XC Frustrations

Chris L · Post by **Chris L** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:11 pm

Well I had two good flights in the Lakes this weekend, I decided to stay in the Lakes and just enjoy the flying from 2 sites I've hardly ever flown and was rewarded with some XC. I've changed my attitude a bit I'm not chasing around looking for distance just for good sites to fly in new terrain in great surroundings and enjoy the experience. If I can get a bit XC then thats a bonus and if not then I've still had a great day
I had a chuckle when I saw Wether came up with the goods on Sunday (with flights of 50k-100k done by quite a few) after our XC chasers had been there on Saturday

Then on Sunday they went to X-fell while we had a great day in the Lakes
Not the best at XFell from what I hear, but thats the problem with chasing round looking for distance it all just gets so frustrating at times.

Anyway its looking good so far for the Easter break so maybe I'll get to fly some more interesting places or maybe I'll be joining the others on the same old sites trying to eek out those few more km's Lets see

Jim Bittlestone · Post by **Jim Bittlestone** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:58 pm

Nice one Chris, you and Jan have it spot on.

Chris L · Post by **Chris L** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:02 pm

Like the new photo Jim aka Loan Ranger

RonDon · Post by **RonDon** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:03 pm

You have said it all Chris, that’s me?

If i am on East Hill, and i go over the back and get to, firth of Tay. I will be a happy lad.

RonDon,

Post by **gary stenhouse** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:05 pm

sundays choice was typical of grey skies coming and hearing another was in great sunshine. i was outside my normal zone of all the forecasts at my fingertips, and after being at wether in mostly coud and strong winds the forecast was for very light wsw for the sunday and clough was supposed to be wall to wall sunshine wnw. however between 7.30am and 11pm saturday night the forecast changed leaving very frustarating decisions. xc was not my motivation at the weekend as when your flying solo with little chance of recieve i like to get back to the car. i was hoping for just hours and hours of flying and being nice and chilled relax.

however the weekend turned out to be like a carry on film with more walk ups with a posy than ever.

still the weekends looking good again so who knows this time i will be on the right hill at the right time with the right back up.

cheers gary

ron freeman · Post by **ron freeman** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:23 pm

Chris, who were the pilots who got it spot on and flew 50-100 k's from wether ?

We also had some nice pg soaring on Sat evening with no chasing and 40mins drive home

John Wallis · Post by **John Wallis** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:32 pm

After having a great day walking in Borrowdale I was on my way home at around 18.00 and there were pilots flying Walla Crag and in the distance I could see others flying Ullock Pike the weather was beautiful and so was the steak and ale pie in the Sportsman the Shiraz was canny too

Post by **gary stenhouse** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:33 pm

the usual suspects mike cav jon ellison the rest done 20and 30 k flights though apparently it was uvery good all day just bumbling about. i was at penrith when steve etherington changed his mind from going to xfell and went off to wether as i had just had enough of rushing about, and went with the flow of the nhpc.

strange day but i did do a couple of flights in very tricky conditions to keep you sharp.

still you cant winn them all

cheers gary

Post by **colin keightley** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:55 am

Alex Colebeck flew just shy of 100k from bradwell also

brian day · Post by **brian day** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:52 am

Alex Colebeck flew just shy of 100k from bradwell also

He must have got the RoHo corridor opened and Waddington Matz clearance. I wouldn't rush off there chasing the Kms. It's crowded, the roughest site I've flown affected by wave and has the most complicated escape route ever!!!! You are supposed to be cleared to fly after training with the Derbyshire Soaring Club and your name forwarding to RoHo airport. You can get away with it if someone else phones for clearance and you follow them, but getting to the corridor is hard enough without having to get there with a gaggle to make sure you get the right route. It's cheerio to your kit and a hefty fine at best if you get it wrong. I know there have been a couple of pilots from that area that have had an escort to the ground!

Post by **colin keightley** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:33 pm

He said he had to negotiate a few MATZ but hey ho its not the first time hes done it.

ron freeman · Post by **ron freeman** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:28 pm

Nice flight, it just goes to show if your in the right place at the right time its a piece off cake..

p.s make sure you have good gps, its up to date & and of course your up to date aero chart on board

(airlaw)

John Wallis · Post by **John Wallis** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:19 pm

Ronnie's famous quotes.........

Nice flight, it just goes to show if your in the right place at the right time its a piece off cake..

Yeah right

ron freeman · Post by **ron freeman** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:43 pm

John, just settle yourself down and stick the kettle on enjoy your rich tea biscut and let the members who are still flying enjoy it...

John Wallis · Post by **John Wallis** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:49 pm

What and leave you alone! Someone has to protect the new members next you'll be saying it's a piece of piss to do 100K from East Hill

brian day · Post by **brian day** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:58 pm

Nice flight, it just goes to show if your in the right place at the right time its a piece off cake..

p.s make sure you have good gps, its up to date & and of course your up to date aero chart on board Rolling Eyes (airlaw)

No Ronnie, you didn't read my post. It doesn't matter if you've got a good gps and airmaps, if you haven't done the training and got your name on the list you can't make the phone call to lower the air corridor through RoHo air space, so there isn't a route to take,,,,,,end of!

John, you got any chocky digestives? If so bring them along to the hill, I'll provide the coffee, tea or even a shower,,,,,just fitted!

East Hill to Edinburgh, piece of piss, did the out and return there before breakfast.

ron freeman · Post by **ron freeman** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:00 pm

John, Iv'e manage 47k from East hill (club site record) and it was a piece of pi.s... lift every where & straight to cloud base 4,700ft asl cruised over to Cheviot straight over the top where the wind changed direction (NE) so found lift on a down wind glide over Hownam law then on to Cessford to have lunch with some very friendly farmers !

All this was after a good breakfast Brian

I did read your post.. and it should say 'Bradwell can be rough only if the wave is set up and out of faze with the ridge ! flying there can be also brilliant. I have done many xc's from Bradwell edge and its such a shame airspace is so complicated these days.. this is partly why I enjoy flying in the Cheviots so much 'total freedome'

Post by **gary stenhouse** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:31 pm

i would love to be flying the cheviots this weekend but where can you go in a ese ene that is not in lambing? as i do think there is a good chance of a very good flight this weekend if we can find a hill to launch from?

does not need to be a official site as long as it is not going to get any one in troulble
cheers gary

John Wallis · Post by **John Wallis** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:47 pm

John, Iv'e manage 47k from East hill (club site record) and it was a piece of pi.s..

Yes and that was in 1981 30 years ago it's hardly a classic XC site is it.

Post by **gary stenhouse** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:16 pm

http://www.british-hang-gliding-history ... -1980.html

oviously a good year for xc though a ad year for deaths there must of een at least five in 1981.

must of been the year for south easterlies as someone flew 78 miles to scotland from semmerwater.

cheers gary

John Wallis · Post by **John Wallis** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:08 pm

must of been the year for south easterlies as someone flew 78 miles to scotland from semmerwater.

John Stirk and Jim Brown (How sad am I) But it was an epic at the time.

By the way Gary that's a cracking link I can actually remember all of those front covers of "Wings" Most excellent memories.

ron freeman · Post by **ron freeman** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:17 pm

To me East hill is a classic site for lot of reasons, it produces on a good day like any other site good thermals, wave, convergence, and very smooth soaring at times. This site is very safe to fly with plenty of large landing areas + top landing areas its 95% grassed covered and you can park your car on the top.

What more can you say about a hill..

Gary, Hogdon law is a great site and should be good this weekend please don't go and fly anywhere else without permission.. farmers don't miss much on their land

As you mentioned fatalities in hg back in 1981.. yes there were quite a few but equipment, training, & attitudes developed and you don't hear many these days.

Paragliding has developed the same way but in the last year its not been so good..

brian day · Post by **brian day** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:44 pm

There's a thread in the private section that ssays we have lost the right to fly at Hogden, sheep have been kicked out along with us and litlle dickie birds installed?
The sites guide says it's ok to fly.
Have I missed something?

ron freeman · Post by **ron freeman** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:35 pm

Brian, the bit your missing.. go to page 7 (pub section) Hogdon law, May 8th (read posts)

Have chat with the few members who fly there on a regular basis for a few tips..

NHPC Private and Public Forum

XC Frustrations

XC Frustrations

Chris ?

it just goes to show

Now then John..

Rocky chair...

Hogdon law

missing bit...