Scotland's Slopers

[Peter G]

Thought it was about time to start a regional thread for Scotland as there are about four regions that fly slope in Scotland, its not just us Fife lot.

Had a full ballast fly today on West Lomond. It was blowing about 50mph at first and rising to maybe 70mpg towards the end on a big old hill, the lift was epic!

Its not often you get to do two full vertical rolls and have time for more before a stall turn but great fun when you do.

Stinger was faster than FS3 today by virtue of carrying more weight (the full 2kg ballast). Good to see as Stinger was in danger of being nudged out by its new stable mate, must get the extra ballast tube into the GS3 this week.

Suitably knackered and wind burned now after the 90 minutes + walking but what a great day.

[simon_t]

I'm confused. Is it four regions or fife?

Simon

[Martin_N]

70mpg

70mpg is a great return on your investment , but it sounds like you could do with some tungsten for the FS3 or like you say a good size fuz ballast tube, that will at least make fine adjustments much easier than wings off every time.

Must have been great flying in those kind of conditions.

Martin

[guy mckenzie]

Wow! Most of our slopes here in the Cotswolds 'blow through' long before that wind speed is reached and very bumpy long before that!

 

Welcome to the regional gliding groups bit. Lot's of waffle but fun...

[Peter G]

Tee hee, 70mpg ;0) These gliders are very economical, no, lucky if I get 42mpg out of the motor :0(

There are people flying on the west coast at Fairlie, mid west at the Capmsies, Edinburgh at the Pentlands and us on the Lomonds and the Braes of the Carse (of Tay). So thats four groups as far as I know. But we all come together for racing.

[Rooster-X]

Glad to here the Stinger is holding its own against the FS3, will you be changing your avatar again?

[Mike_M]

Why did i go flying yesterday...........DOH!!!!!

[George Young]

I was there on Sunday too  . It was the biggest lift I have seen on that slope and well worth the longish but fairly easy walk. Unlike Peter I only carried one model and one set of ballast

 

[George Young]

Winter light

 

[RosscoPK]

Don't forget us hardy Grampian plebs!

I managed to get out despite the cold the other week, purely drawn by the wind forecast... it wasn't wrong, launching in 35-40mp(g) steadily rising to something my lowly whirlygig couldn't measure.

Like you Peter, double vert rolls are rare but not at St Cyrus when she's got a strop on.

Excuse the flying, I was iPhone filming with my left hand and rudder linked hooning with my right!  No ballast fitted, I really must find out what the lead can do one day.

I had to quit after 30mins as my hands were shaking so badly it was transferring to the sticks

Ross

 

 

 

[Peter G]

Good to hear from you Ross. I did know there were folk flying up your way and should have mentioned...

St Cyrus looks good, is it just for south east or can you go round a bit?

You did well flying and filming at the same time. Or maybe not, looks a bit broke in the first vid?

[George Young]

Flew from St Cyrus cliffs on my way back from a meeting in Aberdeen last year. Great slope and lovely silky smooth sea air although some rotor just behind the slope edge. Proper vertical drop off the edge. Yippee! Felt a bit odd flying wearing a suit and tie!

 

The easiest accessed slope I have seen. Walk 20m from car and launch.

[RosscoPK]

St Cyrus looks good, is it just for south east or can you go round a bit?

You did well flying and filming at the same time. Or maybe not, looks a bit broke in the first vid?

It takes a SE +/- a bit but the lift is so good it doesn't matter. The first vid was pre flight, that's a three piece wing before assembly, cheeky monkey!

--

20 meter walk?? You went in a hike, you can fly from your car seat with the heater on

[isoaritfirst]

That does look like a great slope, how about sticking a GEarth reference against the pic.

 

Never know when I might be up that way..

[RosscoPK]

Good shout isoar,I'll sort that out. Give me a nudge if your due up, and no need to worry about the rotor - there's a large farmers field stretches behind as you'll maybe see in the first vid

[RosscoPK]

Ok iSoar....

St Cyrus: GE ref: 56.773093, -2.406521

Sat Nav: DD10 0BJ

SE ish wind

Also 20 mins N of St Cyrus, if it's puffing from East or NE, you can also try Dunnottar Castle costal area (about 15 mins S. of Aberdeen) if you're up this way -  you'll be almost driving past them on your way along the A90 anyway.

GE ref: 56.9479226237, -2.20115997228 East wind

Sat Nav: AB39 2TL

 

or walk N for 5 mins for a bowl taking a NE wind.

 

[George Young]

Dunnottar Castle (ruined medieval fortress) is well worth a visit even if you can't fly.

[isoaritfirst]

Looks stunning - thanks for the info.

 

I must make the effort.

 

Mike

[RosscoPK]

Hi again Peter:

The rotor's never been too bad I've found, but I always final approach from well inland and bring it in as far as I feel it's smooth to be safe, either of the fields, (easy access, no leccy fence to the crotch).  You could always ping a foamy out first if you're a noob to the slope I suppose.

I just measured it with Google Earth path and you've got over 500mtrs to fly from - maybe try a wee explore if Joe public is asking 'how far can you fly it?' / 'how much was it Mr?'

[Peter G]

Thanks Ross, looks like a really good slope.

 

I am really keen to give it a go when we get some SE winds.