A Perfect End to the Day

Sunday I'd driven down to Bo Peep, but on arrival I immediately concluded that it was too windy and blustery for an enjoyable flight. With the knowledge that Monday evening may be flyable I returned home and hoped I'd get my flying fix then.

Monday I was at work and I gazed out of the office window and wondered if the strong blustery wind would drop a little for an evening trip to the Devil's Dyke. I snuck out of the office a little earlier than normal and I was able to get home, pack-up my gear and get to the Dyke for 17:40. It goes to show if I prepared properly, I can make it down there after work.

At the Devil’s Dyke the wind was still strong and blew from a north-westerly to a west of north westerly direction. I was very happy to see some familiar faces getting their gliders off their cars ready to rig. I quickly joined them.

After my usual faffing [it always takes me longer to ready my glider as I have to rig it from a short packed state], I was ready to go. Nicos, who I'd finally met, assisted me to launch where I happily took to the sky.

Already flying were John B, Chris C, Ozzie and a couple of others pilots that I hadn't met before. The only usable lift was on the small north-west spur, but we all happily shared the airspace together comfortably. I was amazed as I watched John B, sometimes below me, push out to the road then fly back without appearing to lose any height; he was of course flying a rigid wing!

Gradually the wind began to ease as the sun fell low in the sky and paragliders began to join us. Unlike previous flights on my Target in similar conditions, I was able to maintain a good 100 feet above the paragliders. I looked down and watched a Target weaving around the paragliders below. I began to appreciate the better performance of the Sting 3:168 that, for the most part, meant I could fly above the majority of the traffic!

After nearly 40 minutes of some incredibly enjoyable ridge soaring, as the traffic increased, I decided it was time to land. As usual, something about the Dyke, makes me dread drop landings. I had a quick look at the landing field behind the bowl but ruled that out after I observed someone on a land-surfing thingy, powered by a large kite zipping around the field! I decided to attempt the paddock again!

I had landed here a few times before and made a mental note that 150 feet ATO is good altitude to start the landing approach. After a few more beats along the ridge, now amongst the paragliders, I had made enough height to top land, but was pointed the wrong way. I prefer my turns to be away from the hill but this time, I opted to turn toward the hill, headed downwind toward the paddock. As I crossed the large mound of earth that borders the western end of the paddock, I turned back into wind, moved onto the uprights and for a brief moment thought I was coming down right there as the glider hung stationary above the ground! I pulled the bar in further and the glider happily began to penetrate forward where I touched down! Job done!

With the sun sinking lower and the sky changing to a blaze of red, I packed my glider away and headed for home. A perfect end to the day!