The May 99 trip was a total success with everyone involved sent home happy and wanting more. After a few non-flyable days we had 9 (nine) good days in a row. This was a new record for continuous flying and very nice it was too. The weather then broke for a few days with winds too strong but hot and sunny all the same. Then, incredibly, we had 10 (ten) days in a row of excellent flying weather. Brian Steele and Ian Brown, both waiting to CP qualify, were happily thermalling for over an hour a day…. no mean achievement. Over the whole of May we had one rainy day, then we came home to the Scottish June weather!
There is more to come in October. Having two bases seems to be quite popular and we are continuing with the winning theme.

From October 2 to October 12 Dominique’s and Yvette’s. For those with little experience, anyone who’s just passed EP and needs lots of soaring practice, the first part of the trip is near the coast. Two local sites offer beach / cliff soaring and 300m mountain thermalling. Other sites further away offer awesome cross-country potential. In their coastal “Casa Rural” Dom and Yvette are the perfect hosts, with their unique blend of warm hospitality, fantastic food, and unquenchable party spirit. The swimming pool proves the perfect way to relax after a hard day’s flying, and is handy for Brendy to push new guests into after dinner! Dominic’s services even extend to serving up cold beer and G&T’s from his chilly bin on the landing zone at sunset. This is the place for pilots with less airtime, and a penchant for the poolside after breakfast.

From October 12 to October 30 El Pinet. For the more experienced we will be moving inland. The location of El Pinet castle is fantastic for easy access to the major flying sites. There is much untapped flying in this area, with one site so close to home that the take-off is 15 minutes drive from falling out of bed in the morning, and a five minute glide home. A half-hour drive takes you to a choice of eight sites, with another ten an extra 15 minutes away. A big choice of mountains, the potential of some we’ve only just begun to explore. The castle itself is a great place for a large unruly group, with lots of space to lounge about, and a huge log fire to sit around and talk bollix all night. There are some good eateries around for Spanish style grub with a choice of restaurants, bars and noisy smelly dancing places. The swimming pool at El Pinet should be finished too, it was being made while we were there in May.

The cost will be £300 for a week. The price includes accommodation, breakfast, airport pick ups, all transportation, free radio hire and our services as instructors, guides, translators and social secretaries. Evening meals will cost between £4.50 and £8, including far too much wine. Summer lasts a lot longer in Spain, shorts and t shirts are the norm in October. The weather in the past has provided excellent thermalling and cross-country potential. We welcome non-flying guests and we’re willing to discuss a reduced rate for friends and family who wish to join you in the sun.

Remember that the ‘España por favor’ video is available, made from the Oct / Nov ’97 Spanish experience. Fun and fast it captures the essence of the trips abroad. Buy it for only £15.

New Club Pilots

Congratulations to new Club Pilots Nicky Moss, Brian Steele, Julie Knight, Matthew Church, Richard Furber and Jamie Walton. Apologies to Alastair Bowman who passed eons ago and didn’t get a mention. Welcome to the ranks of safe thinking pilots. There are quite a few of you out there who need to finish off their CP course… and now is the time to get out and play.

Trips up North

Last year we attempted to run a few trips up North, none of which were flyable due to shitty weather. This did not stop us from having a good time though. This year we would like to run some more trips, though we haven’t planned anything yet because of being so busy with the shop.

Primarily these trips are for those of you on the Club Pilot course, though there may be some space for those finishing the Elementary Course and planning to go on to Club Pilot. Club pilots already qualified are more than welcome to come along too; to experience new sites, and have advice from us and wind Gurus like Ulric Jessop and Steve Senior. Those interested should call us and book the limited spaces; it’s first come first served. The trips are free, but this does not include transport and accommodation if required. We will be usually be staying over night somewhere in Scotland for the weekend and those available for just one day will have to meet us wherever we are. Details are weather dependent but call us now to register your interest.

Hopefully we will be organising something for the end of July and possibly two in August.

Contact List and Hillend cards

Enclosed with this newsletter is this years contact list. Everyone who’s paid their site fees for Hillend is on the list and gets a list. If you’re expecting one or are not on it then please call us. Everyone on the contact list should by now have a Hillend card. Again if you’re expecting a card and haven’t received it then contact us.

Everyone on CP courses and all qualified pilots intending to fly at Hillend in 1999 MUST pay £5.00 to the landowner. This is the site rule. If you haven’t paid, don’t fly.

Hillend incident

On the afternoon of Wednesday 23 June, people were flying in purple air space! This means that there was a royal flight close to Hillend and that Nothing should have been flying in the vicinity, the incident is a grave infringement of CAA air law. This may stop us using the site and we are talking to Edinburgh ATC to rectify the situation and to prevent it happening again. Were you flying that day and do you know who contacted the airport? Did you know that what was the height restriction on that and any other day?

Do not fly at Hillend unless YOU know that the clearance has been given. If in doubt telephone the airport on the number on your Hillend card. At the end of the day the airport MUST be informed that flying has ceased.

The site will be lost if these rules are broken. IT IS THAT SIMPLE.

Sites and Rules

Be a member of the BHPA and be qualified.

If you are not CP rated then you must not fly without an instructor’s supervision.

We would like to think that our responsible BHPA Club Coaches (are there any out there?) will be strenuously discouraging the few pilots who are breaking the rules; e.g. haven’t paid site fees, who aren’t members or who aren’t qualified.

 These are your sites too, so don’t be afraid to speak out if someone is selfishly jeopardizing your use of them

 Whiteside and Gallow Law are back in use. The track up to Whiteside been repaired and is now in good condition. If you do drive up it, please drive carefully and try not to cut it up; the owners have put in a LOT of effort to make it passable again.

Barbecues

Last year saw many of you braving the Scottish summer nights at our two barbecues…. One where we all got soaked and the other windy and abnormally cold. Needless to say we drank far too much of the Steading’s beer (actually your beer once its paid for). We will have another BBQ probably in August. If you need a party before then, then come to the Shop party on July 14.

First Aid Courses

Apart from being a real ale expert and an instructor with Parapente Ecosse, Colin runs Safety Skills first aid training as a profession. First aid is essential in our sport and we would like Colin to teach us some of his skills. We are planning to run a series of courses, probably on Wednesdays throughout August in the shop before club night. If you are interested then please contact us.