Day Off

Classic shot out the front of the front of Lijar

The team (Nigel Dave and myself) head towards the landing zone

Dave takes a final climb above the mountain before having to pull out as time ticks by

Nigel explains how he popped his thermal cherry big time

Only Joking although after 7 days on the trot and it being change over day it was Kaz and mine turn to fly. With a land by time set at 14.30 so we could get the guys back to the airport pick up the newcomers and do the shopping it had to be a military operation.

Up Lijar it was noticeably fresher and the inversion weaker so gliders were soon working lift and reverse launches were more common than not.

Dave, Steve and Kaz got off early and found conditions lifty and lively as the pushed out from the ridge.

Jackie got off after a couple of attempts and flew straight into bouncy conditions requiring active flying and avoidance tactics, shouting that is !

Bill and Ray took one car down whilst Sam and Peachy waited till we were all off and also headed down. I manged to get just after Nigel and followed the others up and away. Everyone in the air had a cracking flight with Nigel truly popping his thermal cherry. Dave Nigel and myself all met up for some flying together as the land by time drew near. As luck would have it Dave and myself hit a strong climb over the LZ and worked it up before pulling out to spiral, big ears and in Daves case B line down.. The famous phrase of "the sink is working really well over here" came into use and finally we joined the others in the landing field only a little late.

Back to the digs for a shower and clean up then it was off to Malaga with Peachy, Jackie , Nigel and Dave with a supermarket sweep on the way. Jackie had put away well over 5 hours flying and 12 flights, cracking soaring, top landings and speed bar along the way as well as some super thermalling, oh and stand up landings. Dave racked up well over 10 hours and achieved the status of a Sky God. Nigel got where he wanted, high in a thermal, and found a who;e new world to play with. Peachy despite his dodgey knee on day one stopping his flying never let his disappointment affect the group and was supportive throughout making it a great week and one to remember. Thanks guys and with flying every day what more can you ask for, fingers crossed for the next one.

At arrivals we picked up Mark F, Wanda S, Chris H and Barry H all looking a bit tired after their flights and headed back to Algo for round two, watch this space....

Wing flappers and kidnappers

The team get rigged on Lijar

Sam gets kidnapped by a giant

Team Cloud 9 dominate the skies at Ronda La V

The man from De Monte says yes

Sam lets it all hang out as Rays flies by (captions welcome)

What a cracking day, yet again we headed up to the main launch and with the air feeling fresher we looked forward to a good one. Sure enough as the wind pulled on the vultures appeared and pretty soon we had Jackie off for a flight which was to sort out her speed bar tasks.

She did another fine launch before heading out and doing the business with the bar then heading out to the landing filed. On the way she flew into some nice lift and with a little encouragement started to circle in it and before we knew it she had thermalling sussed! Jackie had a great time playing with the lift all without a vario proving that you can do it by feel. Finally she headed down as her arms were starting to ache to perform a perfect landing, nice one. Bill was off pretty soon and was the first to climb well above the hill and break through the inversion. This encouraged the rest off and pretty soon the sky was filling up with the group some high and some not so high. Dave L and Sam headed to twin peaks but never quite made it although Dave made a brave attempt at flying to Ronda La Veja.

Ray got away and after having an asymmetric on the way out near the gully headed towards the landing field where he promptly hooked a couple of beauties and was soon back above launch having a ball. Steve flew to join him but decided to leave him up there as he needed a pee. By the time I got down the hill to the filed there were some pretty happy faces and exciting stories to be found.

Next we headed to Ronda La V picking up Dave on the way. Conditions were light but no sooner did we arrive and the evening lift kicked in and the gang had some super flying. Everyone got a nice flight in the ridge lift and magic lift seeing some very high out the front. Jackie popped in a couple of top landings to complete some more tasks in her bid for CPC rating.

A very satisfied bunch headed back to Algo under a picturesque sky with the likelihood of yet more flying tomorrow.

Bush Muncher

Gliders begin to break the inversion which keeps the smoke down

Steve gives a commited launch on the evening flight

The lonliness of a Paragliding instructor

The gagle climbs out over launch, such pretty colours

more pretty colours on the west launch

Red Devil Ray sees the sun setting over yet another lovely day

It was another gorgeous day in Algo and with light winds forecast we headed up Lijar hoping for it to pull on on the SE launch.

It did and pretty soon we had the guys launching. Steve led the way so he could guide the guys into the landing field followed by Bill who just went up and up then down and down then back up again where he stayed. Jackie got off well showing the hill how forward launches should be done and had a super flight ending in yet another stand up landing. Nigel also did a perfect launch and had a fine time getting in some thermalling practice in lovely conditions with out it being too busy. Ray was not so fortunate and ended up in the bushes but a quick dusting don saw him ready to go again.

By the time the guys were back on top the wind flicked to the SW launch and things were looking better. Ray got off and did a fine job dodging some lift and flying sweetly down for a cracking landing. Kaz managed to squeak one in and flew straight into strong lift which soon saw her well high before heading out then picking up a cracker over the landing field and circling back up to well above launch. The rest of the guys had a fine time before the wind went further to the west leaving Nigel and Jackie on the hill.

Still no worries we picked up the crew from the bottom and headed back up for and evening flight of the west launch where there was still some lift to play with if you knew where to find it. Nigel honed his thermal skills and Jackie her landing skills. Bill got offered a ride by a local but luckily for him we arrived just in time to save him!

Then it was off to JJ´s for a special German meal which proved very nice and as I write I can hear the guys laughing at Peachy´s body in the background as he models T shirts,

Will update photos tomorrow which looks like yet another flyable day!!

Freeman Hardy and Willis

The team less BILL arrive at Montellano

Red devil Ray cameras up

Sam A spot lands on a car

Wheres Peachy??

Freeman Hardy and Willis fly by

Jackie floats up and away

Choc-o-late,classic magic lift hmmmmmmmm

It was indeed a Montellano day and what a lovely day it was too. Arriving just as the breeze pulled on we got the guys and gals off for a quick top to bottom to a climatize. Well actually some of them stayed up in the gentle ridge lift whilst the others flew down then it was a quick pick up and back to the top.

Ray and Jackie opted for another flight down to hone their skills whilst the others waited for better conditions, although in actual fact a couple cracked and had another flight to fill up the retrieve car.

By mid afternoon things were getting more lively and the guys took off to play with the thermals. Sam swiftly flew to the top of the stack and was then trailed closely by Dave and Bill who followed him around the sky hoping to pick up some of his magic. There was the normal entertainment on launch with some of the top landers looking smooth and some looking a total mess!

As the day drew on we waited for the classic evening lift to kick in and sure enough it did with Ray and Jackie taking advantage of it. The sky filled with wings but in the smooth lift there was room for all. Slowly they began to descend and we picked up a happy but tired bunch from the foot of the hill.

Another super meal in this time courtesy of Jackie who showed off her culinary skills to great effect. Forecast looks good for tomorrow, yummy.

Perfect at Poinetta (sort the spelling later)

Sam develops a bit of a skin rash

Jackie thermals up to the top of the stack

Classic conditions as the guys enjoy the "morning" flight

Pushing out the clouds off Ronda La V photo by Bill from the air

Must be flown out as it's still light and we are leaving!

Yet another NW forecast so we hoped to mimic yesterdays success but as it turned out it was even better!

Arriving on Lijar it was evident the breeze was already to the North west so we headed to the west launch where we were pretty much first on site. The guys got rigged an Kaz headed down to the landing field to act as guide for Jackie and Ray.

By the time we were ready it was already getting thermic so the guys wasted no time in getting up there. Soon the sky was full of team Cloud 9 pilots thermalling away with varying success. Everyone got off with good launches using a mixture of forward and reverse launches as they fancied.

Ray set off doing really well before getting radio failure (flat battery) where upon Bill N circled down to him and the two flew together with Bill acting as pathfinder, nice one.

Jackie was star of the flight having been delayed at take off by pulling her parachute out meaning things were a bit more lively by the time she launched. With a little guidance she was soon circling up with the rest topping out at over 1000' above take off and pretty much above everyone else! She had a wicked time playing with the thermals before heading off to the "cafe" field where Kaz was ready to help her land.

The rest of the gang floated off when they had had enough and as the lift got even stronger and the clouds built.

Lunch in the landing field and a group decision saw us decide on Ronda for the afternoon so off we set. On arrival no one was flying but a Hanger did launch as soon as we disembarked. It looked breezy enough so I decided to test the air and within 10 minutes was at 1500' and climbing well as i pushed well upwind. They guys took a little longer to get going but pretty soon they were up and away in nice thermic conditions.

The lift was up and down with Bill N and Steve M taking the height gains before a strong sink cycle saw a few down and the rest scratching. The guys did well to hang in and soon they were back above the top and into thermal mode again.

Having flown ourselves out we headed home early (for us) for a early night. looks like NE tomorrow, Montelliano ??

Two Day

Steve M launches at Lijar

Ray plays pocket billiards at Ronda whilst the boys look for the ball

Phippsy shows off his radio levitation skills

Jackie and Peachy watch the guys flying and enjoy the sunshine (note Jackie upwind)

Ray M cruises the ridge having it all to himself (lovely shades)

Sorry about the wrong date on yesterdays blog, all sorted now. With a light NW forecast again we decided to try our luck up Lijar for the morning with the option of Ronda or Teba for later in the day.

On arrival at the top the wind was already swinging and on the SW launch. The guys wasted no time and soon we slipped Dave L in amongst the french and he was off up and away showing the whole hill how to thermal. Bill was not far behind and headed straight out to some circling vultures before circling up himself. Steve and Sam quickly followed although Sam did stay for a bit of Morris dancing before leaving the ground.

By the time we were ready with Nigel, Jackie and Ray things were not looking so hot with the wind going further to the west. Nigel went for it and did a good job but the lift had gone and he headed straight for the landing field which convinced us it was time to move.

By the time we got down the mountain there was a pretty happy bunch of pilots under the shade of the trees so after a spot of lunch it was off to Ronda La V. Our timing was pretty good and with gliders in the air on arrival it was not long before the team joined them for a mixture of thermals and ridge lift. It was a bit boisterous to start with but as the evening approached things got better and Jackie got the chance for her second soaring flight. She did a great job mixing it with the various nationalities before popping in for her second top landing and doing it to perfection. As Ray launched the skies cleared and within a minute or two he had the ridge to himself, do they know him that well?? After a pleasant flight in the setting sun Ray headed out and down to bottom land where ever watchful Steve was ready for him.

Peachy kept us company and whilst hoping the breeze would take some of the fishy smell away which it did.

Driving back by the light of the moon were two cars full of tired out pilots. Evening meal was a stay in affair courtesy largely of super chef Steve M with a few able assistants and a few less able ones. Review of the days flying saw a late retirement to bed at around midnight. Looks like more of the same tomorrow.

Rocking at Ronda

15 Kaz hard at work

The guys flying at Ronda

Sky God Dave and apprentice Sam

Jackie comes in for her first top landing

View from the bottom landing

With a little low cloud around and a NW forecast we headed to Ronda La V for our first full day in Algo'. The group were all chatty in the cars but got noticeably quieter as we got nearer to the site! On arrival the wind was light and the schools were sending their pilots off for top to bottoms. By the time they cleared the wind started to waft up the front and our guys opted for a top to bottom to settle in before waiting for soarable conditions.

Everyone did a good one with some of the more experienced working bits of thermal on the way down. Pretty soon we were all back at launch with the wind filling in nicely. Conditions quickly became soarable and thermic and timing was the name of the game for launching. Still everyone did well getting some good flying and plenty of practice at mixing it with the crowds.

Ray and Jackie kept their powder dry until things were at their best then off they went. Jackie had a ball putting in her first soaring flight and rounding it off with a cracking top landing to a large round of applause and huge smile. Ray played the game and had a nice flight as the hill cleared a little before bottom landing to join the other guys. Late day back saw us pick up Peachy who took the day off to try and get rid of the fish smell.... before heading to JJ's for beers food and 43's. Good forecast again tomorrow ......

Viva Espania

The advance party arrive at Malaga

Jackie at launch and ready to go

Sausage chopping

Kaz and Jackie enjoy the evening lift with only us around hmmmmm

The start of our 2010 trip to Algo' got going with car hire hassle on arrival at Malaga where instead of the ordered Berlingos two Seat Ibaza's were lined up for us. After a little to and froing we ended up with a very (far to) posh Citroen C8 with all the extra's and a Berlingo so a result as it turned out.

The advance party, Phippsy Kaz, Tony P, Nigel W and Jackie N having sorted the transport headed north and did the shopping then with the C8 full to the brim headed on to Algo'. The sky looked good so after settling in to the house and a cup of tea we headed up the hill for a look checking out the bottom landings on the way. On arrival a number of gliders were taking off from the west launch and floating down so the guys thought they would get one in for the experience.

By the time they launched the evening lift kicked in and they all had a cracking flight floating around before having to head down as the sun set. With a nil wind the landings were swift in the cafe field which unfortunately saw Peachy tweaking his knee and smelling of fish!

Back to JJ's where we met up with the rest of the group who had had a scenic drive up courtesy of Bill N ably assisted by the guys, Steve M, Ray M, Dave L and Sam A. A slap up meal and several beers later we headed "home" with a good forecast for tomorrow.

Multi Tasking

After a few days of getting things ready for our trip to Algo' we managed to slip out to the field with Malin L who was keen to get a go on his "new" wing which came in on a trade in recently. Malin had a great time feeling comfortable from the word go on his Nova Rookie (previous one careful owner has updated to a Buzz Z3) and put in 3 good flights with a mixture of forward and reverse launches.

In lovely conditions he practiced 360's and big ears to move him well into his pilot tasks. By mid afternoon he had enough and with a nice breeze setting up we headed to Carbis Bay where he had his first hill soaring flight putting in a pleasant 15 minutes before popping back in on top as the wind moved off and the lift dropped.

a cracking day for Malin and even I got back in time to finish packing! Ohh and also got a text from Paul C who had just flown his new T2C 144 and the word Easy popped up no less than 3 times, kind of says it all.

Next blog should be from Spain all being well...................

Different approaches

John V with his new Falcon 3, reckon he can land it in his garden?

Paul C stroking his new toy

With a breezy few days forecast we took the opportunity to head north and pick up some newly arrived wings for customers and introduce them to them.

John V kindly acted as central park at his home near Evesham and his lovely wife Di pushed the boat out in the hospitality stakes, much appreciated.

John was taking delivery of a Falcon 3 complete with short pack transportation bag in a drive to get back to basics and compliment his rigid wing. The pure simplicity of the Falcon made him smile as did the weight and quick rigging time. With a litestream A frame and speed bar he will have a little extra glider but that's not what its really about, its about fun and I am sure john will get plenty of that on his local sites where carrying a rigid has put him off flying.

Next up was Paul C who at the other end of the scale picked up his new T2C 144 complete with super sexy technora sail and boy does it look cute! We spent a good hour or so showing him the rigging tips and bits and bobs before just stroking it for about 20 minutes. Look out for this one in the sky i am sure you will notice it pretty easily. Look forward to seeing Paul at the BOS next year and putting in some XC miles with him.

A busy trip but good to see the guys and hope they get to fly them soon, watch this space....

Early Risers

Bob and Cpt Kev practice formation ground handling

....and synchronised collapses !

Bob, a man at one with his wing

The forecast was for a flyable slot at Perran in the morning then the wind backing and increasing early afternoon. So it was an early start seeing us at Perran before 08.00, but we were still beaten by Dean F who was flying when we arrived.

Conditions were not brilliant but if you picked your slot there was some fun flying to be had on the Paragliders. Sam K newly hill rated did a good job mixing it with the masses on what was a surprisingly bust midweek day before "slope landing" in the dunes as it shut down.

Bob H (Okehampton) came along for his first visit to the hill and and a great time playing with his wing getting used to both it and the hill with plenty of ground handling. conditions never quite got good enough for us to send Bob off but at least he did acclimatise to the new environment.

By 13.00 the wind was on the back and by 14.00 it was on the increase, the forecast was pretty much spot on for once.

Playing at Perran

Jade after her flight on the hanger, still smiling

It was a fun day at Perranporth where we went to play with a "50/50" forecast. As it turned out it was fine with flying for both Hangies and Para's through the day giving everyone a go.



With some nice sea thermals coming through there was always something to keep us amused along side the "Baron" on his hanger with his feet a dangling. All joking aside as Paul perfects his seated flying i am sure there will be a few more converts to it soon.



Jade (Perranporth) timed it right turning up just as conditions got good for the hanger and promptly had a cracking tandem flight something she has been waiting for for a long time. Flying with the hawks was something special especially as we got the chance to watch one get it's dinner from the air.



Good to see plenty out and especially good to see how well Barry H is getting on with his Ozone Buzz Z3, making the most of it and enjoying it.



Finally the wind dropped off and it was time to go but a lovely day nice and relaxed.

Soaring at Struddock

Big Gray helps out as we launch the Tandem paraglider with luke on board

Up and away Luke gets comfortable

Fiona A gets set to go on her Paraglider

Chris M gets a pre flight brief for the Hanger

The Tandem hangy takes off with Chris as a Hangy flies high above

Struddock farm was the site to be on for hill soaring and that's where we went with Chris W and his new Wills Wing Sport 2 155 which was replacing his Avian Rio. On arrival the wind had just eased seeing the Paragliders flying after Graham A had just landed his Sport 2 175 hanger having had breezier conditions earlier.

Still not disheartened Chris rigged along with several other hangers (all but one ex students) in the hope that the wind would return.

Meanwhile Luke T (Launceston) had arrived with his girl friend (who had treated him to a Tandem flight for his birthday) and the "in laws". We opted for the Paraglider and Luke had a classic flight in lovely conditions flying over the trees, cliffs and Monkey sanctuary. Having done other things like bungee jumps Luke rated his tandem flight right up there and a very different experience. We finished off with a super landing and Luke even kept his breakfast down, hang over ??

Next it was Chris's turn as the breeze filled in and despite an interesting take off (thank goodness for Sport 2's) he quickly settled in to his new wing and was soon up there with the others having a ball. Looking very smooth he explored the glider and the site before coming in to perform a good landing with a big smile. His verdict, well ask him yourself but the words easy and lovely kept popping up.

With more wind we rigged the Tandem hanger to take Chris M (Credition) up who was also on a birthday treat. having watched a few slow take offs Chris did as asked and we sprinted off the hill to start a cracking flight. In by now ideal conditions we mixed it with the other hangers and had our own fly past courtesy of Martin C who was his normal jolly self. Chris was fascinated by the whole thing and did well at flying the hanger himself. A nice landing finished off a super flight to a round of applause by his family who looked happy to see him back.

Lovely day with plenty of ex students out although some of them forgot their Hangers ! Nice to see Big Mike P (Bath) out for his first flight post qualification and his first in his new Woody valley Flex harness doing well and being cared for by the other pilots. Well done Mike but you don't have to land where you rigged!

Thanks for the help guys and the piccies

Lets hope for more good weather as two more new Wills Wing hangers have just arrived for customers.

Well Well Well

We headed to Perranporth as the rain stopped on our arrival was well timed with conditions improving and becoming flyable.

The hangies rigged whilst i checked out conditions on a Paraglider to find them spot on. Sam K headed up from Perranporth town with his Paraglider to hopefully get his second day on the hill in.

Carez led the way on the hangers followed by Paul H on his maiden flight on his new Wills Wing Falcon 195 rigged for seated. The "Baron" had a fine time floating up and down looking very retro before coming back in for a harness height adjustment before setting off again with a big smile.

Next Sam K was off on his Paraglider and had a super 20 minutes in improving conditions before making an excellent top landing to complete his third soaring flight. Sam wasted no time in getting up there again this time with a little more breeze to contend with but again he did gaining much more height as the lift also picked up. Another top landing see's him sorted so keep an eye out for him on the hills.

Anthia C came along for a tandem flight and we had a super one on the Paraglider playing with the lift and just enjoying the whole evening as the sun shone, what a bonus after such a rainy start to the day. Anthia just loved it and so nice to take someone up whole appreciates it so much.

Conditions were much better for the Hangies so Gay J got up there on her maiden flight on her new Wills Wing Sport 2 135. She looked smooth from the word go and soon settled into the glider. Having got to grips with the basics she practiced flying in landing mode at height then came in to perform a super top landing first time. Gay was well impressed with the wing and especially its landing characteristics. Think we shall see a lot more of Paul and Gay in the air on hangies from here on, hooray!

Dan L (Truro) was now rigged and ready to go on his first hill flight on a Hangy having learnt with us on the winch and despite pre flight nerves he did an excellent job with a good take off being followed by 20 minutes of super soaring. As Dan relaxed his confidence and his height grew allowing him to come in for a top landing. Back on the ground he could hardly believe what he had just achieved and did not stop smiling from then on, nice one Dan.

Voytek was also out giving us some entertainment on his hanger as he came into top land but he had a nice evening and was happy enough.

Margret K got in some more tethering on the Hang Glider and started to get more of a feel along with how effective full body weight shift can be.

Kaz who had been up on her Paraglider swapped camps and went up on her Hang Glider to round the day off landing just before the sun set leaving us packing up in the near dark!

A cracking few hours was had by all, Well timed, Well flown and Well done to all

Sorry no piccies