Congratulations and Jubilations

It will all make sense by the end

After a top day yesterday at Perran for the Hangies we opted for Sennen cove today as the forecast was for a brisk NNW mellowing through the day and backing to the WNW by the end of the day so hopefully giving something for everyone.

With a busy day on we arrived on site to find it perfect for hangies and the wind indeed well to the North.  Whilst the students began to arrive and rig their hangies I took the chance to fly my T2 C on the site where I flew it for the very first time. Sharing the air with Paul h, Sam A, Nigel W and Kaz all on hangies it was nicely sea thermic seeing me top at well over a grand and looking down on the incoming Isles of Scilly flights.

 Iang L tries out the "comfy" harness on his Sport 2 175

 As the breeze moderates things get busy

With Ian l ready to go it was time to land and give him a guiding hand.  Fresh from getting his hill conversion sorted yesterday along with conversion onto his new Sport 2 175 Ian was now ready to try out a new harness as well. After a good briefing he was up and away and soon looking far more comfortable than in the training stirrup!  A couple of nice flights consolidated his flying and convinced him on the new harness and it was a very happy Ian that headed back to Bristol with his new toys.

Malcolm P gets set to join the Para's on his hangy making the most of the day

Phil l was also out on his new Sport 2 155 that he converted onto yesterday and had a fun time whizzing around the place under Pauls watchful eye.  Malcolm P (Crawley) was down again but this time to enjoy some free flying and had a great time getting in a couple of super flights to top up his fun box before heading back up country.  Add in Gay j on her hangy and there were a total of 9 flying it would have been 10 but Michel turned up just a little late as the wind eased back.

By early afternoon the wind began to ease a bit and back as forecast and with perfect timing Paul and Ben from Plymouth turned up on site to have tandem flights. we broke out the Tandem Paraglider and with Kaztesting the air first on her glider it was not long before Ben was up in the air taking in the amazing views over Sennen Cove, Lands End and as far as the isles of Scilly.  Next up was Paul (happy birthday for tomorrow) who with an interest in Paramotoring wanted to know how everything worked. We also had a super flight and made a first class landing with both guys helping out by staying on their feet, thanks guys.

Paul H has some fun on his ASKA proving it's lighter wind capabilities


The paragliding hill conversions were now underway with Kaz taking one whilst i took another and a steady stream of them took to the air one after the other.  Alan H (Bideford) was first to go and put in a couple of good flights on his own kit dealing with two jobs in one and completed his hill conversion before being let off the leash and flying as a qualified pilot.  John S ("Speaky", Helston) was next and followed suit although still on the school kit but hopefully his new glider arrives next week.  With his hill conversion sorted Speaky had a cracking third flight un supervised and did a great job of scratching up before topping put on the Element as only Elements can!

"Snakey" (John S, Stithians) had more to do and popped in three flights to complete his hill conversion on his new Buzz Z3 and looked very pleased with himself and almost relieved!  Russell S (Plymouth) worked hard to get his conversion signed off not because he could not soar but landing approaches needed sorting, however we finally got there and the look of jubilation on his face was classic.

The two Johns show their appreciation

Emil K (East Devon) finally got the right day off from work and and made the very most of it popping his first hill soaring flight and following it up with three more to get himself just one flight away from qualification with a bit of luck. Emil's enthusiasm and patience are both to be admired and it will be a shame not to see him in the field from here on.

Nigel and Kaz fight with the tandem whilst best buddies Chris and Emil get some practice in

 Chris B makes the most of what was left at the end of the day

Last but not least Chris B (Plymouth) who had patiently waited through the day, along with a bit of surfing, got his chance late on and put in a superb soaring flight in not so easy conditions showing that he had not forgotten how to do it despite a bit of a lay off.  Chris flew smoothly and efficiently maximising every bit of lift to stay up before a nice little sea thermal popped him up and in he came for an excellent top landing.

Best buddies

With pork chops on the stove and the sun setting we rounded off a superb day, in fact couple of days and thanks for the wine, the chocolates and PENS :) 

Finally it's time to eat

Quote of the day "that was one of the best days of my life"