Saturday 18th October and too windy for power flying at Cashmoor. So the slope gang, with ample liquid refreshment and eats ventured out again to the SE slope bowl we visited a few weeks before. The wind was not that strong but was forecast to peak around 18 mph by midday and stay around there till 4.30 then tail off. Lot's of exteme aerobatics for those with the Dream Flight AHI slope glider. For those without the latter it and for most of the slope time it was flying wing combat time and the more wings in the air the more fun.
Your not sure who is chasing you whilst you target another. As in aerial combat never fly level or glide for any length of time and be on your sticks continually. Hours of great fun, laughter and collisions ensuring most get some walking exercise. For some strange reason the Hawthorn bush directly in front of us attracts wings very often! Yes, it is intentional to be next to it - it is the penalty bush!
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Saturday 25th October.
Saturday the 25th, another windy day so plans were afoot for some more slope soaring this time at Win Green with a N-Westerly forecast to really peak at midday onwards. There was a small chance of a shower or two but nonetheless we are going and anyway the cars are nearby for shelter. So at 11am Compton Abbas ATC were informed of model flying at Win Green and then the fun starts. This particular day we had the company of a herd of white cows, well Bulls in fact but luckily they appeared to have no "Nuts" so were quite placid. Although they were very inquisitive and muzzled the wings not in use and one particular cow decided that Jon Tappins TX case could be nibbled and licked. We thought it quite funny at the time. It also tried later to chew Jon's glider wing tip. After a short while they lost interest and went elsewhere on the hills.
The usual WMAC gang arrived less one this week but were also joined by two CDMFC members. The CDMFC guys only flew for a short time as they did not like the wind conditions at the time.
Air temperature was varied between 12 degrees to 6 degrees depending on whether the Sun was shining but the chill factor still made it feel a bit chilly. The wind really started to peak around 1pm as rain clouds gathered but mostly drifted over us with no rain. But just after the clouds pass over the wind drops quite quickly for a while.
Unfortunately it dropped while the big yellow EDF was flying and began losing height fast and try as I as could I new I was not going to make it back to the top of the slope. As it headed towards the slope face I gave it full up elevator to hopefully have it land at the same angle as the slope face. It partially worked but some UHU POR will get it flying again at a later date and hopefully higher wind speeds. More AHI aerobatics and some high performance composite model gliding too, the latter you treat with respect.
Again lots wing fun and unusually most did not have too walk far although two had to make the the ungainly scramble down the slope face and scramble back up, me being one of them. Strewth! I need to lay down to recover. lol.
No flying at Cashmoor? Too windy? Don't sit at home and come join us. You will not need a wing initially. If any of you reading these stories would like to have a go at slope soaring just enquire. All the slopes we use are no further than an hour away generally from BCP area and are either in Dorset or the edge of Wiltshire.
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Saturday 1st November. Back again on the slopes - that's four Saturdays within the last 5 weeks. This week a South Westerly facing slope with a nice tight bowl shape.. Continues to be too windy for power flying generally. This week Dave R has acquired a Dreamflight AHI too. Albeit he was still assembling the final parts on the slope! 😐 Earlier one AHI was probably destroyed after meeting the hillside. Whether foam safe glue can save it this time we will have to see.
Wind was good Sou-Westerly from 10.30am, average 14 but gusting up to 25. But by 2pm the wind died back as the wet weather was approaching which kept the flying wings down but the gliders were fine. the last parts of the clip show Dave getting the feel of his new glider.
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