Dunstable - 29th March 2007

Another potential window - this time towards the end of the day. I slipped off early from work at 4pm and was on the hill by 4.30. This time rather than being too strong conditions were too weak. Hugh and another pilot managed to fly for about 10 minutes but by the time I had got my kit out the wind had dropped again. Deciding to practice ground handling, I eventually thought I may as well have a go and made a nice clean launch, but the absence of decent lift soon saw me at the bottom landing field.

Regardless of the shortness of the flight it was still good to be back in the air again - however briefly!

Dunstable - 12th March 2007

Another promising weather window beckoned me to Dunstable (another 1/2 day off work) for the afternoon. When I arrived it felt OK but was considerably more gusty and strong than my last trip here. Keith, Hugh and others were already flying but I felt a bit hesitant as I could see their gliders pitching around - and compared to me they were skygods.

Eventually the wind seemed to drop a little and I felt like giving it a go. I got away first time but couldn't seem to get seated right, had my speedbar caught up and before I knew it was out of the lift band and facing a walk back up the hill. Keith landed after me at the bottom - in spectacular fashion!

Returning immediately to the top of the hill I once again prepared for launch. Again the wind seemed gusty and strong and I was nervous about getting dragged. Failing to commit to the launch saw me thrashing my glider around for about 30 minutes before deciding to wait for a lull to launch in. 10 minutes later I hit the perfect window and once again was flying.

Conditions were stronger than I had experienced at Dunstable previously and having had a small tuck on one side and some pitching around I felt a bit nervous. I tried to stay out from the hill, using the speedbar and decided that perhaps I ought to land. As I left the hill to head for the bottom landing I contacted with some lift and soon was high above the hill - much higher than I had been at Dunstable and not sure I wanted to be there. I decided I may as well make the most of it and soared the ridge trying to enjoy myself. Eventually I needed to land as I had an appointment I had to be back in Milton Keynes for at 4.30. Trying to fly out from the hill didn't seem to be working - I was gaining height, so returning to the ridge I crept backwards half considering a top landing. Eventually I managed to get within a few feet of the ridge, but just couldn't seem to touchdown - every time being forced to fly out again. However, one failed landing saw me drift over to the next spur and I managed (by a combination of luck and judgement) to put the glider down nicely.

I managed to fly for about 35 mins this time and was very pleased I had managed to top land in slightly tricky conditions. I was pleased I had saved myself the trudge back up the hill too!

Dunstable - 8th March 2007

Now extremely keen to take any small opportunity to fly I set of early to Dunstable for a brief flight before work. When I arrived it was a little foggy on the highest part of the ridge but a gentle breeze was blowing onto takeoff. Completely alone (apart from the odd dog walker) I felt confident enough but was used to having a few other pilots around.

I brought the wing up and stood facing into wind keeping the wing nicely stable. I went for it and pushed forward and over the fence. I was flying but not getting any lift. I soared across the bushes and trees that cover parts of the ridge and realised I was going to have to head for the landing field if I didn't want to risk a tree landing.

I landed comfortably just short of the main landing field in the recently cleared area. Disappointed there wasn't enough wind but happy to have flown if only for a few minutes. At least I now had a better idea of how much wind was needed. I packed up the glider, walked back to the car and headed off to work.

Flying at last - 1st February 2007

Given the previous day was a bit of disaster, the next day looked more promising with the winds scheduled to die down a bit. I was right and so after going in to work in the morning I once again headed off to the downs. As I arrived Gary was preparing for launch and was soon floating around nicely.

I couldn't get my kit on quick enough. Pretty soon I was also flying and enjoying the winter sunshine. In all I managed a first flight of 1.5 hrs, followed by a second one of an hour - though struggling to stay up as the wind dropped and went off to the south again. At the end of the last flight I managed a slope / top landing on one of the grassy spurs towards the pimple which saved a long walk back up the hill.

It was great to have flown for so long. It wasn't especially lift but easy to stay up for the most part and I had the hill to myself a number of times.

Parawaiting - 31st January

At the end of January there was some settled weather and keeping an eye on XC Weather (as you do) I noticed that we looked in for a few days of westerly winds but for once - it wasn't meant to be blowing a gale. I booked a day off work in expectation and checking the wind before I left in the morning, I set off for Dunstable full of expectation. It was a clear and sunny day - just perfect for flying.

Unfortunately once at the hill it became clear that the wind was well off to the south, and whats worse, it seemed to be far too strong in comparison to what was forecast. Conditions didn't improve throughout the day and most of it was spent mooching about the hillside, sitting in Hugh's car and watching Markus fly his hanglider from the comfort of the new visitors centre.

Towards the end of the day I thought I might be able to give it a go, but it was still pretty gusty and the wind had gone off to the south. I tried to launch but just ended up getting dragged and covering my glider in muddy water.

First flight as a club pilot - November 2006

Having got my CP I joined my local club the DHPC and spent much time on the Internet eargerly awaiting the right conditions to occur on a weekend. Eventually As a suitable window appeared and as I drove up the hill I could see paragliders in the air - I was so excited. My initial enthusiasm quickly evaporated as I realised how windy it was - there was no way I would take-off while it was blowing like that. I met some of the other club members who were a pretty friendly bunch and generally spent the day parawaiting but completed my airspace briefing from Kenny. Eventually the wind dropped off and I got ready to launch.

I got my wing up and made a clean launch first time. I made a number of soaring beats up and down the length of the hill before I started sinking out with everyone else. I had got into the air just as the lift died. Landing was easy - one side of a massive field, just keep going until you touch down.

Despite all the waiting around I was pleased I'd managed to fly unassisted and finally made it into the air once again. Unfortunately soon after this the winter set in for real and every weekend it seemed flyable I was away. Such is paragliding...

First UK flights - August 2006

My second trip down to the South Downs saw me meet with Carlo at Mount Caburn. This turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. Eventually after waiting around for a couple of hours for conditions to smooth off, I took to the air. We spent the rest of the day flying and I managed a good number of flights, multiple top landings, slope landings, big-ears, speedbar and by the end of the day I felt at home in the air again. It was a beautful view from the hill and as I slope-soared the grassy hill I was in paradise.

Highlight of the day was flying back down to the car park close to sunset. The South Downs are a beautiful place to fly and it was great to cruise overhead as Ravi walked back down to meet me at the car. My landing was perfect and Carlo landed a couple of minutes after me. I was completely drained and after packing up the glider me and Ravi went for a meal in a local pub before heading home. It had been a long day...

A few more trips down to train with Carlo and I had my CP exam and all tasks in the bag - I was now free to fly!

My own kit - August 2006

On my return to the UK I set about a more determined search for a paraglider and managed to secure an ex-demo glider through someone I had met in India (thanks Tim and Sam!) as well as harness and reserve.

All that was needed now was to find a school to get my CP with. I phoned a number of different schools but eventually decided to go with Carlo Borsattino of FlyBubble Paragliding. I decided to go with Carlo as he seemed to be a pretty nice guy on the phone and happy to talk through the various options, but more importantly was happy to take things at a pace that suited me. Having been a bit scared in India I wanted to get some confidence before qualifying and flying alone. It turned out Carlo already knew Steve (my instructor from India) and so after a few emails to Steve to confirm my experience he agreed to take me on and we arranged to meet at Firle in the South Downs.

People arrived to start flying soon after I did but the day was quickly blown out and I was introduced to the difficulties of trying to train in the UK - weather! A 2.5 hr journey back up the M25/M1 wasn't quite what I had planned. Carlo lived locally and was keen to go over the theory I needed to know to fly and pass the CP exam so we headed back to his house for a day of theory. While I had covered most of the theory with Steve the year before, it was helpful to refresh my knowledge and to clarify a few things with Carlo.

Flying again - July 2006

I got married in 2006 and spent two weeks in the Alps on honeymoon to do some walking and via ferrata. A few days after arriving I spotted a few paragliders flying from the mountains above the village we were staying in. I was immediately drawn to thoughts of flying again but the idea of me ever getting up there seemed so remote. A few days later, quite by chance, we came across someone giving tandem flights and he was covering some pretty good distances. We sat in the sun on top of the mountain watching him make a number of flights into the distance and back again - conditions looked good! That evening we happened to see him in the village and I spoke to him about having a tandem flight another day and so got his phone number and arranged to call him a few days later when he was free. I was thinking that maybe this was the closest I would get to flying.

The day we met with Christophe was clear blue - but with a nice breeze blowing onto take-off. As we left the ground I was immediately reminded of the feelings I had when flying in the mountains in India - sort of excitement mixed with anxiety. I was very aware of how vunerable it would feel if onditions were a bit rough. Unfortunately the flight didn't last long. There were no decent thermals and while Christophe worked hard, we were forced to return to the valley floor. He landed the glider in an amazingly small spot, and while I was disappointed with the short time we had been able to fly for, it had me thinking...

Back to reality

I was dead keen to get my own kit when I got back to the UK but the first problem would be that I would have to get my Club Pilot (CP) exam before being able to fly without an instructor. Flying with Steve I had clocked up 22.5 hrs of airtime and completed all of the tasks for the CP apart from forward launches. The reality of being back home with no licence, only one hill close at hand and no job meant that any ideas of flying were put on hold.

I did check out the classified in Skywings but to be honest it was hard to find the right kind/size of wing and within a reasonable distance. A new relationship over the summer also diminished the memory of flying as other things became more important and I wondered whether I would ever fly again.

I returned to India in November for 2 months with my new partner and travelled along the Kangra Valley. As we passed within a few miles of Bir I could see a couple of people flying in the clear blue sky but we didn't have much time and I had no kit (to be honest the thought of lugging a glider round India isn't exactly appealing either). I had begun to doubt whether I realistically had the time and money to really get into flying.

Last days of flying in Bir

I finished off my flying in Bir with a few calm flights - often towards the end of the day when I could just chill out and take a few photos. Even heading straight out from the hill meant you had ample height and time to cruise above the villages - I explored the paths I had taken around the villages from the air, re-tracing the routes I had taken on the ground before heading over to the main part of Bir where the gompas, hotels and shops are. I had a clear view down the Kangra Valley past Joginder Naggar and on to Mandi.

As I flew I was wondering what it must be like to go XC? Certainly the view of the snow-capped peaks and passes to the north of the main ridge behind take-off made it clear you had to know what you were doing and be wrapped up very warm. A number of pilots have flown from Bir to Dharamsala and back in a day, and occasionally people make it to Manali, landing at Solang Nullah. This journey takes about 10 hrs by bus! I was all too aware that I was no way experienced enough to be thinking of either of these trips for some time to come. I look forward to returning to Bir one day and catching some thermals.

Gaining confidence

Having had a bit of a worrying time on the previous flight, I felt I just wanted to get some shorter flights in, getting used to the more turbulent air and also practicing my landings. So over the next week or so whenever it was flyable (and calm!) I flew but stayed in the thermic air only as long as I felt comfortable.

I did start to feel more confident and managed a couple of hour long flights - on one of them gaining some considerable height and making a transition to the next spur running down from the ridge behind take-off. Unfortunately my landings all seemed to be jinxed - either I only just made it into the landing field, or only just landed before I ran out of room (heading towards power lines on the other side of the boundary trees!).

Whenever we landed there was usually a small reception party of local children, and sometimes some monks. Often we would be coming into land while game of cricket was in progress (the landing field was their local pitch). The children seemed happy playing in the sun and would hang around for ages happily chatting away to us and wanting to help pack up the gliders. While the flying was obviously great (well most of the time) the interaction with the children was one of the nicest things about being there. To top it all we were in a beautiful and unspoilt area of the world with green terraced fields stretching out from the Himalayan backdrop. I love India.

Going up!

To say I was keen to go high was an understatement. Having spent nearly two weeks watching others flying while I remained earth-bound had made me want to get nice and high on the next flight. Having launched cleanly, I headed out to the house thermal and was soon climbing above take-off. The constant circles required to thermal were making me feel a bit queasy but it was great to going up rather than down and getting a good view of the mountains behind take-off.

I flew for about 45 minutes in total - I didn't feel that comfortable staying up much longer through a combination of bumpy air and feeling a queasy. Heading away from the hill it was much smoother and I enjoyed the view over the villages and footpaths I'd been exploring during the previous couple of weeks.

I anticipated landing to be no problem whatsoever but this wasn't the case. Not only did the wind seem to be coming from different directions - I wasn't going down! I tried 360's over the landing field - only to regain the height as soon as I came out of them. Big ears helped but not enough (maybe they needed to be bigger?). A combination of big ears and speedbar helped more but I just couldn't get low enough to land. I felt trapped! Having wanted to go high - I was now fervently wishing I was back, safe on the ground. This was not fun and there seemed no end to the buoyant, thermic air over the landing field.

Eventually I managed (I'm still not sure how) to lose enough height to setup for a landing. Unfortunately with the light changeable wind it was a bit fast and hard. No injuries, but I was a little put off - it had all seemed so easy in Goa. Give me a 2 mile stretch of beach with a stiff breeze to land in and I can do it no problems. Give me a small terraced field surrounded by trees with powerlines at the other side and it's another matter! Was paragliding such a good idea after all? Was I getting into something I wasn't cut out for? It required considerably more guts than climbing. At least with climbing you can see what you're up against - you can't see what the air is doing. But, once back down on the ground you just want to go and do it all again (well, after a while anyway).

First mountain flights - April 2005

I'd arrived in Bir about 10 days earlier and was enjoying being in the mountains again. I'd spent quite a bit of time in Himachal Pradesh during other visits to India and it was nice to be back. Having been there for a while I had got to know a number of the regular pilots as well as catching up again with Andy - one of the English pilots from Goa.

With no instrutor and no equipment I had to amuse myself with long walks, visits to the local gompas and watching the other pilots fly against the impressive mountain backdrop. Eventually Steve arrived from Goa and we got the gliders sorted and a taxi organised to drive us to the take-off, a 30-40 minute journey up the mountain. Having had pleanty of time there I was familiar with the take-off and landing field so I couldn't wait to get going.

My take-off was a little different to what I was used to in Goa as there was very little wind - but it went OK. We were flying at the end of the day so the thermals had died down but there was some nice dynamic lift along the ridge and myself and Brian soared the ridge before heading out over the valley. Himachal is a beautiful part of India and from the air at the end of a sunny day it was even better. I made the landing field easily and without mishap.

Final days of flying in Goa

I had already delayed my train to Bombay to fit in a bit more flying and managed to get some long flights in over the next 5 days with Steve. I had already completed the course and was now paying for extra days flying. Effectively being allowed to fly on my own but in radio contact with Steve who would keep setting me different tasks to do - practicing all the skills he taught in the course.

On one day I managed 5 top landings - which were far from easy. The top landing and launch areas were pretty rocky and surrounded by spiky bushes which didn't leave much room for error. Over those 5 days I managed to get 10 hours of flying in with a 3 hour flight on the final day starting from the most westerly takeoff - gradually making my way along the cliff as the wind changed and eventually making the transition to the hill above the lake beach. It looked a long way to reach on the glide but I just managed to tuck in and get into the lift. Eventually Steve (from Kent) followed me over to this hill and we flew around for a while longer inthe sun, venturing out over the beach below in plenty of lift - not much chance of sinking out today. Eventually I made a break for the main beach around the headland. I went on the longest glide possible - aiming to cover as much distance as I could before landing. Turning into wind I landed perfectly - way past the main group of cafes and restaurants. I was totally dehydrated, a little sunburnt and desparate for a pee - but it was amazing. Another pilot landing a few minutes after me had a lucky escape. He made his final turn in the wrong direction (not into wind!) - narrowly missing the roof of a beach cafe!

The plan now was to meet up with Steve in a few months time at the famous flying site called Bir in Himachal Pradesh for some mountain flying - I couldn't wait. I have to say I was happy to be leaving Goa - I wanted to get back to where India felt like India again - and some decent food.

Clocking up the hours

The next three days saw me clocking up another 4 flights. Two of 10 mins each, one of an hour and 35 mins and one just over 2hrs. Practiced D-riser steering and use of speedbar.

The three days after this I got in a number of flights of up to an hour, practiced big ears, wingovers (gentle ones) and some top landings (scary). My ground handling seemed to have come on a bit since the first few days which was pleasing. At last I could keep it above my head ready for take-off.

One of the touch-and-go top landings / launches saw me hit sink immediately after taking off (or was there too little wind?? or did I do something wrong??) and land in/on a small bush/tree immediately below takeoff. Immediately I was set upon by hordes of very angry ants (big vicious ones) whose nest was in the tree/bush I had landed in. It took over an hour to recover the glider (having to disconnect many of the lines from the risers) eventually putting it back together down on the beach.

The day ended with a memorable sunset flight with Steve from the hill above the lake beach - eventually making our way round the headland and landing on the main beach. It felt amazing to look across the beach and sea as I carved an arc through the air over the crowds gathered for the sunset. As I came in low over the beach so many people were looking up at the glider. At last it was me flying rather than just being an onlooker.

First solo flights

Having felt like I'd made some progress by piloting the tandem the day before, I felt my dream of flying might actually come true - I just didn't expect it quite so quickly. Having determined that the wind was just right Steve led me to the launch above the small beach. Having briefed me he assisted me on launch to get the glider up, then assisted the actual launch (by pushing me off the cliff). Before I knew it I was flying down towards the beach. Feeling pretty gripped I listened to Steve's instructions on the radio and focused on the approaching beach. Thinking didn't really seem possible, enjoying the view wasn't really an option either - I was just so focused on the approaching beach.

When climbing I'd experienced times of intense focus - such as when making sketchy moves on a hard route with a big fall potential - but there was always a big dose of fear mixed in with that. Flying down I didn't feel fear - just that an overwhelming intensity of focus (the fear in flying has been experienced since this time - but thats another story!).

Having never landed a paraglider myself before I wasn't too certain of what was going to happen when I reached the beach. Given its size I couldn't really miss and as it turned out landing into the gentle sea breeze with a good flare on touchdown made it seem so simple. Like stepping onto the street from your front doorstep. No time to relax though, Steve was on the radio urging me back up the cliff for another flight.

In all I managed four flights that day. Two top to bottoms, and two soaring flights. I was well pleased - the longest flight was 40 minutes. At that time I didn't realise how fortunate I was to have such good conditions to learn in (not to mention having one-to-one tuition!). Since then I have met many pilots who have learned in the UK who have rarely flown for that length of time - and certainly not while training! Some had passed their CP with less than two hrs airtime! Other experienced piots there commented that I was lucky to have Steve as an instructor - they felt he was very experienced and very safe.

First flight in control of the tandem

My first flight was as a tandem passenger - but this time being given the controls to learn to pilot the glider. It was pretty reassuring to have Steve right there - ready to take the controls should he need to. I gradually gained confidence in making turns and flying ridge soaring beats up and down the cliff face. We even flew out over the sea for a while then back to the ridge to get more lift again. What a beautiful place to learn.

At this point I still wasn't sure how I was going to manage take-off's or landings, having barely been able to launch the glider when groundhandling. Steve was merciless and insisted on making me practice groundhandling at every opportunity - also constantly telling me how important it was to practice pactice practice. I could see the sense in this but was getting a bit fed up with being dragged around by an un-cooperative glider. For the most part it seemed a pretty hopless cause as even when I did get the wing up, it would inevitable drift off to one side and collapse. But despite the groundhandling hassles, being able to control the tandem was pretty cool and I at least felt that at some point I would be able to fly.

The start of training - February 2005

Assured from the start that I was going to get much more flying done by learning in India, as well as keeping the costs down I was keen to get going. The first day was to be taken up with groundhandling on the beach. Having some experience of trying other things that take a while to get the knack of, I knew that when it felt hopeless I just had to keep at it, knowing that it would all pay of later.

A few hours of being dragged around by a glider on the beach in the hot sun wearing a motorcycle helmet wasn't much fun. At times it felt like I'd never get the hang of it. The glider generally just thrashed around before pulling me across the sand after it. If I ever got it above my head it didn't stay there long. It was knackering, and I imagine pretty boring for Steve who must have seen the same thing so many times before.

I felt like my experience of flying powerkites helped a bit - but obviously not enough! Eventually (well into the afternoon) Steve called it a day and I retired - completely knackered - to the shade of a local cafe for a well earned rest. I have to say that Steve was remarkably patient with me throughout all the training I did with him. I felt pretty lucky to have found someone good to train with.

Plans made

Planning a 6 month trip to India back in 2005 I contemplated what I might do on my return (hoping that I would have enough money to avoid working for a few months during the summer of 2006). I started looking into the costs (including equipment - it was around the 3 grand mark!) and logistics of learning to paraglide and mentally made plans to learn on my return.

During my time in India I was in Goa and happened upon people paragliding. It only took me a few days to ascertain that tandem rides and tuition was avilable, and that this was a much cheaper and better place to learn than the UK. A tandem ride with Steve Reed (who was later to become my instructor) followed partly for fun, but partly to be sure I wanted to learn. From what I had read it was clear it wasn't the safest sport around, but I felt confident in Steves instruction, but also the thought of flying was hard to resist - it all looked so easy!

When did it all start?

Quite a few years ago when climbing inthe Peak District I saw some people carrying what looked like huge rucksacks up to the top of the crag - I remember thinking that this was some kind of masochistic backpacking expedition. A while later as I sat at the top of the crag, I could see that they were not just huge rucksacks but paragliders, and that these people were about to fly. I don't remember seeing them fly that day but another occasions I have been halfway up a route or sat at the top of the crag and have heard an electonic bleeping coming from above me. Looking up I saw a paraglider soaring just above the crag, tracking along ridge that the crag forms.

Walking in the Lake District one November, I also saw a group of people - with the same huge rucksacks walking up a hilside. It seemed a bit of a slog but taking in the sunshine we were happy just to sit and watch. I remember clearly that it was a lovely bright autumn and that one by one they ran, launched from the hillside and slowly floated back to earth. It certainly looked appealing.

A number of years on a sunny weekend afternoon later I saw people paragliding at Dunstable Downs and I remember clearly watching one pilot land on top of the hill, pack his kit into the rucksack and stroll of towards the car park. One day I thought...one day.

First blog post

This is the first post on this blog. Perhaps inspired by Neil to have a place to make a record of flights, post pictures occasionally and generally to produce rather than consume web content for a change. As a relatively recent convert to paragliding I have searched the web for interesting sites on free flying and have noticed that its nice to come across sites that are relatively regularly updated. So, the intention is to just start writing about flying (as well as the inevitable parawaiting) and to see what happens.