Gron commits aviation 2010.

[Gron]

Thurday 24th June.
SWEET, SWEET RHOSSILI EVENING - JUST KEEP FLYING TILL IT GETS DARK!!
Yes - I actually managed a week-day (night!) flight!!  Stu Kelly, otherwise known as "White Van Man", picked me up in Llanddarog, and we belted down to the Gower peninsula.  Got to Rhossili at about 6.30pm,  after being dissapointed on the drive over Cefn Bryn not to see any gliders in the air.  Never fear, Nick & Viv were there - on the pimple, and as we trudged up the slope, we could see the top of Viv's Gin Zulu getting airborn.  Nick was getting ready to give a lovely girl from Nant y Moel a tandem flight, and there was another tandem getting ready to go as well.  Waited a while to get the 2 tandems off - as the 12 - 15mph wiind was making the ground handling a little lively.  Then it was our turn.  There were 2 guys with fancy cameras with long lenses up there too. Turns out they were from the Wales Tourist Board, mates of our very own Jon Munro,  taking some promotional shots, after arrangements  with Nick!!   Stop Press - some of these images may get e-mailed to our web site - so hold on!  Guy fro Llanelli was there, and Ian Dobbie also put in an appearance - with his light weight Gin Yeti.  (I don't think I've bumped in to him sonce the 2 of us were on that very memorable SSWSC trip to Algodonalez in 2003!! - The trip where Steve Jones flew his first mini cross country, and I rode a horse around the village square!)  I took off at 8.00pm, and landed at 9.45pm, as the big red globe was touching the sea.  My max height was 680ft ATO, and everyone had very enjoyable flights.    I was chuffed to have extended my landing time from the previous latest of 9.30pm - also at Rhossili .................of course!  The air was lifty and lovely, and we were joined in the air by 2 Hangliders, taking-off and landing near the trig point.  A pleasant little al freso social followed with Stu and I having the company of Guy, Nick & Viv outside the pub enjoying the twilight over the bay at this jewel in the crown of SWWSC sites. All together now - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhh                     
Got home at midnight!     
 

[Gron]

“TOUCHING CLOUDBASE” – 20^TH June 2010. 
A truly excellent day was had by Stu Kelly and myself today.  As you may have noticed in the shout box, we started the day dithering as to “whether the weather” was OK for paramotoring OR paragliding.  Well – in the end- we got lucky and managed BOTH !   So, I had 2 great flights ...........but one crash for the day, and another lesson learned!
Initially, I was tempted to make a trip to the Rhigos site, a few people were going – looks great on the video posted by Reach.  We then decided that we still need to hone our paramotoring launch techniques, and set off to the small microlighting field in Upland Arms, Llandyfaelog, on the Carmarthen to Cydweli road.  Due to it being north north westerly,  our “runway was slightly uphill and we were in the lee of some trees at the  end of the field, but I thought far enough away from them.   The wind was quite variable and we needed to  wait and catch the right moment to “go for it”.  I got away first and flew 3 or 4 circuits to watch Stu, who then came up to join me.  The difference between our 2 gliders became quite apparent.  Mine is a dedicated power wing with full reflex – a Dudek Reaction.  Stu is on a paramotorable paraglider fitted with trimmers to the risers – a Swing Arcus.  My paramotor wing penetrates well and is fast with the trimmers fully let out, and I had to do a few 360s when flying with Stu.  However, his Arcus outclimbed my Reaction.  Stuart’s fast  becoming quite an altitude freak, and I was soon looking for him in the sky, only to see a dot way above me!   He told me later he passed the 4000feet amsl mark!  I had been more interested in crossing over the river Towy for a general tour over the area.  I then powered up to join him, and had a lovely but lively time amongst those great big white fluffy things, which make the air around them a tad turbulent!  I suddenly noticed I was feeling quite cold at cloud base, as I hadn’t bothered with the flying suit and just had a sweater on my top half.  I thought 3 grand was enough for me, and eventually decided it was time for the easy downwind dash back across the river to the Take Off field.  We must have been landing at about 1.30pm, and so things were getting a bit too thermic near the ground at this inland site surrounded by ploughed fields and others with newly cut silage.  The landing approach was therefore quite an up and down affair, with a few unpleasant bubbles, but all was OK, and 2 nice landings were made.   (Stu’s photo attached – Zoom in and you should find me – crossing the river,)   
A cup of coffee and a sandwich settled us down as we excitedly de-briefed each other – not literally you’ll understand!   The wind sock was now really flapping,  so – time to pack up.   Stu phoned John Nash just to see what was happening on the paragliding front.  He had just arrived at Rhiw Wen and thought it was flyable.  As this was closer than Rhigos, off we went.  We saw John flying as we approached from Llangadog, a nice feeling – just like when you scan the ridge as you drive towards Rhossili and see gliders up and say “Yes – they’re flying!!”  It wasn’t smack on the hill, being rather strong when we got there and off to the west a bit.  That’s when I got caught out.  I think I got gusted while facing back in the reverse position, and got a little airborne prematurely.   I twisted forward, but then got dumped, and then dragged over with the diagonal component of the wind, and bumped down the little shelf we were on.   Did you know?  – wearing helmets really is a good thing to do!!   Got myself sorted out with the assistance of Stu and Uncle Nasher,  whose words of wisdom helped me regain my composure, and then the second attempt was lovely!  There then followed a 20 minute flight getting some 400feet ATO, getting  back on the the top old quarry ridge, with excellent views all round with good visibility, just like over the estuary of the Towy earlier in the day.  The lift seemed to die away, and I went down for the landing by the track.   Stu followed me down, and Nasher packed up.  On getting back to the village, I went to the little Welsh Chapel in my village to thank that other Sky God, the one with the Big G, for quite a day!

[Gron]

Some days, it just isn't obvious where is the best place to go. Winds in Carmarthenshire seemed to be south easterly, and Stuart Kelly and I opted for familiarity by heading off for the common ground of Llanllwni mountain again.  There was a breeze with thermic cycles coming through.  Isn't it amazing how you can go the the middle of nowhere to avoid an audience (definitely a good thing when you're relatively new to paramotoring and apt to be looking quite silly at times,  - and scaring yourself silly at other times) - and an audience turns up!  A couple of farmers in a land rovers and a truck stopped on the little road to watch 2 hopefuls trying to get airborne under large dishcloths with lawn mower engines on their backs!  This is usually guaranteed to put you off, but I managed a first time forward launch and flew for 20 to 25 mins enjoying the scenery, with Fan Brycheiniog in the distance.  The air really was quite lumpy at times, with sudden climbs in thermals, only to be dumped out the other side - not a day for letting go of the brakes!
Tom - have read your post for today - we weren't that far away from you!  We must get together for a fly soon - some of the fields around here in Llanddarog have potential - if the elements play ball - (and the farmers are my patients!)  Stu and I went to have a look at a nice large flat field in Abergwli, near Carmarthen, today and spoke to some farmers about possiblities.  (A dream of mine is to fly following the river Towy, all the way to up Llandovery.
I plan to visit the British Paramotor Nationals   -   http://www.ppgcomps.co.uk     next week ...............to marshall and spectate - NOT to compete you'll understand     !  John Nash will be there in the BHPA tent, and I think Gareth Pawan hopes to put in an appearance.  Our own Jon Moore has been a regular - but may have to miss this year's extavaganza.  It's a great spectacle and show piece for free flying if anyone fells like visiting.