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

Rough as olds boots

Rob, Ian and myself flew at Itford Hill today. Not a bad wind strength but really bad turbulence led to some interesting flights. My 4 m Carbonara was being chucked all round the place and it would suddenly drop out of the sky like a stone. Had to make sure you carried plenty of speed. Ian had the same treatment with his Jedi. Poor Rob was not so lucky and his Mini Vec had a slight incident with the ground and as usual the ground won. I understand a new fuselage has been purchased and will be with Rob soon. at the end it was drizzling and getting rough but strangely light lift. Even had great trouble keeping the M60 up. Roll on after Chrimbo for some more flying.

Flying over the Christmas period

Ho Ho Ho..................and a Merry Christmas to you and you're loved ones.

Anyone flying over the Christmas break?

I am fortunate to have nearly two weeks off and will be out flying as and when I can get out.

If the relatives are getting on your nerves and you fancy some flying then text me or use the shout box to let us all know you are going flying.

I'm available to give some Instruction if anybody needs a helping hand or wants to practice those landings.

I am hoping to get out flying for an hour or two tomorrow, maybe at the Dyke as its a light NW wind forecast.

If I don't see you before the big day, I would like to wish you all the very happy Christmas and hope you have a great festive period with your families.

Enjoy and stay safe!

Paul
07834 859018

A lovely morning flying at the Dyke

Saturday brought us a lovely chilly morning at Devils Dyke with just Ian and myself flying from our club. The temperature was around freezing and add a little wind chill and conditions were a little nippy, so you had to wrap up warm and enjoy the fantastic. The wind was light at first so my Expo got some flying plus the newly built Highside. Ian flew his beautiful Jedi. She cruised around effortlessly in the weak conditions, Then as we went back to the car to change models the wind picked up the handgliders and paragliders started to climb away and the lift improved. Ian then flew his Jart and I flew the Highside again. I am really impressed with the Highside. It is a brick with wings but it behaves really well. Will roll, loop and just fly inverted but for me its still a pleasure to fly. If you are after something to build and that responds well but is stable in flight then you must consider the Highside. Not the best in penetration or energy retention but is does what it sais on the can. I'm well impressed with it.

We met up with Mill Hill Mike and Chris who flew there big mouldies with Chris maidening his DG300. We watched a very nice landing by Chris with his new glider.

After getting a little cold but not too bad we retired back to the Plough at Plumpton for some lunch, a pint and a warm by the fire.

Thanks for the company Ian.

2018 Membership

Hi All,
I am now in a position to be able to send out all the 2018 membership cards to those who have paid their club subscriptions. Further, for all members who are also insured with BMFA through the club, I have received all your BMFA membership paperwork for next year, so I will be sending that out as well in the next day or two.

I would like to thank you all for your continued loyalty to the club.

Best regards
Rob Stanley
Hon Sec

Flying this Saturday (16th Dec)

Hi all
The plan is to fly this Saturday morning. The wind currently looks as if its going to be a NW wind around 10 - 15mph maybe a touch more. The wind chill is expected to be around -4 degrees.
Speaking with Ian we hope to meet at Devils Dyke car park around 10.00am for some flying then to defrost in the Plough pub in Plumpton with a pint and some lunch.
All welcome but make sure you wrap up well and then you can defrost in front of the fire down the pub.

Coyote Build update

Hi all,
I have made some more progress on the Coyote -

the update is to be found here - Coyote Glider Build

Rob

New Members

Hi All,
I am pleased to announce that we have two new members to the club, they are -

John Marchant from Burgess Hill and Robin Strange from Worthing.

John was a member of Ardingly Fliers (which became Mid Sussex Fliers) and has quite a lot of flying experience of both power and gliders.

Robin is a member of SRFC and is fairly new to slope soaring but has flown at Mill Hill and Devils Dyke in the past.

I'm sure you will join me in welcoming both of them to our club and look forward to meeting them on a slope fairly soon.....

Rob Stanley
Hon Sec

Coyote glider build

Hi All, I have made some progress with the Coyote,

the update is to be found here - Coyote Glider Build

BMFA 2018 Renewal

Hi All,
Many thanks to all of our members for helping us process our BMFA renewals in a prompt manner.
Today Scott and I reviewed our renewal paperwork and the emails you sent us about your requirements and we've now sent off the paperwork to BMFA along with a cheque with all our renewals.
I expect to get the new BMFA membership documents in a week or so (depending on their workload), and I will then send them on to each of you with a new Slope Soaring Sussex membership card for 2018.

Many thanks to you all for your continued support.

Best regards
Rob and Scott

The weekend ahead

Hello all
I will be enjoying the snow and ice of South Wales this weekend so you will all have to enjoy the peace and quite without me. I was hoping to get up to the Bwlch to enjoy the delights of those big slopes but I fear the freezing temperatures and the threat of snow might scupper my plans.
Anyway, if you do get out flying then please don't forget to let everyone know when and where you will be flying and let us all know how it went.
Cheerio for now.
Paul

A satisfying struggle.........

Another one of those 'not a clue where to fly' days. Wind was forecast to be variable but between 5 - 10mph. Well that was a lie! Max wind speed must have been around 3mph. Anyway, Ian and I ended up at Firle Beacon. Lots of Paragliders  and Hangliders sitting on the floor or packing away when we arrived. We wandered over to the main Paraglider launch site and said hello to the guys just standing around chatting. Ian launched his Blaster for a few quick flights and I gave my Xpro a mammoth chuck out into the completely dead air for a circuit.

Then we walked along to the usual model flying bowl where Ian had a little more joy with his DLG but nothing special so we carried on over the stile and along to the next bowl which neither of us had ever flown at. Lined with trees and bushes to our left and just a small clearing and open route in for a quick landing ahead of us. This bowl would have been more into wind if there was any!

You may have noticed our main blog banner has changed to this image of Ian's Blaster 3.

Ian was flying his Blaster and just about hanging in there and on occasions the sheep below us would fart and a tiny bubble of rising methane would get you another metre of altitude. Well this was enough to try out the superb glide of my 3.6m Xpro. The first launch was out round and down. The next was a wee bit longer and in the end I managed to get all the way up to 39m above launch height. Wohooo! Watch out for the ice on the wings..........It was hugely satisfying to able to float around in what felt like no wind trying very hard not to lose any height on the turns and eking out every little drop off sheep fart thermal you could. Ian was flying his heavier Super Starlight at the time and he was doing just as well as me but carrying far more weight. You can't beat a really good battle to stay up!

We wandered back over the stile to find two other glider guiders standing around. They launched a powered glider which did need it motor on many occasion's. Ian couldn't resist showing him how it should be done with his DLG. Another difficult soaring day but a very satisfying struggle to stay airborne. 

SLEC Coyote Kit Build

Hi All,
After the not very successful Limit X, I have moved to a SLEC Coyote.
For the build log click here:  'Coyote Glider Build'



More progress as it happens ......

Rob