Woollybacks 2014

Well if it was a league event I would be probably be calling it off for a lack of wind, bizarre in December!

Most forecasts are indicating Wrecker or VR98 slope, but the wind could be marginal for F3F. However this is the Woollybacks and the reason for a social gathering after the Christmas binge so I will post an update tomorrow on two counts. Firstly there is snow in the air and there is an outside chance that the road could be closed, secondly the wind speed could get worse but let's face it if there is a chance to get out and fly we should.

All the best

Andrzej

Second Round of the SWSA F3F is OFF But There is the Woollybacks

Hi All

I am afraid to say the improvement in the weather forecast I was hoping for hasn't appeared and if anything a few more forecast have the rain coming in earlier so the competition tomorrow is off.

However, it is that time of year for the Welsh Woollybacks F3F and next Sunday looks like a prime candidate for the day.

So if by next weekend if you just feel you can't face another Turkey sandwich or Mince Pie and you want to blow a few cobwebs out and stretch your legs with some like minded Nutters on the slopes of South Wales, you will be all welcome.   As tradition would have it I will make a weather call Friday/Saturday (festive pressure, I might not be in a fit state Friday)!

That just leaves me to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and see you all soon

Andrzej

Round Two of F3F Winter League weather call on hold

Hi All

Hmmmm.... It's one those calls you just really don't know what to do! I have visited quite a few  weather sites and  they are all giving rain, but coming in at a different times of day. Some are suggesting it being in as early as 10:00 am, with a chance of a break in the afternoon and some suggesting mid to late afternoon.

Mild moist air coming in from the South West this time of year usually means clag on the westerly slopes on the Bwlch. That said if it clear with the wind speeds predicted it could be quite good on Mickey's. May be the bigger question is that will it stay clear for us to get three rounds in?

If I was pushed to make a decision right now I don't think we will get enough to get three rounds and would call it off, but with quite a bit of a contradiction between the various weather site I suggest we hold and I will make a call by midday tomorrow. Hopefully by then will have a clearer pictures.

All the best

Andrzej

Mountain Weather forecast - Brecon Beacons National Park

Sunday 21st December

Cloud will quickly increase from the west with patchy rain or drizzle affecting the range through the early hours. Wind and rain will gradually increase throughout the day, rain becoming persistent and heavy at times. Cloud bases will gradually lower through the day, with widespread hill fog expected in the afternoon, especially for western slopes.

Visibility

Good, becoming moderate in rain, poor in heavy rain or drizzle and very poor in hill fog.

Hill Fog

Cloud bases gradually lowering to 300m through the afternoon, particularly across western facing slopes.

Max wind above 400m

Westerly 30-35mph, increasing 45-55mph.

Temperature

Valleys:

Plus 4 Celsius, becoming plus 11 Celsius.

800m:

Plus 3 Celsius increasing plus 5 Celsius.

Freezing level:

Above the summits.

Issued at: 1548 on Fri 19 Dec 2014

Round two SWSA Winter League

Hi All

Sorry for the lat post but I have been tied up with work for the last 10 days. This Sunday 21 December (the shortest day) will be the second round of the SWSA F3F winter league. I will make a call Friday if the competition is on and if so more details of meeting times.

If I can have entries by Saturday I would be grateful as it helps with or organising the flying order and get things running on the day. However, if you wake up Sunday morning and decide at the last minute you want to fly you will more than welcome, but you might find yourself early in the flying order!

If you are thinking about having a go in F3F the winter league is a great place to start, it's all pretty informal and don't worry if you haven't got the latest state of the art carbon fibre dream machine to have a go.  Sure it nice to have but it is more important that you have a go at standing in the centre of a course and trying to fly a kilometre as fast as you can with what ever plane you have got.  Better to find out flying a foamie that F3F is for you than spending thousands only to find out you have made an expensive mistake!   

Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday

Andrzej

First Round of the SWSA F3F Winter League - Results

Its Winter League time again!

The first round of the SWSA Winter league has always been susceptible to difficult weather conditions. Managing to get a few hours out on Saturday for a quick practice started to raise my fears as this was suppose to be the better of the two days and that was spent dodging clag on the Wrecker.

So when I got to the slope Sunday morning I was welcomed by blanket of clag I feared the worse. Once on top to check the wind direction it was clear that the wind strength was much higher than Saturday and was also smack on the wrecker.

Now would the clag clear? After presenting Mark Abbotts with his trophy for the Fastest Time for the Welsh Open we wondered over to the Wrecker and the clag was starting to lift. It was good enough to set a course up, although the clag was still to low to fly but we would be ready if it lifted.

As the course was up, pilots started move to the pits area and rig up ready to fly. All the time this was going on the clag was lifting more and it was starting to look hopeful that we would get a competition in. Joel West was persuaded to put his Freestyler up to check cloud base and see if it was high enough to get to the landing area safely!

Seeing as he had negotiated this challenge we decided to let him get the 2014-15 Winter League underway and Joel flew a 39:89 to win the round. This was closely followed by Simon Thornton who flew a 40:05. The Dark Lord, Mr Greg Dakin had made the journey to South Wales and collected third place in the round with a 42:85.

Greg was now getting the feel of his new model which was a Jiri Baudis cocktail of a Pit Bull and Fosa Lift a sort of Pit Lift or Fosa Bull I suppose, you get the idea! Anyway Greg flew a 35:54 to win the round with Simon second again with a 39:17 and Graeme Mahoney took third with a 40:39.

Simon consistence was rewarded in round three which he won with a 39:65. Martin Newnham was now starting to find his feet as he was having a slow start following an evening in Bridgend with Mark Abbotts and Clayton and took second spot with a 43:05. Greg took third spot with a 43:83 with the Pit Fosa!

Simon was in there again to win round four with a 37:25, closely followed by Joel and Martin with 38:62 and 38:90 respectively.

The fifth round was won with the fastest time of the day by Joel with a 33:42. Mark was starting to recover from the night before and clocked a 39:95 for second spot and Mr Consistent, Simon was third with a 41:33.

The six and what turned out to be the final run as the clag had returned with a bit of rain thrown in was won by Mark Abbots with a 38:14. Gary Harrison had also made the journey with John Phillips and a changed to his Needle for the final round promptly a second place with a 40:68 just beating Greg who flew a 40:97 with his Lift Bull!

With the Clag descending which brought the curtain down on the first winter league of the series all that was left to do was pack up. Thanks to everyone who helped get the course up and down and especially Dave Rumble who helped out in the center and John Treble who volunteered for the worse job of them all, Buzz Supremeo.

So who had taken the honours for the first league event?

It was Simon Thornton who was first with 4824 points. Joel West was second with 4730 points and Greg Dakin was third with 4690.

See you all in a month’s time and the full results are below, all the best

Andrzej

1	Simon Thornton	4824.81
2	Joel West	4730.96
3	Greg Dakin	4690.31
4	Martin Newnham	4524.78
5	Mark Abbotts	4393.67
6	Graeme Mahoney	4351.53
7	Andy Burgoyone	4282.94
8	Tony Livingstone	4261.67
9	John Phillips	4260.37
10	Gary Harrison	4234.75
11	Mark Treble	4214.14
12	Mike Evans	4199.97
13	Stuart Wallace	4080.02
14	Dave Rumble	4067.67
15	Martin Drewett	3986.72
16	John Treble	3858.75
17	Paul Stubley	3736.30
18	Andrzej Tabero	2305.01

First Round of SWSA F3F Winter League is ON

Hi All

Condition are looking reasonable for Sunday so the competition is ON

The wind forecasts have been flipping between Wrecker or the Crest so we will meet at the Wrecker Car Park with a view to heading to the slope at 09:30.

The names I have to date are below. If you intend flying and your name is not below can you please let me have your names by Saturday lunch time. That not to say you can't enter on the morning but it will slow things up and as a result you might well find yourself very early in the flying order!

So looking forward to seeing you all Sunday and all the best

Andrzej

1	John Phillips	2.4 GHz
2	Tony Livingstone	2.4 GHz
3	Simon Thornton	2.4 GHz
4	John Treble	2.4 GHz
5	Gary Harrison	2.4 GHz
6	Andy Burgoyone	2.4 GHz
7	Graeme Mahoney	2.4 GHz
8	Clayton Landells	2.4 GHz
9	Dave Rumble	2.4 GHz
10	Andrzej Tabero	2.4 GHz
11	Martin Drewett	2.4 Ghz
12	Mike Evans	2.4 GHz
13	Joel West	2.4 GHz
14	Stuart Wallace	2.4 GHz
15	Paul Stubley	2.4 GHz

First Round of the 2014-15 SWSA F3F Winter League

Hi All

This Sunday 16 November will be the first round of the SWSA F3F winter league. I will make a call Friday if the competition is on and if so more details of meeting times.

If I can have entries by Saturday I would be grateful as it helps with or organising the flying order and get things running on the day. However, if you wake up Sunday morning and decide at the last minute you want to fly you will more than welcome, but you might find yourself early in the flying order!

If you are thinking about having a go in F3F the winter league is a great place to start, it's all pretty informal and don't worry if you haven't got the latest state of the art carbon fibre dream machine to have a go.  Sure it nice to have but it is more important that you have a go at standing in the centre of a course and trying to fly a kilometre as fast as you can with what ever plane you have got.  Better to find out flying a foamie that F3F is for you than spending thousands only to find out you have made an expensive mistake!   

Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday

Andrzej