17th May

This great run of weather continues. We will be calling the second day of the Gradient British Record Encampment for Bradwell Edge on Monday 17th May. RASP is showing a great airmass to the north, the only proviso is that it may get too windy, so it will be an early start. Tusday is still looking good for the winch field at XClent. I am working on Monday so please give me a call to coordinate (07974208076)

Going to the Mynd

The wind is likely to be too strong for the Peak District, so we are heading for the Mynd. Meet at 10 am. Goal set 143.6km away.

Gradient British Record Encampment

Simply Gradient will be running a UK Record Encampment to try to break the magical 200km in the UK. Two weeks in May (14th-31st) to exploit a record breaking NE'ly and two weeks in August (7th-20th) for a classic NW'ly or SWl'y. We will travel to the best sites on the day anywhere between the Peak District and the South Coast. You will be able to follow the action on this blog with SPOT and Googlemaps. We will concentrate on team flying and 2m radios and a winch rating will be required. If you are interested in joining us please call me on 07974208076. (Flying a Gradient Glider is not mandatory but it may help!)

15th May

Hi All

The first day of the Gradient British Record Encampment will be tomorrow, Saturday 15th May. There is a trough line moving from the NW to SE, and a good slot of weather behind it. I don't think that 200km will be possible because of spreadout to the south but there is a chance of breaking the Distance to Goal record of 134.5km. We will meet at 8am at Hilton Park Services between junction 10a and 11 on the M6 and make a decision to go west into Wales or north into the Peaks. This will be a day trip! as Sunday is not looking good with rain moving though. Monday and Tuesday now flyable but cloudy.

The Record Encampment starts tomorrow. High pressure in charge but occluded front to the west means that the only chance of a big distance would be Mount Caburn, over the Thames and into Essex. This is a very technical flight, first achieved by Mark Watts and Craig Atwell last year. RASP is indicating moderate SSW'lies with a small weather window before the front starts to shut things down. A 100km flight might be possible for the brave but I wouldn't drive too far as it would be very technical with most of the flight under 3500ft airspace. Next week looking good at the moment so you may prefer to 'keep your tinder dry' and fly locally. Mount Caburn is a local site for me so give me a call on 07974208076 if you are coming down. The Southern Hang Gliding Club charge £5 to visiting pilots.

May weather looking OK

Temperature: Close to or slightly above average
Precipitation: Slightly below average
The first half of the month is expected to bring a good deal of dry and fine weather, with temperatures climbing to above average values. Less settled conditions are likely at times, especially in the west, where showers or longer spells of rain are more likely.
The second half of the month may see less settled weather returning at times, but temperatures should continue close to or slightly above average for much of the time.
Forecast Issued 28/02/2010

Winching!

Ken Hammond has kindly agreed to be part of the Gradient British Record Camp team in May. Ken is one of the most experienced winch operators in the county and has already towed up a number of pilots for British Record Flights. There is even a chance that we may be able to get two winches operating (4 lines) which would give us the best chance of flying together on windy days.

The search is now on for tow sites in Norfolk and Suffolk, at least 3000ft (1000m) long, far enough from the coast for an early start and clear of airspace.

Towing will give us the best oportunity to break the 200km as we can move our 'hill' to the best part of the country on the right day. A winch rating will be mandatory!

Gradient Sponsorship

Gradient are offering to sponsor the British Record Camp this year. We are limiting the places to 8 and giving priority to Gradient Pilots.

Where to go to break the 200km Record

With the constraints of airspace and the size of the country, there are not many sites from which you can fly over 200km.

Here is my list. Please let me know if you think your local site should be added!

NNE Leckhampton or Lords Seat
NE Norfolk Tow Site
ENE Paravion Tow Site, Norfolk Tow Site, Sharpenhoe Clappers
E Norfolk Tow Site, XClent, Sharpenhoe Clappers
ESE Norfolk Tow Site
SE XClent, Golden Ball (with Airband)
SSE Golden Ball, Mere
S Mere
SSW Nant-y-Moel, Golden Ball (with Airband), Mount Caburn
SW XClent, Rybury/Milk Hill, Elan Valley
WSW Merthyr, Frocester, XClent
W Worcester Beacon, Llangorse, Moel Yr Accre
WNW Llandinum, Long Mynd, Bradwell, Frocester
NW Llangollen, Wrekin, Lawley, Bradwell, Whether Fell,
NNW Llangollen, Wrekin, Lawley, Model Ridge
N ?

The current Hang Gliding Record is 254.2km. Hang Gliders have only flown over 200km 15 times so it will not be an easy feat.

Pilots are already showing an interest

Neil Roberts - legendary British Paraglider Pilot; holds the British Goal Record (134.5km) and with it, the highest scoring flight ever in the UK. Currently on form, 2nd in the 'Nationals' last year and always a contender for British Championship title, Bleriot Cup Team Captain and British Team Member. (Used to fly Gradient! but now on a Niviuk XP)

Mark Jones, 2 100km UK flights to his name. Experienced UK pilot originally from South Africa. He has been on previous Record Expeditions to his home country. Flies a Gradient XC2

Burkitt Rudd, Cumbrian Skygod, Bleriot Cup Team Member and Captain, Top Championship Pilot flying a Gradient SR7.

David Winn and Gary Puhl, top Wessex Club Gradient pilots.

John Collie, XC2 pilot from Thames Valley with expedition experience in South Africa, France and Brazil.

Brad Nicholas, Gradient Importer and experienced mountain pilot.