The next model name will have to be Red Kite

   Another Saturday afternoon thrash with the Falcons on Whiteshite hill.  With the breeze building and even some spring time thermals I was really surprised that there were not more human pilots there.

  For much of the afternoon I was sharing the airspace with the resident group of Red kites.  This time I remembered the better camera so here's a pic,  These guys really know what they are doing and don't seem to be bothered at all by my toys.  Seeing them there does help to make the day- makes me want to make a new model- just to call it Red Kite:-)

  I did my usual trick of taking 3 models but only flying 1 of them, this tie the Falcon was first out of the bag.  It was the first time this year that I have experienced that 'kick' as a thermal comes on to the slope and you have to start to modify your turns very quickly.

  I was joined by an M60 EPP model.  I have some great memories of when these were used in EPP 60 racing.  I had forgotten just what good sports flying models they are.

Does this count as the last session of the Winter?

   I'm not sure if the melting snow is the right metaphor but this week feels like the end of the winter.  A short notice session had me thrashing my Falcons around the sky with a huge smile on my face- even if I was shivering.

  A winter that feels like I have had more flying than I have managed in years has been very short of races, this was emphasised by the cancellation of the final Midlands winter league of the winter.  Trying to run a winter league is by no means an easy thing to do.  My Own Local slope at Whitesheet managed 1 race and on the only other day we gathered there was no wind, whilst on 2 days that were cancelled I was flying on the slopes.

  Here's hoping that the Champ of Champs gets some luck to make up for some of the lack of racing.  I can feel my dad taxi duties building for the summer already!

  I've been flying a combination of my Sakers and Falcons through the winter and simply having fun.  I am enjoying flying these models more and more.  Not having a sheet of settings has been a good chance to try different things and approaches- and most of them can work if you get the right air and fly the attempted style well.  I have been using the CG further forwards with more elevator and delayed snap flap in bigger air to what feels like good effect- enjoy flying them, fly them more, fly them better- this flying business is easy:-)

  

Enjoying the different days of winter flying

  This winter has been a bit of a write off for racing, Sod's law has taken full effect but this has meant that I've been able to enjoy the wide variety of flying that's on offer.  This month's Southern winter league race was cancelled and yet again I found myself on the race slopes.  With the lift building from 'scratchy' to filling in very nicely by early afternoon- if a little cold.

  With so few pilots and walkers on the slope at this time of year it does give you the chance to get close too the wildlife and the local red kites are far from worried about my activities.

  A different slope and very different conditions to last weekend's thrashing on the Wrecker but the same model.  As I tell my better half- that's why I only have 1 model, I can't think of many conditions where it isn't the best model for making me smile.  OK she knows there's a Saker and a Falcon, even if she doesn't know which is which.  Booth took to the skies so smoothly and without incident today you just can't help but have confidence in them finding lift.

  I'm not convinced that Slope Dog is too keen on staying out all day in the winter but she does like to meet me at the model once they've landed.

  Now for some warmer weather please?