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 8 December 2017

Weekend Flying Forecast 9th/10th December

Winter has certainly arrived in S Wales with a light dusting of snow today, and it is looking like there could be more snow on the way during today, Saturday and Sunday, but with rain following the snow on Sunday.

Saturday - Snow showers on high ground interspersed with sunny periods but bitterly cold with sub zero temperatures at places like the Bwlch. A NW wind of 9 mph at Cardiff airport so probably about 15 mph plus on the slopes. Your slope choices will be the Ice Cream slope, Abertwssyg and Meio Common.

Sunday - There could be significant snowfall on higher ground but turning into rain later. Wind westerly 25 mph plus. Your slope choices will be Eglwysilan, Mickeys or on the point at Meio. Your better option though maybe Rhossili where you may escape the snow and rain.

I'm off down to Cornwall for the weekend, so have a great weekend guys.

Friday 1 December 2017

Weekend Flying Forecast 2nd/3rd December

December is here, and the beginning of winter, and so it does become more difficult to go out flying with temperatures on the higher slopes dropping into minus °C, when just trying to keep warm can be a challenge in itself. 

So here is your forecast for all of those brave souls intent on getting some air time.

Saturday - cloudy but dry with temperatures around 6°C, (but will probably be more like 2°C) at altitude and with the wind chill), wind NW 8 mph.

Sunday - a brighter, dry day, temperatures around 8°C, wind 11mph NW.

So your slope choices will be the Ice Cream Slope, Abertwssyg and Meio Common.

Unfortunately I won't be flying as I have to get some Christmas shopping done before Wales kick off against S Africa at 2 pm in the rugby on Saturday. And Sunday I have a family lunch to attend.

So if any of you do hit the slopes, keep warm and stay safe.