July 27th 2001.

I knew that today was going to be great. I had planned to get out the minimoa (a rare occasion indeed as it is so fussy about the conditions) as the wind was calm, just the lightest breeze. So into the loft and out with the model.

After checking the control runs (its been nearly a year) and that the wings had survived storage, I re-installed the servo that I had borrowed, put in the new Webra receiver which had been bought for the rico-she review (coming shortly) and checked the C.G.

Waiting.......

And waiting.

All ready and in the car, those tell tale beads of sweat began to run down my forehead. It was to be a hot day, So I stopped off on the way to pick up a bottle of water. This is essential for a hot day at the beacon as the shops are a long way away. There is also a distinct lack of shade so bring the sun cream and a hat :-) .

I arrived at about mid-day and was incredibly pleased to see that the flying was from the car park slope. YIPEE...... my favorite. The sun was shining, People on the slope, every thing looked promising as I rigged the Minimoa and climbed over the style onto the slope. After having a chat and checking frequencies I soon learned that although there had only been sporradic thermals there had been very little in the way of slope lift. In fact the little breeze there had been was coming from all directions. So we sat and waited for the good news.

There was one chap (picture on the right), with his mini Elipse who's name I have forgotten Sorry But im sure ill get it, as I intend to return very soon, who is a thermal magnet apparently. You know the sort. Turns up and not put off by all the sitting around just finds Every thermal in the area. Unfortunately the Minimoa has such a slow response to control input (Rudder only) that chuck it and see is rarely an option. Still I consoled myself with the thought that at least he had had a couple of trips to the bottom of the hill and back (vindictive? me? NEVER.). He did promise to visit Bumpy Green for a look around though so he cant be all bad. Still the great thing about Ivinghoe is that if all else fails then you can just sit discussing model type affairs and admire the incredible views.

View to the north from the beacon...

Setting up..

Having only one good flight in three hours, a few decided to pack up and go. There were five of us left wondering what we would do. After a breif discussion we all decided to do the the big walk up to the beacon itself as the wind was variable and light enough not to matter too much. If nothing else we had hieght on our side providing the opportunity to scratch around for thermals. So off we went with renewed enthusiasm thinking (optimistically) that now the others had gone sods law would take over and we might get some good flying in.

At first we thought we might be dissapointed and had little success, the two guys here on the right almost had to make the trip to the bottom but just got the model back to the slope. Shortly after this they too decided that they had had enough, and packed up for home. A few more arrived at the top and got set up ready to have a go (Brave or what?) but to every bodies surprise a little lift was found and slowly but surley around four o'clock things started to improve. My first launch was none to successful and as I was turning back towards the slope, this big tree tried to reach out and grab the minimoa. I cringed as the wing tip was caught and sent the model spinning tothe ground. Luckily with little damage. Only some of the rear fuselage sheeting was broken. No problem.

Down and downshe goes...

Not Good..

Getting better..

A guy called Mk1.Spitfire. (in the chat room any way) had brought his zaggi along and decided to launch and after afew tries got away very well. From this point on, although there were a few moments. Things improved dramatically and we were able to have some really good flights. You know the sort not perfect but challenging as you had to hunt the thermals out. But they were there to be found. We all turned in flights of 20+ minuites at a time.

A good launch was needed..	Mk1. specks out
Scratching around..	Now were talking..

Mk1. is hoping to do some articles for us in the near future (AREN'T YOU MK1.) And who knows may become a regular columnist in charge of the gliding section Hint Hint. All you guys who fly at the beacon may find him pestering you for your own contributions as well. Or if you wish to have your say on hot or not topics just send in a word document with your pictures and leave the rest to us. Choddy@bumpygreen.co.uk

Mk1. Can be seen here making his way back up the slope. The zaggi almost made the Bumpy graveyard whilst Mk1. was down in Camber sands. He was lying at the beach down there and got a little ambitious out to sea. Luckily a boat came to the rescue but it did mean recovering and a long drying out session. So today was all about retrimmng etc. Judging by todays performance it wont take too long either. I know that Mk1. is very keen on making a double sized zaggi wich shoud prove interesting to say the least. Write it up Mk1. (free t-shirt and baseball cap maybe)... what do you say?.

That walk is excruiatingly steep...

Well that brings me to the end of another day at the Beacon as I write Im just itching to go again.

PART 2

Article by Grot from Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
30th July 2001