Where & When

Who's flying when and where....
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43 comments:

  1. Sorry chaps, our proposal wasn't accepted and the woodland plantation will continue as planned.

    We can continue to fly Noon Hill, launching at the front - landing behind, while we search for alternatives.

    Answers on a postcard please....

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  2. Phil
    Thanks for your efforts to try and get them to change their minds. Lets hope the trees grow very slowly. A good dose of Dutch Elm disease or similar fungal infection might help keep the area clear!

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  4. I'm at football today but hopefully will get up to Winter Hill tomorrow, probably around 1pm.

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  5. The slope at the Eastern end of Scout Road faces N E so I do not think it will be any better than Winter Hill. Other possibilities are the bowl at Harcles Hill above Stubbins or the rear face of Cheatham Hill near Last Drop/Bromley Cross
    Both slopes are a 20 minute uphill walk from the nearest parking place.

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    1. Not quite sure where the slope under discussion at the East end of Scout Road is, I believe people used to fly over the quarry at the back of the ‘Wilton’ public house though I have never seen anyone fly there myself. I did however have a walk up to here this afternoon http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=369434&Y=413586&A=Y&Z=115 so if this is the place it has potential when the wind is easterly and Winter Hill isn’t working. There is a small pull in for about eight cars just lower down from where the gun club meet; I can imagine it may be busy in summer. The climb up was a bit tricky in patches (slippery millstone grit) but easier than Grindle End or Harcle Hill or Coal Pit lane, I was up and down and back to my car after a brief walk at the top in about 20 minutes. Be interesting to see what others think, one thing I don’t know though is if the footpath will be open when the gun club are meeting.

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  6. I have flown the slope to the North side of the shooting range many times. It faces NE, the same as Winter Hill. Access is via a gate next to the small car park at the bottom of the hill.

    I have not flown the slope mentioned by Chris above the Wilton Arms pub. I have had a look but did not fancy the landing area. I think this slope also faces NE. It may be slighly further east than the other nearbye slope. The area in front of the slope is very bumpy as it used to be a quarry so I imagine it would craete a lot of turbulence.

    Simon and I flew at Harcles Hill on Sunday afternoon. The wind was ENE. The wind was very gusty and it was difficult to push out into the cleaner air. We gave up after an hour or so.

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    1. Not sure about the "quarry", and unaware of a shooting range?
      The slope I mean is.. If you go up Scout Rd. from the Belmont side, it swings to the right. there is a steel barrier on the bend.
      Stop immediately after the barrier and walk back behind it (30mtr). The slope is not as far along as the Wilton Arms, and lift used to be smooth for NE/NNE winds. We used to go there when Winter Hill was unflyable.

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  7. Chris,If you cut and paste this address into a browser http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=369434&Y=413586&A=Y&Z=115 you can see an orange arrow pointing to the slope I am referring to. It is on the other side of Scout Road to the one you are referring to but faces the same direction. I agree with Ian S that essentially our ‘usual’ Winter Hill slope and the one in the link above are the same direction but there may be a subtle difference as the one at Scout Road I am sure would have been flyable whereas at Winter Hill the wind was decidedly from the right. Unless the wind had swung round in the 20mins it took me to get from A to B of course !!!

    The Gun Club I was referring to frequently meets in the disused quarry which is a little higher up Scout Road from the pull in car park I was talking about in my previous post. It is on the right from the Belmont Road end.

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    1. Very different place. We must try the old haunt sometime? My recallection is that it was very good.

      Chris

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    2. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=369845&Y=413453&A=Y&Z=115

      With the aid of your link, I have placed the arrow on the spot.

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    3. Yes that slope above the quarry, back of the Wilton, is one I have heard people talk about and say the landing is difficult as you have to land in the farmers field if you get too far back, and I am guessing he won’t like it. But I have never been there so I shouldn’t really comment. The other one I mentioned and visited seems to be facing exactly the same direction and looked to me to be fairly straight forward to land, but I have never flown there. But probably Ian S or Gonzalo (I think) would be the best people to ask about landing as they have both flown it.

      By the way, I am not sure about parking on Scout Road. Might be just because it is winter but I have not seen any cars parked on the road recently, it seems it is since they made the car park which is a few hundred metres from the sharp corner near the slope above the Wilton. No double yellows, but it may be a clearway, I will take a closer look next time I drive up there.

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  8. Hi Ian

    Did you get up to Harcles Hill yesterday? If so how was it?
    I'll put the Phoenix on charge just in case.

    Simon

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    1. OK I'm meeting up with Ian at 2:30 at Harcles if anyone else is interested.

      Meeting Point

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  9. I'm in! Friday afternoon on Winter Hill? What time are people thinking?

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  10. I was thinking at around 12:30 for a few hours. My model needs to be checked by someone to ensure it's safe and airworthy.

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  11. I'll probably be a bit later as I'll be working until 12 noon. but hopefully up there for 1-1:30.

    The forecast looks good.... happy days!

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  12. I hope to visit as well 1:30\2pm. Hope the road is clear, probably ok to pyramid mast where we normally fly but the road past that to the north end was blocked with snow a few weeks ago.

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  13. I dont know about you guys, but I am STOKED! Haven't been out in an age, and XC looks like it is spot on! So excited! Aiming to be there at 1. Simon, do you want me to bring up that spare Middle Phase wing?

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  14. What wind direction is good at Nontes?

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  15. NEW SLOPE

    http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=376030&y=417538&z=115&sv=376030,417538&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=794&ax=376030&ay=417538&lm=0

    Hi, yesterday I went to fly here in Edgeworth, I left the car in the normal place and I walked till this slope. I was unsure about if it is suitable to park further in in the side of the pace.

    The lift was good, but it was very bumpy, and I left the ballast at home. I think this would be a magnificient site for 6 - 10 miles. Yesterday in Manchester Airport was 22-36 MPH when I was flyind there.

    I found the landing very easy, with a flat place with a little bit of lift behind. But I only landed once.

    I am planning to come back with ballast.

    By the way, if you see red flags run away a soon as possible.

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    1. Yes, I think that slope is where I flew last year on a blustery day with Dave and Phil, I flew over towards the ‘danger area’ and my plane disappeared behind the hill out of sight so I flew it ‘blind’ for a few seconds and it re appeared (much to the surprise of Dave and Phil) and not least me! Phil then guided me back along the slope to land out. Phil then flew his model back to the field close to where the cars were i.e. at the normal base of the quarry road place.

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  16. Gonzalo

    This slope is often referred to as "One Tree Hill" as there is a single tree on the track below the slope. The slope works well from S to SW winds. There is a nice flat area back from the slope for landing.

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  17. Has anyone flown at Darwen Hill off the NW slope? I imagine that there would be a lot of walkers around but it does look like it would be very good.

    Click for map

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  18. Planning to go up to Coal Pit Road this morning as rain showers are forcast later. Looking forward to using the new stile over the fence.

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  19. Is there a website that gives a full forecast for Nonts?

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    1. If you go onto 'XCWeather', 'Forcasts'.

      Hover the mouse over Mossley. It is quite close and has almost exctly the same wind and weather as Nonts.

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  20. It's a bit late to comment, really, but I've not looked in for a few weeks - Scout Road, the flying site we used to use is just on the right, as you face the bend that goes left, behind the arnco barrier, as stated.
    When the wind is square on, the lift is enormous, but if it is a little off, it is very turbulent.
    As the site was a quarry, there's nowhere to land out in front!
    We used to land in the strip between the slope edge and the dry-stone wall (I assume it is still there!) in the bracken. Watch out for a wicked rotor if you prefer a left circuit. (base leg from the road direction)
    If the lift is scratchy, you'd be better off on the Masts.
    Eric

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  21. Hi Eric

    Is this where you are talking about?

    Simon

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  22. I am planning to go up to Edgworth this afternoon arriving just after 13:00.

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  23. Simon C - that's the place.
    Eric

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  24. Ian Simpson have arranged to meet at Coal Pit Lane for 2pm if any one else is interested... bring something floaty as there isn't too much wind around

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  25. Going to Edgworth tonight. Friday. Not sure in which slope I will fly but I will get some flying and some rain also.
    Gonzalo

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  26. Well I would but it seems pretty constant rain at the moment (12pm) I might have a trip up if there is an improvement as I am only five miles away, it is pretty breezy too.

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  27. I could not go to Winter Hill today, but looking at the forecast for Monday and Tuesday next week, if it holds, Winter Hill looks like it might be worth a visit.

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    1. Peter you missed a good afternoon of flying on Friday. Unfortunately Monday and Tuesday will be out for me... work getting in the way of enjoyment!!

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    2. Hi Simon, I was disappointed with not being able to get there on Friday, but if the forecast can be believed Noon Hill could be good on Thursday and Friday this week.

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  28. Friday's weather looks good for Winter Hill. Anyone interested? I'm planning to get up there around 12:30 p.m.

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    1. Thinking of a run up to Noone Hill today. (Weds) about 1-30.

      Chris

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  29. Looking at the forecast for tomorrow, Noon Hill looks good. If it is I'll be up there around 12:30. I've never flown there so I'm not quite sure where it is.



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  30. Had a good couple of hours on Noone Hill.

    The lock was off the gate, and siezed-up. I have brought it home with me. I shall soak it in parrafin to see if it will free up.

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    1. PS.

      It has freed-up already. I will give it to Simon or Ian as soon as I see them again.

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