Spoilt for Choice Jan

Mark Lennon flying Clough Dec Spoilt for Choice Jan. 2018 Letter from the chair Jackie Knights Well I don’t think we could describe 2017 as one of our best flying years – however, as usual, Cumbrian pilots still made the most of every window. Between us, we managed to clock up over 1000 more points than last year in the Cumbria XC league – in roughly the same number of flights. Pretty amazing considering the weather. There didn’t seem to be any runs of consistently good flying conditions. Strong winds in the early part of the year gave way to a wet summer and autumn, meaning that we had to work hard and be vigilant to grab every opportunity to get in the air. In the background, the committee have continued to work to improve the club. My thanks go to all members of the 2017 committee. We have also had lots of help and support from non-committee members – thanks are due to (amongst others) Rick Livingstone, Ed Cleasby, Mike Harper, Richard Bungay, Ian “Barty” Bertram, Jocky Sanderson, Gordie Oliver, James Jackson, Jaysen Metcalfe, Pete Cunningham, Kev Woodward and Dave Toach. The Knowledge Base has grown in content and is all very well organised and accessible. A lot of effort has also been put in to ensure that our club coaching offer is clear and well set out. The club’s new Coaching Strategy is published on the website and signposted to new members. In addition to regular coaching days throughout the summer, members can also seek one-to-one coaching on an organised or ad-hoc basis. A BHPA Coaching course was held in Staveley in February, and we now have nine new coaches. Our coaches have a wide geographical spread, along with a great range of interests and experience, so hopefully there is “a coach for everyone”. Safety has remained high on our agenda, and the club is indebted to Chris Field for his continued enthusiasm to ensure that important safety issues are shared. I’m sure that accidents have been avoided by what we’ve all been able to learn from other people’s mistakes. It’s what our club is all about really isn’t it? Sharing our knowledge and supporting each other. We’ve also made great progress on updating our site guides. Our aim has been to try to improve consistency between guides and make important, safety-critical information easily available – even at a casual glance. This is a massive job – and not quite yet finished. Ian Henderson has shown his customary patience in responding to requests for changes to layout and presentation, and the site guides (which have always been good) are now clearer, more consistent and easier to use. The sites officers (and helpers) have also largely completed the Farmers Christmas run (as I write…) The club owes a big debt of thanks to all involved. Each person has a pretty substantial “round”, sometimes taking a few days to complete (depending on how chatty the farmers are). The response from most farmers makes it clear that this is effort well spent – and it also gives us an opportunity to check whether there are any festering problems – this year, the “run” hasn’t un- earthed anything nasty (so far!), so all seems quiet on the western (eastern, northern & southern) front(s). 2017 has seen big improvements to the website, thanks to Ian, who has also wrestled with tedious (but necessary) issues like the new Data Protection Regulations. In his spare time, he has continued to forge links with other flyers through the Air Users Forum – to whom he has given a presentation to aid their awareness or our presence in the skies. The Cumbria Cup ran again this year, thanks to the sterling efforts of Ed Cleasby, but may have run its course as a single club event. Ed and a group of pilots from other clubs are working on a wider offer for 2018. Do look out of it – it is already shaping up to be a fantastic opportunity. Thank you to Ed for what you’ve done so far – and to Richard Bungay who has joined the group on behalf of the CSC. Sadly, we lost some of our most loved characters this year, with Stuart “Tom” Thompson’s sudden death in June, and Tony Thompson bowing out in late December after the terrible march of Motor Neurone Disease. Both will be remembered – particularly for their humour and good nature. I’m sure we will all pay tribute to them when in the air – and in the pub, afterwards! On a more positive note, Ken Gamble’s idea of a new club trophy has really taken off. It is passed between members throughout the year for either flying achievements or personal kindnesses or support of others and has been a great tool for recognising and acknowledging both success and club spirit. This year’s recipients have been: • James Jackson for his epic spring flight across the lakes • Jaysen Metcalfe for his 99k from Barton • John Westall for two personal bests in a week • Jan Little & Ali Westle for their management of an accident scene • Tony Thompson for all round bravery • Mike Harper (on behalf of Malc Grout, Gordie, Stuart Holmes & Rod Weford) for getting Tony The CSC Chairman, Jackie knights ... "mucking about"? Laying down on the job? Photo by Mark Gravestock and his family flying on Clough Head on 27th October – a truly great day Mike now has the job of picking the next recipient – let’s hope for some winter flying weather soon, to make his choice a bit easier. The club is thriving, with an active membership and lots going on, however we still don’t have a social secretary so if you have an idea for a social event please help the committee by working with us to organise it. Suggestions are fine, but we do then need help to sort out the practicalities (venue, date etc) and make things happen. Fly high, fly far, fly safely in 2018. Happy New Year. Martin Ibbott contemplating whether to join the CSC or not. Jackie New Members Martin Ibbott (photo above) How long you've been flying? After a Groupon “Taster Day” on Tailbridge last May, I realised paragliding was for me! Completing my EP in August, I just managed to squeeze my CP course into a breezy week with Sunsoar in Portugal in September - as you pointed out, Brian, whilst signing off my CP, I am now a complete Novice! BUT (weather permitting: onwards and upwards - hopefully). Since then, it’s been ground handling, the AGM, a big fat repack, amusing myself reading Cumbrian Weasel banter and keeping an eye on the weather! What wing do you fly? Starting out with a U-Turn Emotion 3. What are your goals for flying? It’s hill soaring first. I have enjoyed fell-walking for years and think this will be a great way to rediscover Cumbria from a different perspective, whilst working towards XC flying and a Pilot’s licence! More trips abroad beckon: amongst many possible places I would like to fly in the Alps. A little bio about yourself: After working for many years as a GP on the other side of the Pennines (Durham), I have decided to adjust my work/life balance. Reducing my working week, I find myself spending more time in the South Lakes. As well as fell-walking, I freeride ski, sail and trundle around on a cycle now and then. Although I’m starting paragliding a little later in life than originally intended (60 next month), I would hate to let an opportunity like this pass me by! You are only too old when you think you are! Ed Luke How long you've been flying? I've been flying for about a month now, having just got my CP out in Morocco with Griff. What wing do you fly? I've just bought Alan's Gin Sprint so will be flying that once the winds calm down and I'm not away at sea working. What was your best flight or what are your goals for flying? My best flight was a 55 second tracking jump from Monte Agner in the Italian Dolomites. I'm looking forward to staying up in the air with paragliding though! A little bio about yourself or any thing you'd like to share. I'm keen to meet, fly and learn with pilots who have a good sense of humour and like being in the air. I'm always keen on trips and new ideas so keep me in the loop if you have any cool ideas or adventures on the horizon. My name is Simon Grant, currently living in Halton, Lancaster. I've been flying for 45 years: first solo gliding as an Air Cadet at Old Sarum 1972; flying scholarship 1973; about 35 hours in Bulldogs with a university air squadron, 1975 to 1977 (solo aerobatics was fun!); EP hang gliding (Windlord, Northumberland) around 1990 while I was doing my PhD at Strathclyde; since then only a couple of disconnected days on the basics of paragliding, until this November: EP and CP straight through with FlySpain at Algodonales. Great weather and great company; loved flying off Lijar down to the main landing field As I've only just qualified to own a wing, I haven't yet bought kit, but intend to do so very soon. Any offers? I guess I'll be visiting the S & the W soon ... Looking perhaps for something on the light side, to make it easier to fulfil my childhood dream of climbing up the fells and floating down.

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