FOOTLAUNCH

At the AGM last month the following were elected to the committee:-

Club President.                               Ken Shail.
Chairman. Derek Evans.
Secretary. John Bevan.
Treasurer/Membership Secretary. Bryan Hindle.
Sites Officer. Tony Jones.
Club Contact. Diane Bevan.
Safety Officer.                                  Ian Bradley.
Competitions Officer. Chris Smith.
Footlaunch Editor. Tim Crow.
Chief Coach.                                    Alan Hyde.
Rigid Wing Rep. Nick Collins.
Publicity/Liaison Officer. Brian Pilcher.
Webmaster. Chris Smith.
Social Secretary. Jonno Rann.

INSURANCE

Free Flying abroad requires special insurance to cover Hazardous activities. I have looked around a bit, and found two competitive insurers, compared to Yvonne Jukes.

Harrison Beaumont Insurance is one (you can get insurance on the internet) www.hbinsurance.co.uk

AXA is the other (Yes – this does seem amazingly cheap and I am assured covers paragliding. Again you can buy this on the internet.) www.axatravel.co.uk

I have not looked at the small print of AXA yet, but what I have seen looks good so far. Worth comparing prices.

Does anyone else know of any other bargains?

Rob Davis

25 3 04

GARMIN GPS new products

The Forerunner 201 is a wrist-mounted GPS designed for athletes with an easy-to-read display, ergonomic wristband, and integrated GPS sensor that provides precise speed, distance, and pace data. It's a compact, lightweight, accurate training assistant with performance tracking, auto-lap, auto-pause and more.

• GPS sensor provides precise latitude, longitude, and altitude data for exact location information.
• Mark specific locations, and then look-up and navigate to these points using an electronic map.
• Retrace your steps to a starting point or reverse your normal route for routine variation.
• Amount of calories burned can be tracked and calculated over the course of a workout.
• Lap history—such as lap time, lap distance, and average pace—can be stored for up to two years.
• Performance data can be automatically archived and calculated to provide an accurate record.
• Automated stopwatch provides auto-lap and auto-pause features.
• Lap timer indicates when a certain speed is reached or when you've fallen below a pre-set level.
• Pace whistle sounds alert when you begin traveling slower or faster than your desired pace.
• Distance whistle sounds when you reach a specified duration or distance in your workout.
• Download free Garmin software to transfer data from your Forerunner 201 to your PC for storage and analysis.

The Foretrex™ 201 is a wearable Personal Navigator™, perfect for outdoor and marine enthusiasts who desire hands-free GPS navigation in a lightweight, affordable package. At a mere 2.75 ounces, this waterproof wonder is lighter than most watches, and its wrist-top mount frees up hands for outdoor activities. Sporting an ergonomic wristband, the Foretrex 201 is similar in design to the Forerunner 201 and has the features of the Geko 201 unit.

The rugged Foretrex 201 simplifies navigation, making it ideal for the backcountry or water. Its six dedicated buttons (GoTo, Page, Enter/Mark, Up, Down and Power) make it easy to operate. It offers the most essential navigation data — enhanced GPS accuracy, extensive storage for waypoints, and reversible routes and tracks — on an easy-to-read display. Don't worry about packing extra batteries, because the Foretrex 201 runs on an internal lithium battery for 15 hours (typical use). Simply recharge and go.

The Foretrex 201 also comes with features for mariners and hikers alike. It includes a unique application for sailing and paragliding racers that allows them to configure the start sequence of a race. The countdown is displayed in a large-number format that audibly alerts the user at each phase of the start sequence. With the help of Garmin's exclusive TracBack® technology, hikers can mark a campsite, go trekking all day, and follow the electronic "breadcrumb trail" back to camp in time for dinner.

• The ForeGPS accuracy: 50 feet or less in normal GPS mode, 10 feet or less when WAAS-enabled
• Racing timers: Configurable start sequence, alert tones and large-number digital readout
• Trip computer: Trip distance, trip timer, plus essential navigation data
• Waterproof: IEC 60529 IPX-7 standards (submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes)
• Waypoints and routes: 500 waypoints with graphic identification; 20 reversible routes
• Track log: 10,000 trackpoints, TracBack technology and 20 saved tracks
• Display: 100x60-pixel monochrome display with backlighting (display size: 36mmx23mm)
• Battery life: 15 hours (typical use), rechargeable lithium battery
• Lightweight design: 2.75 oz.
• Unit dimensions: 3.3" W x 1.7" H x 0.6" D (8.38 cm x 4.32 cm x 1.52 cm)

And finally, for scuba enthusiasts Garmin are releasing a unique hands-free, lightweight, affordable GPS with special features aimed at skin-diving, yes it’s the Garmin Foreskin. Actually I made that up.

FLYING DIARY

Sat 27th Mar PM
North Worcestershire Pmotor
After the rain had stopped, It was quite pleasant flying albeit the rather low cloud. GPS track suggested it was quite calm conditions having the throttle on cruise setting.

Sun 28th
Wales/England borders Pmotor
Nearly 4 hours in the air traversing the countryside from Ledbury to the Bristol channel and back. Surprisingly bumpy considering there was no sun. Thermals were usable for about 3 minutes until they decayed. Managed some quite good photos and SD video (samples posted). Managed to soar Marcle with the engine off for about 8 minutes (longest).

http://www.catalist.com/uk/register/secure/needtoLogin.asp is a useful site for anyone cross countrying and needs to plan refills enroute (take 2S oil with you!)

Cheers,Richard

Wed 17th March
Worcester Beacon, W 12-18

Looked like a gap in the weather so headed off in the afternoon. Stratus cloud but little Cus popping up to might be OK. Arrive at the top to find Bryan there almost ready to go. Had a good flop around with a max of over 200m ATO in some good thermals (some large and slow, other small and fast). Decided to do a flop over the back but didn't get anywhere. An hour walk back up to top for another go but had it to myself as Bray had landed (in car park?). Few to North Hill, landed with cows in electric fence area on way back. Couldn't get over fence so carried as high as possible then off again, landed after sunset... in gause :-( Prob best conditions I have found at the Beacon, not rough with no real thermals as is normal in my experience (my theory is there were no lee-side thermals as Malvern had not been in sun and this was backed-up as I found zero lift over the town!).

Chris

Sat 6th March
Fochriw, NE 10-15

Was going to go to Builth, then Hay (as it was looking NW) but it looked too strong. Arrived at around 10 to find the tops of the hills only just clear of cloud but it looked better out in front (if you ignored the towering Cus that were already building!). Flew for about an hour on my own in nice small thermals before a few other joined me. The sun came out later and conditions got a bit stronger with some serious sink. Landed around 1:30 when I was getting pinned with the wind coming way off to the N end of the ridge. Watched a guy on an Oasis get nearly blown down the valley so decided to call it a day and go see a film.

Chris