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.


Monday, 13 April 2015

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





Posted by

1 comment:

  1. Phil13 April 2015 at 19:40

    A work of art.
    Well we won't have any excuses for September's meet 😉

    I hope the wind gods are on your side next week Steve.
    Enjoy.

    ReplyDelete

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