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, 26 January 2018

Weekend Flying Forecast 27th/28th January

This is the last weekend of January and I haven't flown yet this month. This is partly due to me not having a battery for my TX. I buggered up the last one because I inadvertently left it switched on and totally drained the LiPo, which had caused it to swell slightly. Anyway, a new battery has been purchased, I just need to change the connector on it, which is Saturday's job.

So without further ado, here is your flying forecast.

Saturday - A mostly wet, rainy day with a 13 mph SW wind. If you do manage to find a dry patch, then head to the Meio or Mickey's for some good flying.

Sunday - A cloudy but dry day with a 19 mph westerly forecast, so head to the far side of Mickey's, Eglwsylan, Meio, or if you really fancy an Adrenalin rush, Rhossili. 

Whatever your plans this weekend, have a good un 👍

Thursday, 18 January 2018

SWSA Update

It has been a while since the committee got together, but we did this week to chat about progress so far, membership and 2018 events.

Membership uptake is slow. We have tried to gee up people through the Facebook page, but still they are not completing the membership form and sending it in, even though club membership is 100% FREE. So we need to dangle a carrot or two to persuade people to fill out that form.

2018 events so far include the PSSA annual Fly for Fun event at the Bwlch which this year is set for May 12th and 13th. Other club one day PSS events may also be included throughout the year with an invitation extended to PSSA members.

Bwlchfest will return on June 9th and 10th, and I shall be praying for some decent summer weather, which is not what we had last June.

Kombat Kings will be a slope combat competition series, beginning on Sunday March 25th, (which just so happens to be the start of British summer time), and will be a monthly event going right through the summer months up until October when the clocks go back.
There will be winners prizes at each event and a series winners trophy at the end of the competition in October.
But we don't just want this event to take place at the Bwlch, we may just use some of the other fabulous slopes we have in the region too.
As the SWSA does not charge a membership fee, we have to cover costs for this somehow and so it was proposed that SWSA official members, (those that have completed and returned a membership form), would pay £5.00 per event and non SWSA members a fee of £10.00. So here is a carrot, return your membership form and you can take part at half price. Other carrots will become available 😂
I am also very pleased to say that Zagi Bash King and organiser, Mike Grey has agreed to help with the organisation of this event. Thank you Mike 👍

There will probably be other events organised throughout the year and these along with those mentioned above will be listed on our new website, once it is ready to go live. We will also add limited details on our Facebook page but ultimately you will be guided towards the official website.

If you were to look us up on the BMFA website, you will find that our details have been updated there also, and that the SWSA is still affiliated to the BMFA.

And finally, the club membership form can be found on the Facebook page and will also become available to download from the website in due course. I think Nick is looking to produce a more phone friendly version for those people who do not have access to a computer.

Steve

Friday, 12 January 2018

Weekend Flying Forecast 13th/14th January

Hello fellow flyers, is anyone managing to get any flying in? I know I haven't, partly because I have a knackered LiPo in my TX which I haven't had time to sort out, and partly because it's been too cold. I'm such a wuss 😂

Here is your weekend forecast.

Saturday - a cloudy day with a 15 mph SE wind.

Sunday - a cloudy day with a 9 mph SE wind.

Your choices of slopes are limited. The far side of the Crest may be your best option. Back of Wrecker may be flyable but the wind could be too easterly and so off the face. Or, you may be able to try the sea cliffs at Southerndown. I have to say that south easterlies are the most difficult direction to fly, and I think it's fairly unusual to get them in the winter when we usually get north westerly or north easterly.

So whether you fly or not, have a great weekend all.