It was a day of firsts - Paul's first time FPVing, my first time at Colley Hill and flying the Ascot, and Ian's first time driving round the M25 on the weekend without being paid for it!
It was also the first time that I can remember, at least since October/November last year, flying without a hat, gloves and down jacket - amazing what a difference it makes when you don't have a layer of insulating material between your fingers and the gimbal sticks!
It is a stunning location with an imposing south-facing bowl, which delivered on impressive lift and excellent thermals. These benefits were only countered by the dizzying experience of crossing the M25 on a footbridge suspended above eight lanes of traffic to reach the slope, and the turbulent landing area behind directly behind the main bowl.
We initially set up our gliders on the spur just to the west of the main bowl but quickly moved back round to the main bowl as the lift was stronger - although so too was the turbulence, which made for some challenging landings as the wind continued to pick-up throughout the morning!
Paul and Ian test flew the Ascot, which flew impeccably straight from the launch - a testament to the skill of the guy who sold and set it up for me (thanks mate if you read this!). After taking the controls, I was immediately reassured by it's smooth and stable flight characteristics which inspired complete confidence from the first (nerve-wracking) moments.
After 5-10 minutes getting the feel of it, Ian offered to land it for me and test out the crow configuration set up in landing mode. Ian pulled off an impressive landing in the turbulent conditions. I then took the transmitter back and Ian lobbed it off for me and I started to relax a bit and really enjoy my second flight and am already looking forward to my next one.
After my second attempt to get into mouldies (Ian's Europhia being the first) and over a year off following the birth of my baby daughter, today felt like a real milestone moment. Thanks to everyone at Slope Soaring Sussex for making it possible!
The main bowl at Colley Hill
Setting up on the spur (the main mouldie landing area)
Looking back across the bowl from the main landing area
Me and the Ascot after two fun-filled flights
Ian launching his DLG
A colourful selection of gliders (Mijet, Ascot, ExPro, Shadow x2)
Great write up Will. You captured the spirit of the day very well. You should write these flying reports more often?
ReplyDeleteHi Will, great write-up, sorry I didn't quite make it yesterday - I got to the car park, but migraine got the better of me and I drove home slowly.
ReplyDeleteCheers guys, more than happy to contribute the occasional blog post :-) Bad luck with the migraine Rob, hope you're feeling better now.
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