Articles
A Day of Two Halves
With each bit of lift there was also an equal amount of opposing sink so to maximise my chances of staying up, I turned and slowed the glider when in lift, then in sink, I accelerated the glider and moved out of it as quickly as possible…
25 May 2013
With each bit of lift there was also an equal amount of opposing sink so to maximise my chances of staying up, I turned and slowed the glider when in lift, then in sink, I accelerated the glider and moved out of it as quickly as possible…
25 May 2013
Stormy Skies Over the Devil's Dyke
As the rain passed my glider was back to a crisp white. The sky was now beautiful and clear and the wind had now significantly dropped. It looked like there was no chance of soaring; however, with my glider now on the A-frame and wiped down and dried, I decided on a quick top to bottom.
23 May 2013
As the rain passed my glider was back to a crisp white. The sky was now beautiful and clear and the wind had now significantly dropped. It looked like there was no chance of soaring; however, with my glider now on the A-frame and wiped down and dried, I decided on a quick top to bottom.
23 May 2013
Windy Winching!
I had procrastinated about a trip to Suffolk as the conditions were forecast to be strong with precipitation added in for good measure. However, Mike's comments on the club's forum stating that if I didn't come, I would be reading stories/accounts about epic cross countries to the coast, strongly influenced my decision make the journey to Suffolk.
12 May 2013
I had procrastinated about a trip to Suffolk as the conditions were forecast to be strong with precipitation added in for good measure. However, Mike's comments on the club's forum stating that if I didn't come, I would be reading stories/accounts about epic cross countries to the coast, strongly influenced my decision make the journey to Suffolk.
12 May 2013
The Fifty Fifty Bridle
I began tearing down the runway and heard a strange noise coming from the rear of the glider. Just as I was about to release and abort the launch it stopped. I later learned that my pod zip cord was trailing behind my glider and caught under one of the trolley wheels...
02 May 2013
I began tearing down the runway and heard a strange noise coming from the rear of the glider. Just as I was about to release and abort the launch it stopped. I later learned that my pod zip cord was trailing behind my glider and caught under one of the trolley wheels...
02 May 2013
A Sled Ride - Scratchy, Uphill, Downwind Landing!
Everyone else chilled on the hill and did not look motivated to fly, so I clipped in, hang checked myself and launched…
20 Apr 2013
Everyone else chilled on the hill and did not look motivated to fly, so I clipped in, hang checked myself and launched…
20 Apr 2013
Dan's Bowl
Swanborough is always full of surprises and as I turned to set-up my landing approach I knew I was high so allowed the glider to drift over the back to compensate…
29 Mar 2013
Swanborough is always full of surprises and as I turned to set-up my landing approach I knew I was high so allowed the glider to drift over the back to compensate…
29 Mar 2013
Amendments to Aerotow Operations in the UK
In October 2011 a tragic accident happened during aerotow training resulting in the death of a young woman. In a subsequent investigation, the school was found not to be complying with some aspects of the BHPA technical manual…
15 Mar 2013
In October 2011 a tragic accident happened during aerotow training resulting in the death of a young woman. In a subsequent investigation, the school was found not to be complying with some aspects of the BHPA technical manual…
15 Mar 2013
Gale Hanging at Bo Peep
It was no better on the front of the hill as the glider jostled around in the turbulent air. Keith had to retreat as his bare hands had gone numb from the cold so Luke took position on the nose. Eventually, the turbulent air smoothed just enough for me to launch...
01 Mar 2013
It was no better on the front of the hill as the glider jostled around in the turbulent air. Keith had to retreat as his bare hands had gone numb from the cold so Luke took position on the nose. Eventually, the turbulent air smoothed just enough for me to launch...
01 Mar 2013
AirBorne Sting 3:168 Service
My glider goes to John Barratt of Southdowns Hang Gliding for a service which includes the replacement of the side-wires, a chute repack and the fitting of a bridle knife to my harness…
04 Dec 2012
My glider goes to John Barratt of Southdowns Hang Gliding for a service which includes the replacement of the side-wires, a chute repack and the fitting of a bridle knife to my harness…
04 Dec 2012
The Shadow Beneath Me
I'd only made it to Suffolk once this year and I was eager for one last trip there to see the team before the year ended..
11 Nov 2012
I'd only made it to Suffolk once this year and I was eager for one last trip there to see the team before the year ended..
11 Nov 2012
A Grand Day Out!
I skimmed through the edge of the thermal and gained a mental picture of where this illusive mass or rising air was. I cirlced around then pushed into it and found more reliable lift and started climbing, slowly getting higher and higher and drifting back over the Dyke...
29 Sep 2012
I skimmed through the edge of the thermal and gained a mental picture of where this illusive mass or rising air was. I cirlced around then pushed into it and found more reliable lift and started climbing, slowly getting higher and higher and drifting back over the Dyke...
29 Sep 2012
First XC on the Downs!
At 2,080 feet a.t.o, which looked to be cloud base the thermal dissipated and I set off in a south westerly direction. With my eyes focussed on the ground for potential landing options and the blue expanse of see in front, I passed over Woodingdean heading towards Brighton Marina...
22 Sep 2012
At 2,080 feet a.t.o, which looked to be cloud base the thermal dissipated and I set off in a south westerly direction. With my eyes focussed on the ground for potential landing options and the blue expanse of see in front, I passed over Woodingdean heading towards Brighton Marina...
22 Sep 2012
Aerotow at Plumpton
As before the glider tended to float up behind the tug, but as my skill and technique began to improve, I handled it better than I had previously…
08 Sep 2012
As before the glider tended to float up behind the tug, but as my skill and technique began to improve, I handled it better than I had previously…
08 Sep 2012
Back to Aerotow
I was unusually low behind the tug and was jostled about all over the place. I was just about to release when tug pilot signalled me to do so - I assumed he also had a difficult time towing me…
22 Jul 2012
I was unusually low behind the tug and was jostled about all over the place. I was just about to release when tug pilot signalled me to do so - I assumed he also had a difficult time towing me…
22 Jul 2012
Scratching to Truleigh Hill
Once at Truleigh Hill I considered myself to be lucky that I had the whole airspace here to myself. It was at that point it dawned on me that there might be a good reason why no-one else flew to Truleigh…
22 May 2012
Once at Truleigh Hill I considered myself to be lucky that I had the whole airspace here to myself. It was at that point it dawned on me that there might be a good reason why no-one else flew to Truleigh…
22 May 2012
Mooove Out The Way
I had never slalomed my hang glider before, and after I negotiated my way around the first two cows, a third appeared right in front of me. With eye to eye contact with the cow and a collision imminent, I wondered who would flinch first; me or the cow..
21 May 2012
I had never slalomed my hang glider before, and after I negotiated my way around the first two cows, a third appeared right in front of me. With eye to eye contact with the cow and a collision imminent, I wondered who would flinch first; me or the cow..
21 May 2012
Spring Competition
Due to my late arrival I was last to launch. There had already been some notable problems with the winch which varied between cable snaps and tangles, all of which slowed progression through launching pilots and by the time of my first launch, I became victim of another cable snap...
21 Apr 2012
Due to my late arrival I was last to launch. There had already been some notable problems with the winch which varied between cable snaps and tangles, all of which slowed progression through launching pilots and by the time of my first launch, I became victim of another cable snap...
21 Apr 2012
Wonderful Swanborough
Ozzie and I both danced around each other and tried to catch something that would take us higher. There was definitely something brewing as my glider was occasionally jostled around by broken thermals whizzing through…
14 Apr 2012
Ozzie and I both danced around each other and tried to catch something that would take us higher. There was definitely something brewing as my glider was occasionally jostled around by broken thermals whizzing through…
14 Apr 2012
Bo Peep
First stop of the day was Firle, just to check where the wind really was. On arrival it was obvious this was the wrong site and a quick stroll to the front of the hill confirmed this with a significant easterly component in the wind. Armed with this information I returned to my car, had a quick conversation with a walker then drove to Bo Peep. Bo Peep was indeed the place to be...
31 Mar 2012
First stop of the day was Firle, just to check where the wind really was. On arrival it was obvious this was the wrong site and a quick stroll to the front of the hill confirmed this with a significant easterly component in the wind. Armed with this information I returned to my car, had a quick conversation with a walker then drove to Bo Peep. Bo Peep was indeed the place to be...
31 Mar 2012
Firle Beacon
Clipped in and hang checked, I stepped from the shelter of the reservoir into the true wind strength. I worked my way to the front of the hill and within a few paces, I was airborne…
28 Jan 2012
Clipped in and hang checked, I stepped from the shelter of the reservoir into the true wind strength. I worked my way to the front of the hill and within a few paces, I was airborne…
28 Jan 2012
Winching in Suffolk
At a height of 200 feet, the tension increased on the towline followed by a jolt as weak link conceded ending the tow…
03 Sep 2011
At a height of 200 feet, the tension increased on the towline followed by a jolt as weak link conceded ending the tow…
03 Sep 2011
Aerotow
I only managed the one flight, but the adjusted hang point position really made a big difference and I felt more comfortable than my previous aerotows…
20 Aug 2011
I only managed the one flight, but the adjusted hang point position really made a big difference and I felt more comfortable than my previous aerotows…
20 Aug 2011
XC Day!
I now had to concentrate on staying in the lift and after several orbits, the vario continued to sound its happy beeps! I knew I was off and with 1,700 feet between me and everyone down on the ground, I relaxed, waved goodbye to everyone below
21 May 2011
I now had to concentrate on staying in the lift and after several orbits, the vario continued to sound its happy beeps! I knew I was off and with 1,700 feet between me and everyone down on the ground, I relaxed, waved goodbye to everyone below
21 May 2011
Another Dyke Day
Several times I climbed close to 1,000 feet above take off and at one point I thermalled with a rigid hang glider. I was stunned at the speed of this thing as it ran running circles around me…
15 May 2011
Several times I climbed close to 1,000 feet above take off and at one point I thermalled with a rigid hang glider. I was stunned at the speed of this thing as it ran running circles around me…
15 May 2011
A Dyke Classic
Flying around at ridge height required concentration but soon I bumped into my first thermal which took me to 1,000 feet above launch. From thereon, finding lift seemed to be a child's game…
14 May 2011
Flying around at ridge height required concentration but soon I bumped into my first thermal which took me to 1,000 feet above launch. From thereon, finding lift seemed to be a child's game…
14 May 2011
The Royal Wedding… Not!
I launched into a hole; why does Bo Peep do that? I narrowly missed the barbed wire fence and dropped down the hill and didn’t think I could glide clear of the trees to the bottom landing field…
29 Apr 2011
I launched into a hole; why does Bo Peep do that? I narrowly missed the barbed wire fence and dropped down the hill and didn’t think I could glide clear of the trees to the bottom landing field…
29 Apr 2011
A New Site
Firle is more of a series of bowls and as I found out, in weak conditions, it's all too easy to temporarily get trapped in one…
25 Apr 2011
Firle is more of a series of bowls and as I found out, in weak conditions, it's all too easy to temporarily get trapped in one…
25 Apr 2011
Spring Flying
In between my sled rides, Steve B. had managed to get away on a short XC and John C. had somehow managed to climb to 4,000ft above the airfield…
23 Apr 2011
In between my sled rides, Steve B. had managed to get away on a short XC and John C. had somehow managed to climb to 4,000ft above the airfield…
23 Apr 2011
Aerotow on the South Downs
Once released with the tug headed off on its downward journey, I boated around the sky and soaked up the amazing scenery beneath me
19 Mar 2011
Once released with the tug headed off on its downward journey, I boated around the sky and soaked up the amazing scenery beneath me
19 Mar 2011
Off and Onable
Later a third Sting joined us and we all enjoyed a thermal which took us to 700 feet again. The third Sting was exceptional, out climbing Steve and I every time! It turned out it was piloted by the legendary Johnny Carr, test flying it for a client…
05 Mar 2011
Later a third Sting joined us and we all enjoyed a thermal which took us to 700 feet again. The third Sting was exceptional, out climbing Steve and I every time! It turned out it was piloted by the legendary Johnny Carr, test flying it for a client…
05 Mar 2011
Scratchy!
I had assumed everyone had landed so you can imagine my surprise when I looked up from the rear car park to see glider very low, clipping trees before a very rough landing on the road that lead into the car park…
27 Feb 2011
I had assumed everyone had landed so you can imagine my surprise when I looked up from the rear car park to see glider very low, clipping trees before a very rough landing on the road that lead into the car park…
27 Feb 2011
Fun in the Mud
I headed back to launch, burned some height off with some 360's then landed in the muddiest bit of ground I could find
12 Feb 2011
I headed back to launch, burned some height off with some 360's then landed in the muddiest bit of ground I could find
12 Feb 2011
