Paul Hyde's 2010 logbook

[Paul Hyde]

15 March, Rhossili
Arrived around 10:15 to find Nasher, Gerry, Idris and Stewart already parawaiting on top t/o.  Ian and Ben joined us soon after and joint services camped out on the pimple. Waited until almost 12:30 when the wind picked up and within minutes it was classic Rhossili soaring, lift everywhere and very smooth with varying amounts of orographic cloud for a while.  Had 70 mins in total with 2 pimple landings but on my third attempt I could not get down very easily and needed a bit of speedbar to get forward again so landed on the beach and packed up.
 
Total airtime 110:55, this year 1:40.

[Paul Hyde]

11 March, Rhiw Wen, 10 - 22 mph
Nasher, Chris D, Ifor and Ben already there when I arrived mid afternoon, Chris getting good height above T/O.  Nick turned up a little later as Chris left.  Too lively and variable for me at first but after waiting for a couple of hours it seemed to settle down a bit so, with everyone else already in the air and a little encouragement from Nasher, gave it a go. Had about 25 mins in mostly smooth conditions but had to settle for a bottom landing as it was too strong on top.
 
Total airtime 109:45, this year 30 mins.

[Paul Hyde]

1 March, Rhossili, WSW, 0 - 11 mph on top takeoff.
Went down more in hope than expectation. 3 guys from Malvern club also there.  Waited from 2 to 4:30 and then went for forward launch TTB.
 
Total airtime 109:23, this year 2 flights totalling 8 mins!

[Paul Hyde]

17 Jan, Rhossili, W - WSW, 11 - 16 mph on the pimple.
My first flight for over 3 months.  Gerry already in the air and using speedbar to get forward.  Nice easy launch and made forward progress from the pimple without speedbar but as I moved across to be over the old rectory I started going backwards and despite using all the speedbar my little legs could manage I was inevitably going to be blown over the back.  Headed for the flattest area behind the trig point and well behind the ridge, fortunately no significant rotor and sheltered from the worst of the wind I could use the brakes freely for a comfortable landing.  By the time I got back to the pimple the wind was strengthening and going more SW so called it a day.
 
Total airtime 109:20, this year 5 mins.