Steve Watkins 2010 logbook

[Steve Watkins]

5/12/10 - FanG

The video says it all - a very tiring walk up for not much reward! It clagged in after about 10 minutes reaching the top! Top to bottom..

FanG 5/12/10

[Steve Watkins]

23th Nov 2010 - Fan-G

After a lot of decision making this morning, Wattsy, Barry, Guy and I decided to try Fan-G as the prediction was NW and the clouds movement was slow. On arrival everything was all clagged in but to the North blue skies left us in hope of going up and having a fly. On arrival conditions were perfect wind in the bowl but still a bit clagged in.

About 20 mins later it was safe enough to launch and we enjoyed a boat about whilst the cloud lifted. At one point I entered cloud and could hear Barry on radio saying Steve has gone into cloud but I could see a blue hole in front of me and headed for that towards the reservoir.The cloud lifted and presented us with perfect flying conditions for this time of year, and the adrenalin of flying soon took over the bitter Northerly cold wind!

Managed to gain about 630ft ATO but that was cloud base so couldn't really go any higher and enjoyed a lot of deep spirals and wing overs.

Guy had to leave early for work so it was just the three of us in the end. Fair play for Wattsy and Barry, they showed very good airmanship and flying skills and after gaining height Barry pushed out and practiced some spirals with Wattsy showing us his wingover skills.

A bird of prey joined us on the ridge for sometime and showed me the area of lift, I am not sure whether it was cloud suck, thermic or just dynamic lift but it was lifty. Around 3pm, the wind switched off and it all went light, Barry was already penetrating out and I shouted to Wattsy to either land or push out and land down the bottom.

What a fantastic day, sometime days where do you do not expect too much are always the best

Over 2 hours flying today.

Total airtime 2010 - 28hr 25mins       

[Steve Watkins]

24th October  - Rhiw Wen
 
Arrived about 10:30am to find Phil Cunningham all laid out and ready to fly. The wind had a bit too much East in it and although conditions were initially flyable, it was a good job there was only 2 of us as it was scratchy. Later on many others turned up and after a good fly, I decided to land and have a natter, but I kept my eye off conditions which were taking people up to nearly cloudbase. I grabbed my wing and launched into a load of sink and bottom landed. Everyone else sank out and about 3/4 hr later the air improved again but I decided to leave then as I'd been there all day
 
My wing didn't show any sign of change from coming back repaired - it was duly noted I was pulling too much brake above launch as the landing area was very buoyant, good job it's only a DHV1!
 
Lots of people out, Phil C, Nick R, Viv, Alan, Nasher, John, Dee (Nice one Dee for your first flight since slovenia ), Gerry, Barry, Stu Kelly, Paul Williams, Steve Adams & others from SE club (sorry if I have missed you it was very busy)
 
Total flying time around 90 mins.

Total airtime 2010 - 25hr 55mins       

[Steve Watkins]

Thankyou very much Paul for the offer. I probably will take the week or two to catch up with other stuff if I can!

[Wattsy]

Fail play Paul, that is very generous of you.

[PARAVENTUREAIRSPORTS]

25th Sept 2010 - Rhiw Wen

Arrived to find Wattsy scratching the ridge and Stu Kelly ready to launch. In the space of 20 minutes the wind picked up and Wattsy & Stu landed safely. Wind picked up to around 20-25mph with gusts up to 28mph.

After a long good 4 hours or so parawait, decided to launch after conditions improved, clouds slowing up and 15mph prevailing wind.

Just as I was leaving the ground, Wattsy shouted something which transpired to be I had a tear in my wing!

I looked up and thought s**t - now what, elevating up I thought I need to land quickly but I have no left control as the tear was where the left brake joins the trailing edge. As I was pulling the left control, it was worsening the tear and I knew I was in trouble.

Luckily, I pushed out and to turn left I weight shifted, but the problem being again that thermals were making me have to fly very actively yet I didn't have much control of going left.

I pushed out and found enough sink to make it to the bottom landing field and luckily smooth conditions made for a safe landing.

Now I have no wing for a few weeks 

I've got a demo P44 you can borrow Steve whilst waiting for your wing to be fixed. Its been replaced by the P45 but still a good glider. Just pop over and get it if you want. I also have an Icaro Incanto in large here. Top end 1/2. This ones a PX so is also for sale.

Paul

[Steve Watkins]

25th Sept 2010 - Rhiw Wen

Arrived to find Wattsy scratching the ridge and Stu Kelly ready to launch. In the space of 20 minutes the wind picked up and Wattsy & Stu landed safely. Wind picked up to around 20-25mph with gusts up to 28mph.

After a long good 4 hours or so parawait, decided to launch after conditions improved, clouds slowing up and 15mph prevailing wind.

Just as I was leaving the ground, Wattsy shouted something which transpired to be I had a tear in my wing!

I looked up and thought s**t - now what, elevating up I thought I need to land quickly but I have no left control as the tear was where the left brake joins the trailing edge. As I was pulling the left control, it was worsening the tear and I knew I was in trouble.

Luckily, I pushed out and to turn left I weight shifted, but the problem being again that thermals were making me have to fly very actively yet I didn't have much control of going left.

I pushed out and found enough sink to make it to the bottom landing field and luckily smooth conditions made for a safe landing.

Now I have no wing for a few weeks 


 

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Steve Watkins]

30th Aug 2010 - Fan G

Arrived just before Stevie G & Barry on lower TO in the bowl. Wind coming on nicely around 15mph. Cold northerly!

Enjoyed a few flghts with the guys gaining around 700ato max. - Alan Wilson, Nasher, Gerry, Jon Munro, Rob & Tina and another pilot turned up a little later. (Sorry didn't get chance to speak)

Good to see Alan Wilson & Barry enjoying some good flying in the bowl.

Later conditions became a lot lighter, the reservoir looked still but perked up now and again.
Decided to try out Gerrys DHV 2 Paratech wing - bloody awesome feedback on it but unfortunately I mis-timed my top landing and hit sink and bottom landed

After a loooong walk back up to the of the bowl, conditions were very light and we all enjoyed a fly back down to our cars.

Total flying time around 90 mins.

Total airtime 2010 - 24hr 25mins     

Steve Watkins paragliding @ Fan Gyhirych 30/8/2010

[Steve Watkins]

1st Aug 2010 - Rhossili

Arrived at 7am at lower pimple after seeing Stevie G's shout, to make the most of the day!!    Was rewarded with 13mph wind, little bit northerly but ok. Held back until about 7:30 for Stevie G & also Scott & passenger with a tandem.

Helped get Scott off and launched and enjoyed lovely flying conditions all day - wind picked up in the afternoon. It went light a few times whilst it was shifting back Westerly.

Good to see lots of pilots out from our club and other clubs.

I managed to get about 500ato in the afternoon although it was hard going but used this to experiment with Spirals and wing overs - I am quite confident with this wing (Advance Alpha 3 - DHV1) now and after using it for 5 years I'm ready for change

After flying about 5 1/2 hours I was very tired and landed on the beach nearly wiping out two ladies on deckchairs although they found it amusing and took a lot of interest in what was going on. The paragliding community does seem to cause a big attraction in Rhossili!

Flying time - 5hr 30 mins
Total airtime 2010 - 22hr 55mins                       

[Steve Watkins]

3rd Jul-10th Jul 2010 - Slovenia Trip

See : http://www.swwsc.co.uk/index.php/topic,783.0.html

Flying time - Approx 8 Hrs
Total airtime 2010 - 17hr 25mins

[Steve Watkins]

23rd June 2010 - Nant Y Moel

Arrived about 5:45pm, on the way towards couldn't see an wings in the air but was rewarded when I was driving up last hill to see a few pop above the ridge.

Enjoyed  a 30 min flight with a top landing followed by another hour flying into sunset when a weak front pushed through and it got quite overcast in front, conditions got quite scratcy and I spent about 10 minutes trying to land safely on top 

Good to see lots out, met Pete Cook for the first time - also Nick & Viv were flying - a few more familiar faces

Hopefully I'm getting lots of practice in for Slovenia, just need to brush up on my alpine launches. 

No video footage today, need to sort out some stronger velcro which I have today - Dual Lock 3m marvellous!!

Flying time - 1 hr 30 mins
Total airtime 2010 - 9hr 25mins

[Steve Watkins]

21st June 2010 - Hay Bluff

After agonising in work watching 2 paragliders enjoying themselves @ the Bluff (1 crossed the gap), decided after work to give it a go and wandered up.

On arrival was greeted by a gentle breeze 12mph little to westerly but it was on the hill. Soon realised that this was all thermic but constant (well so it felt!)

After a few attempts at launching in bubbles of warm air, launched and soared the ridge for about 20 minutes in very thermic conditions that were as sinky as lifty. I decided to land after 20 mins as I felt the risk of scratching was too high today

Landed a bit fast below with what seemed a NE breeze behind me!!??

Flying time - 20 mins
Total airtime 2010 - 7hr 55mins

[Steve Watkins]

17th June 2010 - Heol Senni

Driving up after work I couldn't see anyone airborne and thought crikey another wasted journey. However on arrival plenty of vehicles about but nobody flying until walking half way up and one launched

Strong enough to launch at lower take off - good to meet Guy for the first time, also Rhun, Rob & Tina and later Stevie G & Nick Roberts, Viv & others

Nice evening flight with a top landing and bottom landing after about 90 mins

Gutted as mid flight taking loads of photos and putting camera aside it fell off unoticed from it's tether and I've lost my digital camera
I did search for it later after checking with my baby sitter (eldest daughter) and walked right up past the quarry but no sign. I doubt it survived anyway from the height it would have dropped.

Took a few photos using my phone camera on the way back, beautiful sunset walking down the track. Lovely to hear the birds of prey in the quarry area.

Conditions smoothed out towards the end and everyone landed and I was alone for a little while before deciding to land.

Flying time - 90 mins
Total airtime 2010 - 7hr 35mins

[Steve Watkins]

15th June 2010 - Heol Senni

Looked a tad strong setting out from the house but thought bugger it, maybe a parawait.
Nobody else at the hill on arrival, climbed to the top and measured a constant 14-16mph smack on the hill.

Anyway after a very comical launch, which launched me about 40 feet into the air within seconds after managing to gain control of the wing lol, conditions felt stronger than the wind meter was indicating, so penetration was tricky but managed to pentrate without speed bar due to my fat butt.

Loads of prevailing wind, plenty of lift to about 500ato, but conditions didn't feel right.
Something was telling me it was not very nice!

Saw someone walking up (later discovered it may be guy?) and after about 20 mins decided to land out as a top landing was a no no ( I could have warned the other pilot) and unfortunately my radio has been sent off for widebanding.

Anyway, do you think I could land? Could I bugger. The wing just wanted to go up and to be honest I wasn't enjoying the flying.
After a lot of figure 8's came back into wind and the wing decided to do a big dive out of nowhere so I reacted and braked in time.

So eventually landed and found conditions at the bottom had picked up.

Packed up and after checking Guy hadn't launched met Wattsy driving up had a good chin wag with him and explained I thought it was too strong and the odd gust coming through.

Flying time - 25 mins
Total airtime 2010 - 6hr 5mins

[Steve Watkins]

5th June 2010 - Rhossili

Decided on the drive down to the coast with my daughter and her friend. Heading towards the coast it was apparent that the skies were different to inland and everything from a distance looked clagged in. On arrival, about 4 wings were scratching between the upper and lower pimples.

Walked up to find many pilots eagerly prepared for launch and some still packed. Good to see some faces to name a few Tina, Rob, Nasher, Norris, Gerry - Paul Williams and Steve Milson were also training. Eventually I found myself flying with at least another 20 gliders with about another 10 on launch.

Decided as conditions were light to walk to the top to see what it was like. On arrival was pleasantly rewarded with better conditions than below, the seabreeze was working

Good clean launch - enjoyed 1hr 3/4 of excellent soaring from the pimples all the way out to way past the end - the lift band was incredible and found myself away from the hill, tracking the sea/beach line gaining about 450ft ato. An inversion was clearly visible in the distance and I think I reached that as it was quite bumpy at height. Lots of people doing acro.

The breeze picked up and I felt myself gaining height without much work and it became obvious it was time to land out and find my daugter on the beach. After a few figure 8's and eventually came in for a good landing - my daughter and friend had since walked to the top and were waiting by the car!!

Steve Watkins @ Rhossili Bay paragliding 6th June 2010

Flying time - 105 mins

Total airtime 2010 - 5hr 40mins