G Silvers flying diary

[Ga Silver]

Rhosilli 6/11/10 NNW 4-12mph

Spent the day at rhosilli. 1h ground handling, 2 top to bottoms and a top landing.
Waited on top for another flight but the hail stones put stop to that.
Not the best day but nice to meet some more members.

[Ga Silver]

Rhosilli 20/9/10  Got there at 4:45 to see 2 visiting pilots taking off on the pimple. Wind was 10-12mph dead on. Just about to launch when Wattsy makes an appearance. Quick chat and he sends me on my way. Great lift straight from take off and the lift band is out as far as the raised beach. After 10 minutes Wattsy joins me and the other 2 land. We are soon joined by Mark (skipper) and the 3 of us have the whole ridge to ourselves. Mark gets wicked height but I stay low in front of the ridge as the low cloud makes me nervous. I work on making positive turns and playing with my momentum on the turn. Wind picks up a little so top landing is tricky. I check out the t/l but the lift is to much so I opt for a beach landing. The 3 of us call it a day as the light starts to fade and head back to the car park. Great way to finish a Monday. 1h 30mins/ 4 hours total.
Good to see the guys again 

[Ga Silver]

Rhosilli 9am and not a breath of wind. I have a limited pass today. Home by 1:30 to look after the kids. 12:30 and the wind has picked up. Quick launch and head off down to hill end. It's a bit scratchy but not bad. As time goes the clouds move in and the wind picks up. I'm out over the beach and still climbing. Not sure if it's a wide lift band or cloud suck so push out over the water. Look at the time 1:10, balls, I've got to leave. Head down to the beach and play on the dunes for a bit before landing on the sand. 45 minutes air time but grateful for every second of it. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Worked out 2 1/2 hours post CP.

[Ga Silver]

Wow, what a day at Rhosilli. Stood around waiting with Stu Kelly for a few hours but there was enough going on to keep us entertained. Wind was gusting to 25mph at times but come 5 o'clock and it was a steady 9mph on the pimple. Nice take off so I head down to hill end along the ridge getting good lift. I push out over the beach and practice my big ears. I come back in for more lift then push out again to do my first 360. Success! I get a few more in and do some S turns. My confidence grows then I remember stevie G's wise words about not getting over confident so I chill out and take it all in. I top land after 1 hour and 20 mins as I start shivering.

[Stevie G]

nice to meet your Gareth... we'll get a lot of flying in dude... : )

[Ga Silver]

Sunday 15th Aug. Preseli north. Got to the car park around half ten and saw that everyone had made their way to the t/o. The wind was coming from the NE but I couldn't see anyone else around so I decided to investigate from the air. Had a nice flight but went further down to look around. The lift band dropped and I had to trek back to the top. When I got there I could see the guys flying the easterly so made my way over. Almost there when I see them making their way towards me. D'oh.
Sat and chat with the guys for a bit before taking flight again (nice to finally meet you Steve). Had a couple more flights but my legs were really suffering and I forgot to bring a drink (school boy error). Flew about abit but after losing some height I couldn't face the walk again so made the valley crossing instead. All in all a really enjoyable day and great seeing old faces and new.

[Ga Silver]

Well, I've always wondered if the dunes at Pembrey (opp the ski slope) were soarable and the answer is yes.
When I got there the wind was at the top of my comfort zone with the occasional gust so I started with some ground handling. Once I was comfortable I made my way to the dune and got some good lift. I flew out to the front of the lift band and turned into wind more. Went out a bit to far and landed out front.
Ding ding, round two. Tried again but the wind was really picking up now. Got lift but was taken over the back and dragged through some brambles. Round two to mother nature. I decided to call it a draw and try again another day. I think it could be a fun spot though and although I didn't fly for long I did gain some valuable experience.

[Ga Silver]

YEAH! Passed my CP today!

3/7/10  Newgale

Had my assessment flight today and passed with flying (no pun intended) colours. Reverse launch, got lifted before I made my turn but kept it cool, turned and made the glide out. Made some beats back and forth with really good lift.
Come in for my 1st attempt to land but got lift at the vital moment so aborted and made a 2nd beat. Come in a bit lower and stuck the landing. Happy days.

Nick did a tandem dressed as a wolf and Pete dressed as a gorilla (funny as). It will be on the Pembrokeshire paragliding facebook page shortly.

[Ga Silver]

Sunday 27th June

Didn't think I'd be flying until Nick phoned to see if I wanted to try Newgale. Of course I jumped at the chance to fly so met up at 10:30 at the south end.
After finding a good spot a making a clearing we helped get Nick up in the air on the tandum. He was getting good lift so Mark took off to join them. Nick landed and as the wind was a steady 12mph he decided to let me launch.
Instant lift from the launch and a nice glide out over the cliff. Pushed out over the beach before making a few beats along the ridge. Nick came back up on the tandum to join us. I flew for around 30 mins before the wind picked up and as I wasn't penetrating the air so well I decided to come in for a landing.
Made a couple of small beats before making a perfect touch down. However, as I brought the wing down it acted as a wind break and dragged me through the gorse (ouch). Should of taken a wrap also need to work on identifying the C's for a quick collapse.
All in all, very happy with my first "proper" ridge soaring flight.
Nick has posted a GoPro vid on Pembrokeshire Paragliding's facebook page. Please check it out (I'm on the yellow wing). Enjoy

1 day left and the CP exam and I'll be qualified so see you guys real soon  :mrgreen: