FOOTLAUNCHJuly
Warning - May contain flying.
Amazing how the
weeks fly by. I missed June’s issue without even thinking about it… Hope you
didn’t. I would have got this out on time too if BT hadn’t took it on
themselves to decide that we no longer existed and proceeded to cease all
telephonic access to and from my house without telling us.
I imagine with the
following I’m abusing my editorial privileges but what’s a privilege if you
can’t abuse it? (Ask Two Jags):
If anyone reading
this works for BT then I say to them – YOU ARE EMPLOYED BY THE BIGGEST PILE OF
CORPORATE S***ES EVER TO WALK GOD’S EARTH! THEIR BLOODY AUTOMATED MENU DRIVEN
“CUSTOMER SERVICE” PHONE LINE IS A LABYRINTHINE DEHUMANISED PILLAR TO POST
FRUSTRATION SCHEME DESIGNED BY UNIMAGINATIVE CONTROL FREAKS WHICH TAKES YOU
(EVENTUALLY) TO A PERSON WHO OBVIOUSLY HAS ENGLISH AS THEIR SECOND LANGUAGE WHO
THEN SENDS YOU OFF TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT WHO TELL YOU TO RING 0800 800150 WHICH
IS WHAT YOU FIRST DID TEN MINUTES AGO ON YOUR BLOODY MOBILE BECAUSE THE BLOODY
LANDLINE DOESN’T WORK AND THEN WHEN THEY FINALLY REINSTATE YOUR LINE THEY GIVE
YOU A COMPLETELY NEW AND DIFFERENT PHONE NUMBER SO ANOTHER FOUR DAYS GO BY WITH
NO PHONE AND THEN YOU GET YOUR OLD PHONE NUMBER BACK AND ALL SEEMS WELL UNTIL,
AT THE END OF THE MONTH, THEY DISABLE YOUR ADSL CONNECTION WITHOUT TELLING YOU
AND ANOTHER SEVERAL HOURS ARE SPENT ON THE BLOODY PHONE TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO
GIVE YOU PLAIN DAFT ADVICE LIKE; “YOU
CAN JUST IN THE MEANTIME” USE A DIAL-UP CONNECTION THROUGH YOUR BROADBAND MODEM
AND THEN THEY TELL YOU TO RING YOUR ISP AND YOUR ISP TELLS BT TO SORT IT OUT
AND BT MAKES A VAGUE PROMISE BUT COCKS IT UP AGAIN AND SO YOU WAIT ANOTHER DAY…
AND ANOTHER DAY… AND NO ONE AT BT TAKES RESPONSIBILITY
FOR ANYTHING AND THAT IT IS OUT OF THEIR HANDS AND I JUST THINK FLIPPING HECK
BT YOU DON’T DESERVE ANY BLOODY PROFITS!
I feel better now. A
bit anyway. Sorry to be off topic but I need an outlet.
Sorry if it’s even
more sparse than usual. Blame BT.
Thanks TC and
RC! Safe flying, Richard.
Next club meeting; on Wed 12th
July at The Pheasant,
SAFETY MATTERS and other stuff
Beware - Coughs and sneezes spread diseases.
SAFETY BIT
A few days ago I was flying next to another pilot in light but buoyant evening
conditions with the odd lively bit of lift coming through. We were both at a
couple of hundred feet circling one such bubble and just as I looked at his
wing it came out of what looked like a steeply banked turn. As
it stopped the turn the glider stalled - it went baggy and un-pressurised but
didn't fall back very much or fold, but then suddenly shot right forward. It
went so far forward that he was looking straight at the under-surface and then
the leading edge tucked and folded - at that point it really did deflate and
collapse and he plummeted past me at a good lick! It re-inflated with a good
bang and from then he was pretty much flying again, albeit 100' lower.
This was a current DHV1-2 wing bought in 2004 with only 42 hours on it - and
never been wet. However, the pilot was flying with a wrap and was cranked hard
into the thermal. He says he was aware of the wing rotating increasingly fast
and going "light" on the brakes and falling behind all at
the same time. He felt as though he was going into a Full Stall and thought he
released the brakes with the canopy overhead but probably still had the wrap
on. He has flown with wraps for about 4-5 years (13 years flying - 300 hours).
If you fly with a wrap you compromise the safety of your wing. A DHV1-2 wing
with brakes fully up will recover itself. If you hold any brake on it will not
necessarily recover at all. I had a similar experience on my DHV1-2 a couple of
years ago and lost 1000' before letting the brakes right off and the letting
the wing recover itself. Since then I automatically go hands right up as soon
as the brakes/wing feel too light and the wing has always flown out of it.
Holding brake was mentioned as a problem affecting normal i.e. certified
recovery in an article about wraps by Bruce Goldsmith XC Mag Oct-Nov '98.
TC
Shrine Guru reveals secret route!
M4 J47 then second exit on rb then second exit on next rb then
straight across
on next rb then 1st exit on next rb. Across Both sets of main junction
lights. Up the narrow lane Eventually staggered across on x roads then left
at next T then right at next T and you're on the Gower!
Dear Doreen,
There are some strange
people I share this planet with. Luckily, I only ever get to read their letters
(unless they have something to offer). Ask
me anything – yes anything!
Dear Doreen,
Can you help a hang gliding acquaintance and I resolve an argument? He says that paragliders are sh1t. I, on the other hand, say that hang gliders are sh1t (btw I deliberately replaced the i with a 1 as a clever ploy to preclude you having to publish the word shit). Anyway, I’M right am I not?
While I’m putting pen to paper (Or, should I say, finger to keyboard!!! Just call me if you want some extra witticisms!!!), can you also help on another query? On the Avalanches’ record Frontier Psychiatrist, the sampled orchestra music is definitely by James Last but my comrade-in-arms insists that it is Bert Kaempfert. Would you attest? Also, which is the superior CPU; AMD or Intel? It IS the Intel isn’t it?
Yours,
Gethin Strimmer
Dear Gethin…
…You sorry little man.
I hope this helps, Doreen
Dear Doreen,
I’m A Flier In My Mid 50s With My Own International Multimillion-Pound Business. I Have Followed Your Series Since It’s Inception And I Have Rather Come To Suspect That The Picture Of You Isn’t A True Facsimile Of Your Good Self. I Rather Deduce In Fact That You Are A Single 27- 33 Year-Old Brunette With Dark Smouldering Eyes And Full Lips. Also I Feel That You Are Probably A Great Cook. Since Discovering This I Have Fallen In Love With You And Would Like To Meet You And Buy You Lots Of Nice Things. Also, Do You Fancy Going To Bed With Me After Cooking Me A Slap-Up Meal?
Yours Truly,
Laurence Bovine
Dear Laurence
How perceptive of you. Please send me
copies of your last three bank statements together with proof of address and
I’ll get back to you. Do you prefer pizza or chicken in a bucket?
I hope this helps, Doreen
Glider comparison
Apologies to
Richard Pearce for not putting this in May’s Footie (and, to add insult to
injury, not even producing a June edition!)
A lot has been posted on the web about the new Gradient wings' flying characteristics, here's my take on it after a few flights, bearing in mind I've gone for the larger size (excessive weight training, not more pies - honest). Free flying - 4 kgs over the top of the old large 28 wing and in the middle of the weight range on the new XL (extra little) 30 version. After 3 years on the old wing and quite a few hours, I thought it prudent to change, even though the old wing looks brand new! and I probably wouldn't have changed if my weight hadn't gone up...... More here http://www.para2000.info/wings/gradient/aspen2.html
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=5860
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3483
http://www.gradient.cx/gliders-aspen2-0
Visually
New White/Blue vs the old
red/white and 'oh my G*d' top lines -
0.6mm - I thought they'll never take my weight, but they did …
Forward Launch
Straight up easy. DHV1 rated
at the lower weight end for this DHV test. Just like the old wing, you can
launch it easily without a neat layout.
Reverse Launch
Feels a lot heavier than the
12% increase in wing area. Easier to get dragged back as I did a couple of
times. Still quite easy to perform a reverse. Same handling feel on the ground
as the old one nevertheless.
Thermic Air
Picks out lift really
easily. Quite a 'floaty' wing mostly due to the size increase I'd suspect. I've
only done about 140k total distance so far, so its difficult to tell too many
differences yet. More stable. No tucks yet and its been quite windy some days.
I had one collapse in a 12f/m up over Worcester, but it came out quickly,
pretty unremarkable really and down to pilot error!
Gliding
Very good as you'd
expect being close to 9:1, but not
discernibly better than the old one. Aspen was always good on glide at speed.
Sink Rate
Better than the old one due
to the size increase and it is noticeable. I expect scratchy fights to be less
stressful.
Handling
Brakes are stiffer/more
progressive and the wing is perhaps not as agile for a given brake pressure -
due again to the larger wing.
Activity
Seems a lot more 'placid'
than the old one. Less frantic. More pitch stable yes, roll stability - about
the same.
Speed
At least I CAN GET FULL BAR
ON THE NEW ONE. I was about an inch short on the old one. Easier to apply as
well, although looking at the two riser designs I cant tell why. New wing also
feels more stable at speed.
Power
Handles the power very well
as the old wing did. Everything still applies under power as it did free
flying. (13kgs over top weight under power on the new 30 model). Power on is
less pitchy than the old wing, as is power off. Applying power in the turn has
less lifting effect than the old wing. I also seem to be using less throttle
adjustment than under the old Aspen 28. I'm also consuming about 1 litre less
fuel per hour. I don't do power inflation launches - never seen the need to do
one as the wing has always launched impeccably. Now down to 4.5 litres an hour
(7 litres on my last 1h35m flight around the back of Bewdley), which is probably
unheard of for a 3cyl Konig engine.
Conclusion
The new one is a different
colour… and slightly bigger. Seriously if you’re a confident experienced flyer
and love thermal flying with/without a paramotor, and/or you use the same wing
for both types of flying and/or you want more paramotoring MPG, I think the
Aspen 2 is a great choice. Gradient UK and Airtopia are as good as always. No
complaints, and that’s why I went back to them 3 years after buying my first
Aspen.
Historical photos
Laurence Bovine sent
this in.
Managed To Cadge
A Go In A Spitfire The Other Day. First Ever Solo In A Powered 3-Axis Aeroplane
But Owner (Some Rich Chap - Forgot His Name - Never Met Him Before) Said I’d Be
All Right As I’ve Got Microsoft Flight Stimulator. Flew Around Rhossili For A
Bit… Not Bad But The Guns Didn’t Work So Didn’t Down A Single Paraglider. Wrote
It Off On Landing And Hurt My Chin – No Air Bags Installed! How We Won The War
I’ll Never Know. A Vastly Overrated Plane - Especially Its Landing
Capabilities. Expensive Too.
News Transponders for PGs? It’ll be HG speed cameras next I tell you!
The threat of Mode S hasn't gone away and below are details of a proposed
seminar on the subject. PFA will be putting forward it's collective
comment but there's nothing to stop you adding your own voice to the
consultation.
I believe the proposal would require a transponder on all manned aerial devices
- from parachutes to airliners.
RIN to host open Forum to discuss CAA's consultation about Mode S for GA
The Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) is hosting an Open Forum for GA pilots
interested both in learning more, and expressing their views on the CAA's
consultation about the fitting of Mode S into GA aircraft. The main speaker
will be Andy Greenwood, an aviation consultant working for the CAA, accompanied
by Sqn Ldr Max Seaman from the CAA's Surveillance and Spectrum 4 Section of
Directorate of Airspace Policy. Following Andy's presentation the floor will be
open for views and discussion.
Mode S for GA is an issue of great debate in the aviation community and this
will be an excellent opportunity for GA pilots to express their views and
contribute positively to the debate. Following the Forum the RIN will formally
summit to the CAA the views expressed at the Forum.
The open Forum, which is free of charge, will be help in the RAF Club, 128
Piccadilly London, Monday 10 July starting at 1430hrs. All interested parties
will be welcome. Further details may be obtain from the RIN, 020-7591-3130
Humour. Actual call centre conversations!!!!!
BT Operative: You ev to col OMD
Caller: (thinks) OMD? Orchestral Manoeuvres in the …?
BT Operative: hoo eet andirt eet andirt whan feeevti
Caller: Who ate what? Sorry, I don’t understand.
Etc etc…
Caller (enquiring about
legal requirements while travelling in France):
"If I register my car in France, do I have to change the steering wheel to
the other side of the car?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Directory Enquiries
Caller:
"I'd like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff
please".
Operator: "I'm
sorry, there's no listing. Is the spelling correct?"
Caller:
"Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but
the 'B' fell off".
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then there was the
caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: "Woven? Are you
sure?"
Caller:
"Yes. That's what it says on the label; Woven in
Scotland".
Go4IT
LATEST NEWS.
READ THIS AND
In order to encourage more entries into the ‘Go for it’ League it was decided that on entering (free entry) a flight for the league the pilot will automatically enter a raffle for a £50 cash prize.
Pilots will get a Raffle ticket for each entry into the League, but the maximum number of tickets to be held by any one person is to be THREE.
The Raffle will be drawn at the Christmas Meal.
Entries to Tim Crow to be in within one month of the flight.
Rules
1. UK flights only.
2. No infringement of airspace.
3. Must have Pilot rating or be under instruction from one on
the day.
4. Flights between 01/12/04 to 30/11/05.
5. Co-ordinates for T/O and landing required plus distance
from point to point in Km as a
check. Flights will
be scored to nearest 100m.
6. Defined flights (BHPA rules, see below) Coordinates for
turn points in addition. Bonus
distance awarded
provided 60% of flight outside ridge lift.
7. Stone’s throw award for smallest flight submitted (or
known about) provided
distance 5km or greater.
Go4IT
Flight Types
Open Distance
(score = distance)
Open Distance flights do not have any
turnpoints. Open distance flights will score the straight-line distance from
the start point to the end point.
Dog-Leg (DL)
score = distance
Dog-Leg flights are open distance flights with a
single turnpoint. The turnpoint does not need to be declared beforehand. The
turnpoint is permitted when pilots are forced to make a substantial change in
direction.
Out and Return
(OR) score = distance x 2 when the majority of the flight is out of ridge lift.
Out and Return flights commence at a start
point, go round a single turnpoint, and return to the original start point. The
coordinates of the start point and finish point are therefore identical. The
start/finish point may be different to the actual launch/landing points but the
flight distance is only measured from the start, to the turnpoint and back.
FAI Triangle (T)
score = distance x 3 when the majority of the flight is out of ridge lift.
An FAI Triangle is one which satisfies the FAI’s
28% Rule (shortest side must be greater than, or equal to, 28% of the distance
flown). To fly a triangle you must round three turnpoints, and return to the
original start point. The coordinates of the start point and goal are therefore
identical and for declared triangles and local records, must be one of the
turnpoints. The start/goal point may be different to the actual launch/landing
points.
Special Rule to
encourage pilots to attempt triangle flights
Note that for non-declared triangles, using GPS
verification, you can fly a loop and you will be scored the best triangle which
can be fitted inside it. Your track log points must cross to complete the loop.
This means you don’t have to start and finish at a turnpoint but may start
midway along a leg. This is to encourage pilots to try triangle flights.
Flat Triangle
(FT) score = distance x 2
A Flat Triangle is a triangular flight as above,
except that it does not conform to the FAI 28% rule. Completed Flat Triangle
flights score the distance multiplied by 2 when the majority of the flight is
out of ridge lift.
Failed Triangle
(score = distance)
A Failed Triangle is an attempt at a triangular
flight in which the pilot fails to make it back to the start point. Failed
Triangles score the total distance from the start, around up to two turnpoints
and back towards the finish point.
ADVERTS
Buy
quality prints on the web! Want some high quality flying shots on your wall? Have a look at www.mooncoinphotography.co.uk
. Site is currently being sorted and
will be updated with newer stuff throughout the year so keep your eye on it.
For Sale
Airwave
Magic 4 155. Excellent condition. Rarely flown over the last ten years. Spare
set of Airwave aerofoil uprights. Yellow and white. Flies very nicely. £150 Tel Rich 01684 892415 rich@mooncoin.fslife.co.uk
For Sale
Sup-Air Moovy PG harness medium size - red and
black Complete with removeable reserve bag and back pad. Too large for
shriveling owner!
£120 ono
Tel Brian Pilcher 01684 560827
For Sale
Keller Sport Hang Gliding Harness. £100 ono. Contact Tony Lauricella.
|
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If you are interested in
trying new wings please call…
Montenegro Holidays most of
September
Full….full….full…hoorah.
Special deals on Trango 2 dhv
2-3 for XC league pilots.
For
map and directions please go to WWW.AIRTOPIA.COM
Second hand
canopies
All canopies are serviced prior to sale, lines and sail and stitching are all checked. Prices reflect the age of design and the amount of life we believe is left in the wing. .
UP Trango 2 M demo 85-105kg £1,150:00 ex
Up
trango 1 M 85-105kg £500:00
Ozone
Vulcan M 80-100kg £500:00
Gradient
Bliss L 95-120kg £750:00
Gradient
Topas L 85-110kg £300:00
mint!
Airwave Sport 1 S 65-85kg £500:00 VGC
Call Robin tel 01453 827202
Mobile 07973 844449