Why Bother? Because,,,,,,we have some of the best sites less than 10 minutes drive from our flying field. So when the weather report is for winds of 10mph plus it is worth throwing a glider in the boot with the power stuff. If the wind is too much at the flying field, why fight it? Go and tear up the slope instead.
But where to go?? The following are from my own observations and will doubtless be “discussed” at the next clubnight (Good!). The Grid references are not given for the hill, but for where to stand for the best lift (usually!). All give good lift in winds above 12 mph. Although Combe Hole is, very definitely, the jewel in the crown. Usually, I go to the Car Park at White Hill first, to work out what the wind is doing, for which a compass is essential! Then I either unload, or drive onto Beacon or Ladle Hill.
Frequency Control is usually by word of mouth. You arrive and go and talk to all other pilots. This has the added benefit of making you socialise! Occasionally someone brings along a pegboard, but again you need to ask about is it a peg on or peg off system. Basically remember that it is likely to be your pride and joy that gets “shot down” if you don’t do the decent thing!
Local Slopes
White Hill, Kingsclere (OS Grid Ref 519567) Wind NW
Car park 516565. Park in the car park off the road and head NE along a path that keeps the fence on your right. When you get to a gate in that fence, stop and fly!
Combe Hole, Kingsclere (511567)Wind N – NE
Park in the car park at White Hill. Cross the Road and follow the track West along a North ridge. Just before the Gallops is a hut and a path on the right. Follow it through a gate and you come into a field with an old horse jump made from a tree trunk. Stop and enjoy!
Watership Down, Kingsclere (500570) Wind N.
Park as before and launch you glider at Combe Hole. Then walk West along the slope keeping the glider up the whole way along Watership Down. Beautiful!
Ladle Hill, Old Burghclere (477568) Wind W
Park at Nuthanger Down (491566) and follow the Wayfarers Walk West until you get to the Westerly slope. At that point the path heads South along the ridge past a pig field. To the North is a fenced off area (ancient fort) which is where you want be! Walk back away from the slope, find the gate and in you go.
Beacon Hill, Highclere (458572) Wind SW (possibly E?)
Car Park (463577) Follow the path up to the earthworks at the top. Remember to pause on the way up to have a Cardiac Arrest. Follow the Earthworks around the top to your left, until you come to the SW bowl. Launch and enjoy. Whilst there do go and look at Lord Carnaevon’s grave. Yes, that is Lord Carnaevon of Tutankhamon fame. Beware of flying behind the hill as it has horrible downdrafts, and the top is narrower than you think. I have often wondered if that N-NE slope could be a possible site for Dynamic Soaring if the SW wind were strong enough.
Which Glider? My personal recommendation for starters would be a Zagi (www.zagi.com). Its cheap, bombproof and goes well. Others will say Fossies Middle Phase or one of PMP’s EPP gliders. They are all popular, and you won’t be getting a duffer! Plus any Thermal/electric glider will usually go well too.
Launching, Stand on the edge of the slope and throw the plane straight into the wind, at an angle just below horizontal. Remember you are trying to give the plane airspeed, not height. The slope will do all that for you. Some people prefer to get a run up and only throw once they can feel the plane trying to lift out of their hands. Doesn’t work for me, but it might for you!
Flying Either crab the plane sideways along the edge of the slope and back again. Or turn it away from yourself, allow the plane to hurtle downwind (that is how it will look as it travels at its airspeed plus the windspeed). Then turn it back towards yourself and hope you’ve got enough punch to get it back over the slope, or at your feet for a landing. Don’t try extending the glide by pulling up elevator, it never works! Do not overfly other pilots during such a move. Do hunt around for the best lift, and you’ll be surprised just how far forward of the slope the lift extends.
What about a Southerly Wind? Then head for Knap Hill (118637) on the Pewsey Downs near Marlborough. It isn’t marked on most road maps but Milk Hill just to the West is. Its about half an hours drive beyond Andover, via Tidworth, but well worth it. Just follow the footpath straight to the slope from the car park (116638) at the top of the hill.
For other possible sites try the PMP and BARCS websites. Alternatively if you’re off to Cornwall for the Summer Hols, go and fly from the cliffs whilst the kiddies are surfing. Its brilliant fun dive bombing the kites, and soaring with the Seagulls!