Articles
Stonham Barns
Temporary hang glider winch site used for a hang gliding competition and as a means of getting some publicity for the sport.
03 Oct 2020
Temporary hang glider winch site used for a hang gliding competition and as a means of getting some publicity for the sport.
03 Oct 2020
The Garden Office
Following completion of the garden, the next phase would be the construction of the garden office, or, 'She Shed' as it has become to be known.
28 Sep 2020
Following completion of the garden, the next phase would be the construction of the garden office, or, 'She Shed' as it has become to be known.
28 Sep 2020
Garden Make-Over
With Covid-19 still on the rampage and holidays cancelled, we've been spending more time in the garden. We'd never been happy with the garden when we moved in, so what better time to give it a much deserved overhaul.
01 Sep 2020
With Covid-19 still on the rampage and holidays cancelled, we've been spending more time in the garden. We'd never been happy with the garden when we moved in, so what better time to give it a much deserved overhaul.
01 Sep 2020
Karabiners
An article discussing karabiners and their use on hang gliders along with some useful tips to ensure the karabiner remains orientated in their strongest position when ground handling the glider.
05 Oct 2019
An article discussing karabiners and their use on hang gliders along with some useful tips to ensure the karabiner remains orientated in their strongest position when ground handling the glider.
05 Oct 2019
Clearing the Cobwebs!
Diary entry for my two flights at Firle in East Sussex after a long period without flying. It was also an opportunity to try a new camera mount and position (although I didn't quite get the angle right!)
07 Sep 2019
Diary entry for my two flights at Firle in East Sussex after a long period without flying. It was also an opportunity to try a new camera mount and position (although I didn't quite get the angle right!)
07 Sep 2019
Plumpton Site Guide
Site guide for Plumpton, the Southern Aerotow Group's primary towing site.
15 Jun 2019
Site guide for Plumpton, the Southern Aerotow Group's primary towing site.
15 Jun 2019
Home To Home
In 1995, after completing my degree, I finally uprooted from my home town of Frome in Somerset (UK) and relocated to the South East, eventually settling in the village of Southwater in West Sussex. In the years that passed, I had contemplated the feasibility of cycling home to home, Southwater to Frome. It’s over 100 miles and by car and often takes over 3 hours...
15 Jun 2019
In 1995, after completing my degree, I finally uprooted from my home town of Frome in Somerset (UK) and relocated to the South East, eventually settling in the village of Southwater in West Sussex. In the years that passed, I had contemplated the feasibility of cycling home to home, Southwater to Frome. It’s over 100 miles and by car and often takes over 3 hours...
15 Jun 2019
Finally Some Air Time!
After over 6 months I finally get some air-time. Not the best of flights.
05 May 2019
After over 6 months I finally get some air-time. Not the best of flights.
05 May 2019
U2 160 Service
In preparation for the 2019 flying season, John Barratt from South Downs Hang Gliding strips my glider down and removes the sail for a thorough inspection after my trip to Lanzarote. John fortunatly spots a mistake I had made when re-installing the outer leading edges after my return from Lanzarote. I had flown the glider a couple of times in the configuration but not detected any issues!
12 Apr 2019
In preparation for the 2019 flying season, John Barratt from South Downs Hang Gliding strips my glider down and removes the sail for a thorough inspection after my trip to Lanzarote. John fortunatly spots a mistake I had made when re-installing the outer leading edges after my return from Lanzarote. I had flown the glider a couple of times in the configuration but not detected any issues!
12 Apr 2019
Shackleford Turkey Burner
The event is organised by www.trailbreak.co.uk and they have 3 route options, Short, Medium and the Full Route with distances of 25km, 43km and 50km respectively. It costs a little more the further you cycle, but at £24 for the Full Route, it wasn't going to break the bank (but probably me), so I entered the Full Route.
06 Jan 2019
The event is organised by www.trailbreak.co.uk and they have 3 route options, Short, Medium and the Full Route with distances of 25km, 43km and 50km respectively. It costs a little more the further you cycle, but at £24 for the Full Route, it wasn't going to break the bank (but probably me), so I entered the Full Route.
06 Jan 2019
A Mini XC From Firle to Bo Peep
An account of my 22 minute flight from Firle to the bottom landing field at Bo Peep.
07 Oct 2018
An account of my 22 minute flight from Firle to the bottom landing field at Bo Peep.
07 Oct 2018
Pre-Flight Checks!
As I checked over the glider and did my pre-flight checks, I found an issue. As I pulled the VG cord, the sheath of the cord separated and exposed all the nylon strands contained within…
05 Sep 2018
As I checked over the glider and did my pre-flight checks, I found an issue. As I pulled the VG cord, the sheath of the cord separated and exposed all the nylon strands contained within…
05 Sep 2018
Packing for Air Transport
In February 2018, I travelled to Lanzarote from England's Gatwick Airport, taking my relatively new Wills Wing U2 160 with me, in doing so; I packed my glider using many of the tips and experiences of others as a reference. Fortunately, my glider survived the trip there and back so I wrote this guide as a reference for others.
15 Feb 2018
In February 2018, I travelled to Lanzarote from England's Gatwick Airport, taking my relatively new Wills Wing U2 160 with me, in doing so; I packed my glider using many of the tips and experiences of others as a reference. Fortunately, my glider survived the trip there and back so I wrote this guide as a reference for others.
15 Feb 2018
Lanzarote 2018
When I learned I was headed to Lanzarote there was only one thing I really wanted to do, fly the Famara cliffs! The moment I had crossed the Valley of Doom and my glider began to climb, I had met my objective and I buzzed with childlike excitement! Even if the weather for the rest of the week did not play ball, I was more than content flying Famara!
12 Feb 2018
When I learned I was headed to Lanzarote there was only one thing I really wanted to do, fly the Famara cliffs! The moment I had crossed the Valley of Doom and my glider began to climb, I had met my objective and I buzzed with childlike excitement! Even if the weather for the rest of the week did not play ball, I was more than content flying Famara!
12 Feb 2018
A Windy Day at Firle
It was still towards top end and I struggled to hold the glider on the ground so nose assist was greatly appreciated (thanks Pete). When the glider settled, I called 'Release', waited for the nose man to clear, then set-off with a hard run and pulled the bar in to build good airspeed before leaving the ground...
29 Oct 2017
It was still towards top end and I struggled to hold the glider on the ground so nose assist was greatly appreciated (thanks Pete). When the glider settled, I called 'Release', waited for the nose man to clear, then set-off with a hard run and pulled the bar in to build good airspeed before leaving the ground...
29 Oct 2017
B****cks!
In my desperate attempt to recover, I pulled the bar in and the stalled wing began to fly and the glider began to level out. That was the moment when I ran out of altitude and the left side of the control frame impacted and dug into the loose soil from the recently ploughed field.
13 Aug 2017
In my desperate attempt to recover, I pulled the bar in and the stalled wing began to fly and the glider began to level out. That was the moment when I ran out of altitude and the left side of the control frame impacted and dug into the loose soil from the recently ploughed field.
13 Aug 2017
An Early Flight
After a couple of beats back and forth along the ridge I had detected the presence of small, but notable thermals. I used these by employing a series of not so efficient s-turns to climb 300ft above the ridge…
01 Jul 2017
After a couple of beats back and forth along the ridge I had detected the presence of small, but notable thermals. I used these by employing a series of not so efficient s-turns to climb 300ft above the ridge…
01 Jul 2017
Hell Yeah!
After a prolonged period without flying my brain reflects in a negative way about why I participate in this sport. Does the risk warrant the pleasure gained from it? My last flight was back in November and I had missed multiple opportunities to fly due to work commitments and the pressure of family life; was I really committed enough?
10 Apr 2017
After a prolonged period without flying my brain reflects in a negative way about why I participate in this sport. Does the risk warrant the pleasure gained from it? My last flight was back in November and I had missed multiple opportunities to fly due to work commitments and the pressure of family life; was I really committed enough?
10 Apr 2017
New Duration Personal Best
The days leading up to the 13th I seriously procrastinated between Firle and the Devil's Dyke as forecasts were a little uncertain and changeable. Like everyone else, I decided to leave it until Sunday morning and by then, the forecast showed a hint of west in the dominant northerly wind. It was decided; Devil's Dyke!
13 Nov 2016
The days leading up to the 13th I seriously procrastinated between Firle and the Devil's Dyke as forecasts were a little uncertain and changeable. Like everyone else, I decided to leave it until Sunday morning and by then, the forecast showed a hint of west in the dominant northerly wind. It was decided; Devil's Dyke!
13 Nov 2016
Gale Hanging at the Dyke
I almost didn't turn up - a result of getting paranoid by comments on the Southern Hang Gliding Club's Telegram service reporting that it would be very windy, gusty and would blow out later…
05 Nov 2016
I almost didn't turn up - a result of getting paranoid by comments on the Southern Hang Gliding Club's Telegram service reporting that it would be very windy, gusty and would blow out later…
05 Nov 2016
Sedgwick Park to Monks Gate
A fun little down hill on one of my local routes.
23 Oct 2016 | 2km | -79ft | offroad;singletrack;
A fun little down hill on one of my local routes.
23 Oct 2016 | 2km | -79ft | offroad;singletrack;
