Model confidence

 I've mentioned before that around 3 years ago I decided to commit to flying in whatever conditions I was daft enough to go out in and the slope that was available, since then I have been receiving looks of bewilderment on slopes from Beer to the Wrecker.

  Flying in the kind of strong winds that we have had lately with the moldies I have means that you know that you're going to be going fast. I've come to the realisation that what you need and develop is a confidence in your model.  I know that it is more than strong enough but it's the model's handling and behavior that you really need to trust.

  This weekend I flew the Saker and then Wyvern models.  Both screaming around the sky whilst my face was blown around like a spaniel leaning out of a car window.  Not sure Slope dog enjoyed it too much!

Storm flying blast

 You know that you really do have an aviation problem when you're driving to the slope around fallen trees and water logged roads.  Slope dog decided to hide behind the car to shelter from the 60mph winds.

  The smaller span of the wyvern and falcons make ground handling and launching much easier than the 3 Saker.  Screaming around the sky was made more of a buzz as I struggled to stand up against the conditions.

 That forgiving platform that the Falcon and Wyverns have are really put to the test in these conditions.  Carrying your speed and energy through the flight at these speeds is different to the usual challenges of flying, but so much fun.  Knowing and trusting your toy is essential and so much fun!

Enjoying the new model and snapflap

   It’s been a few weeks since I started flying the new lighter Wyvern.  It’s taken me this long to get a few winter sessions in with the new model giving me the time to understand what effect the changes have had.  Flying on inland slopes and the variability of conditions that this gives, it’s easy for any changes to be over whelmed by variability in the conditions.

  I’ve flown the new Wyvern back to back with my ‘stock’ version that I have just about settled on a set-up.  It’s taken a good while for me to understand the model and get closer to best performance from it- this is more to do with my failings than the model. The Wyvern is the first model I have flown that I have set up to have the snapflap coming in and maxing out so early in the elevator stick.  Effectively flying the Wyvern with 2 sections for the turn and the straights. 

  The lighter layup has been a nice step forward I lighter air- not surprisingly.  The new tail has delivered a much crisper elevator response that makes me feel like I have better feedback.  Whilst some of this is because of the overall weight, I have test the new version, ballasted up the old weight and there is a noticeable development in performance.

  This is very much as you’d expect from loosing weight at the tips.  Quite nice to see that it works in practise though.  Both models have responded really well to the new snapflap set up- again nice to have proof that the aerodynamic theory seems to be working in practise.

New lay up testing

   After screaming around the mynd last week, this Saturday I had the chance to maiden my newly completed Wyvern. The new lay up spec has brought the weight of the Wyvern down to 2150g.

  I was lucky enough to launch into some good air and with the wyvern's set up quite well known the new Wyvern felt well set and as a result- fast.  

  Just a happy day flying with a model that shows so clearly where the lift is.
 

Mynd with mates

 My last trip to the mynd for the year was greated with building conditions to enjoy and some top company to enjoy it with.  It was great to see Mark Southall flying for the first time in a long time.

 As the air became smoother and straighter on the slope I was faced with the spoilt choice of Saker or Wyvern to fly. 

Both could take off as the air came on. I'd forgotten just how easy it is to fly the Saker and get such good performance. The bigger wing and more mass gave it the advantage in some mixed air. Days like this are more about a great time in a beautiful place. I do worry that we might have sparked Mark's racing flame again- someone else to beat me

Welsh open gathering

 So good to spend the day on the ice-cream slope today. Some great patches of air came through regularly.  The regular showers gave plenty of time for catching up with mates.

 I can't call it practise but it was great fun.

Back end development and an old favourite

   A major part of what I enjoy about flying is contributing to a model's development and understanding.

  Over the past few weeks we have been developing the new wyvern tail. The first test pieces came back this week and after a couple of evenings work I had the excuse I needed to get out.

  It's a gradual process to assess a change. Adding on to an already good model, the marginal gains becomes smaller and can be swamped by launching into good or poor air. First signs are good.

 Working with JP in recent years has shown how putting the time in to really understand a model pays dividends. I'm not going to claim to have revolutionised the sport after 1 evening out.

 The parts I needed to get my falcon back in the air have also arrived and she's ready to go. I produce models that I enjoy flying and the falcon is a model I love flying 

Time out with slope dog

  With summer finally starting to appear, slope dog and me decided to take the chance to get out and do some light wind flying.  Although I took the saker and Wyvern, it was the wyvern's lighter weight and agility that was the most fun.

  After a few light summer sessions playing with snapflap settings, compared with the saker, less is more.

 When you have camber applied there shouldn't be any snapflap. But that's just my opinion!

Take your fun when you can

 Although my weekend flying has been trumped by family commitments, summer evenings are made for enjoying your models.

  When the biggest concern you have is whether you should have snapflap working along with camber- you're relaxed.

  Choosing between a saker or Wyvern in these conditions is not easy but what a wonderful problem to have.

 Both perform exceptionally and in different ways bring a smile.

Finishing a summers weekend

  The last time that i can remember flying at Darnford was in the days of pike WRs and Acacias.  Dad's taxi wasn't needed until early afternoon so there was the chance to fly this gentle rounded slope. 

 The contrast to saturday's slope and flying could hardly have been greater.  From using thermals that had started deep below in the valley to add to the Wyverns speed to using light morning thermals to stay aloft.

 My only model for the weekend was the Wyvern but its one of the great features of these efficient models is their versatility.  Helped by predictable handling I was smiling in the sunshine again.

Return to north wales

 Before moving south nearly 20years ago i regularly flew on the northerly slope over looking llangollen.  With Emma having another training camp and the winds set from the north i decided to head back to this brilliant slope.

. The site is shared with parra and handgliders so with the breaze a summer feeling 10mph the slope was bound to be busy.  After a very friendly chat and introductions, i knew where i should fly and so did they.  

. With regular thermals coming through the Wyverns went from fun to Amazing.  The responsiveness to lift and accuracy in placing the models in the sky are the best i've flown, especially in light air.

 The best part of the day was enjoying the slope with other users. After experiencing slopes that are closed for almost half of the summer to give other model pilots use of a slope 600meters away, the difference is Amazing!

A perfect morning on the crest

 Just sometimes things fall nicely into place and a clear day with easterly winds onto the Crest combined with picking the kids up in bristol later.  So an early start means a perfect mornings flying.  The smaller size of the Wyvern is just perfect for the domestics but its pace and performance makes it the most fun I've had on a slope.

 Before the thermals started to cycle through it was possible to play with different set up combinations and get some instant feedback. IM not sure what set up is best, just different. 

. When the thermals did come through it really doesn't matter what set up you use!

Missed out on the nationals but there was a Wyvern

Although I missed the nationals, here's JP and his Wyvern battling with the Ice cream slope's variable conditions.

 

A falcon weekend

 Dad duty taking Emma to lillieshall kept me from the nationals this weekend. It did give me the chance to sport fly one the mynd for the weekend and a perfect opportunity to fly the Falcon.  

 Having the wyverns to set up for the last few months means I've not flown the falcons.  This is the definition of a first world problem having to choose between 2 models i love to fly.

 I flew on the east slopes of the Mynd, picking up thermals and enjoying the falcon responding to better air. The falcon is the model that reminds me most of my old wizard compacts and had me smiling all day.

Thermalling fun

 If last week's flying showed the speed of a ballasted Wyvern, this week the efficiency and handling was tested with a thermalling session.

 I love the versatility of these highly efficient models. Normally a 3m model can be great race models which can be sports flown. With the smaller span of the Wyvern its just that much more fun.

 The Wyvern certainly doesn't seem to have paid a performance penalty for delivering so much more fun. 

Storm powered rush

 

  I’m sure that the summer was supposed to have started by now but with the wind speed picking up this weekend the Whitesheet club opened the slopes and I had the Wyvern and Saker packed in the back of the car before anyone else was up in the house.

  With the conditions varying from flight to flight as the squalls came in, it might not have been the most scientific test or practice with the 2 models but wow was it fun!  Both the Saker and Wyvern have a responsive roll rate that makes control in less than smooth air much easier.  There were time when both models really took off and seemed to have so much energy I felt that I could pull just about anything and pointing the nose up had the models racing for the heavens.

  Its days like this that really gets the blood pumping!

First evening flying of the Spring

 I might not always be feeling like it but the longer nights gave me the chance to get the Wyverns to the slope for an evening's fun.  Fun really is the best way to describe the evening.  I've been steadily improving the model's set up so it carries the energy through  it's maneuvers better and better.

  I wouldn't say that I'm going to be starting to pump at the races this year but from the first flight I was giving it a go.  The Wyvern doesn't seem to need the same all up weight as the Saker to get it going around the corners.  When I have flown the Saker and Wyvern back to back they each deliver similar performances- but through a different route.

  The Wyvern model's agility delivers a rapid and accurate roll rate.

Looking forward to some more fun evenings with my new toys!

  

Bump start the summer league

   In order kick start a pilot or 2's summer flying I've decided to make an offer on the New Wyvern design.  If a group of club mates want to make a combined order of 3-4 models ( I hope with the aim to race these models). I will have the models shipped to your door for £600 each.

Contact me for details if  your interested in getting your hands on my latest favorite model.

Wyvern- my new winter project

 

  No racing at the weekend but a fun day on the slopes with some mates and as the clouds cleared in the afternoon, the opportunity to sports fly on some of my favorite hills.

  Whilst there was a chance of a race it was obvious that the I would be flying the Saker but when the race was called off I took the chance to fly the new model that I’ve been working for the past year and test flying over the winter- the 2.65m Wyvern.

    Producing a model design that works is a hugely rewarding process, seeing your design win rounds and competitions- as I have done with the Saker is an amazing feeling.  The Wyvern is not a model to replace my Sakers but something different.

  There have been some great smaller models which have had an influence on me over the past 20 years from the Needle, Wizard compact and the legendary Caldera.  Just like these models my own Falcon design has proved to be the model I enjoy flying more than any other.

  Flying just the Saker and Falcon designs over the past few years has really helped my flying and racing skills.  I have been relishing the development of this new design, aiming for that perfect balance of a model with the fun handling of my Falcon but delivering exceptional racing performance.

All the right slopes but not necessarily in the right order

 The last couple of weeks have been a perfect example of sods law and the winter's racing so far.  Last week the race was supposed to be on the Wrecker and I enjoyed a fantastic day's flying at Whitesheet, this week's race was to be at Whitesheet and I had a fantastic time flying off the back of the Wrecker.

  We take part in an outdoor sport and just have to accept these things.  It did make me think of the fine margins that we judge our seasons on.

  Last week I was saying just how much fun I'd had over the last 2 years taking the Falcon out for my flying trips.  This week I again started with the Falcon, the speed and buoyancy of the air was very different to Whitesheet and the Falcon ripped up the edge to put a massive smile on my face.  The compression layer was simple to find and although the shifting wind meant that there wasn't always the air to drive the EM turns I was able to play with different turns.

  The Saker was the model that was the greatest revelation, the last few races on the back of the Wrecker have been light winds and I was convincing myself what a small model compression based slope it was.  To a large extent it's true but after a cart wheel landing (blame the turbulence) there was no model damage but I decided to throw the Saker off, wow!  The extra mass of the larger model just made the turns that much easier and she felt so fast. Why isn't it like this for me at the Welsh open!

  Choosing between the 2 models is impossible, both are fun, fast and feel so predictable to fly. 

Storm flying commitment

 In 2022 I committed myself to take on any and all weather conditions that slope dog would come out in.  While I've had to invest in some new warm clothes I've been rewarded withe some of the most exhilarating flying.

While today started with good air the wind built up steadily to full on storm force.  Whitesheet has a tendancy to blow out in these challenging conditions but that doesn't stop it from being great fun.

  Since 2022 its been the Falcon that has been my go to model.  This remains the model that I enjoy flying the most, balanced and buoyant I never worry about adding ballast but she can't half go!

I'm not sure if it was conditions or Whitesheet's unique approach to protest parking but the number of other pilots were the lowest for a while.  You don't know what you're missing!

  Let's hope for a great race next weekend!