Speedfly Junkies

I have started a group on facebook called UK Speedflying. The aim is to put pilots in touch with each other and let other know what your speedflying plans are for the coming weekends. I don’t expect the group to get used much but i hope it will make meeting up easier for those of us who are out most weekends when the weather is good. Let’s see how it progresses.

I have just added the Speed Wing Tech page to the site. It will give a little information for those looking to get a speedwing. As i get questions from people i will post them along with any relevant information.

4.5hrs of driving the evening before, up at 5am and ready for the off at first light 7am at the foot of Snowdon. Despite the valley being overcast I was optimistic by a distinctively average weather forecast. I was there so had to take the chance and summit. All geared up, 2hrs 35mins later i had reached the top at some 1080m. Headed over to my launch but as I had expected it was all wrong, high winds coming over the back and the valley floor was flooded with a sea of cloud. The 60 second ride back down turned into a 1hr 40min trek. Gutted! On the flip side the scenery was stunning and being up so early i was all alone on the mountain. I always keep in mind that a missed launch leaves me to fly another day but a hasty launch could really turn out bad. There are so many possibilities there, so many lines to fly! The mountain is not going anywhere soon. I will keep an eye on her for later in the spring…….

The site has been quiet lately due to very poor weather here in the UK this winter. That said things have begun to look up with a couple good flying days so im hopeful for a good Spring to make up for the last few months. What’s planned for 2009? Another speedriding trip to the Alps but this time its Sauze D’Oulx in the Italian Alps in March. With a high point of 2840m there should be some good speedriding prospects to be had! Watch this space for a review and video from the trip.

Snowdon, being the highest peak in Wales has been calling out to be flown. I can see some great potential down its NE face with descents of 900m possible, that’s huge for the UK! The downside with Snowdon is its fickle and rapidly changing weather that can catch people out. This aside the mountain looks fabulous for speedfying and I can feel 2009 is the year! Watch this space.

Locally to South Wales there are many much smaller flights i have been researching and planning. Some no more than 500ft vertical but the terrain they cover looks exhilarating to fly. Valleys to drop into, trees to slalom around and perhaps even a bridge to fly under? Who knows, but what i do know is that South Wales offers some short but adrenalin fuelled flights for those who can find them in the deepest valleys.

The Lakes Charity Classic is being held again this year in the Lake District sometime in early June. Last year there was acro paragliding, d-bagging and speedflying. This year there will be more of the same but the speedfling display is due to be much larger. Either way I will be spending more time up there this year before and after the event as the Lakes offers some of the best speeflying in the UK thanks to its vast range of high peaks.

All in all lots planned and im sure more opportunities will present themselves in the coming months. 2009 is looking good…………..

I get asked allot about how the wind is affected by the ground and general weather conditions. Its a huge subject but it’s not always easy to find good relevant information. For this reason I have included this edition of Dragonfly magazine. The article on pages 14-19 is a great introduction to the huge topic of meteorology. Just click on the link below to view the mag:

Dragonfly Mag - Oct 08 - CLICK HERE

A new skydiving magazine called “Closing Loop” is due out in the next month or so. Featured in the mag is 2 page spread on speed flying. The article is based on a personal account of one of my flights, the preparation, feelings and thoughts. Also a brief history, current situation and the future of speed flying here in the UK and elsewhere are discussed. Im quite excited about my article in this magazine as it will be viewed by a new skydiving audience and might bring new people to the sport.

Here is the link to the Closing Loop web site that is under construction:

www.closingloop.com

Short article about speed flying at the Lakes Charity Classic 2008 and Speed flying pilot profile.

Just click the relevant link to view the file:

Speaking with pilots on the hill there is clearly a misunderstanding of the many terms used to describe the use of these small speed wings. This is understandable as the sport is new and exact terminology is still not set in stone. Below is how i and many speedflyers and speedriders see the definitions:

Speed flying:

Foot launching a speedwing. Descending a hill or mountain side with high ground speed and sink rate.

Speed riding:

SKi launching a speedwing. Descending a hill or mountain side with high ground speed and sink rate.

High wind soaring:

Soaring a small canopy of any size in winds to high to soar a regular paraglider. This is not speedflying even though a speedwing is typically used.

I have just returned from a great weekend up in the Lake District having met some great people and had some great speed flying runs! 2500ft top to bottom with a chopper ride to launch is something you don’t forget! Check out the videos on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/0eden0.

Speedflying is gaining in popularity and displays like this can only help. An article on the event is due in the August edition of Skywings mag!

Safe speeding all,
Dan

Speedfly Junkies is having a facelift. Please hang tight, it’ll all be finished soon!