Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish)

Volume 1 Issue 6 http://www.d-n-a.net/users/dnetszSU/ Aug/Sep 1997

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ULSTER HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING CLUB will be minimal. If you are Editor’s interested give Ken a ring on Davy’s 01232 844113.

Column A new lock and chain has been Diary (Billy Reed) bought for Big Collin. This is a (With a little help from his friends) heavy duty one (£55) in an After an eventful period in which I attempt to keep the farmer from retired my first Ace, I am back in umour has it that 23 blocking off the gate by the air with another one courtesy acres of farm land has continuing the boundary wall. He of Chris Simmons. An excellent been purchased has suffered from courting couples glider and well worth the money Rdirectly in front of Benbradagh for looking for a quiet spot to do the purposes of gliding. The whatever they do in quite spots 24-7-97 Hells Hole Magilligan Ulster Gliding Club were and not shutting the gate behind Mark Piggott had just returned apparently under the impression themselves when they leave! It is from Scotland and was keen to fly, that it was purchased for the obviously a risk the farmer cannot so we set off for Dungiven west. purposes of setting up a hang take that cattle or sheep could Conditions were not good so we gliding school!! How much does stray onto that particularily moved to Hells Hole. Winds were Alan Gray charge his students? (it dangerous part of the road and as moderate to strong so I rigged and apparently sold for a cool 100K) he has access to the hill from the Mark went off down to the other How much of it could our club other end of the lane one which he side of the gully to take off he did have afforded ? It will certainly be could easily remedy. I currently venture into the air but found interesting to see what becomes of have a number of keys which will conditions difficult. On his return it as it seems less than suitable for be passed to Donal when he he assisted me to carry down and any form of fixed wing gliding! arrives home. They are being sold launch. The hang glider was in its The club has now however to cover costs at £2 available to element in these conditions and I purchased a Stubby (training hang any club member. glider) which is expected to arrive had no difficulty climbing to 800 ATO. Mark made several more any day now. Hopefully Alan will Congratulations to Nick & Louise attempts to over come the strong explain how the training side will on the birth of a baby boy. As if but steady winds and gave a operate in the next mag. If you are Nicks duff leg wasn’t enough to wonderful demonstration of how interested in extending your flying keep him out of the sport he’s to fly a paraglider in reverse gear. to cover both disciplines perhaps certainly in trouble now -- but the I was certainly impressed. But now is the time to register your good sort I guess. finally the conditions prevailed. I interest with Alan before he is Ed made one unsuccessful attempt to inundated. Contributions to : 39 Cogry Hill go to Binevenagh and failed and Ken is arranging a one week trip , returned to the ridge regained 800 Co Antrim, BT39 0RY (subject to interest) to southern ATO at the view point and went Tel: 01960 342233 forward to explore the possibility Spain in late October when the E-mail - [email protected] .co.uk weather is apparently very of thermal lift. I found enough to get me to 1000 ATO and I made favourable for flying. Nice big It is your magazine - make sure it another attempt on Binevenagh wide thermals which are not too reflects your views! strong. He is pitching it at newly this time with success and was qualified CPC paraglider pilots well rewarded for my efforts with and upwards and says the costs a smooth ridge lift back to 1000 ft and thermal lift to 1400 ATO. The 2 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) possibility was there but with no Ken and myself along with Shane I chickened out of a thermal as I contact to Mark and the lateness Logan, made the trip to Agnews in drifted back on the hill and that of the day I resisted the what turned out to be another ended any chance of an XC for temptation. strong wind day (25-35 mph). that day. Billy got airborne just as Donal was already on top but the conditions deteriorated and 27-7-97 Dungiven West came down to help me with the despite some excellent height COMPETITION DAY carry up. After some serious gains he didn’t get enough to go Since most of you turned out I will thought, many wind measurements over the back. I did, however, get just skim through the high lights. and a lot of head scratching I a demonstration from him on how Ian Kennedy started the day with a launched into the gale and was to do a top landing. test flight to determine the task. soon at 950 ATO. Donal joined Nice flight and an interesting me soon after and Ken launched 21-8-97 Dungiven West landing which added to the from what looked like an After Mt Leinster it was back to mounting pile of aluminium being impossible position and battled his porridge. No other flyers available generated by that landing area. way to the main face. There were so the kid brother gets wheeled Colin Ellison made a serious a lot of thermals but they were out again and I set off to effort to rise to the challenge and difficult to centre on and getting Dungiven. Conditions were strong even rerigged after a most serious height was difficult I gave and gusty with a lot of thermal unfortunate trip to the bottom up after two hours and Donal activity. I launched just as two field. The paragliders got their shortly after that. Ken set down on cars arrived one with a hang glider hopes up during the same lull in the hill to the north of Shanes Hill. on the roof and I spent a lot of wind which dumped Colin in the He was unimpressed with the time trying to make out who it bottom field, but the winds re- conditions despite making some was. I climbed to 1000ft ATO and established themselves and the respectable height gains. He took was not having a good time in the hang gliders continued to assault off and flew back to the north side rough conditions so I landed. The the conditons.Billy Reed, Richard of Agnews and bottom landed. other pilot had by this time gone Stewart and myself made flights Shane Logan took off in his off somewhere in his friends car. but the task set remained elusive paraglider but found conditions It was Gareth Logan and family in the strengthening winds. very difficult and landed on the and friends. Gareth had gone to Ironically the last flight of the day bottom and had a serious walk Magilligan to find his bottom bar was in very buoyant conditions out. which he had left in the bottom and had to be terminated ahead of landing field a couple of days a rain shower. 8-8-97 Dungiven West before. The wind picked up and I This was one of those stolen days waited for a couple of hours for 4-8-97 Torr Head when the weather forecast got things to improve. Gareth returned Davy Christy joined me for this things totally wrong and a perfect with his base bar and after much trip to Torr Head. The wind was flying day developed at Dungiven. head scratching we both launched however off to the East but strong With the wind slightly off to the and soared the hill for about 40 and steady. I launched from the south and light to moderate minutes. take-off just inside the gate and strength, taking off was risky if had an enjoyable 50 minutes you are worried about ending up In all not a bad month with eight soaring before a very difficult top bottom landing at Dungiven. and a half hours airtime and some landing when the wind went right I was first on the scene and rigged wonderful experiences but the XC off the hill. But the landing was and took off first while Billy still eludes me and no one’s good and a bit of a confidence rigged the Rumour. After some putting any XC miles on the builder after the Dungiven scrapping I managed to get to the league table. Ian Kennedy was the incident. Ken arrived on the scene cliff face and from there managed last as far as I know with a nice and we went round to the Torr to get to 1400 ATO. I took my flight from Magilligan to near Head East site where Ken had a camera with me and tried to get a Limavady. Well done Ian. very good flight in much lighter snap from the air, not an easy conditions. I also had the pleasure thing to do. I got one snap but it Next of meeting Ken’s mother - a did not wind on. I noticed the delightful lady with the good battery compartment was not sense to dismiss all flyers as mad. secure so I closed it but still no Competition wind on. It was after I landed that (Ian Kennedy) 5-8-97 Agnews Hill I discovered that I had bombed Donal (no ones going to touch my Dungiven with two AA batteries. the next competition will XC miles in the league) Hamilton, The next flight was even better but be held on Saturday the T6th of September (this 3 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) weekend!) when the weather will taking the piss I wondered ? Sure you could have been forgiven for be absolutely perfect! I will put a enough we went up to the top and thinking this article was written by message on the VoiceBank mid rigged, if this was a piss taking someone who could fly a hang week and update it on Friday they were putting a lot of effort glider, but no, this is David Smyth evening and Saturday morning. into it. Shane O’Reilly gave me a your hang gliding SAFETY Try and make it if you can as the quick briefing on the best flight OFFICER, you know theres a crack is great when a large plan. Take off, turn left and fly crisis looming! I turned into the number of pilots turn up. down that spur, grab a thermal and thermal thinking this could get me Remember prizes for the top hang fly to cloud base and head down up with Shane O’Reilly but no, the glider, top paraglider and top the Blackstairs mountains. Right glider banked steeply, slightly past novice. Shane I’ll follow you. I said vertical and appeared to be thinking I was smart. But thirty entering a spin. I pulled on speed minutes later he did exactly that. and dived out of the turn losing Jerry Doherty took off next but he about 100ft. At first I thought that An Awesome had a variation in the plan which a strong thermal had lifted the left involved a landing in the bottom wing as I was turning. But even 15 minutes later. While Shane had that wouldn’t account for the way Experience! been studying things like thermal the right wing seemed to stall. I (David Smyth) scources and such before taking began to examine the wings just in off I was watching the wind sock case and was shocked to find that 17-8-97 MT LEINSTER for any sign of a breeze which the tip of the right wing was I travelled to Dublin on Friday would help me over the scary flapping about and that there was evening and went with Jerry boulder field in front of take off. only one bungy on the outer batten Doherty to an impromptu BBQ. When it came I went and was very which I could plainly see but The crack was good and the relieved to get airborne, because shouldn’t have been able to. The slagging soon got under way. My that take off really frightened me. batten was so loose it had slipped trailer came under a lot of I turned left and set off down the down to the tip strut and pressure and soon became known spur as instructed but found very consequently there was no as the f***in rocket launcher. The little in the way of lift in the nil washout on the right wing. I night took on all the outward wind conditions. ten minutes into considered my options. I can do appearances of a party, but I was the flight and my altimeter was left turns without a problem, I can informed it was just a little get reading 1200ft below take off do gentle right turns and the glider together. Next morning my head height and I thought it a good idea was flying fine provided I didn’t felt like it was a bit more than a to get near the landing field. I was try any sharp right turns. If I land get together. I set off ahead of just setting up for final approach then that would end my flying for Jerry and Shane O’Reilly and it to the field when my vario the day and I was only just getting soon became clear that the day regained the use of its bleeper and started with thermaling. I was of would be a wash out with rain, began to register some lift so I course kidding myself. There were high wind and clag on the hill. I began to turn and to my surprise no options. To continue flying a phoned Jerry from Bunclody and the weak lift continued until I was glider in that condition was an confirmed that they had turned back at take off height again. I unacceptable risk. there were two back and we would look at the was very impressed, almost 2000ft other gliders in the area and in situation on Sunday, I spent the of a climb and I was up with these still air conditions a glider in rest of the day and that night in Gerry O’Reilly and Harry the distance very quickly became Bunclody where the highlight of Abrames who had launched after a glider in your face. I had no the day was the rate at which the me. I was gubsmacked when I guarantee that I wouldn’t have to grass grew on the village realised that by searching around make a very sharp right turn to green.Sunday came and things and exploiting the bubbles of lift avoid a collision, especially since looked good. I called Jerry and he that I could survive at the same we were flying well away from the and Shane were just leaving height as them almost indefinitely. hill and there was no pattern to Dublin. It was to be a day of At this point I would like to draw our flying. I set off for the bottom agony and ecstasy. I went up to the readers attention to a piece of field which was 2000ft below and the transmitter and the joy of the information which may at first 2 miles out. On the way down I good weather turned to agony as I seem irrelevant to you. All my encountered the most wonderful stepped out of the car and turns so far had been left turns. It thermals which I had to ignore. To discovered there wasn’t a breath was certainly irrelevant to me until add injury to insult I banged my of wind. The Dublin men arrived the right wing lifted indicating a head on the upright on landing and and soon pronounced the thermal to my right. Up until now gave myself a shiner. Jerry conditions as good. Are they 4 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) Doherty had derigged and gone by the time I landed and the families of the flyers had set up a BBQ in Danglers at the corner of the field. I joined the gathering and told my sad tale to the flyers there assembled and got Dingle heavily slagged for it. So why was Tips From (David Williams) the batten loose? There is a reason, not an excuse. The rigging the Web (Or ‘Dingleberries go Dangling’ area was very small and there - mmmh - better not - Ed) were three gliders rigging where there was only room for two and Building a wall 19th July 1997 the wing of another glider had Tom Payne - [email protected] been laid over mine. I had put the any thanks to John ead simple this one, I was batten in temporarily and intended Wallace for his invite taught the technique a to check it when I got the chance Mto Dingle for a long couple of weeks ago. but the difficult take off was my D weekend with a chance to fly the Take both A risers in your left biggest preoccupation and I didn’t Kerry mountains. Well, that was (weakest) hand and both rear do a proper pre-flight check. Am I the plan and to leave our risers in your right (strongest) good safety officer material or respective homes at 0530 hrs with hand. To build a perfect wall, what? This aside the day was an John to ring me as he left his simply pull on both As to unfold awesome experience for me I home in , with a the wing and then both rear risers managed to fly in conditions that I rendezvous at Banbridge and then to drop it back to the ground had never encountered before and to head south. Wrong - at 0545 hrs completely under control. It takes do as well as most of the local I phoned John thinking that he had about 10 seconds to build a flyers and better than some. I had slept in only to hear the answering perfect wall. This works well in made a 2000ft height gain and machine. At 0555 hrs I tried strong winds because you can managed to maintain it for the best again with no luck. At 0600 hrs I immediately kill the canopy by part of an hour. Shane O’Reilly tried his cell phone, bingo, it's pulling on both rear risers, should managed to fly thirteen miles ringing, John answers-from it get out of control. down the Blackstairs Mountains Newry!! He explained that he had and came down only two miles lost my number and decided it short of the landing field on the would not be a good idea to ring way back. Clearly having access Ken at 0530 hrs so he headed to a mountain like Mt Leinster is a south confident that I would try major factor in being able to his mobile. " dont worry", he said develop your XC skills. Quote of the "I’ll take it easy so you can catch up" no problem so off I went and Month kept her lit on the A1. After For those pilots appearing back driving like Damon Hill I eventually caught up with him in out of the woodwork egarding a minor incident Limerick!! Ed where Ian K. briefly demonstrated that even R Anyway, we arrived in Dingle, the chairman can ‘stuff it in’ - well found our B&B, dumped our bags, bend an upright anyway. had a pint, and off we went to look for a suitable flying site for Jeff Mott: “Where did you crash the next day. Ian?” Next day (Sunday) up early Ian Kennedy: “It wasn’t so much looked out the window and would a crash as a parking problem.” you believe it, surprise, surprise, the hills were covered in mist.

Being optimistic we set off at 1100 hrs, the wind being southerly, checked our map and Crashed & Burned !! site guide and set out for Ed Knocknagree a ridge about 2 5 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) miles Long and 1100 amsl, with a (this is what happens when you head for Magilligan where the breathtaking view of dingle bay. talk to the local pilots. They know take off is lower and should be where to go.) less thermic. Having parked the car, flying machines on our backs we started At the more northerly takeoff to up the hill. What a bloody climb the right of Gortmore I sat in the (Agnews is a dawdle compared to howling wind, at the front of the this) but when we got to the top hill. It was gusting to over 25mph what a sight. By the way I forgot by my dickey wind meter and a bit to say the mist had lifted by this off to the left. Ken, at Hells Hole, time. reported that it was more suitable there, but then again he wasn’t John and I picked our take-off flying either. Colin Ellison soon spot and discussed the possible had his hang glider rigged and had landing areas. Pre flights joined me at the front of the hill. completed and time to go. Tried Somewhat perturbed by the to remember all we had been crossed wind he launched anyway taught by the boss and off we and cleanly climbed away. I went. watched from the ground and got a radio report from Colin but was John took off first and started still unclear as to the true wind beating along the ridge. When he direction. However, with only about 5-mph was clear I did likewise. John wind, I flew TTB about 600 ft and landed after a few minutes I think Colin was doing well and intended John drove down to collect me. he had thoughts of possibly to try for Binevenagh. Bit by bit joining fungi if things did not go the wind was easing and although That apart from the long drive according to plan. However I it was still strong and a little from home was the end of a very persevered and soared the ridge the left I decided to attempt a enjoyable weekend In dingle. for about 30 mintues. I flew along takeoff. I was not convinced it to the end of the ridge about three- would be any better at Hells Hole Many thanks to John for the quarters of a mile, but only getting and I would prefer to get blown invite, Donal for the words of about 150 ATO. On one of the back where I was rather than wisdom, Michael for his beats I flew a little too far and was amongst the fences at Hells Hole. hospitality and Ken for his over a lower part of the hill, where patience, time and effort to make I had run out of lift and had to So I inflated in a lull. I was the flying experience possible. land about 50 ft below take-off. relieved to see the canopy rise After climbing back up to where easily and stabilise. I’ve seen one Sometime John and I hope we will John was we decided to call it a canopy chewed by that barbed return to Dingle to do it all again. day as the wind was going off the wire fence, and didn’t fancy hill. seeing another. As I turned, however, things started to go Later that evening John had Binevenagh wrong. The wind must have arranged to meet up with Michael dropped slightly because as I O'Donoghue. We had a great time & Back by turned, the canopy started to move chatting about the sites and forward. I was reluctant to abort listening to Michael's exploits on the launch and attempt a collapse his microlight. A really enjoyable Paraglider! with the barbed wire fence so evening. (Mark Piggott) close behind, so I tried to recover the situation with a little brake, Monday - I intended to fly in the he day started at White running forward and ducking to morning and drive home in the Mountain (pre-closure!) load it properly again. Just as I afternoon, so we set off for Twhere conditions were left the ground I watched the Knockmoyle which was the site very rough. The wind was entire right wing fold back. It’s we should have gone to the day varying in strength and direction not a pretty sight to watch half of before because - you guessed it - with huge areas of sink and poor the material holding you up you can drive to the top! lift. It was certainly flyable but fluttering back in the breeze, but not at all enjoyable. After at least I was able to react very chatting to Ken we decided to quickly to apply opposite brake 6 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) and weight shift. Anyway, the needed to get back. Colin and tuck rapidly rolled out without Ken were giving lots of helpful Competition even the need for a pump. My advice over the radio, usually pounding heart was distinctly some variant of “You’re much too audible over the wind noise. ....! you need to ...., and make Attempt #2 (Next time I’ll do something sure you don’t ....”, Very soon I (Ian Kennedy) different I’ll go for a quick canopy had crossed the trees, and a little kill maybe, or maybe not ?! ) cleared area and was starting to he competition was called meet rising air. Before I got too for Saturday .... after a I climbed away and was glad to be high I turned back to make sure I Tfavourable forecast was penetrating forward quite well. still had a fast beat back. given. The day itself looked good The left beat was the slow one but Reassuringly I had covered in a as about twenty people arrived at I could still make comfortable few seconds the ground so Dungiven West. The wind was a progress. The air was glassy painstakingly gained over the last touch too strong for the smooth and gradually my heart couple of minutes! Turning once paragliders but spot on for the returned to normal. It became again towards the cliffs I enjoyed hang gliders and with cumulus obvious that the left side of the the constant whine of the vario as clouds appearing things looked lookout would be more into wind I was scooped up to 1394’ ATO. promising. but I was reluctant to go there just I had lost 400’ on the way across I took off to test conditions, found yet. The penetration was so so actually arrived with a them excellent although I could marginal I didn’t want to get part comfortable 500’ ATO. not connect with a thermal to take way round to find myself drifting me to cloudbase, however, surely back over the cliffs into rotor. I I finally topped out, still with some of the experts on the ground gave myself some safety margin sufficient penetration to allow me would be able to do better. by flying to the outer edge of the to relax. What a view! I could see An open XC was called for both lift band then gradually worked over past Limavady and the river hang gliders and paragliders, with my way round. Once beyond the Roe into the Foyle estuary. The 5 miles and 3 miles to open each point of no return I pushed the other way I could see way past respective discipline. speed bar out to get me past the Mussenden, Castlerock, the Bann Well, the sky filled with gliders, cliffs as quickly as possible. and could even make out the and it stayed filled with gliders as Ports. Magic! Colin had joined noone was able to catch the Even round at the Hell’s Hole the me again and we zigzagged past elusive thermals. Ken had the best wind was still coming from the each other to maximise our height opportunity but decided the sink left. It was a wonder I made it for the return trip. behind the hill was too great and round from the NW takeoff at all! This was easy, only losing 150’ or headed back to the ridge. The lift however was superb and so on the way back. As the In the end nobody opened the already I was at 900’ ATO. I met evening drew on both the wind competition so you will all have Colin on his way back from and the lift deteriorated until I top the opportunity of pitting your Binevenagh and after some HG vs landed at Hell’s Hole. skills against one another again. It PG banter I decided to try for was unfortunate nobody was able Binevenagh too! I was pushing The lift was always smooth to make the minimum distance, into wind to get there so I although it did improve as lower but in the end it was the flying and reckoned I could always cut and clouds scooted past. I made the the fun of having a large group of run back. The sight of that huge dash (if you call 2mph ground pilots on the hill that made the day forest of pines with nowhere to speed dashing) during one of these worthwhile for everyone who was land should I get blown back was spells of better lift. There may there. very much on my mind, so I flew have been some wave action, Congratulations to John Wallace well out in front. There is a point particularly bearing in mind the who managed a barbeque for on the way across where my head wind direction, but I reckon it was himself and others even though wind component was increased by largely due to the strong winds the wind had increased to nearly the compression between the two extending the ridge lift band up gale force. hills dwindling my ground speed and out. Wind speed just a couple to zero. This is a situation where I of mph greater and paragliding felt perfectly justified in using the would have ruled out entirely. I speed bar since conditions were think this particular goal was Safety Notice: smooth and I was on a slow beat. achieved more through luck than The extra wind I was encountering skill! Reserve would actually be of benefit if I 7 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) hang gliding, beatiful sky, plenty meaning to mention before - Container of lift, and the chance of catching reverse launches. a good thermal, as close to heaven Bungee Chord as you can get! Enough of that, I When I was learning to paraglide (Mark Piggott) had to get back down, so over take it was the accepted wisdom that in off, park her on a wingtip, feel the a reverse inflation you let go the n incident report has been g force build as you spiral down front risers and use the back risers sent to the BHPA remembering to pull out before for control when the canopy regarding a A dizziness takes over, and then turn inflates. We now seem to have got manufacturing fault in Norman final for landing. I expected it to away from that technique in Black’s Airwave RAP paragliding be gusty but it was smooth, the favour of using only the brakes for harness. The little loop of bungee glider was just floating down as if control in a reverse launch. This cord, that holds together the it was on rails. And that was when has advantages, but also big leaves of the reserve container it happened! Complacency started disadvantages in some when threaded onto the curved to creep in, I was infallible, I was circumstances as Mark and others release pin, was incorrectly going to land this like a have found out. Maybe we can stitched onto the harness. The paraglider. I picked my blade of have a look at a few of the reverse bungee’s outer braid was attached grass and pushed out even more launch techniques and I will give but the inner elastic was not. The on the bar so that I wouldn’t even you my thoughts on each. For loop therefore extended fully crush the daisies on landing. convenience I will call them ‘back providing no elastic force to Well, the principals of flight then risers’, ‘brakes with crossed secure the release pin. Although took over and at about one foot hands’, and ‘brakes without the pin was additionally located above the ground one wing crossed hands’. with a little piece of Velcro, it stalled. Wheather it was a small was possible for the loop to come gust is irrelevant, the effect was • Back risers . In this technique, away from the pin with the risk of the same. The wingtip touched the you turn to face the canopy an unintentional reserve ground, I was powerless to do as usual. Your brake deployment. anything as the other wing handles are ‘parked’ on the proceeeded to perform a graceful back risers and you will not This is probably just a one-off, but pirouette before finally coming to be touching them until you I’d recommend you check the rest pointing the way it was meant turn to face the front later system you use particularly as this to be coming from. in the launch process. Take fault is one that is easily spotted. The principals of physics then the front risers, one in each took over . My body had acquired hand (your arms are not a certain momentum which, when crossed) and use the front Complacency blocked by a thin moulding of risers to guide the canopy aluminium, transferred most of its up and overhead as you Rules! energy into reshaping the upright apply the load to it through (Ian Kennedy) into a more art nouveau shape. your harness by leaning or So there you have it. I could say I stepping back depending ell, it had to happen was being artistic, but the truth is I on the wind strength. sometime, I just had to just made a basic mistake. I Wjoin the illustrious pushed out too far and stalled a If all goes well and the fliers who have recently done it. wing. Next time that daisy won’t canopy has arrived After a gap of twelve years I know what’s hit it. overhead, steady it using finally had to order some new the back risers, check that aluminium. So, before you hear it is fully inflated and, any malicious rumours 3rd hand keeping the wing loaded or read any spurious comments in We Have using your bodyweight in the mag. (now now Ian, what a the harness, turn to face the scurrilous accusation - Ed) I will Lift-Off! front. Look for, and take, give you a brief account of what the brake control handles, (Bertie Kennedy) actually happened (mmmh - Ed). keep leaning into the harness and away you go. It was the day of the comp. and I ark’s article in the last decided to fly and check the HDM where he What can go wrong? What conditions before setting the task. mentioned being lifted The flight was one of those which M if the the canopy veers off off too soon at take-off reminded towards one side as it reminded you of why you took up me of something which I’ve been 8 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) comes up? Immediately go in your left hand (right correct hands, but without the on to the back risers to brake handle and right hands crossed on the front correct it or collapse the front riser in your right risers. Can be a bit more canopy. Since, with a back hand) and then turning awkward, with a brake line riser in each hand you have round to face the canopy, routed round the opposite a direct connection to the adjusting your grip on the risers and creating a potential entire trailing edge of your lower of the front risers abrasion point. The other wing, control needs little (without letting go of the variation is with the brakes movement and has brake handles) so that the themselves crossed - I wonder immediate effect. What if other risers on that side are if this is what Mark meant? In you get lifted off your feet lying below, not above, other words its like the back before you can turn round? your arm. Your arms are riser method, only using brake - no problem, you have full now crossed. Front risers control instead of back risers. control with the back risers are used to guide the The drawback here is that and holding them will canopy up, with any when you turn round, the prevent you from rotating. steering corrections carried brakes are in the wrong hands You can check that you are out using the brakes, and have to be released and flying straight and level remembering that control swopped over at, or about, the away from the hill, let go movement will be much point of lift-off - just when you the back risers and you will larger than if using back might need some quick, rotate to face the front, risers since your brake correct control. with plenty of time to take control lines are only the brake handles and carry connected to part of the There is ONE BIG SNAG with on flying. trailing edge of your these last two methods. What canopy. Another thing happens if you get lifted off your What if you get the risers which you have to get right feet and dragged off to one side as mixed up and pull the is that if a wing tip comes the canopy inflates? Since your wrong set? Admittedly this up, you correct with the feet are off the ground you will be can happen with multi-riser hand which is pointing spun round by the riser tension at canopies, and if it does, towards that side - not the a time when you need immediate you won’t succeed with the hand nearest that side. In control of the canopy. (Since you inflation; but the solution is other words if the wingtip are not holding the risers there is simple - learn to LOOK on the left (as you look at nothing to prevent you spinning before you grab (good the canopy) rises first, you round). Even if you can remember advice at any time), and correct with the brake which control to pull to correct, practice, practice, practice. control in your right hand, you will be momentarily which is crossed in front of disorientated as you spin whilst What if the canopy comes you and pointing towards being thrown sideways, with a up quickly and lifts you off that wingtip. Confusing? high risk of a hard unexpected your feet, at the same time Could be, but this is a very impact with the ground going veering sharply off to one good launch method as the backwards or sideways before you side? With the back risers brake controls are in your can regain control. Also if you in your hands you will still proper hands throughout have started to turn and then get be facing the canopy and the entire launch process. lifted, the extra momentum may can immediately start to With the canopy steady rotate you too far and, as Mark straighten it, but if you are overhead, you can turn and has found out, when you rotate going to contact the ground proceed with your take-off beyond 270 degrees the risers before getting it straight, without having to look for have come together and there is no you are in position for a brake handles. resistance to the rotation, plus the good PLF or a running real danger of the brake lines landing towards the canopy • Brakes without crossed hands . being trapped leaving you with no to collapse it quickly. There are two variations on effective steering. this one, and both are • Brakes with crossed hands . variations on the ‘brakes with So what is the best thing to do? As Basically this one is just a crossed hands’ technique is often the case in paragliding - it matter of preparing for a above. The most popular depends. I teach the back risers front launch with left brake version which is as above, method of control first (unless the handle and left front riser holding the brakes in the student has real difficulty with the 9 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) back risers initially) - because fence and laid it against it to there is full control with less hand recover. I then made inquiries to Have You movement when facing the find the farmer and let him know canopy; there is no confusion as to about the animal. Although he was which hand controls which side of not the site owner it does the club Got The the canopy, as hands are not no harm to gain a good reputation crossed; there is plenty of time to with the local farmers. One sheep Bottle? turn and take the brakes when the represents a considerable loss for (Bertie Kennedy) canopy is steadied overhead; and the farmer and every one saved the students are confident and adds to meagre profits. So the or cheapskates who think prepared for a future occasion following advice is recommended their spine is not worth when they might become airborne when you notice a sheep in this Fgetting any of the System X unexpectedly. This method would condition. backplates to protect, how about therefore seem to be the safest. I this for ‘do-it-yourself’ back teach the brakes with crossed 1. Approach slowly the animal is protection. Scrounge around your hands method post-EPC as I think already in a lot of distress, do dustbin and those of your friends it is better in lightish winds and not be put off if it is partially and retrieve all those empty where the slope and conditions are covered in its own excrement square section plastic drinks such that there is no danger of and its belly is abnormally bottles - you know the ones I being lifted as the canopy comes swollen and do not write it off mean, they were once full of overhead. However, as with as too far gone to save. orange juice for diluting, or everything else, all these ‘designer’ water. Tape enough of techniques need three things - 2. Grasp it firmly by the flanks them together to fill the back of practice, practice and practice. and roll it on to its feet. Stay your harness and underneath the with it and steady it to allow it seat, making sure that the screw to regain the use of its legs it tops are done up tightly. There Sheep will appear very shaky and you have it; simple as that - a fully will struggle a lot. functional ‘airbottle’ back protector for the price of a roll of Politics 3. If it can stand but tends to fall tape (if you haven’t nicked one (David Smyth) to one side then prop it against from work!). The added bonus is a fence and move away and let that for stronger winds you can n incident at Torr Head it recover. Make sure the fence add ballast by filling the lower prompts me to offer some is not likely to entangle it. bottles with water. Those of you Aadvice to all members of whose brains are now beginning to the club, which will help us to 4. Find the farmer and tell him work will also be hoking out maintain good relations will the about it so that he can take any bubblepack, old water wings, site owners. I was at the Torr appropriate action, which will inner tubes, ‘whoopee’ cushions, Head east site with Ken and Dave probably not be necessary polystyrene beads, plastic bags, Christie and I took the opportunity since you will have already old knickers, used ‘inflatable to survey the site for a possible saved the animal from certain articles of a personal nature’, and top landing area for hang gliders. death. who knows what else. Good luck! I noticed a sheep lying on its back with its legs sticking up in the air. And finally don’t give in to any of Being a bit of a redneck my first your base instincts as this might thoughts were SLAG. But then I really upset the farmer or a Fledglings realised that it was not sheared passing regular. and in a lot of distress. Sheep tend (Bertie Kennedy) to get themselves into this DAVID SMYTH Hang Gliding ongratulations to club predicament in the summer Safety Officer and friend to members Andy Niblock, months. The divide in their fleece distressed sheep everywhere. makes it impossible for them to CUel Glendinning and George Bigley who join Bernice get back on their feet and if left in (Has Dave pulled the wool over Lown in having achieved their this condition will quickly die. I our eyes with this one? - Ed.) pushed the sheep back on to its paragliding EPC recently with feet and stayed with it until it was First Flight Paragliding in able to regain the use of its legs. It company with 6 others who will was weak and tended to fall over be joining the UHPC shortly. to one side so I assisted it to the Colin Lown has now got his 10 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) paragliding CPC to go with his I only need club coaches or go on an aerotow course, to get hang gliding one, so he can both observers to sign off these and the necessary certificate at short hang and dangle whenever he there were enough people notice. The committee are wants. Well done! Matt Semple qualified to do that who have been currently in the process of sorting would be on the list too by now, out on the hill when I completed out Club Coaches for hang gliding but fell asleep in his car on the hill the tasks. All I need now is the and there is no shortage of and missed the last couple of theory and the exam and I can instructors and club coaches for qualifying flights! If you must apply for that certificate. I then paragliding all of whom can sign chase the women, pick one who is got to thinking , how many other off tasks without having to make a interested in paragliding, Matt. club members have the rating time commitment to a flyer since which correctly fits their flying it merely involves witnessing the experience. After a discussion various tasks. That only leaves the with Billy Reed I it became clear theory and the exam which can be that very few people would have a arranged with Ken, Bertie or Alan Para Ratings rating which reflected their Gray. If you are interested in experience. So what can be done? getting this sorted make yourself AeroSports Does anything need to be done? known to myself or the relevant (Ken McConnell) Coach/ Instructor and we can What is the advantage of having make arrangements based on ongratulations to Paul say a XCPC cert or an Advanced numbers for the theory sessions Stewart and Davy Pilot Cert. If you only want to go and exams. It is certainly CWilliams who have just to a hill and soar occasionally then something to do during the dark passed their CPC. Also to Dan a CPC is all you need. Certainly winter nights. Carroll who at 63 has passed his there is no site restriction based on EP and is on his way to CPC with ratings here in , his first soaring flight and top merely an air time requirement for DAVID SMYTH Hang Gliding landing at Magilligan. Knockagh i.e. CPC + 20 hours. Safety Officer And the Southern Association have similar restrictions for some sites which are not rigidly The Ratings enforced. But if you were in the New Blood record breaking business or wished to fly in the BHPA league elcome to new War then you would need to have the (David Smyth) members Darin appropriate rating. Likewise to go Higginson, Roger on an aerotow course then there is W Martin and Joy Shields. I was going through my flying log a rating requirement. There is also one evening and came across the rating requirements for Darin lives in Bangor, Roger is section which is used to sign off Instructors and Senior Instructors. the various tasks for Cross from and Joy is from So why not, if you have the flying . We look forward to Country Pilot Certificate and experience translate that into the Advanced pilot Certificate. I was meeting you on the hill soon. appropriate qualification. It may Ed pleasantly surprised to see that I be too late if you have a flying had completed all the flying tasks holiday planned to, for example for that level and considering that

XC Hang Gliding League ‘97

Pos Name Distance Flown in kilometres Total Glider 1 Donal Hamilton 11.2 9.0 20.2 Solar Wings Scandal 2 Colin Ellison 16.2 16.2 Airwave K2 3 Ian Kennedy 11.3 11.3 Solar Wings Scandal

Best 5 flights starting or ending in Northern Ireland 11 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish)

XC Paragliding League ‘97

Pos Name Distance Flown in kilometres Total Glider 1 Ken McConnell 17.8 17.8 Nova Xyon 2= Ian Haslett 8.8 8.8 Airwave Rave 2= Donal Hamilton 8.8 8.8 Edel Superspace

Best 5 flights starting or ending in Northern Ireland

wire trailing down your sleeve is needed and for ADVERTISING SECTION open face the mike is in the helmet - not poking out in front to get knocked off or catch on your lines. The sound quality on transmit and receive is crystal FOR SALE: clear - and all for less than thirty quid! The first three to arrive were sold immediately, so get your order in now. Nova Xyon 24 blue pilot wt 75-95kg. This record breaking canopy can be yours for less than you think. If you need a radio to plug your headset into, look Immaculate - no tears or damages, like new. 1 year old. no further - check out Bertie’s ADI handheld radio No reasonable offer refused. (Will include the record which has extended transmit and receive capability breaking Shorts and “T” Shirt at no extra cost, freshly (will be ready for the new hang gliding/paragliding washed of course) Absolute bargain!! frequency - no licence required - soon to be announced). He’s still working his way through the Solar Wings Scandal 135 med 9 months old manual to figure out what all the buttons do, indistinguishable from new. Very fussy owner. programme the memories, scanning, battery save Ken McConnell 01232 844113 etc. but can get you one within a week - and they don’t cost the earth.

Bertie has a Firebird Flame L paraglider as a demonstrator at the moment. A few of you will COMMERCIAL SECTION have seen the extra large one he had out a few weeks ago and which he was much too light for. Even so, it refused to tuck in rough thermic conditions and its speed range (without using the First Flight Paragliding speed system) and nippy handling even with such a light wing loading had to be seen to be believed. On one flight he had to fly with ‘big ears’ on the whole time just to stay clear of cloud. Now the smaller canopy has arrived and should be fit for anything. Firebird quality and stability is legendary of course. So if you are a competent club pilot and Try the System X Express harness - the ultimate want a flight to see what its like - just contact Bertie in comfort and it comes complete with the Vertiflex and he will arrange it. If you are thinking of Air back protector - the best back protection on the changing you old canopy, a good trade-in deal is market (professional scientific report available) - at likely at the moment - if you are the decisive type a very reasonable price. Top paraglider pilots are and get in there quick. using it, and you can try it out for yourself here in Northern Ireland any weekend - contact Bertie Don’t forget the good second hand canopies Kennedy who has all the System X gear and also around for the ‘switched on’ pilot. There’s a the latest Charly full face helmet in stock - lovely Trekking Miura, a Flight Design A4 medium (with colours and very light weight. new ‘A’ lines), an almost new Firebird N-Joy L (ideal beginner/intermediate canopy), a large For your radio he has the fantastic new Aloha Harley Sirocco, a Trekking Legend M, and an headset. The ingenious design of the microphone Airwave Black Magic M available immediately from and speaker ensures that it fits to any helmet, Bertie (Tel: 01232-832648), who can get you a wide including open face, in about 2 minutes. No long 12 Hang Danglers’ Monthly(ish) choice of whatever you want in flying gear, usually on gliders kept in good condition, definitely no within a week on a ‘try before you buy’ or ‘money rubbish or antiques ! back if not satisfied’ basis. Just check out the quality and the performance of the gear on the hill. AerAerosp osp or or ts ts Caption Competition (No Rules - No Prizes!!)

Available now the new EDEL ATLAS intermediate wing for the newly qualified pilot with superb stability good performance (stringent DHV 1 Rating) and very reasonably priced at £1845.00 retail, less discount, this compliments the other new gliders in the range .- Sector and Saber. , and also the new Prolite harness & Securamax reserves. Available all year for trial flights for anyone interested.

The new Xyon 100 series, and the new Axon intermediate (lots of performance and stability for the new club pilot and competitively priced). Xyons are now so popular in Europe there is now a waiting list.

New topless Scandal available soon

The Breeze intermediate is now available aimed at the new club pilot

SKY FLOATER These have become very popular on the main land any one here interested ?

ADVENTURE PARAMOTORS Still the most popular in four sizes. (Now authorised to sign off tasks on the BHPA paramotor training syllabus)

PARAGLIDING TRAINING SCHOOL Training now during all evenings that are flyable plus 3 days per week Fri, Sat, Sun, get qualified in days/weeks not years !!!

Also available are, Harnesses, Reserve parachutes, Back protectors, Flytec Varios, and Garmin GPS,& Icom Radios many interesting accessories. Good discounts are available to club members on all items. Trade ins are possible only