My 2p worth was an absolute fantastic fun day. The site was absolutely stunning (the photos don’t do it justice)and we all got plenty of flying time. My first solo flight was going great until I went for an extra beat along the hill. This resulted in a lower than intended landing…. which actually reads …long sodding walk back up the hill!! However I did learn from that and all subsequent flights resulted in intentional higher landings (ie less walking) which I was really chuffed about. Under murray’s watchful eye, my confidence is growing all the time and ground handling is starting to show signs of competence … although a lot more practice is needed. The final flight was originally intended to be down into the northern valley but an increase in wind strength knocked that idea on the head. Murray offered a tandem flight down with the others but I was very aware of the wind strength and my genereal fatigue levels so i decided to call it quits & drive the pick up down instead. With hindsight this was a wise choice following the Nairns exploits :)) It just goes to show, you should always follow your instincts … !!

As fate would have it this decision meant I was on hand to “assist” Ian with his drag moment. Now I know why we wear helmets!!

The drive home was another 3 hours in the dark in my open top westfield se7en with no heater …. the suicidal deer had me going but was nothing compared to the black ice moment near kirkmichael …. i was grinning all the way home. Fleece-lined flight suits are just as good in se7ens as they are in flight …… ebay is your friend :))

Many thanks to Murray & the rest of the guys for their patience with the newbie.

Jonathan
PS - Come on guys, where’s all the photos :)))

<p>The only way for the club to maintain its far better safety standards than the BHPA is to avoid the bad habits creeping in, often from ‘first training’ (Unsafe Regresson) amoung members.</p>
<p>Towards sundown and as FORECAST, by the aviation MET information the wind picked up, so as a result poor practices (layout/pull up to far back on the flattish/rocky hill top) that the pilot was perhaps able to “get away with” in earlier light winds become an EXPECTED safety issue!</p>
<p>The fact the issues I addressed (several times!) earlier in the day only ‘bore fruit’ in incidents that THIS TIME only resulted in minor incidents is not relevant, as almost any minor incident has the potential to develop into a major ACCIDENT..</p>

<p>Murray Hay</p>

<strong>NB. All the MET office aviation infor (TAF’s 214 & 215 etc. were avaliable in the pickup along with the printed location maps….. so NO excuse for members not to be aware of the changing conditions!</strong>