Awesome Morning at Itford Hill

Rob S and Gordon S were up with the larks this morning at Itford Hill. They brought along the Club SAS Wildthing trainer and training commenced with gusto. Understandably, Gordon expressed a wish to train on his hand built Soarceror. Apparently, Gordon has built a number of these models over the years. It’s clear to all that Gordon is continuing to improve.

As I parked up in the lay-by, I noticed Mark J loading his gliders into bags ready for the stroll to the top of the hill. We were presented with excellent scenery looking Westwards, probably the best visibility I have seen so far at this slope, especially as it’s late in the year.

Approaching the top Mark J and I noticed that a group of our Club members and 2 potential new members had gathered at our usual haunt known as “Hampshire’s Hollow”, and we noticed Robin A was based at the very top behind the bushes for some shelter. A decision was made to join Robin A further up the hill.

Today’s Club group consisted of Rob S and Gordon as previously mentioned, Robin A had his Mephisto and a Chris Foss Phase 6. Mark J was equipped with his SAS Wildthing and a Max Thrust Aggressor, I brought along my Dream Flight Ahi. Kevin M had his Wildthing and a Chris Foss Middle Phase, our 2 potential new members, Rob who had a Dream Flight Alula and Mike had a Middle Phase newly built for his grandson.

Some Gliders From Today

Visibility was excellent but the wind was light and variable, even when the wind picked up the lift produced was variable.

Gordon’s training was going well until his Soarceror suffered a heavy landing which resulted in some minor damage, but the glider is repairable. Kevin M’s Middle Phase also suffered some mechanical issues in the form of a broken clevis and a servo failure which resulted in the glider being grounded.

Gordon's Broken Glider

Rob one of our new potential members who is self-taught impressed the group with his flying ability employing the Alula and Mike another potential member has built 2 Middle Phases, 1 for his son another for his grandson.

Flying this morning was sporadic as the conditions favored lighter foamies but our experienced Wildthing flyers also managed some good stick time.

Mike's Superb Middle Phase

Around 11 the early starters began to go home and soon only I and Mark J were left on the hill. Mark J being one of our continuation instructors gave me some demonstrations of landing which was most appreciated. I continued to fly my Ahi on 2 flights this time without causing any damage. I need to perform several technical adjustments such as adding “Expo” to the Ahi setting to make it a little less sensitive. Mark J stay on for about 1.5 hours after I left and I understand that the conditions improved and several thermals came through.

Kevin's Broken Middle Phase

In Sum, an awesome day with even better company. Some good flying but some damaged gliders taken home for repair. The weather was exceptional, and it was very surprising that only tee shirts were needed this late in September. Not a great day for the guys who had traditional built balsa gliders such as the Phase 6 and the Middle Phase. A big thank you to all who attended today. 

Dane-RC Leprechaun 2 glider for sale

Anyone interested in owning a beautiful Leprechaun 2 glider?

Built by myself and you can see the step by step build process here on the blog

This is a real floater with a huge wing area and a 2.8m span (but it does have a two piece wing and removable tail plane).

Comes with ailerons, rudder & elevator.

Kit alone costs around £290 + decent Servos and about £120 worth of covering.

She is a beauty and just doesn't get out enough so I'm looking for a new home for her.

If you are Interest then I am open to a sensible offer...............

Paul Hampshire 07834 859018  paul.hampshire@shelf-space.co.uk

The superb John Woodfield flying his Leprechaun. 

Friday Morning Flying at Bopeep

 It’s been a while since I was last at Bopeep and due to the North Easterly wind, it was chosen as today’s flying location. I met Robin A at the East side from the car park, usually used by the paragliders but with the strong wind we took the opportunity to fly here. 

Robin A brought along his Phase 6 and the Mesfisto gliders. I had my Dream Flight Ahi. Robin was first away and enjoying the experience. I tried to sort out the trim of my Ahi before launching it off the slope. Unfortunately, it did not go well as I turned the glider it struck the ground nose first. Our more learned members would probably say the conditions were near the very edge of the envelope for the Ahi. Some minor damage occurred but nothing that a large tube of glue won’t fix. 

Mark J arrived with a SAS Wildthing and his Max Thrust Aggressor which were ideal for the conditions of the day. A little later Richard W joined us from the West side of the car park, bringing along a FS4000 and his magnificent Carbon Dorado glider. Nick G arrived with his Phase 6.

Phase 6, Mesfisto and Ahi.

We had a message from a fellow club member to keep an eye out for a canopy cover from a Middle Phase that came to a sticky end yesterday. As I had now had an opportunity to search for it, I went to the crash site and luckily found it. 

FS4000

I decided to call it a day and go home, leaving behind the group still enjoying the day's flying and 2 very optimistic paragliders waiting for the wind to drop. 

Max Thrust Aggressor and SAS Wildthing.

Drone Video from Firle Beacon 16th July 2021

Michael, has kindly produced a short video of our outing to Firle Beacon on 16th July 2021. Many thanks go to Michael for allowing this video to be published on our Club Blog site.

Just click on the link below to view the video.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AlcdXQOwq65D3BJ97yWV9oikbbq8?e=MrgQZN

                                            Thursday 2nd Sept at Ditchling Beacon

Yesterday Rob S and Bill H  went to Ditchling Beacon at 08:30 to avoid the crowds in the car park. As it happened there was no crowd and the car park was pretty empty all day.

We started by trimming the old club Spectre which Bill has remade and improved. It only really needed a little up elevon adjustment and it seemed to fly pretty well albeit a bit twitchy. We found a problem with the battery connection so it was grounded until Bill can fix it.

Then I got the club Wildthing in the air and Bill took over , he was doing remarkably well for his 4th or 5th flight ever, I didn't really have to intervene except for landing. In fact I got Bill to practice a few landings and they went pretty well, so he's coming along quickly.

Then I got out my re-covered Ninja (I have 2 , but this is my original one) it didn't need any trimming at all and it flew brilliantly, so I've now got my faithful old Ninja back with a new colour scheme.

After nearly 2 hours we decided that we would pack up for the day, so we both left. The car park still wasn't full by any means but there was a very optimistic ice cream van up there waiting in vain for customers.

                                         Model Glider Found at Ditchling Beacon

************** Owner found and will be re-united with his Ahi ASAP ****************

A local power flying club has found a lost Ahi model glider at Ditchling Beacon.

The Ahi was found in tact and seemingly in working order. There was however, no Operator ID on the model so it couldn't be traced back to the owner by that method (through the CAA).

If you have lost this glider, please contact our club secretary or chairman and we can put you in touch with the person who has found it.

Chairman - Rob Stanley 

 Secretary - Tony Crawford

Rob