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.


Friday 25 November 2016

Weekend Flying Forecast 26th/27th November

Hi all

With only one month to go now until the big Ho Ho Ho, my flying time has been seriously curtailed by other events leading up to Christmas, including a trip down to Cornwall to deliver Christmas presents to my son and his family.

Of course it would be very rude of me not to put a couple of models in the car and have a few hours flying at St Agnes.

Hopefully though, I will get a chance to fly this weekend, and I have to say that the  flying conditions are looking pretty good.

So without further ado, here is your forecast for the weekend ahead.

Saturday - A fine, dry day with a north easterly wind of 15 mph, so that will relate to 20 - 25 mph on the slopes.

Your slope options are the Wrecker at the Bwlch, Fochriw, (Pontlottyn) or even Meio Common.

Sunday - Another fine, dry day with a north easterly wind of 20 mph, or 25 - 30 mph on the slopes. So your slope options will be the same as per Saturday.

My choice I think will be Fochriw for a few hours on Saturday afternoon. That wind is likely to be cold, and as this is a park & fly slope, I can have a warm up in the car between flights.

Note to self - Don't forget to take a hot flask.

Don't forget that next weekend is the combat weekend at the Bwlch. Everyone is welcome to come along and I hope to post nearer the time as to which day it will take place. Unfortunately I cannot make this event due to other commitments.

Happy flying
Steve

Thursday 17 November 2016

Weekend Flying Forecast - 19th/20th November

Hi all, its that time of the week again where I look at the flying possibilities for the weekend ahead.

Saturday - A mostly dry day with a W to WSW wind of about 12 mph. So up on the slopes there will be more than enough wind to fly whatever you fancy flying.

Your choices of slopes could be Mickey's at the Bwlch, Meio Common or Rhossili.

Sunday - The weather web sites are give conflicting forecasts. XC says there will be rain with 30 mph winds beginning NE, but moving through N to NW and decreasing to 18 mph by early evening.

The BBC says it will be mostly dry with a 12 mph variable wind NE to NW.

I tend to find the BBC are more accurate when it comes to rain and shine, but XC better at wind direction and speed. However, we are all aware that the forecasters do get it wrong, so this weekend you may be better checking that piece of seaweed that is dangling outside your front door, wetting a finger in your mouth and then sticking it in the air to check the wind speed and direction.

I shall be missing from the slopes this weekend as I am away on a trip to the motherland for a 40th anniversary school reunion.


The Bwlch, (from Nantymoel), has its own micro climate . Photo courtesy of Mike Grey.


I hope you manage to get some good flying in.

Happy flying
Steve

Friday 11 November 2016

Your Weekend Flying Forecast 12th/13th November

Hi guys

Here is your flying forecast for this weekend.

Saturday - This is looking like being the better of the two days if you want to get out to fly. The day is looking dry with sunny intervals with a NNW or NW wind rising to about 14 mph.

Your slope choices will be the Ice Cream slope at the Bwlch, Meio Common or Abertysswg.

Sunday - Another dry day with sunny intervals. The wind appears to be starting northerly at 6 - 9 mph but moving to NW by mid afternoon withe the wind strength decreasing.

Your slope choices will be as per Saturday.

I will not be flying at all this weekend as I have other things to be doing, like watching the Wales v Argentina rugby at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. And on Sunday I am running in the Cardiff MoRun, raising money for mens health issues.

So have fun all, whatever you are doing this weekend.


Thursday 10 November 2016

Novembers Featured Post

Hi guys

Check out this months Featured Post which is from November 2012 when a few of us were flying on the Ice Cream slope at the Bwlch.

Enjoy.

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Slope Combat Competition at the Bwlch

Hi all

One of our local guys, David Mordecai is organising a slope combat competition to be held at the Bwlch on the 3rd/4th December. Its a light hearted competition with mixed heats.

England v Wales

There are no restrictions on wings/models.

Individual trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd are up for grabs.

Fancy dress is a must.

Due to the long distances people will be travelling, a decision will be taken a couple of days before as to which day the event will take place on.

We hope to see you there, the more, the merrier.

Friday 4 November 2016

Your Flying Forecast - Weekend 5th/6th November

Hi all

Another weekend is upon us, and they seem to be coming around very quickly these days. Maybe it's my age?

Saturday - It's looking like a bright, dry day with sunny intervals. The winds look to be northerly 15 mph rising to 20 mph. So your slope choices will be the VR98 at the Bwlch or the fabulous slope at Hirwaun Common.

Sunday - It's looking to be much the same as Saturday, however there could be a little touch of west in that northerly wind, although it probably won't make much difference and I would stick to the same slopes as on Saturday.

Martin, (aka Slippery Sloper) is visiting on Saturday from N Devon and I know he is excited about finally getting a chance to fly at the Bwlch. Hopefully he will leave with a good impression. I've flown with Martin a couple of times now when I've made the trip down to Cornwall to fly at St Agnes Head.

So wherever you are flying this weekend, happy flying to you.

Steve