Articles
Bo Peep
This was to be my first flight in a very long-time, in fact it was the first for 2005…
26 Jun 2005
This was to be my first flight in a very long-time, in fact it was the first for 2005…
26 Jun 2005
Ben Nevis
An account of our Ben Nevis Ascent, Britain's highest mountain with Gideon Reade and Clare Thurgar.
30 Mar 2005
An account of our Ben Nevis Ascent, Britain's highest mountain with Gideon Reade and Clare Thurgar.
30 Mar 2005
Bo Peep
I arrived at Bo Peep but the wind wasn't as strong as I'd expected so staying up looked like a challenge…
08 Oct 2004
I arrived at Bo Peep but the wind wasn't as strong as I'd expected so staying up looked like a challenge…
08 Oct 2004
A Trip to the Bottom
With the wind blowing from a westerly direction the lift was concentrated on the pub hill only. After rigging and checking over my Target hang glider, I made my way to launch…
13 Jun 2004
With the wind blowing from a westerly direction the lift was concentrated on the pub hill only. After rigging and checking over my Target hang glider, I made my way to launch…
13 Jun 2004
Gusty!
I have to admit, it wasn’t particularly great fun as I was jostled and bounced around the sky…
22 Dec 2001
I have to admit, it wasn’t particularly great fun as I was jostled and bounced around the sky…
22 Dec 2001
Some Proper Soaring
After about 40 minutes I decided to try another top landing but for some reason, the Paddock looked uncomfortably small…
06 Sep 2001
After about 40 minutes I decided to try another top landing but for some reason, the Paddock looked uncomfortably small…
06 Sep 2001
Scraped In for a Bottom Landing
I knew it wasn’t going to be a soaring day, but rigged anyway. After I launched, I crossed the bowl and set-off towards the pylons…
04 Sep 2001
I knew it wasn’t going to be a soaring day, but rigged anyway. After I launched, I crossed the bowl and set-off towards the pylons…
04 Sep 2001
A Non-Event
I arrived at 3pm and learnt my first lesson about the sea breeze; when makes it way inland it can dramatically alter the wind direction…
21 Jun 2001
I arrived at 3pm and learnt my first lesson about the sea breeze; when makes it way inland it can dramatically alter the wind direction…
21 Jun 2001
Top Landing!
With a strong wind blowing from north of North West, I was confident that I would soar and avoid another trip to the bottom landing field…
17 Jun 2001
With a strong wind blowing from north of North West, I was confident that I would soar and avoid another trip to the bottom landing field…
17 Jun 2001
Bottom Landings
My luck with the wind and weather wasn't in my favour. By the time I had rigged my Calyspo and checked it over the sky was looking grey and after making my way to the launch area, the wind had dropped and it was now obvious that this would be a sled ride...
02 Jun 2001
My luck with the wind and weather wasn't in my favour. By the time I had rigged my Calyspo and checked it over the sky was looking grey and after making my way to the launch area, the wind had dropped and it was now obvious that this would be a sled ride...
02 Jun 2001
Sierra Nevada - Day Five
As the rest of us were preparing for launch and queuing in the launch area just like us Brits do, we were somewhat surprised to hear John's apologetic airborne, "Oops, cheeky take-off!", as he jumped the launch order by launching from the car park, swooping over the rest of us and onward into the clear sky.
06 Apr 2001
As the rest of us were preparing for launch and queuing in the launch area just like us Brits do, we were somewhat surprised to hear John's apologetic airborne, "Oops, cheeky take-off!", as he jumped the launch order by launching from the car park, swooping over the rest of us and onward into the clear sky.
06 Apr 2001
Sierra Nevada - Day Four
Thursday saw us return to Loja; however conditions were not as good as Wednesday's as maintaining height was a bit more of a struggle. With this in mind, and our confidence in flying greatly increased, we began to play…
05 Apr 2001
Thursday saw us return to Loja; however conditions were not as good as Wednesday's as maintaining height was a bit more of a struggle. With this in mind, and our confidence in flying greatly increased, we began to play…
05 Apr 2001
Sierra Nevada - Day Three
After launching I executed a few turns and a couple of random 360's before my vario squealed one of it's happy, I'm going up sounds…
04 Apr 2001
After launching I executed a few turns and a couple of random 360's before my vario squealed one of it's happy, I'm going up sounds…
04 Apr 2001
Sierra Nevada - Day Two
My first flight concluded with an interesting landing. During my final approach I flew over the sewage works that processed what ever came out of Padul. This happened to be a good thermic source (don't ask!), as it generated a 6 up sending me skyward…
03 Apr 2001
My first flight concluded with an interesting landing. During my final approach I flew over the sewage works that processed what ever came out of Padul. This happened to be a good thermic source (don't ask!), as it generated a 6 up sending me skyward…
03 Apr 2001
Sierra Nevada - Day One
The night arrival night had hid the surrounding countryside from us, so when Monday morning arrived, we were surprised to find ourselves in a beautiful Spanish town, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains…
02 Apr 2001
The night arrival night had hid the surrounding countryside from us, so when Monday morning arrived, we were surprised to find ourselves in a beautiful Spanish town, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains…
02 Apr 2001
Sierra Nevada 2001
April 2001, Foot and Mouth disease had closed the English countryside, ending any possibilities of Hang Gliding pretty much anywhere in the UK. John Barratt from Sussex Hang Gliding and Paragliding (now South Downs Hang Gliding) must have predicted this outbreak, as he'd timed his hang gliding trip to the Spanish Sierra Nevada Mountain range perfectly...
02 Apr 2001
April 2001, Foot and Mouth disease had closed the English countryside, ending any possibilities of Hang Gliding pretty much anywhere in the UK. John Barratt from Sussex Hang Gliding and Paragliding (now South Downs Hang Gliding) must have predicted this outbreak, as he'd timed his hang gliding trip to the Spanish Sierra Nevada Mountain range perfectly...
02 Apr 2001
Another Quick Flight
Frustratingly, another top to bottom at the Devil’s Dyke when others managed to stay up and top land…
15 Dec 2000
Frustratingly, another top to bottom at the Devil’s Dyke when others managed to stay up and top land…
15 Dec 2000
A Quick Top to Bottom
Having had arrived late and wanting to get a quick flight in before it was too dark, I rigged my glider and did a quick top-to-bottom…
07 Oct 2000
Having had arrived late and wanting to get a quick flight in before it was too dark, I rigged my glider and did a quick top-to-bottom…
07 Oct 2000
Top to Bottoms
Almost 3 months had passed since my last flight, so I was keen to get out and give it a go…
12 Mar 2000
Almost 3 months had passed since my last flight, so I was keen to get out and give it a go…
12 Mar 2000
First Time on Top!
My first top landing at the Devil's Dyke. Bit low, as I found a gap between the fort at the trees, but I was down for the first time in the Paddock!
29 Dec 1999
My first top landing at the Devil's Dyke. Bit low, as I found a gap between the fort at the trees, but I was down for the first time in the Paddock!
29 Dec 1999
A Snow Covered Devil's Dyke
After almost freezing to death and warming up with a hot drink from the Devil's Dyke pub, I emerge to find my glider almost burriend in an ice drift…
19 Dec 1999
After almost freezing to death and warming up with a hot drink from the Devil's Dyke pub, I emerge to find my glider almost burriend in an ice drift…
19 Dec 1999
Frustrations!
With my confidence dwindling but still eager to fly, I selected a day that probably wasn't ideal for someone with my low hours and experience. I arrived at the Devil's Dyke and the wind was strong and also gusty at times. Having booked time off work to fly I was motivated to get into the air, so ignoring my gut feel for what I perceived as border-line conditions, I rigged my Calypso, checked it over then launched...
09 Nov 1999
With my confidence dwindling but still eager to fly, I selected a day that probably wasn't ideal for someone with my low hours and experience. I arrived at the Devil's Dyke and the wind was strong and also gusty at times. Having booked time off work to fly I was motivated to get into the air, so ignoring my gut feel for what I perceived as border-line conditions, I rigged my Calypso, checked it over then launched...
09 Nov 1999
The Rifle Range
Having grown up in the West Country I was keen to fly some of the local sites to my origins. In anticipation I had joined the Avon Hang Gliding Club…
11 Sep 1999
Having grown up in the West Country I was keen to fly some of the local sites to my origins. In anticipation I had joined the Avon Hang Gliding Club…
11 Sep 1999
Swanborough with South Downs Hang Gliding
I was still seeking my flying confidence after I had completed my CP training. John Barratt from South Downs Hang Gliding once again invited me out to join in with the school…
21 Aug 1999
I was still seeking my flying confidence after I had completed my CP training. John Barratt from South Downs Hang Gliding once again invited me out to join in with the school…
21 Aug 1999
Calypso to the Skies
Months had passed since I had fitted a new upright and despite some trips to the hills since; I had not taken to the air. John Barratt had probably noticed not seeing me around and very kindly called me to say that they'd be flying today and I was welcome to join the school at Bo Peep...
12 Jul 1999
Months had passed since I had fitted a new upright and despite some trips to the hills since; I had not taken to the air. John Barratt had probably noticed not seeing me around and very kindly called me to say that they'd be flying today and I was welcome to join the school at Bo Peep...
12 Jul 1999
My First Mountain Flight
John briefed us on the flight path we'd take. The bottom landing was actually out of sight and was around to the left of launch. Our flight plans had been dictated to us; good strong launch, gentle turn to the left until you see the bottom landing, then a gentle turn to the right, back into wind, and set-up for a landing...
19 Mar 1999
John briefed us on the flight path we'd take. The bottom landing was actually out of sight and was around to the left of launch. Our flight plans had been dictated to us; good strong launch, gentle turn to the left until you see the bottom landing, then a gentle turn to the right, back into wind, and set-up for a landing...
19 Mar 1999
First Soaring Flights
After a break to recoup my finances I had discovered John Barratt from West Sussex Hang Gliding and Paragliding. I signed up to complete my CP, but had to go back to basics due to my break…
19 Mar 1999
After a break to recoup my finances I had discovered John Barratt from West Sussex Hang Gliding and Paragliding. I signed up to complete my CP, but had to go back to basics due to my break…
19 Mar 1999
