Thursday Flying Session

Unlike my previous very windy flying session the day before with Rob Thursday weather was completely different. The wind was light and the sky was bathed in lovely warm winter sunshine.
Scott and Ian joined me up at Itford. I went fully kitted out for the cold which meant I was roasting when I reached the hill top and collapse in a heap of too much Festive cheer (must start that diet soon!).
It was a later than usual start and we started flying around 1.00pm. No gloves were needed and no hat. There were already some of the locals flying with there models getting a little bit too close to us especially as they were flying right at the top behind the trees.
I had my Expro which seemed to be the perfect machine for me with the generally light lift but bolstered by some nice winter thermals. Scott was trying to keep his light foamy up but it proved a little too light at times. Ian had his Starlight cruising around from thermal to thermal. I topped out around 100 metres and was getting bored floating around so I took Ian's advice and rigged my Valenta Carbonara. I was convinced the wind was too light for the Carbonara but as ever this huge model didn't fail to amaze me. She is heavy but very efficient and soared away in what must have been a 5 -6mph light breeze. Had a great time flying her and I feel we understand each other a bit better now. Lots of rudder in those turns needed but she has a real presence in the air - love it!
As the time ticked by the wind eased and the lift fizzled away. At times I could just about stay up with my Expro and having to tuck it into the hill just to stay airborne. Its silly how you can get excited over just gaining a metre in height and then getting disappointed making a turn and loosing it again.
These are the days that I really enjoy. Not masses of lift but enough. Where you have to fly accurately and use your whit's to find the lift and use it efficiently.
It was one of the most enjoyable days out for many months, just a pity we had such a poor turnout.

M60 versus Ninja

Hi All,
That was today's flying - M60 versus Ninja....

Paul and I decided to go flying despite the snow and sleet and 40 mph NW winds...
We met at Devil's Dyke at 13:00 but had to sit in the cars until the rain had passed - about 15 mins.
Then we got the models out and braved the massive wind - it was very difficult to walk to the edge, but we did and Paul threw my Ninja for me and it was away followed by his M60.
Because the wind was so constant, the lift was immense and it was very exciting flying against such a strong headwind without being blown back to the car park. There was no problem staying aloft but as I said making forward headway wasn't always easy.
We lasted about 7 or 8 minutes before the weather beat us back to the cars.
After a warm up, we tried  again and this time we lasted about 15 minutes.
Time, then for a break from the biting cold and Paul had some soup before the weather cleared and we had a third go.
This time it was a little less cold without the rain/sleet so we were able to stay up for about 20 minutes or more. During this time we tried some impromptu combat (mainly because we couldn't always control where the models were going) and Paul managed to execute 13 rolls in a row across the hill - a record !!! (we think).. then in the distance we could see a load of 'stuff'' coming from the sky so we landed and retreated to the cars and home...
In all I had a fantastic day - only 1.5 hours but what a blast (literally).....

Thanks Paul for suggesting it - it reminded me of the Ninja in 50 mph at Mill Hill that day - remember that ??? (there's a video of it somewhere on the blog)


Rob