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.


Sunday 12 July 2015

Awesome Flying

I decided to head up to Mickey's on Saturday for a couple of hours flying as the weather was dry and a good breeze blowing.

I did load the Impala in the car but as I approached Cardiff I realised that in my haste to get out the door, I had forgotten the wing bands and dowels for holding the wing on. Doh! 

I did enjoy the 20 minute walk along the track to the long, lush, grassy, westerly slope and set up the Signal. 

I gave it the old heave ho and off it went, and it rose up and up and up, with the spectacular lift that Mickey's is so well known for. 

I could perform all the usual aerobatics with ease, with huge loops from level flight, and pulling up to do a stall turn the model just seemed to go on and on vertically for ages before eventually running out of steam and I kicked in full rudder. I also had a couple of goes at performing the rolling circle, which went well until the very last bit, when turning towards me from the left when I bottled out. So I'm about 80% there. Next time eh! 

I had a few good long flights, without seeing another soul up there before packing away, as I was beginning to feel cold. 

My next two weekends are fun packed doing other things but I may be able to sneak in the odd flying hour on the Meio. 

So until next time, happy flying. 
Steve

P.S. Here's a pic of my completed correx Impala. 


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