Flight

Flight details
Title: Lots of Hangies
Site:Devils Dyke
Pilot:Chris Townsend
Date of flight:10th November 2013
Wing type:Hang glider
Flight details: 
Nice day at Devil's Dyke today.  My second day on my Java.  I counted 27 hangies, with about half in the air at any one time.  Most of the usual suspects plus a few guests and some new pilots.  The day started NW and quite strong.  The weak thermals were enough to spread people out a bit.  The wind never quite went all the way NNW but it had enough north in it for a few of us to make the Truleigh run, just.  I didn't get higher than 650ft ATO but a few got higher.

The wind dropped off quite quickly around mid-afternoon, as forecast, and gave the PGs an hour or two but it got scratchy quite quickly.
Cross-country league entry
Flight type:Out and return ridge run
Takeoff:50.88435,-0.213217
To:50.885067,-0.260817
Finish at:50.884483,-0.213267
Landing place:
Witness:GPS file
Distance6.68 km
Score6.68 km
In novice league?YES
GPS evidence from:Dyke 2013-11-10b.kml
Comments
Luke Nichol11th Nov 12:54: Nice write up Chris, another great day with friends. It was awesome to have 27 Hangies on the hill! Shame you didn't make it all the way to truleigh the second time though, chicken ;0) Hopefully next time we will both be on the VR's!
Daniel Hamblin10th Nov 06:37: I managed to get my flex wing all the way along to Truleigh. Wasn't sure but I heard some fun fire, hopefully not aimed at me. Had Truleigh by myself to start with until two riggids appeared. It was nice to escape the crowds over the dyke! My second top landing in the paddock was interesting. Thought I was going to do a Nicos but somehow rescued it, flared and slightly glanced the tree next to the fort! No damage!
Ex Member 330610th Nov 07:29: Nice write up Chris, I flew that Chicken Run too, crossed the Pylons at 100ft ato and about a mile past the wind had eased and i was below the ridge for 20 minutes scratching my way back up to get back. Almost didn't make it! ;-) It felt really good to not give up and get enough height to do the pylon crossing and get back to the dyke. When it cycles sometimes you just have to dig in and fight for every 10 feet of lift
Chris Townsend11th Nov 02:01: Yes, my first run was not such a challenge. I took it slow and conservatively on the Java, not dropping below about 150ft ATO, and got there and back comfortably. Luke's "chicken run" was in reference to the second attempt, later in the afternoon, when it had switched off a bit and backed more NW. I challenged him to a race up there and back but decided that discretion was the better part of valour when I was down to 0ft ATO just before the power lines, not realizing that Luke was right above me. It would have been touch and go to carry on and get back just for a bit of fun.