Jon Moore's Flight Log - 2009

[Jon Moore]

Managed just 3 more flights in 2009 before gales, rain etc brought an end to the fun:

08/10/2009 - 2hrs 16 min tour of North Pembs to Whitesands Bay via Carn Penberry.
17/10/2009 - 3 hrs 12 mins from Dale to Carmarthen returning via Laugharne.
10/12/2009 - Quick flight in deteriorating weather.

That was the end of 2009 flying............................... 'til 2010!

[Jon Moore]

I've certainly been neglecting this flying log for a while so time to remedy that:

Following on from the last posted flight on 02/05/2009 it was a further 3 weeks before free time and weather were suitably aligned...........

23/05/2009 ..... short 'local' flight from Dale. Interesting to be on downwind of my landing circuit only to be 'buzzed' at 400' by a light aircraft nosing around my unofficial ATZ!

30/05/2009 ...... 87k O/R flight from Dale to Ludchurch crossing the 'heads' of Milford Haven to return to Dale.

11/06/2009 ...... Dale again for another O/R flight of 84k to Foel Cwmcerwyn.

20 to 22/06/2009 .... At Kerswell Green with Gron and Co for the Power Nationals. Pleasant flying around the Malvern Hills.

10/07/2009 .... Local flight from a new field near Hodgeston, could be useful in suitable wind directions.

08/08/2009 .... Another long wait for weather which seems to have been the pattern this year! Flight from Dale with Patrick Laverty who was in Pembrokeshire on short hols from Mid Wales. Scenic tour to St Davids.

11/08/2009 .... Dale again with a plan to fly up to Cemaes Head on the west side of the Teifi Estuary. This headland is just outside the current weekday RA(T) established for UAV test flights from Aberporth (West Wales). Arrived there after an interestingly thermic flight only to discover that the wind had increased to give a much reduced ground speed for the return flight. Made it back to Dale with fuel to spare - just! At times the GPS was indicating over 3 hours for the return flight to Dale with certainly only 2 hours left in then tank.

11/06/2009 .... Another flight from the 'new' field - this a 67k FAI triangle flight.

24/09/2009 .... Think I'll call the 'new' field Kiln Park as it once housed a group of lime kilns! NW wind a bit strong and a little gusty for take off on a 67k O/R flight to Brawdy. The landing however was awful as the wind had swung more westerly to make the landing on a slight downslope very tricky in the turbulent conditions. Lucky not to damage anything. After careful glider and Bug checks - airborne again to make 2 circuits and landings to find a better circuit pattern for these conditions - final analysis - might not use this field in a westerly after all!!

[Jon Moore]

May 2009, What a wet & windy month! Only managed ONE days flying so far.............

02/5/2009

From Dale (again) setting off for a grand triangle (+ 70 nm) only to find the wind speed and direction at 1500' would not permit completion without in flight refuelling! Plan changed at half hour into the flight for return to LZ, unload some excess baggage and change to thinner gloves for a short 40 min photo sortie in the lovely bright sun. Just can't use a camera with the mitts and liner gloves!

I keep promising to put some of my pics up for viewing - will set aside some time soon.

Tomorrow (21/5/2009) may be OK for a flight - fingers crossed.

Jon

[Jon Moore]

Log Update 29/04/2009

For some reason I don't seem to be coordinating time off with the weather this year and as such my flying time is well down year on year!

15/3/2009

Flying from Dale north to Trecwn, then Templeton and return. 2.5 hours & 84k triangle.

02/4/2009

Dale again with a S'ly breeze dictating using the concrete for TO - so much less effort needed compared to grass. 3 hours 10 minutes & 122K triangle route.

11/4/2009

Same TO arrangements as previous flight and a tour out to the east getting some pics off the coast at Tenby in lovely bright sun. 2.75 hours and 70k O/R.

19/4/2009

Test flight after re-fitting the tuned exhaust following refurbishment. Nice flight up to above the inversion at +3000'

20/4/2009

Extended coastal tour (with some cliff soaring) and just having fun being airbourne! 2.5 hours and 47k O/R

I keep promising to put pics up for viewing but daunted by the time it may take with several HG blog sites - may do all on Flikr if I can link from here?

[Jon Moore]

03/03/2009

Flying has been so intermittent I don't bother updating in a timely manner!

20/02/2009

Was a lovely day here in Pembrokeshire with almost complete calm and sunshine (not like today with wind, rain and more rain).

Very scenic O/R from Dale to Dinas Head and amazingly - thermals at +3 to + to cloud base at 2500'. Come on now this is February! Great day out with 2.25 hrs airtime.

[Jon Moore]

11/02/09

Better weather after all that cold wind and snow!

Made a 1h 40 min flight from Dale along the coast to Brawdy and return. The westerly breeze was strong enough for a bit of soaring assistance between Broad Haven and Newgale. Good to be back in the air especially in sunshine!

Jon

[Jon Moore]

18/1/2009

A combination of circumstances - mostly the weather - have kept be grounded since 06/12/2008. My powered unit is currently undergoing its yearly service so here's hoping for lighter winds and dryer fields as soon as possible!

Jon