Desperate times..........

gordie · Post by **gordie** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:41 pm

Well we have managed to fly the last two days over this side of the Pennines, well of sorts....

Rocked up yesterday to a soggy Bewaldeth all on my own and was rewarded by with a trip to base above Binesy, admittedly it was not high, 2500ft but we can't complain at the moment. Flew back in an increasing wind and quite strong thermals up to 4m's, before a last 10 minute play with the local Buzzard and a vertical 200ft landing. From here went out to the coast and Lowca and managed another hour or so.

Today was even more desperate with more desperate Junkies in tow, in the shape of Stevie 'Sick' Giles and Chris 'Clonal' Field. Meet at my house 10a.m. and howling, went straight to the coast and.......howling. Went for it and got off on full bar (the new Gin Rebel is really quick) for a half hour or so. It was to windy really 23 mph so nothing better to do but get the Nano out.....14m2 of full speed action. Off I went over the fence (glider trap) into the lift band and up up and away! Spent a good ten minutes playing before landing to let the other fools have a go. Stevie first ground handling and getting the feel for it, before I finally persuaded (pushed) him over the fence and past the point off now return. Ten minutes later a relieved and super chuffed Stevie top landed grinning from ear to ear. At this point went for another go for it on my 'real glider' and god knows how I did it but got forward and had another full bar (power) flight.

Desperate times and all, but my feet have been off the ground. Off out Bewaldeth tonight for more of the same. Photos on the board to prove it.....enjoy and anyone fancy a shot?

Misk · Post by **Misk** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:15 pm

It's got to go to the alps!

Post by **gary stenhouse** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:13 pm

what i can't understand is why small paragliders for high winds wan't out long time ago. i mean as long as the winds are not gusty, then the idea of a quiver of diferent size paragliders for all wind and thermal conditions should be the norm. the problem been is as soon as i say i am going to get an ibex 15 then i am sure there will plenty of critisisum. i mean we fly strong winds now and with a standard size, pg and it is boring and shite. but as i had always thought a little one would be much more fun and after all size doesn't matter its what you do with it.

gordie · Post by **gordie** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:38 pm

Over loading wings to make them fly in a strong wind ain't a new idea. I remember Bartty and John Lockley flying tandem on a small comp wing in 1991 on a very windy day at Lowca. And then Jockey, John Lockley and another strapping themselves to a tandem in the 93 LCC on Carrock in a hurricane! However its o.k to soar a sea bank in steady winds but gusty strong conditions on big hills is a totally different ball game and demands respect, and more development!

I intend to keep developing this form of falling, sorry flying so watch this space for more reports..... Good luck with your continued recovery Gary and Ian you sound like you want a go!

Post by **gary stenhouse** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:02 am

that is precisly whhy i am holding back, as we in the uk don't get the onshore strong seabreeze like alot of other countrys get. this meens gusty laminar winds and if you have ever kitesurfed they are a no no.although i do think we have some hill where the wind gets strong but not to gusty and when i say strong i meen max 25 in the compretion. so al you are going to do is extend the window and fly something more agile and fun, as in these conditions you are not going to go xc just play with the air.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:51 am

When it gets too windy(For me around 18-20mph on my windy meter) I put my Paragliding wing away(Nova Syntax) and get out my Paramotoring wing and carry on flying( if im that desterate!). These wings are designed to be faster than free flying wings but have fairly crap glide performance as a consequence. However if it is that windy then,on a hillside, there will obviously be plenty of lift so the glide performance is not so much of an issue. I spent a couple of hours flying on the coast not so long ago on my own whilst everyone else was grounded due to the fact they couldn't get airborne. They spent most of the time shouting up at me "You know it's showing 30mph down here!!!" I wasn't even on speed bar!! I had no problem penetrating and allways had the speed bar there as an insurance policy!
I elected to land on the beach to be safe.
So here's another advantage to Paramotoring!!!
But I agree smaller wings or different design wings for different conditions is worth exploring however at the end of the day if you fly in stronger winds you are exposed to more risks and need to be competent to handle the conditions.
Stay safe there's always another day.
Cheers
Mike

gordie · Post by **gordie** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 4:53 pm

With the weather continuing relentlessly crap, I found myself back out at the coast today in a strong breeze well wind really and my trusty Nano for company. Attempting to launch first at Lowca I was a little concerned it was a bit windy but popping the nano up in this sort of a wind made it feel much more like a paraglider and not a kids toy. Off over the fence and into a huge lift band, allowing me to soar up and down at around the same heights achievable on a paraglider. Hitting the gusts was a little concerning, as my little wing bounced and twitch its way upwards and backwards before settling down and allowing me slowly forwards again.

After a Mc Donald's for lunch by the sea at Workington with a friend I couldn't help myself getting the toy out again for an attempt at soaring the 200ft over hanging cliffs there. Being over hanging they create a bionic wearied lift band which the Nano took great delight in capturing on my second attempt. This launch me skywards for a good 300ft vertical before settling down and allowing me a quick full on soar. By now the wind was relay strong with white horses and big waves everywhere, I would estimate at least 30mph plus compression and the Nano was only just going forward on neutral trim and bouncing and twitching every where, so decided enough foolery for one day and landed to allow my Mc D's to digest.

So if its blown out next time your around these parts and you fancy a giggle, then I would be easily encouraged to get my little fella out for you to have a look at or if you feel brave enough.....

P.S. I will say it publicly, the crap weather is about to stop. Sunday into mid week will be good and then into August the temperatures at altitude, which have been as cold as they were last winter all summer will be getting much warmer. This means simply that air will not find it so easy to rise an create Low's and we will then be in for a run of much settled weather. This is my own forecast from raw info available on the net and if I am wrong well I will probably go bust! Come on positive energy summer is just round the corner

milleboy · Post by **milleboy** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:02 pm

We've just got an Ibex demo in

So if ant body fancies a shot give us a shout, should sit somewhere between Gordies Nano and a normal wing!

Should be a blast (switch to famous last words mode).

gordie · Post by **gordie** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:05 pm

me me me me me me me!