Weekend fun on Fochriw

Well Sunday began a bit grey and cold as Mark and I sat in his car overlooking the slope and valley beyond, and the Brecon Beacons in the distance from one of our favourite slopes, Fochriw.

After a while, the greyness was replaced by blue sky and sunshine as Phil and Wayne turned up. We were also joined by a gent from the Forest of Dean who flew a beautiful scale model.

Wayne had brought "Pinky" along, the HK Speedy he got off Phil. It was good to see it in the air again.

Phil brought his PSS Vulcan along. Last weekend he gave it it's maiden flight, which didn't go well and the model broke in a few places. This was seemed to be caused by incorrect information given regarding the correct position of the C of G.

With the C of G altered, he lobbed it off the slope and off it went.

Upon landing he could see just how much right aileron trim he'd had to add, and so on his second flight he added a little weight to the wing tip and added some extra tail weight, as removing nose weight was more difficult on the slope, and by all accounts the model flew better again. So he is getting there and once it's trimmed out properly I'm sure it will be a great flier.

We all had some great fun flying the usual foamies and the lift on Fochriw didn't disappoint, although it was quite thermic that day.

So here are a couple of video's showing the days flying.

Until next time, happy flying.

Steve

Cornwall Safari

Hi all

Well I'm back from my week away in Cornwall, and what a sunny week it was, mostly. However, the wind was coming from the north east and east, which are not the best directions for flying in Cornwall.

I got up to St. Agnes on a couple of days, but the wind strength wasn't great and I only had enough confidence to launch the Wildthing over the ocean, and I even found that a butt clenching experience. I am so much happier having land to crash my models onto, because at least then it is retrievable to enable repair. But over water? Nawwww.

I headed off to St. Ives on one, beautiful day, then when leaving and driving along a coastal road, I became surrounded by moor land and spotted an ideal location to fly the Libelle DLG, and what fun that was too.

Having moved down to The Lizard, James Clark, aka Slopeflyer, recommended a slope at Porthallow near St. Kevern, and I was supposed to meet up with James but other events occurred which stopped James from meeting up with me. But James gave me directions and as I walked along the coastal path from Porthallow beach, I kept my eyes peeled for a suitable flying location.

I came across a pasture, complete with cows, with a nice slope, short grass and no brambles or gorse and flew the Wildthing there.

The flying was, OK. The air was a little turbulent and I had to keep on my toes as the model would dip a wing unexpectedly.

Anyway, enjoy the video's guys.

Happy flying

Steve

Cornish Sloping Safari and the PSS meet

Well that's me just about ready to get away for a weeks break in Cornwall from this Saturday.

Yesterday I got the camping gear out and checked it over, then I assembled and checked over the models I'm taking with me, I made a few minor repairs and alterations and charged up the RX and TX batteries. I'm taking the Wildthing, Whisper, Signal, and just in case I get any very light wind days, the Libelle DLG.

I've also been in contact with James Clarke, aka Slopeflyer looking for advice on slopes to fly. I know about the slopes at St. Agnes on the west coast, and Kynance on the western side of the Lizard. Other than those it would be a case of just driving along a coastal road until I came across somewhere suitable to fly from.

James told me about a place to fly on the south coast, near Dodman Point and Black Head in case I get an easterly, which judging by the wind directions we've been getting recently, could be a distinct possibility. So I've put that location into my satnav.

I'm really looking forward to this trip and I just hope that the weather doesn't spoil it for me. I shall no doubt return home a week later with pictures and some video too. Watch this space.

Addition to above
I just had a look at the BBC weather page and it is currently showing north easterlies for next week. I hope they are wrong as that is the worst possible wind direction for flying in Cornwall. I shall have to peruse Google maps for any suitable flying areas.

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Unfortunately Phil and I didn't manage to get up to the Great Orme in Llandudno at the weekend, but as it turns out, flying only took place on Saturday due to the weather, and even then many people remained grounded as the compression wind speed was so great. I shall endeavor to make the trip for the June meet.

The star of the show seems to have been the 80" Sea Vixon, built by Matt Jones, and what a stunner this was. Here are some pics for you to drool over.

Happy flying
Steve

Great flying on the Wrecker

Saturday turned out to be a bright, sunny day as Mark, Phil and myself met up at the Wrecker.

The wind was probably only blowing about 15 mph but the Wrecker showed it's pedigree as one of the countries top slopes by giving us awesome lift.

Also on the slope was Graham Mahoney from the south of Bristol flying his brand new Space Lift F3F, and in fact he was flying this bird for the first time that day. A pretty slick piece of kit it is too.

Phil had his usual array of models plus his new correx built Impala. I'm amazed at how well it flies for a lump of plastic.

Anyway, video speaks louder than words, so here are a couple for your viewing pleasure.

Happy flying
Steve