Steve J's 2010 Diary

[AndyH]

I noticed the same when I checked the weather after my short flight off Mynydd Brombil aswell....it was no where near that strong was it.
 
Great flight though....just cleared the M4 and narrowly missed a digital arial attached to the side of a house, then just managed to clear Ffrwd Wyllt brook to land in Taibach playing fields.
 
Almost as much fun as Table Mountain. O0

[SteveJ]

Mynydd Dinas   Friday  4th June 10

Very light conditions made for a short 20 minute flight; just about worth blogging about 
Spent most of that time with some gulls on the northern-side of the hill spiralling up in the small thermals. Max alt, 300' ato. If only the breeze had been a tad stronger.... From the 'XC weather' web site, it says Mumblesa Head was blasting at 13 mph ?
 

[SteveJ]

Fan G.  Monday 24 May 2010

A light NW'ly forecast so decided on Fan G. with Andy. Got to TO just after midday to find only short duration thermals coming up the NW corner. After an hour or so these started to get more frequent and consistent. Had a few short 15 min flts up to 600' ato before landing on each ocassion as the wind died completely. TO at 15:30 hrs into a thermal and kept climbing, got to 1,000' ato and decided to drift out over the boonies with it. Still going strong at Penderyn, crossing over the village at 4.800' amsl in a clear blue sky  Losing height, looked for a thermal above the LNG gas holder near Bavestocks Hotel, but it never materialized. Crossed the A465 and noticed that the wind had shifted to the W; sea-breeze coming up the Neath Valley  Ended my flt a few kms away on the rubbish tip at Bryn Pennar/Llwyd Coed. From here cadged a lift ,after only 5 mins of thumbing, all the way back to Aberdulais in a lavishly interiored  Merc.
An unexpected XC with pretty views of the Sarn Helen Roman Road and Ystradfellte.
Time 1 hr
Distance 21.3 Kms

[SteveJ]

Cwmafan  Tuesday  27 Mar 10

Arrived to find it cloudy and the wind a tad on the strong side. Launched just after midday and made some headway to the front of the hill. Here it seemed easier to penetrate and soon found myself out over the village and gaining plenty of height; 1,500' ato. Played around in the thermals and spent an hour taking in the views. At around 13:30 noticed that the sun was starting to make an appearance and made even greater height gains. Made the decision to go XC and was at cloudbase over Cimla at 3,500' amsl  Exactly what Sid predicted (Bristol & Gloucester Gliding Club forecast)
Glided on to Abergarwed and managed to make the windward side ridge near the A465  with not much height. Waited for a thermal to come thro' which saw me pass over the Sarn Helen track and onto Seven Sisters. Had the company of the two resident peregrines here, who came quit close while doing their courtship antics - plummeting down to earth while attacking each other. Thence it was on to a low save on the man-made, pyrimid-shaped, mound in front of the (Abercrave ?)open-cast site. Passed over the power lines here with only 100' to spare. Getting below the height of the mound I thought this was game over, but persevered and again found another climb to help me reach Abercrave village. Same again here, a low save above a wood on the southern facing ridge gave me a lift up to and over the 'sleeping giant'. Back at cloudbase passed over the limestone-covered boonies of the Black Mountain. Looking at my GPS I was worried that my down-wind speed was reaching 65 kms/hr
Glided onto Fan Hir and ridge-soared along to Fan Brycheiniog, After sitting above a small outcrop slightly below the summit for a while, I contemplated the outcome of passing over the top at a low altitude mmm.....didn't fancy the free-falling and collapses from the rotor, so decided to land. With full bar and ears 'in' came in on the summit for a backwards landing. Straight onto the Cs, but not before being dragged for a good 50 feet along the soft ground. Soft bar-for a stone which ripped a small slice thro' my harness and gave me a good bruising on my side; ouch.
Holding on to the Cs and Ds for dear life as I didn't want to get dragged over the top and down the steep slope on the reverse side of the mountain (and into the lake !), I was poised in this position for a whole 5 minutes waiting for a lull in the breeze. It didn't come. Then replacing my hands on the ground with my knees, I unclipped one of  my risers and speed bar connection - just in case !  Fhew... managed to get the wing wrapped up and started my long treck to the Trecastle road, at least it was down-hill. Here I noticed that the ground assistant of an on-going helicopter operation was about to pack up for the day. I couldn't help but noticed that the company was called Airborne Solutions and the assistant asked me for directions for the M4 Eastbound  Within the hour I was at Junction 40 Port Talbot. Incidentally the helicopter ops involved lifting bales of straw onto the Black Mountain (to reduce errosin by water runn-off) I'd over-flown the site on the last leg of the flight, but thankfully the helicopter was re-fuelling.
Total Distance 32.9 kms
Total air time 2 hrs 12 mins
Thermal strength 5 m/s
Despite the 'hairy' landing, a most enjoyable flight with a combination of cloud base climbs and low saves close to the ground, all in brilliant spring sunshine.
Wish I'd taken my camera.

[SteveJ]

Merthyr   Thurs 8 Apr 2010

Desided on Merthyr as the wind was forecast as more w'ly. Arrived at midday to have the hill to myself bar for some Axis trainees. Wind a little on the light side, but a few thermals cycling through to give short and spicy 10-minute hops.
A short time later had the company of Ken, Jo & ? from Bristol (Avon Club). Another hour of the light stuff passed before Ken and myself managed any sustained flight. First to 500', then a grand and then cloud  base. Going was slow due to no significant breeze. Stayed mainly between 4,000 and 5,500' amsl, cloud hopping most of the way. Got low south of the Blorenge and headed for Skirrid Fach just outside the town. Landed here after getting too low and failing to find a climb. No wind either as all the buzzards where sat in the trees in the wood. Glided back to the Hereford Road near the railway stn (opp. to where P'Venture were based) for an easy retrieve by a friend who lived nearby. Looked up to see Ken get a low save and later float on to near Ross on Wye. Good views of the countryside, but damn cold. Ironically, because I was cooking at TO with so many short hops I opted to take my jumper off and swap my winter gloves for a thinner pair - bad move, I spent the whole flight close to tears as my hands were numbed by the freezing cold air at base. Flight time: 1hr 25 mins. Distance around 25 Kms straight (having problems downloading my tracklog). Thermals at 5 m/s . A nice start to the XC season.
10Apr 10 Solved the down load problem Total distance with 3TPs 29.8 Kms

[SteveJ]

Pandy    2 Feb 10

A flyable E'ly forecast, so headed for Pandy. TO at 1pm in a light breeze and sunshine. Did the traditional ridge run of 18 kms; though didn't jump over onto Hay Bluff. Got to over a grand ato on a few occasions in gentle 3 m/s thermals. Quite cold after 1hr 30 mins, wish I'd taken my heated-gloves along. 8 other wings up, mostly students of Steve Millson; though one or two had travelled from Reading for the day.

[SteveJ]

30 Jan 10   Dasklip

A strongish W'ly today, so there is a bit of confusion as to whether to go N or S along the ridge. Another significant feature today is the strength of the thermals, 8 m/s; my vario goes off the scales at 8 ! The air is also more turbulent, but cloud base is at 6, 500' amsl. After 1hr 15 mins I land in front of Teenager (a hill named because of its resemblance to a young female's breast) because headway in either direction is painfully slow.
1 hr 15 mins  - 11 kms  - Max alt  6,500' amsl

31 Jan 10   Dasklip

Thermals seem few and far between today, staying up with no dynamic lift is hard work. I take a thermal to cloudbase (6,500' amsl) after only 9 kms along the ridge and float over into the Citrusdal valley. Tracking up through the centre of the valley along the flat lands I reach the Constriction and climb even further as the cloud base rises to 7,180' amsl. The wind today has helped everyone go N in a quicker than usual time, but there is a price to pay.
Skirting high along the eastern side of the dam I see Nick a few Kms ahead, and think that he's on his way to re-claiming his distance record. Then I notice I'm not penetrating into wind and decide to get down. Too late, my shadow also confirms that a backward landing is required. Below the last field disappears and I'm faced with only scrub land
Tip-toeing my speed bar and ears in, I gradually lose height and just before I touch down I see Nick hit the ground in a cloud of dust a few 100 yards away. We both walk away unhurt. A kind farmer rounds us up and takes us to Clan William.
3 hrs 15 mins - 78.8 kms  - max alt  7,100'amsl

1 Feb 10   Dasklip
For some reason I don't feel like flying today; I'm flown out
Not many thermals about, best lift seems to be had above the flat lands just out from the hill. I make it over into the Citrusdal valley and head for the town itself for my last visit to the town's coffee shop. I land in a field on the edge of town with only a short walk.
2 hrs  - 33.9 Kms  - Max alt 4,970' amsl

2 Feb 10  Table Mountain

For me the last flight of the holiday was nothing but spectacular. Flying at TM requires a lot of co-operation from the weather and today it worked a treat; we were very lucky.
As we took the cable car ride to the summit I couldn't help but feel very unnerved at what we were about to do. Reaching a very small TO point we spread our wings out and with a running-reverse launch due to the lack of wind I manage to get away. Over the edge there is no dynamic lift only strongish thermals at 4 m/s to help you stay up. I have the ridge to myself as I watch the other attempt TO; apparently conditions got even lighter at launch. After waving to tourists on the cliff edge I head back and fore along the ridge getting to a max of 500' ato. What great views from up here
I click away with my camera until the card is full. A while later I'm joined by Nick, then I head down, past Lions' Head to land at Camps Bay on the coast. Here the wind has picked up a tad and I'm glad I came down when I did. Next down is Marcus , a German acro pilot, who treats us to some tumbles on his  way to the landing field.
The perfect end to a fantastic holiday.
I must add here that the actual TO from Table Mountain ranks high in the top 5 scariest things I've ever done in my life
Total Flying time in S. Africa: 35 hrs 10 mins
Total distance flown: 611.4 Kms


 

[SteveJ]

17 Jan 10  Dasklip

Soared along the ridge and got to 5,500' amsl above Bumpy, so crossed over into the Citrusdal valley. After bombing out above the flatlands on previous flights I decided to skirt the far eastern side of the valley, on the foothills of the Cedarberg mountains; in effect doing an 'L' shaped track rather than the most direct route. Although slower and more time consuming my plan paid off.
Passing my previous best distance, I glide on, through the Constriction and on to the open ground which straddles the N7 main road and the large lake system which leads to Clan William dam. Once through the Constriction flying seamed easier and the lift, endless. After over 4 hours in the saddle I'm above Clan William at 3,500' a,msl and still heading north. Ever present to anyone still flying in the late afternoon is the dreaded increase in wind speed; today, for some reason, it remained a light W'ly.
After 5hrs I'm stil high above the N7 roadway, but landing options look a little limited, so as I pass over the last field and see before me endless scrub-land, I opt to get down. My GPS shows 96.6 Kms, but I have visions of a trashed glider (from landing in thorn bushes) for the rest of the holiday if I press on.
5hrs - 96.6 Kms (106 Kms with three TPs  )  Max alt. 6,600' amsl

19 Jan 10  Dasklip

Flew along ridge and crossed over earlier than usual after getting to cloudbase. Stuck to my 'L' shaped route along the Cederbergs and got many low saves further up the valley over the flatlands. Went through the Constriction, but hit massive sink and get a little concerned about having to land  at the northern end in a deep river gully between three big hills
The anticipated rotor doesn't materialise and I find a dried up river bed bounded by bushes as a landing strip. I land on a steep bank and fall back down the gully onto my side. A short cracking noise on the side of my head after I hit a boulder makes me appreciative of a good helmet. Otherwise my only injury is a small graze on my elbow.
2 hrs 30 mins  - 60.1 kms - Max alt. 5,700' amsl

20 Jan 10  Dasklip

Flew along ridge in a light W'ly. Not much height today, possible inversion. Hopped over into the Citrusdal valley and bombed out after failing to find any lift.
1 Hr 30 mins  - 31 Kms - max alt 4,000' amsl

21 Jan 10  Dasklip

A light w'ly all day. The usual ridge run, then over into Citrusdal. Find lift on the flats up to 5,600' amsl. Cruise through the Constriction and get high on exiting; reassuring after bombing out there a few days earlier. Due to the W'ly wind I opt for a jaunt along the eastern side of the dam; topping up on the small outcrops that boarder the lakes. Somewhere below is Nick, who has lost his radio. The deliberate and constant radio traffic which helps him eventually to locate it is somewhat distracting; but no worries I'm high. Also below is the retrieve Landrover, stalking me like a hungry lion. Time is getting on and any dreams of reaching Clan William are dashed.
After I land we head for the town of Klawer, where HG pilot Adam West (Batman  ?? for those of a certain age....) has landed after 132 Kms
4 hrs 30 mins - 71 Kms

On 22 Jan I take a break from PG and head for Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift in Natal. A brief history lesson....
On 11 Jan 1879 the British Army invaded Zululand (nothing changed here...), eleven days later on 22 Jan, while camped at Isandlwana, 1,300 soldiers were annihlated by a force of 20,000 Zulus. A few hours later, a Zulu regiment who had not taken part in the battle decided they wanted to prove themselves, so ran 15 kms to the British post at Rorke's Drift, which incidentally, is just outside Zululand. Fortunately the soldiers at RD were a little more well organised and although only numbering 100 men, repulsed an attack by over 4,000 Zulus; a ratio of 40:1. British losses at RD numbered only 15 dead, the Zulus suffered far greater casualties. Many of the soldiers at RD hailed from Wales and were based at Brecon.
If you're ever near Brecon on a blown out day, a visit to the South Wales Boarderers Museum comes highly recommended. Pride of place in the museum are the stories behind the 11 VCs won that day.

On my way back to Durban I call in on the place where Winston Churchill was captured by the Boers in 1899. In the film 'Young Winston' this scene is shot at Penwyllt Quarry, behind Fan G. For those who know local 'action' photographer, Carl Ryan, he was an extra in the scene.

Back to PG.....
28 Jan 10  dasklip

After a break from PG I'm hungry for flying again. Due to the forecast of a predicted increase in wind speed PM, we take off at 11:30 am. The usual ridge run and cross-over  are made and plenty of thermals are found, even over the flatlands. 7 m/s are the norm now and as I head north the spectacular sight of a dust devil rising to over 1,000' above the ground amaze me.  I'm high over the Constriction and float on to Clan William. Deciding to land due to the forecast and set myself up to put down on the cricket/football pitch in the middle of the town. Getting down to 300' all hell lets loose. I feel as if anti-aircraft guns have unleashed a barrage into the sky. I'm in trouble as I'm low over the town and getting tucks and collapses every few seconds. With the turbulence  comes some lift which throws me high enough to get out of town and onto the open fields on the fringes. I land and count my blessings.
4 hrs  25 mins  - 83 kms   - Max alt 6,500' amsl.

[SteveJ]

7 Jan 10   Porterville

Arrived in SA the previous day to temperatures in the mid 30Cs; far hotter than the sub-zero climes we left behind in the UK. To those unfamiliar with flying in Porterville the usual format (in a S or SW wind) is to fly along 20 to 30 kms of ridge known as the Dasklip Pass, going over-the-back at any opportunity into the Citrusdal valley. From here you travel either north up the centre of the flatish valley floor, or opt to crab along the foot-hills of the Cederberg mountain range; the latter not being recommended in a strong  breeze, for fear of being hoovered up into the vast range of high mountains. Flying along the ridge is not a garentee, as on some days there is little or no dynamic lift, only thermals from the flatlands out in front.
Then after 50 kms you reach a feature known as the Constriction, which as you may have guessed, is a narrow passage of about 2 Kms before you enter another flatish area leading to the town of Clan William.

7 Jan 2010 Dasklip
TO from Dasklip at around midday (the usual TO time) and flew along the ridge before hopping over the ridge at 'Bumpy' (a peak along the ridge at about 18 Kms, so called as it gets bumpy if you get low in front of the hill). Took a glide into the Citrusdal Valley, but failed to find any lift and landed just short of the Cederberg foothills on the opposite side. Landed in a field near a tar road, where four local kids ran over a mile to welcome me to S. Africa. Got a lift on the back of a scrap wagon.
A gentle first flight, which re-afirmed that you're not guarenteed to stay up.
1 hr - 22 Kms

8 Jan 2010 Dasklip
A similar flight to yesterday, but stayed on the W side of the Citrusdal Valley.
1 hr 55 mins - 24 kms  Not much traffic on the dirt road this side of the valley, but after an hour managed a lift to Citrusdal by car.

9 Jan 2010 Dasklip
TO and decided to fly further along the ridge before hopping over, as this would perhaps increase my chances of finding lift on the Citrusdal flatlands.
While heading along the ridge at around 1pm I see an orange PG spiralling out of the sky at low level. Confused messages over the radio lead me to beleive everything is OK. My plan at passing over at a more northerly point works, I slip over quite low, but manage to find a thermal rocketing skywards over a dis-used airfield.
Experienced my first strong thermal today; 7 m/s
Landed soon after my save over the airfield to land just short of Citrusdal town.
1 hr 35 mins - 33 Kms
The orange glider I saw spiralling out of the sky turned out to be Nick. Thankfully he was still in one piece when I got back to the lodge; his only injuries being a swollen foot and a few scratches.

10 Jan 10   Dasklip
A Nly wind today. Flying N is very slow, so decided to turn S and head for the lodge at Porterville. Thermals peaked at only 6 m/s today.....Got some good altitude, 5, 900' AMSL (TO is 2,400' AMSL) and landed outside the lodge.
1 hr 35 mins - 11.9 Kms

11 Jan 10 Dasklip
Flew N up the ridge and crossed over at the airfield, Caught the 'house' thermal which took me over Citrusdal town and beyond.
Getting low i tried working a low hill, but failed.
2 hrs 45 mins - 40.1 Kms

13 Jan 10 Dasklip
Wind light at first, but quickly developed into a strong breeze. Head S along the ridge passing Porterville. Decide to land due to the wind strength, but get knocked around on the lower slopes on the way down. Andy also lands a few 100 yards away and we meet up for a retrieve. Due to our distance from the main road I stay with the bags while Andy goes to direct the Landrover. With temperatures at 45C today, Andy gets heat stress, but manages to flag-down the retrieve driver.
50 mins - 14.3 kms