some pre siv training at west hill today

Post by **gary stenhouse** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:46 pm

well me and neil snuck off a bit early 2.45 and firstly tried corby craigs we both had some short flights in fairly turbulant air given the height gains. so off to west hill looking fairly promising with the wind wnw perfect you think. well bit top end but seemed smooth enough so got the kit out and give it ago. not that lifty for the wind strength so hunted for lift and sometimes found it, but if you went west it got rough if you went east it got rough. after 15 minutes or so neil took off and seemed to be looking to land straight away, some times your canopy would be pushed strongly backwards then it was ready to break it down then silence as the air would die. then massive sink then turbulance and more sink. all i can say as i am glad i have the experience to flywith diligance as at any time if you were close it you could of hit the hill just with the sink.

well all in all 25 minutes of some very active flying. ok for the experienced but not so good for the novice.

cheers gary

John Wallis · Post by **John Wallis** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:57 pm

Just sounds like typical West Hill to me Gary. A rough shithole if ever there was one. You often get that nasty low level wave going in and out of phase..When it's in phase it's rough when it's out of phase it's rough. Last time I flew there on the hang glider I took off from the back of East Hill flew onto the main face then got kicked all over the shop. The best thing West Hill's for is for leaving in a thermal and getting away from it. There will "No Doubt" be other's that love it. I wouldn't recommend a novice to fly this place except in very light or nil wind conditions.

Misk · Post by **Misk** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:15 pm

Just look upwind! It's not so bad in light winds but a strong wind site? - Only for the brave!

At least you got flying - my roster seems to have a magical effect on the weather at the moment. Tomorrow should be good for those lucky enough to be free.

ron freeman · Post by **ron freeman** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:36 am

West hill great little site in the right conditions, no good for paragliding in fresh winds with wave about... come to think about it nor is any other site !

Bet its at least twenty years ago the Wallis last flew it (HG) and didn't get above the top in 20mph winds (nothing changes)

Gary, the best time to fly this hill is when the wind is a full n.west 15-18mph with dotted cummies all over the place, then againg so is any other site !

Happy safe flips

John Wallis · Post by **John Wallis** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:58 am

Actually it was about three years ago on an Airwave Kiss but I can't see what difference it makes flying it 3 years ago or 33 years ago it's the same site with the same turbulence.

Happy flips what ever they are.......Probably what happens to you when you fly a Cheviot site.