News

• Scottish Nationals - Ochils Results
• Tinto Update
• Winter Flying in Pokhara
• Kaim Hill Windfarm - Objection Form
• Kaim Hill Windfarm
• First Flyable Sunday
• BPCup Dates
• Pilot Exam
• Tinto Clearance - Round 2

Tinto Update
A message from the LLSC Chairman, 02/04/08

Hi Folks,

Monday was an excellent day, congratulations to David on reclaiming the winter xc first place and to Bob for, I think, beating his personal best. I didn't make the most of the day leaving too soon in the first decent climb, and no where near base, however still a good start to the year and plenty of time to catch up!

Today I spent delivering cheques for site fees and bottles of whisky to the Tinto farmers. This is always a good opportunity to check that things are running smoothly and there is nothing bothering them.

Of the issues discussed today there was only one grievence from Mr Ross (greenhill), in that he has had to repair the wall at the top of greenhill where both our properties meet with Liz Galloway's (north side). He mentioned that it looked as if the stones had been positioned to provide ease of crossing but was concerned about stock getting through between himself and Liz Galloway's. This has happened twice but his latest repair is still standing.

I have reassured him that I will bring this to everyones notice and, assuming that this was a pilot, would ask that we all make sure we are aware of the responsibility we have to landowners as part of our right of access. I will also raise this matter at the next committee meeting to consider trying to improve ease of access by this route.

Also in the interest of protecting boundaries I have obtained consent from Mr Lynton for a stile and bridge between his field and the parking area at the bottom of greenhill. Sean Figget has kindly offered to construct this and, noting his previous efficiency, it should be in situ soon.

One other point which actually applies across the board at the moment. You will all be aware that it is lambing time at the moment and so the normal advice of avoiding stock is even more important. If a ewe gets seperated from her newborn lamb before they have estabished a rapor she may well reject it which means it will either die or have to be raised by hand.

As a club we put a lot off work into the Tinto sites to ensure that they are flyable all the year round. This does involve expence for the club, as well as the efforts in time of the club and committee members, so I would take this opportunity to remind visitors about the contributions box at the south side gate and ask that you remember to leave a donation of two pounds per pilot whenever you fly any of the Tinto sites.

Thankyou for taking the time to read this.

Fly high and far!

Gordon Mac
LLSC Club Chairman

Winter Flying in Pokhara

Kaim Hill Windfarm - Objection Form

Objection Form

Hi Everyone

A few months ago Fairly moor was under threat of a windmill farm being built on the hill site that is flown by paraglider and hanglider people as most know this site comes under the LLSC umbrella with Kenny & I being the club's reps. That now has become a reality, and planning permission has been applied for!

I have discussed with Nigel Willis (Chairman of the local objection committee) at some length about the form that they want signed by the flying fraternity. I did put a case forward for a general sheet that everyone can add their names to, unfortunately Nigel has said because of the way the local government systems work that would only count as one objection, but if everyone printed one off, filled in the details and sent it off to the address mentioned on top left of form, and then each form sent in will count as one objection. Nigel also added that every vote will be needed to stand any chance of the local authorities turning down the application, and the flying comunnity numbers are much needed.

So if you web masters could find a place on your individual web sites for this enclosed form and post an encouraging message to everyone that uses the site along the lines that signing this objection form could help save flying at Fairly I would be most grateful. With the key point that all forms have to in the receipiant's possesion by the 20th of this month don't dally get it done and sent. Afterall it's only the cost of envelope and 2nd class stamp plus 5 minutes of peoples time.

Best regards,
Sean Figgitt

Kaim Hill Windfarm - Summary & Action

This protest is all about the siting of wind farms and not objections against renewable energy. The organisation behind the protests are a small group of people who initially objected against the proposed wind farm on Ladymoor above Loch Winnoch, but found that their work wasn't just required there, as there are proposed windfarms all over this regional park.

The Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park was made a regional park (Similar status of National park) in the 70's, and therefore should have been given the government's protection. The area is predominately peat and blanket bog (supposedly protected by the Kyoto agreement) covering the geographical area of the Renfrew Heights roughly from Greenock in the north to Ardrossan in the south, Largs in the west and Lochwinnoch in the east.

There is concern that this magnificent 108 square mile park, one of only 3 Regional Parks in Scotland, could end up as one great big windfarm. Already in 2007 there are proposals for windfarms in approximately 30% of the area. We already have one windfarm in CMRP near Dalry and that is one too many. We also learnt that this site was processed by under-handed means by the landowner/contractors on the QT, local people were never informed of it's proposal and were never given the chance to challenge, and they only found out about it when it was in the process of being built.

Now we have heard the other night that there are local councillors & MP's that seem to want to move on a site at Fairlie, so this is why the group are there challenging these moves on the behalf of the local people, and it's members who come from far and wide.

Kenny and I represented LLSC at the meeting and made ourselves know to the SYRP committee members. They have assured us that if the proposal moves on in any way the group will inform Kenny (Who is main focal point for LLSC) and myself and we will have a Scottish Parlimentary Petition form posted on the LLSC website via yourself for all who wish to object to the Fairlie siting to sign.

If any of your are interested have a look a their website: www.saveyourregionalpark.com

Cheers,
Sean

For more info email:
s_figgitt@llsclub.org.uk, or
k_cooper@llsclub.org.uk

First Flyable Sunday

HI Folks,

Early Notice - To be confirmed subject to weather (but it looks quite definite )

Sunday promises to be very good day, so we will be at Tinto for the first real day of the season. An ideal chance to blow away the winter cobwebs and get back to flying - with the added benefit of our team of Club Coaches to assist folk to develop and perfect some techniques for " hill soaring " . Hill soaring is a totally vital part of every flight - especially at the start (and often in the middle ) of every XC flight, so its crucial that we perfect the skills of:

• Weather assessment
• Site assessment (where and when to take off),
• Flight Planning (Plan A and Plan B ) .
• Take off technique (forward and reverse ),
• Positioning,
• Climb efficiency,
• Kiting and bouncing,
• Thermal search patterns,
• Top and slope landings;
• Judging the "Peak of the day" .
• Transitions (from one piece of lift to another)
• Climbing out (yes - even though its February ! )
• Speed to fly,
• XC Landing - (yes - we will all be going for an XC at the end of the day )

Scottish Nationals - Ochils Results

Message from George McGhee, Scottish Nationals co-ordinator 2008:

Firstly a big thanks to Tina and Gordon for playstation, barbeque and all round excellent hospitality. Think everyone will join me in saying thanks to Craig and Deb for the jeep taxi service which saved everyone the walk up.

Scores ? Minimal but enough to see some digging into the gps in the pub :-)

• Gordon Smyth 260
• Sean Figgitt 250
• Alistair Brown 220
• Matt Church 220
• David Hutchison 220
• George McGhee 220
• Ian Solly 220
• Scott Mather 200
• Paddy Angier 150
• Alistair Bowman 150
• Tim Jackson 150
• Dominic Job 150
• Peter Will 150
• Kenny Cooper 100
• Julian Robinson 1

BPCup Dates

• Snowdonia 3rd - 5th May
• S E Wales 23rd - 26th May (Provisional)
• Long Mynd 21st - 24th June
• Borders 12th - 13th July
• Dales 1st - 3rd August

Message from Gareth Aston, organiser of BPCup 2008:

Do you want to go flying, push yourself and your abilities a little, fly in different areas, learn something new about paragliding and then have the opportunity to sit and talk about it with your friends and peers? If the answer to these is yes, then here's an invitation for you. Come and fly the BP Cup this year.

Over the years the cup has gone from strength to strength and as the new organiser for 2008 I am particularly keen to encourage new pilots. For this reason I have introduced a cash prize for the best newcomer along with a discount for all new pilots who enter the Cup this year. The BPCup is an ideal event if you're new to competition flying, there is a relaxed atmosphere and with some experienced pilots on hand to give advice and help, whether it is entering a task on your GPS or just general information, you don't have to feel overwhelmed. Most of the pilots who now fly the nationals cut their teeth in the Cup and if you were to ask any of them I am confident that they would tell you they learnt a lot from it, not just about competitions but about flying as well.

To help me encourage new pilots I have instigated a couple of rule changes, these being: if you have been a winner of the BP Cup in the last 5 years or in the top 10 of the Nationals in the same time period then you can only enter the Cup as individual rounds, not to win it. However the presence of experienced pilots at these events cannot be underestimated, they are fonts of knowledge and will selflessly give advice and help to any one who needs it and I think that is part of what makes the Cup such a unique event.

So if you fancy some trips out this year, flying XC, learning something new, having some food and entertainment thrown in which you can enjoy with friends with the possibility of winning some cash for your troubles, why not take me up on my offer? It sounds pretty tempting to me.

Open the BPCup website

Pilot Exam

Anyone wishing to enter the XC League must be Pilot rated - the club will be running a course in the Spring for those wanting to take the exam. Send your name and BHPA number to coaching@llsclub.org.uk.

Officially, a Club Pilot is only qualified to fly in a club environment and under the watchful eye of a Club Coach or similar. The CP exam tests the ability to control the glider in a number of situations on and around the hill but does not consider any of the implications of moving on and flying away from the hill.

The Pilot Rating is designed to expand your knowledge in three key areas:

• Air Law and Navigation
• Meteorology
• Flight Theory and Instruments

Tinto Clearances - Round 2

Good News! The bulk of the Tinto clearance work is already done!!

Bad News: There are still some smaller tasks for completion...so once again we will be calling on willing hands to get involved and improve the flyability of Tinto. Dates for the work are still to be arranged as the current stormy weather could put a real damper on any efforts. Watch the forum and website for more info.

Details of remaining tasks:

1. Track Repairs: Blocked drainage pipe on track needs attention as a matter of urgency to prevent any further damage to the track.
   
2. Champagne Take Off: About 20 trees were cut down over a year ago so should now be ready for burning and disposal. There may be some stubborn undergrowth around the trunks and branches by now, so this needs to be tackled soon.
   
3. Tinto Talker: Access to the talker is good but the area still needs attention. There are 10 - 15 trees which are marked up and need cutting down to give it cleaner air passage. Hopefully, this will improve airflow and produce more accurate wind readings.
   
4. Newly-felled Trees: The trees felled just last month are not yet ready for burning, but preparation work now would improve the clearance in the lower take off and create bonfires ready for lighting later in the year with no worries about undergrowth snagging.