sunday, May 07, 2017
Good day at Agnew's Hill
Light winds forecast so we thought it might be a case of chasing the wind. I met students Keith McGeown and Gerry Johnston and we headed initially to Robin Young's hill. Finding the wind too far off to the east we tried Agnew's Hill.
The usual steep climb was a bit easier as the long spell without rain meant it was dry underfoot so no slipping and sliding this time. Wind was very light - 8mph occasionally 10-12mph. Fully expecting some hard work to stay up, I took off to check conditions and was immediately hoisted up. I flew about half way along the cliffs and back, then headed out from the hill to lose height prior to coming in for a top landing.
That was a mistake in that there was steady lift all the way out past the farm so I had to resort to Big Ears to get down. Heading downwind back to the hill took just as long as the upwind leg so lift was almost entirely thermic with little downwind drift.
After top landing I set off Keith on his Firebird Raven S. Following my earlier flight path he got higher than he has ever been before much to his initial alarm until he settled in to enjoy the experience. After some 10mins boating about he came in and made an excellent standup slope landing beside where he had taken off from.
Gerry then took off and soared. The wind had moved a bit more NE and he eventually lost the lift by flying too far out from the hill. He flew down to a good standup landing in front of takeoff.
Keith had two more flights - making an excellent slope landing on one and suffering Gerry's fate on the last one, landing in the same area.
I then flew down after soaring the hill for a bit. The wind had by now gone NE and approach to the landing by the cars was rather choppy but a tiptoe landing was made near the windsock.
As we were packing up, Ken McConnell arrived with a couple of his students, having started them off on Skeagh earlier and they headed up the hill to fly as we left.
We headed back to Robin Young's but by then the wind had died away. We were treated to a flypast by Norman Surplus in his gyrocopter.
The usual steep climb was a bit easier as the long spell without rain meant it was dry underfoot so no slipping and sliding this time. Wind was very light - 8mph occasionally 10-12mph. Fully expecting some hard work to stay up, I took off to check conditions and was immediately hoisted up. I flew about half way along the cliffs and back, then headed out from the hill to lose height prior to coming in for a top landing.
That was a mistake in that there was steady lift all the way out past the farm so I had to resort to Big Ears to get down. Heading downwind back to the hill took just as long as the upwind leg so lift was almost entirely thermic with little downwind drift.
After top landing I set off Keith on his Firebird Raven S. Following my earlier flight path he got higher than he has ever been before much to his initial alarm until he settled in to enjoy the experience. After some 10mins boating about he came in and made an excellent standup slope landing beside where he had taken off from.
Gerry then took off and soared. The wind had moved a bit more NE and he eventually lost the lift by flying too far out from the hill. He flew down to a good standup landing in front of takeoff.
Keith had two more flights - making an excellent slope landing on one and suffering Gerry's fate on the last one, landing in the same area.
I then flew down after soaring the hill for a bit. The wind had by now gone NE and approach to the landing by the cars was rather choppy but a tiptoe landing was made near the windsock.
As we were packing up, Ken McConnell arrived with a couple of his students, having started them off on Skeagh earlier and they headed up the hill to fly as we left.
We headed back to Robin Young's but by then the wind had died away. We were treated to a flypast by Norman Surplus in his gyrocopter.
Wednesday, May 03, 2017
Friday 28 April 2017
Flying at Dungiven West.
Slipped after inflating wing and sat down with wing flying overhead. Phil Barron grabbed my harness and got me airborne! Soaring with Graeme Moseley - got high. Good lift on a line from takeoff to the McVeigh farm. Top landed. Owen Rea, Willie Kane and two of Phil's students flew as did late arrivals Ian Cross and Colin Dowey.
Slipped after inflating wing and sat down with wing flying overhead. Phil Barron grabbed my harness and got me airborne! Soaring with Graeme Moseley - got high. Good lift on a line from takeoff to the McVeigh farm. Top landed. Owen Rea, Willie Kane and two of Phil's students flew as did late arrivals Ian Cross and Colin Dowey.
Saturday, April 08, 2017
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.
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.
Thursday, April 06, 2017
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.
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!
Sunday, April 02, 2017
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.
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.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Four days in a row!
Thanks to a high pressure system and south-easterly winds we were at last to get some paragliding action.
Friday 24 March 2017
Sunny day with light SE wind. Met Steve Bullers at Corr's and went paragliding training at Big Collin until 4:30pm. Phil Barron was also training and Dermot Lagan had a couple of flights. Alastair McMaster flew his paramotor before we left.
Saturday 25 March 2017
Warm sunny day with very light SE wind. I went paragliding training at Big Collin. I took a flight and worked some buoyant bits of lift then landed by the windsock at the bottom. Phil Barron and Ken McConnell were out with students. Dermot Lagan was there but did not fly.Got Sam Cook (on a taster day) airborne. Also CPN students Richard Neill and Keith McGeown flew.
Sunday 26 March 2017
Another sunny day. Very light winds in the morning. I went to Agnew's Hill but pilots already airborne were working hard to stay up. Spoke to Donal Hamilton who was about to climb the hill. I went to Big Collin and had a couple of flights while waiting for student Gerry Johnston to turn up. Gerry got one flight in increasing wind. It got too strong and gusty on top so we packed it in.
Monday 27 March 2017
No students and things to do at home today.Went flying at Big Collin with Dermot Lagan after 3pm. Managed three soaring flights in varying conditions. Wind at takeoff was varying between 12 and 19mph at times with small blobs of lift making staying up hard work. Managed one top landing, one slope landing and bottom landing by the windsock.
Friday 24 March 2017
Sunny day with light SE wind. Met Steve Bullers at Corr's and went paragliding training at Big Collin until 4:30pm. Phil Barron was also training and Dermot Lagan had a couple of flights. Alastair McMaster flew his paramotor before we left.
Saturday 25 March 2017
Warm sunny day with very light SE wind. I went paragliding training at Big Collin. I took a flight and worked some buoyant bits of lift then landed by the windsock at the bottom. Phil Barron and Ken McConnell were out with students. Dermot Lagan was there but did not fly.Got Sam Cook (on a taster day) airborne. Also CPN students Richard Neill and Keith McGeown flew.
Sunday 26 March 2017
Another sunny day. Very light winds in the morning. I went to Agnew's Hill but pilots already airborne were working hard to stay up. Spoke to Donal Hamilton who was about to climb the hill. I went to Big Collin and had a couple of flights while waiting for student Gerry Johnston to turn up. Gerry got one flight in increasing wind. It got too strong and gusty on top so we packed it in.
Monday 27 March 2017
No students and things to do at home today.Went flying at Big Collin with Dermot Lagan after 3pm. Managed three soaring flights in varying conditions. Wind at takeoff was varying between 12 and 19mph at times with small blobs of lift making staying up hard work. Managed one top landing, one slope landing and bottom landing by the windsock.
Friday, March 10, 2017
Thursday 9 March 2017
With light NW wind reports from White Mountain and forecast wind to swing South in the late afternoon, I headed to Big Collin at 4pm. On arrival the wind was less than 5mph and SSW in direction.
I made a leisurely trip to the top with my paraglider and laid it out for a flight. Taking my time I realised that the wind direction was slowly changing so that over the next half hour or so it gradually came round to the SE and increased slightly but still making no more than 10mph at times.
I eventually took off and got in a few soaring beats - never more than about five feet above takeoff and landed beside the car and got packed up before dark.
I made a leisurely trip to the top with my paraglider and laid it out for a flight. Taking my time I realised that the wind direction was slowly changing so that over the next half hour or so it gradually came round to the SE and increased slightly but still making no more than 10mph at times.
I eventually took off and got in a few soaring beats - never more than about five feet above takeoff and landed beside the car and got packed up before dark.
Saturday, March 04, 2017
Some action at Shane's Hill
Rain in the morning didn't seem encouraging but as it cleared - although a few showers were still hanging about - I got a message from Phil Barron that it looked flyable at Shane's Hill.
When I arrived at the layby at the bottom, one of Phil's students, Sean was losing height and landed beside me. His other student John, made a slope landing a little bit down from takeoff. I lent Sean a stuffsack and took him up to the top access gate (which incidentally no longer has a padlock). Just then, Phil and John were spotted making their way back down to the car, having decided that the wind was now too light for any useful soaring.
Another of Phil's students, Colin, arrived and we spent a while in idle banter and swapping flying stories before heading to The Misty Burn restaurant for some soup, coffee etc and more chat.
Since John lives in Belfast and relies on public transport, I gave him a lift to Mossley West train station on my way home. By then the wind seemed to have veered more southerly but it was too late in the evening to consider flying at Big Collin.
When I arrived at the layby at the bottom, one of Phil's students, Sean was losing height and landed beside me. His other student John, made a slope landing a little bit down from takeoff. I lent Sean a stuffsack and took him up to the top access gate (which incidentally no longer has a padlock). Just then, Phil and John were spotted making their way back down to the car, having decided that the wind was now too light for any useful soaring.
Another of Phil's students, Colin, arrived and we spent a while in idle banter and swapping flying stories before heading to The Misty Burn restaurant for some soup, coffee etc and more chat.
Since John lives in Belfast and relies on public transport, I gave him a lift to Mossley West train station on my way home. By then the wind seemed to have veered more southerly but it was too late in the evening to consider flying at Big Collin.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Back of Agnew's.
I met up with Steve Bullers who was on a paragliding taster day. The sun was shining; the wind was light and since one of the forecasts said the direction would be SSW we went to Big Collin. There was a light wind there but too far off to the west.
Agnew's West then seemed the obvious choice so that is where we went - and found a nice 8-12mph blowing straight up the hill. There had been a lot of rain as the ground underfoot was soaking and fairly slippery in places. Nevertheless we had a very successful day with Steve getting three low flights and two from near the top - all with good standup landings. As a result he wants to go on to do an EP course.
During the day I was approached by the local gamekeeper, Alex Rodgers. He told me that the Grouse Conservation area has been extended from the existing area at Skerrywherry to encompass the back of Agnew's Hill and Shane's Hill up to the fence that runs along the top.
As a result he is asking us to stay clear of these areas from April through to the middle of June as this is the grouse nesting season and the birds should not be disturbed. He left me his mobile phone number for anyone proposing to fly there to ring him for advice around that period. I agreed to advise UHPC members.
Agnew's West then seemed the obvious choice so that is where we went - and found a nice 8-12mph blowing straight up the hill. There had been a lot of rain as the ground underfoot was soaking and fairly slippery in places. Nevertheless we had a very successful day with Steve getting three low flights and two from near the top - all with good standup landings. As a result he wants to go on to do an EP course.
During the day I was approached by the local gamekeeper, Alex Rodgers. He told me that the Grouse Conservation area has been extended from the existing area at Skerrywherry to encompass the back of Agnew's Hill and Shane's Hill up to the fence that runs along the top.
As a result he is asking us to stay clear of these areas from April through to the middle of June as this is the grouse nesting season and the birds should not be disturbed. He left me his mobile phone number for anyone proposing to fly there to ring him for advice around that period. I agreed to advise UHPC members.
Wednesday, February 08, 2017
Big Collin again.
No wind at home all morning. I went out to Big Collin anyway around lunchtime after speaking to Dermot Lagan who was already there and reported 4-5mph at the bottom.
When I arrived the wind had picked up a bit and when we got to takeoff we found a brisk 18-20mph! We were joined on top of the hill by Janet Crawford, the owner of Big Collin who was out for a walk and stopped for a chat. By then the wind was gusting to 24mph.
We walked down to meet Tom Carson who had arrived. He decided to do a bit of ground handling near the cars and eventually managed a few short semi-soaring flights from a few yards up the hill when the wind gusts eased a bit.
See also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzRdduY0CVM.
Dermot and I contented ourselves with fighting the gusts in the landing area with the small Firebird Trainer. By then the wind on top was gusting to 26mph and very cold. By 4pm we'd all had enough and went home.
When I arrived the wind had picked up a bit and when we got to takeoff we found a brisk 18-20mph! We were joined on top of the hill by Janet Crawford, the owner of Big Collin who was out for a walk and stopped for a chat. By then the wind was gusting to 24mph.
We walked down to meet Tom Carson who had arrived. He decided to do a bit of ground handling near the cars and eventually managed a few short semi-soaring flights from a few yards up the hill when the wind gusts eased a bit.
Dermot and I contented ourselves with fighting the gusts in the landing area with the small Firebird Trainer. By then the wind on top was gusting to 26mph and very cold. By 4pm we'd all had enough and went home.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Again!
Low cloud and some drizzle in the morning at home. Mark Piggott reported flyable conditions at Dungiven just after 11 am. After speaking to Colin Dowey on the 'phone we headed there.
Colin had already arrived when I got there but nobody was flying. I soon discovered why - wind gusting to 21mph. Mark had flown earlier but was now packing up. Former hang glider and paraglider pilot Brian Dawson had dropped by and we had a bit of a catch up since I haven't seen him in a long time. Seems like he might be persuaded to come back into the sport.
John Wallace with a paramotor pilot friend and my CPN student Gerry Johnston arrived and we waited for conditions to ease. Mark had left, soon followed by Colin and the paramotor pilot. After a couple of hours with no sign of the wind subsiding the rest of us called it a day.
Colin had already arrived when I got there but nobody was flying. I soon discovered why - wind gusting to 21mph. Mark had flown earlier but was now packing up. Former hang glider and paraglider pilot Brian Dawson had dropped by and we had a bit of a catch up since I haven't seen him in a long time. Seems like he might be persuaded to come back into the sport.
John Wallace with a paramotor pilot friend and my CPN student Gerry Johnston arrived and we waited for conditions to ease. Mark had left, soon followed by Colin and the paramotor pilot. After a couple of hours with no sign of the wind subsiding the rest of us called it a day.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Another wasted journey.
Calm at home this morning. I went out to Big Collin at 11:30am since I did not believe the Met Office low level wind chart which was giving 23mph at 1,000ft. Wind at the hill was Southerly but on top at the southerly face I discovered that I should have trusted the Met Office this time as the wind was gusting 18 - 27mph! I texted student Paul Cunningham to tell him it was yet another parawaiting day.
Time to go home!
Time to go home!
Saturday, January 21, 2017
A good day at Big Collin
With four students lined up for training I headed out to Big Collin at 10:30am even though the wind appeared to be calm. On arrival, that was the picture in the landing area - windsock planted by Ken McConnell who had arrived before me was hanging straight down although the one he had on top showed some wind.
My student GT Jakutis arrived and we got started on ground handling, soon to be joined by Jonny Morton as the wind had picked up to 8-12mph. The wind then increased as a number of other UHPC members arrived and took off. It was obviously a bit rough. I took off on my Firebird Raven about half way up the hill in 14mph wind to check conditions for the students but found it too gusty, with big lift followed by big sink as I soared along the lower ridge, eventually landing by the lane near the car.
GT and Jonny spent the rest of the day practicing reverse launch and other ground handling exercises with both the Firebird F1rst and the Firebird Trainer in the gusty wind that was quite strong at times. The experienced club pilots who flew were getting a bit of a bumpy ride but all landed safety.
With my students getting tired but having succeeded in mastering the wings we called it a day at 4pm. Although I had texted the other two students on arrival on site, they did not turn up.
My student GT Jakutis arrived and we got started on ground handling, soon to be joined by Jonny Morton as the wind had picked up to 8-12mph. The wind then increased as a number of other UHPC members arrived and took off. It was obviously a bit rough. I took off on my Firebird Raven about half way up the hill in 14mph wind to check conditions for the students but found it too gusty, with big lift followed by big sink as I soared along the lower ridge, eventually landing by the lane near the car.
GT and Jonny spent the rest of the day practicing reverse launch and other ground handling exercises with both the Firebird F1rst and the Firebird Trainer in the gusty wind that was quite strong at times. The experienced club pilots who flew were getting a bit of a bumpy ride but all landed safety.
With my students getting tired but having succeeded in mastering the wings we called it a day at 4pm. Although I had texted the other two students on arrival on site, they did not turn up.
Friday, January 20, 2017
Foggy one
Forecast light SE wind indicated flying and training at Big Collin would be on. On the way there, it seemed obvious that the hill was covered in cloud and a very light drizzle had started. Arriving at the hill I found the forecast light SE wind but parking at the usual layby I was already at cloudbase and could only just make out the lake upwind. I texted my students to tell them not to bother and decided to wait in the drizzle to see if there would be any improvement. I noticed that some of the metal lane marker poles had been replaced by short plastic ones as arranged by Alastair McMaster with the wind farm operators. I understand that the rest are also due to be replaced.
I was soon joined by Dermot Lagan and later by Colin Dowey. We sat in the car for some time commiserating and talking about paragliding instead of doing it. During this time the lake kept appearing and disappearing with visibility blotting out the nearby farm buildings on one occasion.
Gradually the drizzle eased a bit and cloudbase lifted to further up the hill. Colin was itching to get some ground handling practice and followed the wind round to the southerly side when it shifted. He managed to get some low level soaring for a while but ended up with soaking gear. Dermot and I decided that it was not worth getting wet. We helped Colin to pack his wet glider and we all called it a day, hoping for better tomorrow.
I was soon joined by Dermot Lagan and later by Colin Dowey. We sat in the car for some time commiserating and talking about paragliding instead of doing it. During this time the lake kept appearing and disappearing with visibility blotting out the nearby farm buildings on one occasion.
Gradually the drizzle eased a bit and cloudbase lifted to further up the hill. Colin was itching to get some ground handling practice and followed the wind round to the southerly side when it shifted. He managed to get some low level soaring for a while but ended up with soaking gear. Dermot and I decided that it was not worth getting wet. We helped Colin to pack his wet glider and we all called it a day, hoping for better tomorrow.
Monday, January 16, 2017
First of 2017
Thursday 5 January 2017
With things to do in the morning, didn't get out until well after lunchtime and headed to Big Collin. SSE wind was 16-19mph on top. I had one soaring flight staying well out near the lane and 100ft or so above takeoff. Some mild turbulence. Penetration difficult until Big Ears used. Ended up bottom landing near the car as sunset had arrived and I didn't fancy packing up in the dark.
With things to do in the morning, didn't get out until well after lunchtime and headed to Big Collin. SSE wind was 16-19mph on top. I had one soaring flight staying well out near the lane and 100ft or so above takeoff. Some mild turbulence. Penetration difficult until Big Ears used. Ended up bottom landing near the car as sunset had arrived and I didn't fancy packing up in the dark.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Yes and No!
Monday 5 December 2016
A good day at Big Collin for a change. Whilst waiting for my student Paul Cunningham to arrive I examined the 2001 Advance Epsilon 3 M and harness that Kirsty had donated to the UHPC. Although the wing is old it is in excellent condition as is the basic harness. I had a flight down on it from about half way up the hill - easy inflation; smooth steady controls and easy landing. Seems perfectly airworthy to me and a rough porosity 'suck' test raised no concerns.Paul arrived and completed eight flights, starting about the third of the way up the hill then last four flights from the top. Excellent reverse and forward takeoffs, in-flight control up to 180deg turns and standup landings - all practical tasks for EP completed. Jut the exam to do!
Monday 12 December 2016
I went out to Big Collin around lunchtime after a calm morning but with an ESE forecast. The wind on the hill was SSE and 14-15mph at takeoff. When standing there I noticed that cloudbase up ahead seemed to be lowering and soon it descended to hilltop level. After a quick word on the 'phone to Colin Dowey and my EP student Paul to tell them not to bother, I went for a walk over by the windfarm and by the time I got back to the car the cloudbase had lowered to the lane and the drizzle had arrived. Time to go home!
Sunday, December 04, 2016
No better today!
Wind on Big Collin takeoff was gusting 26-32mph and around 15-20mph at times in the bottom landing area. There was no point in bringing out my CP students who are at the soaring stage - far too strong for any paragliding.
Meanwhile Ken McConnell was out with two EP students, Stephen and Frank, who were manfully attempting ground handling but the gusts were proving a bit of a problem. I gave Ken my small Firebird Trainer wing which is more manageable for ground handling when it's windy and Stephen had a go, but eventually had to give up when the gusts became too great, even lifting Ken off his feet when he took a turn on it.
Meanwhile Ken McConnell was out with two EP students, Stephen and Frank, who were manfully attempting ground handling but the gusts were proving a bit of a problem. I gave Ken my small Firebird Trainer wing which is more manageable for ground handling when it's windy and Stephen had a go, but eventually had to give up when the gusts became too great, even lifting Ken off his feet when he took a turn on it.
Saturday, December 03, 2016
Here we go again!
Calm this morning but light wind forecast. Went out to Big Collin only to arrive around the same time as the drizzle. After an hour drizzle-gazing I gave up!
Thursday, December 01, 2016
Another useless flying day.
Calm and foggy morning. Things had cleared a bit by lunchtime but Phil Barron reported no wind at Dungiven although light westerly forecast.
I went out to Big Collin to take a look at the paraglider that Kirsty had donated to the UHPC. It is an Advance Epsilon 3 28 - weight range 90-107kgs all up. It was manufactured in 2001 but is in exceptionally good condition for its age. DHV 1-2 rated - see http://www.dhv.de/db1/source/technictestreport2.php?item=2888&lang=en. Photo shows a similar wing.
I only had time to lay the glider out and do a couple of inflations using the risers before a hurried repack as light drizzle arrived. Hope to get a closer look tomorrow or Saturday.
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