Hann__ Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 (edited) I got up early today to take advantage of the promising looking weather. Arrived at the field just before sun up; Once aloft i settled in for a long XC - i didn`t really know which direction i was heading for as the WX forecasts had the wind direction from all over the shop and changing hourly due to a pressure centre right over my flying area. Once flying i was able to get a handle on the conditions and decided for my `Circa Soton` route which takes me all around Southampton CTR. The wind was about 6mph and north easterly at this point. If the forecasts were correct i`d have a tailwind on my way back.. I`ve been flying for over seven years now and in that time i`ve never thought `Wow, i`m a bit warm, i wish it was a bit cooler up here`, but today was the closest i`ve ever got to actually agreeing with that thought - it was so warm and humid for September it was unbelievable. The air actually felt warm on my face.. Smooth too, hardly any bumps were felt at all. The low-lying misty stuff made for some interesting vistas below; I always feel especially smug on early flight when i see all the workers travelling to work, and it was a busy morning down there on the M3; I was making good progress so once around the top quarter of the route i espyed Portsmouth in the distance and made a detour over there. P`mouth harbour; You`re looking at 7 billion quids worth here; Once out of P`mouth harbour the Isle of Wight beckoned - well, i might as well, eh? It`s a 3-mile crossing at this point (yes - i have flotation); Over Cowes to Gurnard, then the second crossing back to the mainland - a shorter 2-mile jobbie for this one. Clarence House; Cowes; At Cashot there is a disused power station. It`s being demolished at the moment. I`ve flown over it many a time but i wanted to try and get a straight-down-the-chimney shot before it`s demolished (planned for next year i think). The chinmey is 600` tall and has been a VRP for many a pilot - it marks the edge of Soton CTR; I was up for just over 3 hours and did nearly 100 miles once i`d done a bit of local stuff when i got nearer home. It was one of those flights you remember. Edited September 15, 2020 by Hann__ i edited it. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capotec2015 Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 thank you Hann for posting your video...adventures like this, are to me, the reason why ppg is the realization of the stuff of dreams... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richjones Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Fantastic. Flying 3 miles over the sea would scare me shitless 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Stunning, quite jealous really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrsfrwll Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 Considering I "tighten up" flying over wooded areas, I think I might have a problem coping with that much water. Nice flight though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 On 15/09/2020 at 17:53, Hann__ said: i`ve never thought `Wow, i`m a bit warm Lol... Me neither! Last Mon, thin gloves at 3600ft, plenty warm enough... That's not normal! Those guys in the states wearing shorts and bear hands don't know they are born Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 When I was under tuition I asked the instructor about the layers and clothing in general. His reply was you can never be too wrapped up when you are at height. So far I can't contradict that, in 12 years I have flown in shorts twice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hann__ Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 The funny thing is when you are preparing for launch at the field it may be in mid summer with 26 degree-plus heat bearing down on you in the middle of a heat-sink of a field, but you just know that you have to don that extra fleece under your flight suit `cos after 2/3 hours + `up there` you`re gonna` be glad you did. Just suiting up, getting the motor on your back and started, and the walk to the wing to clip in can have you sweating. It certainly concentrates the mind for a successful first launch attempt because the effort of setting up again doesn`t bear thinking about. In the depth of winter i have about 4 layers on my legs and 5 on the top! ....and a neoprene muff to keep my hands out of the wind.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 On 15/09/2020 at 17:53, Hann__ said: i`ve never thought `Wow, i`m a bit warm, i wish it was a bit cooler up here`, You need to come and fly in the south of Spain. 44 C on the ground at times and can still be 30 C at 5000 feet. Quite often in the morning it is chilly (well 15/16 C) on the ground but 25 to 30 C at 2000 feet. Having taken off with warm gear on I have often thought "I wish I was a bit cooler up here"!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hann__ Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 Wow, 30 degrees at 2000`! I must admit, i bottled out of flying once or twice during that mini heatwave we had a few weeks ago, i just didn`t fancy setting up in 30 degree heat in the middle of a field.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.