Friday afternoon Kilspindie and West Lomond Saturday

The reasonable forecast tempted me to take my Ascot to work and have a half day on Friday. 12:30 saw me heading for Kilspindie.

The wind was bang on the slope and my Ascot was flying well with 400g of ballast in the wings. Only about 8mph but reasonable lift. Grumpy buzzard tried to give chase couldn’t catch my Ascot and he gave up. Quite thermally at times and the model was going well.

After about an hour the wind had dropped and keeping in the air became the challenge. After a break for a cup of tea I launched the Ascot into dead air and scared myself as it plunged, fully stalled, down the front of the slope. Airflow restored it soared out from the slope and soon back up to launch height. My wimpy launch technique requires improvement.

Saturday saw Dave and me meet up at Craigmead car park and head for the north east slope.

Tame robin in the car park

We had a quick fly there but found it weak and bumpy so we headed up to the slope beyond the gate. The lift there was much smoother and better. Dave then brought his Needle in to land and despite a reasonable landing the nose broke off. Again! Dave had to resort to his swift Cyril.

Dave and his Needle before the rain

However just as Ian Stewart arrived to join in the fun the rain came on. Heavy! Sportbrella in the car! Sitting in the rain with my back to the wind wasn't the nicest lunchbreak I have ever had! 

Shelter from the storm!

Where is Ian?

Then the rain eased but the wind dropped and swung away to the east. Eventually we decided to give up and had just set off back to the cars when Peter arrived. We watched Peter try a slope with a bit of east in it on the way back and his FS4 was going quite well. It was now looking brigher so we all headed back to the first slope Dave and I flew on earlier. Much better there. Unfortunately Ian had a technical issue with his new Ceres and was unable to fly.
 

Peter's FS4 scoots past

My Ascot was going pretty well and the lift was the best I have seen on that slope although still a bit bumpy.

F3F Scottish League 3. June 21st

We climbed up Bishop Hill to find fairly light winds crossed a bit from the north. As the first two rounds progressed the wind became more and more variable and the last few fliers suffered from well crossed winds. Ian Stewart was unlucky to flick his Race M in the dodgy air on the upwind turn at the right base. The fuselage of the model took the brunt of the impact and I hope it isn't too long before Ian can repair it. 

Mike's Stinger

We then had a bizarre, although not unique in the F3F world, incident when as Ewan's  Cyril was being launched the launcher's hat blew off and wrapped itself around the leading edge of the wing. Ewan was unable to shake the hat off and the poor model crashed well down the slope. Application of superglue stuck most of the vital bits back in place.

Even the fullsize had to give up annoying us eventually 

After some cogitation we headed south along the ridge to the low north west and were able to get a few more rounds in and drop the first two rounds. The wind direction and strength kept changing and after several re-flights we gave up eventually. Not the most enjoyable event but good to be out on the hills with excellent company.

The eventual winner Mark Treble and his Toxic watched by Dave and Peter.

Buzzard in the mist.

Arrived at Kilspindie late morning to find a light easterly blowing straight on the slope. Low cloud and mist meant visibility was about 20 metres at times. Flew Alula and Long shot. That resident buzzard hates my Longshot.! Then the rain came on. Long wet grass on the way up and back meant I had to empty the water out of my ancient walking boots and wring out my socks. Drove home with no socks. My waterproof boots are having a holiday in Wormit this week!

Back home for lunch in the back garden, the sky having cleared and the sun having come out together with a brisk easterly. Typical.

Not the best day's flying.

BMFA F3F Nationals 7-8 June 2014 Hole of Horcum

What a weekend!

Nice sport fly in light winds on Friday.

Saturday, spent most of the day hiding behind my SportBrella from the torrential Yorkshire rain. Cold too.

My view looking right

And looking left!

Sunday. Excellent day with lots of sunshine and pleasantly warm.

Apparently I finished 12th. Gob-smacked! I must have got some lucky air again in many rounds although it didn't feel like it at the time. How chuffed am I?

Two currys and a few drinks over the weekend with friends old and new. Perfect!

Thanks to 3rd place man Peter for once again doing all the driving and arranging the nice B&B.