Contents Forthcoming Events Page 1 YouTube and Others Page 1 2007 Canaries Open Page 2 Lanzarote Update Page 2 Pilot Rating Day Page 3 Flying in Granada Page 5 Airsports Club Accounts Page 5 Forthcoming Events Annual Lanzarote Hang Gliding Trip 2008-31st January - 7th February Not long now! Parachute Repack session Mid February The Ochils paragliding club will be organising their usual parachute repack session for Mid February, with the exact date still to be decided. Who will win this years prizes for a) oldest chute (previous winner Colin Harrison) and b) least successful deployment (previous winner Dave Greenlee)? YouTube and Others More good videos on the web this month, but not just from YouTube. First we have the longest ever motorcycle jump. This may not sound flying related, but watch the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llygzurlv9m Next up we all know about aerotowing hanggliders, but how about helicopter towing? Could it even be done with a gyrocopter perhaps? http://hang6.blogspot.com/2007/12/heli-towing-got-caught-up-with-john.html Thanks to Mike Armstrong for sending me details of a new airsports TV website being developed. It s already got some excellent footage of the recent Hangglider World Championships in Texas, along with footage from a number of other airsports disciplines. http://www.airsports.tv/ Finally, thanks to Dave for the following video of how to combine hang gliding with a paramotor engine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1g1wxkyfa8 1
2007 Canaries Open The 2007 Canaries Open hang gliding competition was held on Lanzarote at the beginning of December. If you want to test your Spanish you can read all about it at: http://www.aladelta.com/. If, like me, you just want to look at the pictures, there are 372 of them at http://picasaweb.google.com/clubzonzamas/fotosdelxiopendecanariasdealadelta07 Lanzarote Update Thanks to Colin Harrison for sending in the following information after his recent trip to Lanzarote. Henry has some great photos from December in Lanzarote at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=17632&id=588582082 Colin also sent me the following mini report from Ian Smith from the Aberdeen Club of their recent trip to Lanzarote. The Usual Grotties In December, the usual suspects (Bob, Iain Vass, Colin Harrison & Ian Smith) went to the usual place (Lanzagrotty) and did the usual thing (drink). In between beers, we flew at all the usual sites (Macher, Famara, Mirador & Mala). One Northerly day, some mad keen Austrians went to El Cuchillo. This is a shitty little site, but if you can survive rigging in the rotor, and manage to take off, it can be quite thermic. One of the Austrians flew to the coast, then, at 4000ft, crossed 8 miles of ocean to land on Fuerteventura (see link http://ozreport.com/12.002.1). In the best traditions of the Pathetic Deltas, we decided to stay on the ground that day, and drink beer instead! 2
Pilot Rating Day Thanks again to Colin for passing on the following information about a planned Pilot Rating day. It will probably be aimed at paragliders, but should still be suitable for any budding Aerotow candidates out there. For more information contact David Thomson at LLSC@googlegroups.com. Hi Folks, It s time to get organised for our annual Pilot Rating Exam Day. I plan to run one before the end of February. 3
We run the Pilot Rating Day as a specific all day event. It's not part of the Winter Series of Club meetings, but many of the topics will be relevant. Its up to each pilot to read up on the topics - the BHPA Pilot Handbook covers it all nicely - so that we really only have to revise and sort out any problem areas that folk might have. General Format for the Day - We do about 1 hour revision on each of the 3 subject areas (Meteorology, Airlaw, and Flight theory ). Then sit the exam and have a short discussion session with one of the CLub Coaches on Glider Control Aspects ( knowledge of descent techniques, recovery etc ) Pilot Rating is intended to be the "Full Licence" equivalent - where Club Pilot (now known as "Novice Pilot") is like a Provisional. This is because the Met, Airlaw, and Glider Control aspects covered in CP really only qualify you to fly in a "Club Environment " - ie where you are expected to consult with someone more experienced on the issues above. Pilot Rating also provides the direct advantages of putting your XC flights into the League, flying in competitions (eg BPC and Scottish Open) and within the Campsie and Fairlie agreement - and its saves 6 per year off your BHPA membership! - and of course the X-Scotia will be also require Pilot Rating. So in reality, most pilots should be progressing to P rating in their second or third seasons. There seem to be dozens of pilots around who are much more experienced than "Novice " but are still flying with only a CP rating. If you feel you are ready to do the Exam in February, please email me (directly ). If you're not sure please email me and we can discuss it. There are also a few folk who need to sit their CP exam - We will do this at the same time. Please let me know soon (with your BHPA number ) ASAP if you are interested - I will be ordering the papers pretty soon. David Note - This will be a "one shot" this year - I do not want to have to run a second day. Full details of the BHPA PILOT RATING REQUIREMENTS 1. a) for tow pilots complete a minimum of 50 flights since achieving CP rating, with at least 30 flights to above 800 feet AGL in wind speeds of over 10 mph. b) for hill pilots complete a minimum of 50 flights since attaining CP rating, with at least 15flights to a height above take-off, at least 15 flights in wind speeds of over 15mph and at least 5 flights in thermic conditions. 2. Demonstrate controlled 360 turns in both directions. 3. Complete at least 5 flights of over 5 minutes duration: a) for tow pilots from a line not exceeding 600 metres, or the equivalent winch tow height. b) for hill pilots at least 5 minutes are to be above take-off height; Additionally the hill pilot must complete a minimum of 25 hours flying since achieving CP rating. 4. Fly with proper regard to the Rules of Air and Air Traffic Rules. 5. Complete 5 controlled landings in a designated area ( not to exceed 10 metres radius). 6. Experience flying in four different wind directions and at two sites. 7. Display an ability to fly competently and safety in the company of others; Maintaining a good look-out, complying with the Rules of the Air and exhibiting good airmanship. 8. Satisfy the Instructor as to the correct attitude to continue a flying career both safely and competently. 9. Safely demonstrate slow flight awareness and discuss the relevant symptoms and dangers. (WARNING : Deliberate stalls must be avoided) 10. Maintain directional control whilst showing recovery from tucks of not less than 50 %. 11. Discuss and be able to explain the techniques for avoiding and recovering from tucks, stalls and spins; and emergency rapid descent techniques (B line stall and spiral dive) 12. Pass the Pilot written examination paper. NOTE: This rating is similar to Stage 4 of the FAI Para Pro scheme. 4
Flying in Granada I was sent the following information, which might interest anyone looking for a flying holiday in 2008. Hi there, My name is Chris Whitehead and I am an ex hang glider pilot who used to fly in the 1980s. I have recently moved to Southern Spain, where my partner and I have been doing up a farmhouse for the last 4 years. The house is close to a brilliant flying site called Mount Jabalcon, towering 2000ft above Lake Negratin. You can drive to the top. I don't know much about the site other than that the National Championships are held here every now and again. You Tube has a few short flying movies if you punch in Jabalcon. You could fit about 10 Mam Tors in this beautiful site! Below Jabalcon there is a village called Zujar with a particular bar called Antonio's. Beer is 1.50 Euro's a pint with free tapas every time you buy a pint! Our B&B is 20 Euros per person per night. 25 Euros with an evening meal. Airport pick-up and x-country retrival can be arranged. Many Thanks, Chris Whitehead 01625525323 (UK) 0034958063060 (Spain after 01.02.08) Accounts Thanks to Sue for sending me her update on the Airsports Club Accounts: 5
, Easter Poldar Farm, Thornhill, Stirling, FK8 3QT www.scottishairsports.co.uk 6