Steve Watkins' Flying Diary 2006

[Steve Watkins]

Fan-G SAT 17th September



Wind coming through about 25mph on arrival in bowl. Waited about 90 mins until about 6:00pm. Launched fine.



Soared the lower ridge, some turbelence over forest area but some lift there as well.



Higher part of bowl, got good lift and played around there.



First time I've ever had a 12ft/sec lift, my vario beep was almost continuous. Not sure why that happened, thermal or ridge lift. Followed straight away by 12ft//sec drop which recorded on vario.



Landed by car, pleased with my flying.

[Steve Watkins]

Heol Senni Sun 11th September



Nick Roberts, Chris Dusgate, Gareth Davies & others already flying on arrival. Sat around for a good while before getting kit out. Hesitated quite a bit before launch, nerves really following my Talybont flight. Launched fine. Soared afor around 1 hour, experimienting with the pre-quarry lift and weight shifting is now improving.



Landed well, perhaps could have been closer to car if, but decided not to as wasnt sure if wind would rotor around, so bottom landed near to path, but wing in a gorse bush!

[Steve Watkins]

Talybont 9th September 2005



Reluctantly climbed the South East hill after work, arriving on top about 6pm. Wind was coming through smack on the hill about 22-25 mph. Gaz and Ivor already in the air reassured me it was smooth and it looked smooth flying. Conditions were fairly overcast but with bright spells.



First launch pulled me across the hill as I failed to get he wing down after inflating awkwardly. Second attempt produced a nasty cravat which I dealt with.



Anyway, third launch got off fine to some great life off the ridge. Damn, small knot in my left brake line, just below the pulley wheel. Seemed to work ok but was bugging me but I decided to keep flying as it was only a small annoyance and wasnt affecting my turns.



Made many circuits back and fore, making most of the ridge lift and reaching around 2600ft asl. Practiced a few 360 turns and also making my turns more efficient.



Ivor landed at the bottom after deciding he'd had enough flying.



Followed Gaz across valley but decided to return to hill after thinking I wanted some more soaring. Wind was dropping and I managed to get back to base of hill but no lift. Turned out into wind and realised the area wasnt suitable to land so panicked a little and turned towards car park.



Sinking quick I was already commited to flying over the forest area, probably worse decision of my flying career yet as I knew it was going to be a close one. In fact I was actually hitting the tops of the firs as I was moving and I remember Nick Paraventures advise on trees and landing in them.



Managed to clear the forest just, and the waterfall gully and landed downwind quite fast but in one piece, actually not far from the car and Gaz who landed perfectly.



Today (Saturday) noticed an ache in my right ankle, slight twist but I can walk on it.



Next time I will plan my landing in advance!!