A470 Soaring: January 2015

About A470 Soaring

This is the blog for a few guys who spend their time flying radio controlled gliders, or slope soarer's, from the many and varied slopes around SE Wales.

This usually begins at the northern end of Cardiff, driving north up the A470 up to the Heads of the Valley's and the southern fringe of the Brecon Beacons. But the A470 road continues its windy way all the way to N Wales.

There are many slopes available for most wind directions, the most famous being the area between Nant-y-Moel and Treorchi known as The Bwlch, which has some of the best slopes and flying in Europe with many F3F competitions being held there each year and visited by many fliers from Europe and around the world. At 1500 feet (450m) above sea level, there is usually more wind than not, and certainly more than at sea level.

If you require any further information, are new to slope soaring or are visiting the area, please contact Steve at steve.houghton59@gmail.com . I look forward to hearing from you.

Take a look at Page 2 (look below and to the left here) for Google maps of our most popular Flying Sites.

Wednesday, 28 January 2015

PSSA at The Bwlch

Hi all

I have been contacted by Andy Meade, (remember he visited us a few weeks back and flew his PSS ME- 262 on the VR98), on behalf of Phil Cook of the PSSA (Power Scale Soaring Association).

They are looking to hold a PSSA event at the Bwlch sometime this year and obviously have a few questions as follows;

A time when we can guarantee (as best as we can) when there would be favourable winds. (My own thought would be for September but your feedback on this would be appreciated).
A time when there would be no other events taking place, i.e. F3F competitions. You guys who are members of BARCS may be able to help me with this as I have no idea when there are comps being held there.
A central meeting point where decisions as to which slope to fly can be made and possibly a map stuck under a rock or something for late visitors, so they can find the flying area. (The Ice Cream Slope parking area maybe? And a map could be attached to the Ice Cream slope/Mickeys forestry commission gate?)
It would probably be a good idea also if we could contact the farmer and see if we can get the key to the gate in case we fly on Mickey's. Does anyone have any contact details, or know someone who has? Clayton maybe?

Anyway guys, your input would be much appreciated and, although PSS may not be your thing, I think it would be a very interesting event to hold at the Bwlch. I look forward to hearing from you.

Tuesday, 13 January 2015

Soar Ahead Sailplanes

Many of you will know The Wildthing and other great EPP models produced by Alan Head of Soar Ahead Sailplanes (SAS). Well there have been many rumours about Alan retiring from producing these models and, in fact, I believe only the Wildthing has been available for a little while now.

Well it appears that an agreement has been reached between Alan and a guy called Marco Ter Beest and Marco is to produce some of these great models, production commencing in late March or early April this year and there will be a shiny new web site for on line ordering.

I will keep you all informed as more info becomes available but I think this is fantastic news.