Hic ups

An interesting day in the field and whilst not overly busy there was enough going on to keep us on our toes.

Lawrence W (Penryn) was along for a Taster day on the Hangy whilst Josh W (Chiverton) was having one on the Paraglider so they kept both myself and Kaz busy through the morning.  Peter H (Tavistock) was back on a paraglider for some more of his EPC and was joined by Martin J (Plymouth) who was along for some more fun with his experience tows whilst waiting for a return to the hill.

Early afternoon saw the winch in action and things get moving, just as we are in the swing of it and the guys have popped in their first flights the wind changes from the forecast SW to a steady NW so its all change.. Ok off we go again and the winch wont start (operator error)  soon sorted and on we go again.  few tows later and the winch stops  (Phippsy error), no worries we get it sorted and are back on track and things run nicely to th end of the day, they say things come in threes!

By the end of play Lawrence had put in some pretty good flights on the Hangy but the consistency still needs working on. Still he had a fun day and we look forward to seeing hi again soon.

Josh being young did what the youngsters do and made it all look far to easy ending his taster day with a nice release flight.

Peter moved well into his CPC tasks and just had a great time enjoying the air and Martin sorted out his vision problems ........

Quote of the day " where is the nearest petrol station?"

Jumping Jack Flash

 Graham A shows the perfect hand job, sorry position

 Michael B does a cracking launch and is straight into nodding dog :)

 The realisation of Airspeed makes for two happy bunnies

 Kev S on one of his many taster day flights

 Giant Jelly Fish attacks Michael as Phippsy leaves him to his fate.

Whilst the rest of the country basked in sunshine we had a slightly cloudier day in the field however it did make for perfect training conditions and were not complaining!

A more relaxed day than recently saw Graham A ( St Austell) on the hanger (after a bit of sheep moving) make good progress as he worked through the none release flights and into his first release ones and getting the feel of airspeed and how it helps both in turning and landing, good day for him.

Michael B (Sidmouth) was back for more and paced himself well with some ground handling mixed in with his flying.  he improved steadily through his flights popping in his first release flight on the Paraglider and starting gentle turns down to land. he ended the day nicely tired but also nicely happy what more can you ask.

Kev S (Bedfordshire) was along for a Taster day having seen us out at Perranporth yesterday and accosted us for information. Kev had done a little Paragliding over 20 years ago and despite the time it showed helping him in the ground work.  he had a cracking time and due to the relaxed numbers made the most of the day and ended up  with some super flying and release flights.  Be great to see him back when time permits, not sur e the middle of the family holiday is the best time!

Jack S (Truro) had another Jack day being everywhere and doing everything as he does and in amongst it all he managed to complete his CPC tow in fine style with some Assymmetrics and Active flying before just having some fun flights. Jack also helped out by doing some lovely demonstration launches for the camera to show how it should be done which was most useful. Well done Jack, a bit more experience then off the the hill for him. 

Good to have Cpt Kev back out on the winch and congratulations to on gaining her Kaz making gaining her Winch Operator Rating on Paragliders, watch out hangies it's you next.

Quote of the day "are you sure it's dead?"

Carbis Capers

 Martin J enjoys the air on his first hill soaring flight

 Coming in for his first top landing and looking good

 Dave has a great tandem flight in super conditions

 Kaz climbs up on the ASKA

 The ASKA gets put through it's paces by Kaz

 "How much fun is that"

 Phil gets in on the act

After a damp start to the day with no wind at all the forecast breeze arrived around midday and pilots headed to the hills. Some went to Sennen some to St Agnes and we headed to Carbis and with a Northerly or there abouts all three should have been ok.

At Carbis the wind was smack on and around 16 mph on arrival so after a quick test of the air on the Delta we wasted no time in getting Martin J (Plymouth) up and away for his first hill soaring flight on his Gin Bolero 4.  Martin did a super job of it having only been to the hill once before and then in very light winds.  He dealt with the ground handling well and after a couple of beats looked relaxed and smooth as he shared the air with Kaz.

Then it was time to top land, in he cam on the perfect track and popped her down pretty as you please looking just like he had done it all before.  Nice one and well done.

With Martin on the ground Phil l arrived and joined Kaz for some fun flying on his Buzz Z3 whilst I debriefed a still smiling Martin.  Dave (Beacon) arrived along with his wife Jenny (spectating) for a tandem flight and in cracking conditions we were soon up and away for a super flight. With bits of sea thermal drifting through Dave got a chance to fly the glider whilst we had a good old chat.  Back on the ground the chat continued with jenny joining in and it would not surprise me to see them pop by the field sometime.

By now the wind was on the increase which Phil proved with his second flight during which speed bar became the norm rather than the exception. Stiill he realised what was on and made a fine job of coming back in on top and did a cracking landing all in total control.

What next?? Well you guessed it whilst Kaz packed her wing i sneaked out the ASKA and was up and away for some ASKA fun. Conditions were just ideal with nice solid lift yet easy enough to get around at will.  A couple of flights and it was Kaz's turn to have a go.  She had no problems either on the ground or in the air and settled into it quickly.  By the end of play she had popped in four flights and was grinning like a Cheshire cat.  "how much fun is that" was the quote, guess that's the end of my fun then!

Phil L had a quick ground play with it but with the tide in we thought better of throwing him off just in case ...... even so he adapted quickly to the wing and made easy work of it. No doubt the combination of the harness and wing is superb, come and try it.

So a fun afternoon with things achieved and happy pilots and passengers what more can you ask. Oh yes and we even managed to cut the grass when we got home :)

Confusious says

 The day gets going with the hangies in the lead

 Anna P gets weight shift underway

Steve W pops in an Assymmetric

 Jake C a man on a mission

 Rodders C does a nice inflation on the way to his first high flight

 Stuart C shows how to do nodding dog

 Bill shows his best side

 Ann W does a nice correction on the line

 Emil lands nicely on his new Dudek Plus

The kettle sings at the end of a long day, or was it two !

"Where will we be towing from"  a simple question but a very good one to show how easily information can be taken in different ways and both ways are right!  Still the good news is we managed to clarify everything and we had a cracking if somewhat busy day in the field.

From the word go it was going to be a good one with the demo flight on the hangy resulting in me floating around and out of the field in a very lifty and buoyant sky. We quickly had the students on line starting with the hangies whop had a great day. Ian L (Bristol) moved into higher flights and turns making it all look pretty easy whilst Jake C (Somerset) finished off straight and level before moving into release flight and gentle turns.  Both are nicely set to finish off their EPC's next time out with a bit of luck.

After a bit of ground handling the Paragliders lined up and the winch worked steadily through them.  Steve W (Truro) had a good day finishing off his CPC flying tasks with Big ears and Assymetrics alongside Ian F (Gwithian) who did the same manoeuvres but possibly a bit more extreme!  Luckily for both the air was that lifty that even big ears only resulted in a bit of a loss in height, in fact ian had his longest flight after doing them.....

Anna P (Gwithian) made good progress with some super towing, spot landings, 180's and weight shift to put her well into her CPC and looking solid. Emil K had a fun day putting in the experience flights and converting onto his own kit and acting as launch dummy for Steve W to do his launch marshaling on.

Colin B (Dartmouth) moved into release flights and worked on perfecting stand up landings whilst Ann W (Dartmouth) put in her remaining low level releases before going a little higher and starting gentle turns.

Rodders C (Mousehole), Stuart C (Saltash) and Richard M (N.Devon) all had a cracking time working well and being rewarded with their first high flights and circuits at the end of the day and big smiles all round.  Stuart and Richard are both learning to Paramotor so next time out another flight or so each then its a different game :)

With 76 tows put away and a lot achieved it was a credit to all how smoothly it ran , thanks guys once again your help is much appreciated not only by Kaz and myself but by the students as well.......

Fickle Friday

Making a decision both the forecast and on what was happening in the morning we decided to give the hill a go at carbis Bay to hopefully get martin j started on his hill conversion.  On arrival a couple of Paragliders were scratching just below take off and whilst they both did good jobs of managing to sneak in on top it was way to light for normal soaring.

Still we made the most of it acclimatizing Martin to the hill and its ways.  A bit of ground handling helped to settle his nerves and a drop in the wind further helped! So just before midday we opted to pack up and head to the tow field.

The afternoon proved an useful one with Colin B and Ann W making good progress into release flights whilst working on stand up landings rather than sit down ones!  Rodders C Mousehole joined in the fun moving well into his EPC with higher flights and turns down to land and with a bit of luck he should finish it next day out.

Even the wind played ball and whilst switching direction as forecast from NE to NW to SW some swift winch moves kept things moving. :))

Very Busy Bees

 Mike B does a cracking inflation to start of a cracking flight

 Ann W watches as Colin B gets his first flight in

 Dave S studies Phippsy whilst Bill instructs him how to become a Morris Dancer

 Rodders get's back in the air with legs up a little early

 Rodders and Mike b ready to go again

 Stuart puts in a bit of Russian step work as he launches

 Another stage completed in Emils quest to become a Paraglider Pilot

It was full on in the field with pretty much a full house and fortunately the weather to match :)

Things were quiet on the Hangy front with Graham A (Bill Whizz) along to start his EPC after having had a Tandem flight with us a few months ago which sealed his fate!  Graham did really well as he worked through the morning exercises before getting onto the winch after lunch. he popped in several nice flights across the field before having to leave early to entertain some lucky children.

On the paraglders it was a different story with 5 Day oner's being joined by 4 students later in the day. Mike B (Sidmouth), Ann W (Dartmouth, Colin B (Dartmouth), Stuart C (Saltash) and Dave S (Illogan) all got going together and whilst we split them into 2 groups were all pretty much ready to go by early afternoon having done the hard work in the morning.  On the winch they did remarkably well putting in some nice flights across the field and nearly everyone ending up with stand up landings after a bit of practice!

They were joined by Rodders (Moushole) who was back for his second day of his EPC and managed to move ahead a little into release flights after some refresh work due to period away. Ian F (Gwithian) pushed on further into his CPC flights getting Speedbar and Big ears sorted as well as sweetening up his towing in general. jack S (Truro) was as enthusiastic as ever and had a ball moving well into his CPC tasks so nearing the end of his tow course in double quick time. Emil K (Yeovil)  also mega enthusiastic completed his CPC flying tasks in fine style and then rounded off the day by passing his Theory exam so congratulations to him.

A busy but fun day and once again so good to see so many people doing things that they never thought they would be doing by the end of the day.  Big thanks to Tim, Bill Martin and Jack for helping out through out the day and to Big G for a spell on the bike both Kaz and I really appreciate it.

Busy Bees

 Jake gets going on the Falcon

 Kaz keeps an eye on the ground handlers

 Lunch time

 Jack comes in after a thermal flight

 Lawn mowers (or is it Sunday lunch)

It was a busy one out in the field with plenty on and a good mixture of students.

Jake C (Somerset) was back for day two on the Hangy and moved nicely onto the Falcon and slightly higher flights in preparation for release flights.  By the end of the day he had made good progress and learnt all about slow flight and how it affects turnability :)

Jack S (Truro) finished off his EPC on the paraglider before putting in his first high flights to the top of the line and even having the chance to start his thermalling career as things got more lively by early afternoon with a nice flight as he 360'd over the field.

Ian an Anna (Gwithian)  put in some ground handling before getting back into the air with some high flights and again both found out what thermals are like.

Richard M (N.Devon) was along for day two of his paramotoring course and did well finishing off release flights before moving into higher flights with gentle turns before the wind picked up.

John O (Sidmouth) was along for a taster day having done sail planing and power flying over the years and now looking at something more accessible.  John did well as he worked through the ground work but alas by the time he was ready to fly the wind picked up a bit too much so he will have to wait until next time, Wednesday ??

Nice to see a few others along who are interested in learning to fly including Mike b and Shaun both thinking of Paramotoring and thanks to them for their help through the day and patience in waiting to chat to us.

Mike S also made an appearance after a 4 year break and popped in some ground handling in preparation for some recap work before heading to the hill.

Despite the wind picking up a good day and we made the best of the down time by covering the theory side which saw Jake, John and Richard all through their EPC exams and Jack his CPC so well done guys.

Hanging Out in the Field

 Jake discusses hand positioning with Phil

 Looks like he got it sorted as he gets his first tow flight

 Chris M looking good with legs crossed and wings level

 James M comes into land nice straight

 The guys get the lines back with Jack c riding the bike

Flying high at St Agnes in the evening with Joanna

With it a bit breezy for the paragliders we headed to the tow field armed with hangies and 3 day oner's.  It was breezy enough on arrival but not too breezy whilst reports from the coast put it at too windy for normal Paragliders but good for Hangies and ASKA's.

The breeze made the ground work easy going and the guys moved nicely through it all looking good.  Jake C (Somerset) had actually done some hill work back in 2007 whist Chris and James Margrett (Plymouth) had never touched one so were totally new to it.

After lunch the real fun began with their first towed flights.  They all got on fine despite having to deal with a bit of turbulence on the line.  Chris gave us a moment of excitement when his left and rights got reversed but he was quickly back on the case and rounded the day off with some cracking flying.  A good day all round and once again amazed to see how the guys progressed from zero to "hero2 over the day.

Meanwhile down at Carbi Bay Paul H and Bill N had been having fun on their ASKA's whist Nigel W and Big G had fun on their hangies.  They were joined later in the day by James C who had a ball on his new wing putting in 5 flights racking up the airtime and the 360's from what I hear.  Nice one and well done to both him and Big Grey for keeping an eye on him.

Just to ronud the day off a to make the most of it we headed out in the evening to St Agnes as the wind backed to the north where Joanna (Falmouth) had a Birthday tandem flight on the Hangy as the sun got ready to set.  The sea was so clear it was a lovely setting and conditions were smooth.  By the time we were ready to take her partner mike up the wind had eased back so Mike will have to wait for another day, better safe than sorry ....... 

Soaring Sennen

 Nigel gets set to go with the aid of Paul

 James flies high on his new Sport 2 135

 Nigel Comes into to land looking good

 Back to planet earth James makes a super landing

A lovely day saw us at Sennen where on arrival it was alittle breezy bu smack on.  Big grey and myself had a fine time on outr toplesses whilst Kaz, Nigel and James waited for things to ease back a little.  With nice sea thermals i managed to sneak up to 1000' and the views were superb. 

By late afternoon things eased back a bit so Paul H and myself played on the ASKA's and had a ball learning all the time.  Kaz decided it was time to fly and led the others into the air.  Everyone had super flights with James getting his first hill flight on his Sport 2 and did a great job of it not only "specking out" but also putting in a cracking landing to boot.

Nice day and nice and relaxing :)

Wobbling in Wales

Friday 4th through till Tuesday 8th saw us in wales for the first round of the British Open series Hang Gliding comp'.  We had a fine time with 4 days flying out of 5 and 3 good tasks set and carried out.  It was a busy start with two new gliders (T2 C's) being delivered to the comp so day one was mainly taken up assembling them for the pilots and as luck would have it we could test fly them in the afternoon, super.

Whilst personally I have to say I have performed better we had some cracking flying up to 5,500 feet ASL where it was -4 at times and when a bit warmer it was snowing!  With a real mixture of weak thermals where you need to struggle to stay up and 6-8 up's all in the same flight it was interesting flying through out.

Great to be back inland and getting some nice XC flying in and good to see so many old friends and make a few new ones.  The new gliders were received well with Bill Bell looking very pleased :)

looking forward to the next round in the Peaks at the end of the month where hopefully i can move up out of the lucky 13th position!!

Ups and Downs

 James c comes into land his Wills Wing Sport 2 135 for the first time

 Jack s meditates before flying whilst Martin J floats about

James says it all

It was good to get back in the field and on a day which felt like summer.  With Roddy L (Devoran) and Ian L (Bristol) both along for some Hang Gliding after their initial taste on the hill,  Jack S (Truro)  on his EPC Paragliding, Peter (Newquay) on day one Paragliding and Martin J and James C  building experience tows we had plenty on.

Whilst the hangy boys got the ground work out of the way in the morning the paragliders played ground handling whilst we waited for the wind to settle.  By lunch time things were looking good for the hangies if a little top end for the para's.  A quick demo flight got the towing underway followed by Roddy and Ian getting their first towed flights.  Roddy took an early break after  putting in 3 flights so leaving the rest of the day clear for Ian who shared the line with James C who got his first flights in on his new Wills Wing Sport 2 135. James settled in after a couple of flights and looked a very happy bunny by the end of the day :)

Ian made the most of his day and cracked on well into his EPC putting away 11 flights and getting into releases and ready to start turns.

On the Paragliders the wind dropped off late afternoon and martins and Jacks patience was rewarded with some nice flying. Jack cracked on into his EPC getting only one flight away from his EPC by the end of the day as the wind filled in again making conditions up top a bit bouncy.

Martin got back in the air after a month break and improved with each flight and is nicely ready for the hill so fingers crossed.  Pete had to leave early as well so whilst having done all the hard work missed out on the flying but is well placed for his next day out.

Lets hope we get some more weather like that and hope to see Roddy back soon.

Weird Day

The forecasts have been tricky for a while now and today was no different.  With all the indications for a NE going ENE and picking up quickly there was a chance for Carbis but only a short one for the Paras and who knows for the hangers.

Whilst inland the wind was a definite East and picking up early reports from Carbis were smack on and not enough!  Still in the end we went for it fully expecting a no fly day.  On arrival the early birds who had been there for a couple of hours were just inflating their canopies for their first flights of the day, good timing or what!  We quickly got in the air to join them with he view that it would blow out early.  By the time Joe H (Helston) arrived conditions were still good but picking up a little so we wasted no time in getting him into the air for his final hill conversion flight.

Joe had a great time in stonking lift mixing it with the others before coming in for a nice top landing as things picked up a little more.  Well done on finishing your school training Joe now you really start to learn how to fly!

After a bit of  a break Joe was ready to go again and despite the windy enough conditions got off OK, within a couple of beats the wind went due east the lift disappeared and Joe went to the beach, nice.  At this point most gave up and headed home whilst a few remained mainly hangies who had already rigged to see what would happen.

By the time Joe was back up the wind came back on but now breezy to say the least.  I took the chance to test fly James C's new Sport 2 135 and had a ball before popping back in on top to take a tandem Hg up.  Rob (Falmouth) had decided to upgrade his Tow Voucher to a hill one and had a great time on the hangy as we flew the cliffs in super lift. The landing was a bit of a challenge as the wind shear was unusually high but nothing we could not deal with.

James whilst keen to fly held back as conditions were more than enough for low airtimers and Andy R reinforced the point with an unusual landing.  Big Grey looked even bigger as he flew about on the ASKA  rounding off a really weird day in my book.

Tandem on Tuesday

 A classic day at Perranporth

 Floating past launch nice and relaxed

 Back on the ground and big smiles all round

With an interesting forecast we went for an early start hoping to get some flying in before lunch as that was when the wind was forecast to move to the SW and it become more showery.

On arrival big grey was already rigged and had been flying his newly acquired Wills Wing Falcon and reported it not as lifty as he would have expected, hmmmmm.

Still we rigged the Tandem Hangy and hoped for more wind.  Bill n proved the lack of lift by flying his newly acquired toy to the beach twice. hmmmmmm.  Luck was with us and after a couple of flights on the Paraglider in improving lift Dave T arrived just in time for the lift to pick up and it become nicely hangable and ideal for a tandem flight.

Dave had no idea he was about to go flying as it was a birthday surprise from his wife so it was all good fun.  We were quickly in the air joining Terry P who it was good to see back in the air.  We had a cracking time floating along the cliffs enjoying the view and playing with the passing sea thermals before popping back in for a super landing.  Dave loved it and who knows we may see him again when he is next down on holiday.

Within and hour the lift had disappeared again so we headed home, nice to hit the slot just right :)