14 August 2012
Interclub League - Sunday
It was evidently waving in the early morning southerly breeze, however there was a significant amount of cloud around.
It was decided that scrubbing the task would be the best option and allow pilots to fly under their own free will.
I took a launch with my girlfriend for her first flight, and after a bumpy aerotow we were rewarded with a steady climb to 9,000ft over Ballater.
Robert Tait aimed to fly home to Easterton, but once in the Spey valley saw a good line of energy. He posted an undeclared 350km flight on the ladder!
C'est la vie.
Overall, Highland took the honours with Deeside a close second, followed by SGU and Feshiebridge.
Well done to Easterton, they are producing some adventurous and skilled XC pilots.
Interclub League - Saturday
Good morning,
The weather held out and allowed a good, but tricky, competition day on Saturday.
At Deeside we had:
Novice - Ron Ogston
Intermediate - Charlie Jordan
Pundit - Graham Holloway
The weather was broken thermals, 2-4knots with a cloudbase never higher than 3k feet.
The tasks were 2 hour assigned areas between 100-180km.
It soon became apparent it would be a struggle, and I spent almost 25mins trying to get away from Aboyne. However once into the Dee valley, the slopes were working well to provide constant bubbles of lift and maintaining height was quite easy. I went middle distance in the 1st sector and met Geddes (my Highland rival) on the return journey. Once back in the Tarland bowl, I questioned whether heading to Rhynie would be a smart move - I had just heard Stuart Naylor in R1 landing out at the Turnpoint.
However, competing means pushing yourself, so I put thoughts of landing back at Aboyne out my head and had a good run into the TP picking up a decent 4 knot thermal over Mossat.
On the return journey, following the contours of the hills proved usefull and eventually scraped enough height to get over Press n Dye (is that how it is spelt?).
A straight glide around the final turnpoint - Lock Kinord - allowed a fast return home.
Unfortunately, Geddes was still going and had similar ideas! He had gone further in the 1st sector, and as the only two finishers, one of us had to lose. He beat me to the win.
A nice, tricky day in the hills that certainly required a bit of patience.
The weather held out and allowed a good, but tricky, competition day on Saturday.
At Deeside we had:
Novice - Ron Ogston
Intermediate - Charlie Jordan
Pundit - Graham Holloway
The weather was broken thermals, 2-4knots with a cloudbase never higher than 3k feet.
The tasks were 2 hour assigned areas between 100-180km.
It soon became apparent it would be a struggle, and I spent almost 25mins trying to get away from Aboyne. However once into the Dee valley, the slopes were working well to provide constant bubbles of lift and maintaining height was quite easy. I went middle distance in the 1st sector and met Geddes (my Highland rival) on the return journey. Once back in the Tarland bowl, I questioned whether heading to Rhynie would be a smart move - I had just heard Stuart Naylor in R1 landing out at the Turnpoint.
However, competing means pushing yourself, so I put thoughts of landing back at Aboyne out my head and had a good run into the TP picking up a decent 4 knot thermal over Mossat.
On the return journey, following the contours of the hills proved usefull and eventually scraped enough height to get over Press n Dye (is that how it is spelt?).
A straight glide around the final turnpoint - Lock Kinord - allowed a fast return home.
Unfortunately, Geddes was still going and had similar ideas! He had gone further in the 1st sector, and as the only two finishers, one of us had to lose. He beat me to the win.
A nice, tricky day in the hills that certainly required a bit of patience.
07 August 2012
Interclub League
Aboyne is hosting the Scottish Interclub League this weekend. Please come along to support the team, consisting of the usual pilots.
Fingers crossed the weather plays ball. There will be a BBQ in the evening courtesy of Murdo.
Fingers crossed the weather plays ball. There will be a BBQ in the evening courtesy of Murdo.
Woops...
Ron was going to be subjected to a practice launch failure by the dastardly CFI.
When you pull the bung, you at least give yourself a fighting chance!
It soon became apparent the Puch wasnt going to make it back from the awkward height the cable 'broke'....and allowed Ron to notch up a field landing alongside the airfield.
Roy promptly jumped in the tug and saved us derigging the whole lot, just to move it 100m up the road. Ron piloted the Puch out of the field and actually made it back to the airfield at the second attempt!
When you pull the bung, you at least give yourself a fighting chance!
It soon became apparent the Puch wasnt going to make it back from the awkward height the cable 'broke'....and allowed Ron to notch up a field landing alongside the airfield.
Roy promptly jumped in the tug and saved us derigging the whole lot, just to move it 100m up the road. Ron piloted the Puch out of the field and actually made it back to the airfield at the second attempt!
01 August 2012
Junior Championships
The UK Junior Championships will begin on the 18th August 2012.
The website is: http://nationals.juniorgliding.co.uk if you wish to follow my progress
The website is: http://nationals.juniorgliding.co.uk if you wish to follow my progress
Club Class Nationals
I have finally arrived back in Aberdeen after 9 hours on the road.
Thank you for all the supportive messages recieved throughout the comp.
It was a fantastic week of flying - 7 competition days is almost unheard of within the UK. The weather has allowed almost 1,500km of racing, 30 airborne hours, 5 finishes and 2 landouts.
Day 6 was the highlight, with a handicapped 90kph around a 335km racing task.
The final Day 7 started with a low scrape almost immediately after making a start, however the air mass was very unstable with strong convection under stormy looking clouds. There was only so much rain dodging to be done, and the Cirrus doesnt fly too nicely with wet wings. After rounding the second TP, it looked like I would be landing as by 800ft I had not found any lift. However, under a particularly black looking cloud I found a 9knot average which ran me a good distance down track before landing in a field, but enough to take the day win.
The field on the other hand was not so fun. Due to all the rain in England, the crop is not yet cut - I do not exaggerate when I say Scotland has more landable fields at present! After a 10km search for something suitable, I selected a green field which turned out to be 'Sugar Beet' - John Mc will know what that is?!
I aimed for a tractor rut and made a smooth landing, however the ensuing groundloop was inevitable. Luckily no damage has been done and the farmer towed me out by tractor, kept happy by some beer tokens. An interesting end to a tricky day and tiring week.
The comp didnt start off in the best way however; we had a midair collision resulting in one of the pilots parachuting out. Whilst both only suffered minor injuries, it was a wake up call to everyone at the competition. Please next time you fly, rehearse what you need to do to jettison your canopy and remember that every glider is different.
I have uploaded some photos of my comp, which can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/80594325@N08/
Cross country / competitive flying is particularly rewarding and I would strongly encourage anyone to pursue it. There are a number of members at Aboyne which can help with lead-and-follow exercises or provide advice on the subject. The Pocklington 2-seater comp is a great introduction to comps and usually attending by the Capstan syndicate.
Anyway, the wings wont even be dry before the next comp - I am competing in the Junior Championships in 2 weeks...!
Thank you for all the supportive messages recieved throughout the comp.
It was a fantastic week of flying - 7 competition days is almost unheard of within the UK. The weather has allowed almost 1,500km of racing, 30 airborne hours, 5 finishes and 2 landouts.
Day 6 was the highlight, with a handicapped 90kph around a 335km racing task.
The final Day 7 started with a low scrape almost immediately after making a start, however the air mass was very unstable with strong convection under stormy looking clouds. There was only so much rain dodging to be done, and the Cirrus doesnt fly too nicely with wet wings. After rounding the second TP, it looked like I would be landing as by 800ft I had not found any lift. However, under a particularly black looking cloud I found a 9knot average which ran me a good distance down track before landing in a field, but enough to take the day win.
The field on the other hand was not so fun. Due to all the rain in England, the crop is not yet cut - I do not exaggerate when I say Scotland has more landable fields at present! After a 10km search for something suitable, I selected a green field which turned out to be 'Sugar Beet' - John Mc will know what that is?!
I aimed for a tractor rut and made a smooth landing, however the ensuing groundloop was inevitable. Luckily no damage has been done and the farmer towed me out by tractor, kept happy by some beer tokens. An interesting end to a tricky day and tiring week.
The comp didnt start off in the best way however; we had a midair collision resulting in one of the pilots parachuting out. Whilst both only suffered minor injuries, it was a wake up call to everyone at the competition. Please next time you fly, rehearse what you need to do to jettison your canopy and remember that every glider is different.
I have uploaded some photos of my comp, which can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/80594325@N08/
Cross country / competitive flying is particularly rewarding and I would strongly encourage anyone to pursue it. There are a number of members at Aboyne which can help with lead-and-follow exercises or provide advice on the subject. The Pocklington 2-seater comp is a great introduction to comps and usually attending by the Capstan syndicate.
Anyway, the wings wont even be dry before the next comp - I am competing in the Junior Championships in 2 weeks...!
17 July 2012
Finally a weekend worth speaking about
It may not have been epic, but it was certainly flyable.
I flew a trial lesson on Saturday and found relatively good thermals over the southern ridge, as did Fran.
Ali flew the Discus, before doing field landing checks in the Grob with Iain on Sunday.
The AGM took place on Saturday evening which was well attended and gave an opportunity to discuss a number of points. A new committee has been elected.
Sunday proved to be unsoarable early on however Graham Mann finally got the chance to fly his new toy, a self launching ASH25. Its an awesome bit of kit.
I flew a trial lesson on Saturday and found relatively good thermals over the southern ridge, as did Fran.
Ali flew the Discus, before doing field landing checks in the Grob with Iain on Sunday.
The AGM took place on Saturday evening which was well attended and gave an opportunity to discuss a number of points. A new committee has been elected.
Sunday proved to be unsoarable early on however Graham Mann finally got the chance to fly his new toy, a self launching ASH25. Its an awesome bit of kit.
11 July 2012
Kayaking
Since flying is out the question just now, I was going to be kayaking tonight at the Potarch.
Usually there is a nice steady flow of white water between the rocks, Grade 2 stuff.
This is the water level today - no rocks visible, and indeed some trees seem to be submerged.
Think I will give it a miss!
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Usually there is a nice steady flow of white water between the rocks, Grade 2 stuff.
This is the water level today - no rocks visible, and indeed some trees seem to be submerged.
Think I will give it a miss!
Club Class Championships 2012
I will be heading to Cambridge next week with Std Cirrus "S75" for the Club Class Championships...
If you want to follow the competition, more info will be posted here - http://www.glide.co.uk/comps/2012/ClubClass.aspx
I am ranked 39th out of the 50 pilots....so anything higher than that will be a bonus!
Now to pray I am not spending a week of annual leave (and quite a lot of money) to sit at a wet airfield drinking tea,
If you want to follow the competition, more info will be posted here - http://www.glide.co.uk/comps/2012/ClubClass.aspx
I am ranked 39th out of the 50 pilots....so anything higher than that will be a bonus!
Now to pray I am not spending a week of annual leave (and quite a lot of money) to sit at a wet airfield drinking tea,
2012 Annual General Meeting
Please remember that the 2012 AGM is this weekend, Saturday evening....not quite sure of the time...?!
Epic weather
Well I wish I could tell you about Roys latest 500km flight at 150kph.
Or that the Capstan reached FL245 in wave last weekend.
Or that we enjoyed a fantastic BBQ in the sun on Saturday evening.
But I would be lying... the weather has been truly appalling.
Word on the street is that some new born Brtish babies are evolving webbed fingers and toes.
Surely a chance in the weather is just around the corner...
Or that the Capstan reached FL245 in wave last weekend.
Or that we enjoyed a fantastic BBQ in the sun on Saturday evening.
But I would be lying... the weather has been truly appalling.
Word on the street is that some new born Brtish babies are evolving webbed fingers and toes.
Surely a chance in the weather is just around the corner...
27 June 2012
British Summer
Frankly, I have had nothing to write about for the past 2 weeks.... this weather is just miserable.
The 18m nationals had 3 days, including one good racing task - 425km @ 115kph.
The comp was comprehensively won by Derren Francis, making him the current 15 and 18m national champion.
For a bit of flying training in the past, take a look at this: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2165400/The-magnificent-men-flying-machines-How-trainee-pilots-got-unfortunate-scrapes-took-skies-rooftops-Britain-s-aviation-schools.html
Will Ellis flew an incredible flight from Bicester 500km in a K6. I would like to put money on him being a future world champion...
Frankly the weather for this weekend doesnt look particularly positive either. Time to enjoy my wet weather sport of kayaking.
The 18m nationals had 3 days, including one good racing task - 425km @ 115kph.
The comp was comprehensively won by Derren Francis, making him the current 15 and 18m national champion.
For a bit of flying training in the past, take a look at this: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2165400/The-magnificent-men-flying-machines-How-trainee-pilots-got-unfortunate-scrapes-took-skies-rooftops-Britain-s-aviation-schools.html
Will Ellis flew an incredible flight from Bicester 500km in a K6. I would like to put money on him being a future world champion...
Frankly the weather for this weekend doesnt look particularly positive either. Time to enjoy my wet weather sport of kayaking.
15 June 2012
Helicam Extreme come to Aboyne
See the result of Helicam Extreme's visit to Aboyne - very nice video of the Capstan and unique footage taken by their drone.
Cheers guys
http://vimeo.com/42515085
Cheers guys
http://vimeo.com/42515085
Interclub League Round 1 - SCRUBBED
The Interclub League due to take place at Feshiebridge this weekend has been cancelled due to the forecast inclement weather.
The Saturday evening BBQ will still be taking place should you wish to travel over for the social scene.
The Saturday evening BBQ will still be taking place should you wish to travel over for the social scene.
14 June 2012
Flying on Wednesday Evening (14th June)
Following Alex's email inviting members to fly on Wednesday evening, we made use of the daylight by flying until beyond 8.30pm.
Martin, John McGregor, Ali Bridges, Ewan ?, myself and Alex were there, with thanks to Pawel for towing.
The evenings can be a good time to learn as the conditions are often more benign (and wave can set up), so if you do fancy flying speak to Gerry and Pawel kindly. They are not under obligation to fly in the evenings so it will be on a case-by-case basis.
Martin, John McGregor, Ali Bridges, Ewan ?, myself and Alex were there, with thanks to Pawel for towing.
The evenings can be a good time to learn as the conditions are often more benign (and wave can set up), so if you do fancy flying speak to Gerry and Pawel kindly. They are not under obligation to fly in the evenings so it will be on a case-by-case basis.
11 June 2012
Round 1 - Feshiebridge (16/17 June)
Round 1 of the Scottish Interclub Leage kicks off this weekend at Feshiebridge.
The team is: Ron Ogston, Roy Garden, Iain Donnelly, Roy Wilson, Graham Holloway and Charlie Jordan.
Please feel free to come and support Deeside, experience a new club in a fantastic area of Scotland.
The team is: Ron Ogston, Roy Garden, Iain Donnelly, Roy Wilson, Graham Holloway and Charlie Jordan.
Please feel free to come and support Deeside, experience a new club in a fantastic area of Scotland.
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