Monday 13 November 2017

Sunday's Sussex Safari

Myself and Ian took an hours drive West to try a new slope (for us) down at South Harting. On arrival the wind was obviously not directly on the slope in fact probably 30 degree's off but the strength of the wind meant it really had to work. It was blowing about 25mph+.
I loaded the Willow up with it's maximum ballast and Ian had his Jart with a good portion of its ballast hidden within.
Well I launched my Willow and immediately wondered if it was switched on. The turbulence meant it was getting battered around and only full deflections at times would bring the wings level. A little further out and much higher is began to calm down a bit. After ten minutes or so my fingers were getting cold and I decided to land as Ian was already on the ground. The landing was what you would call 'Interesting'. Turned finals and into wind around 100' above and just behind the slope and the Willow aimed itself at the deck. Quick chuck the flaps away and get some speed back on and with lots on full control inputs she was back on the ground. Time to head back to the car I think.
We stopped off at McD's for a hot chocolate and headed of towards Cissbury Ring.
We parked at nearly the top and walked the final hundred feet or so to virtually the top. The view was fantastic and you could make out Culver Down on the Isle of Wight. The slope wasn't huge but the lift was strong but rough again. Both Ian and myself flew our M60's fully ballasted up (as normal). Flying around was fun but when it came to the landings this again was difficult in the now 30mph + wind.
I enjoyed the change and the new slopes. Here are a few pics from yesterday.
South Harting (Harting Down)
 
Cissbury Ring
 

4 comments:

  1. It's possible that the trees at the base of the slope at South Harting may have been causing the turbulence?

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  2. Smashing views Paul, but when the mercury drops into single figures (centigrade) you have to think about the wind chill factor on the fingers...

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  3. The picture from Cissbury Ring showing the IOW is brilliant, looks like it's just round the corner from us

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