Club Annual 'Christmas' Dinner
This very successful and enjoyable event took place at the Curran Court Hotel, Larne on Friday 28 March 2014 from 7:30pm.
Whilst only two attendees got fully into the Christmas spirit and dressed for the recently past festive celebrations - well done Bronagh and Michael, an excellent evening with super food and good craic was had by all. A chance to catch up with those who aren't able to get out as often as they'd like and an opportunity for spouses to see and meet some of the characters in the club - where were you Danny? It was good to see lady pilots Deri, Caroline and Kirsty.
Michael also happened to have his recently completed Kobo Mini / XC Soar. A different approach to packaging with an eye for future additions and Michaels usual attention to detail had many admirers, can we pursuade you to take orders for the case extension?
We know it's impossible to pick a venue to suit everyone, but the food at the Curran Court was beautifully presented and the portions were generous to say the least. I think we will be back.
Thank you Eveleen and Alastair - a success!
Maurice was crowned king of the Ulster XC League with a record aggregate distance, closely followed by Mark Piggott and Dave Tweedie. Jim Rainey was unable to attend, but in has absence was awarded Best Newcomer. Well done.
To close out the evening Maurice was able to distribute the 'fresh off the press' April edition of Flypaper - another excellent read.
UHPC 2014 XC ULSTER OPEN COMPETITION
THAT WAS THE ULSTER OPEN 2014 THAT WAS!
SECOND CHANCE TO WIN THE FREE HOLIDAY
Flying on Saturday 24th May was scrubbed in advance due to the forecast and the comp entrants met on Saturday evening at the Kilcronaghan Centre for a meal, drink and some craic and entertainment by club members with skills other than paragliding or hang gliding. It was good to see the contingent from our neighbours 'down south'.
Sunday dawned with low cloud sitting on the hill and wall to wall cloud cover. The RASP however offered some encouragement if we could just get a few holes in the cloud cover.
After briefing and parawaiting for hours on the top of Slieve Gallion the cloud lifted sufficiently to allow flying but with cloudbase only 100ft above the top of the hill options were severely limited. To increase the chances of participants registering some flights in the difficult conditions the usual minimum 5km open distance requirement was reduced to 2km and the 'window' opened. Some very creditable attempts were made at flying well out in front and using the weak cloud suck to remain airborne but as time moved on conditions became lighter and most people were scratching and practicing their slope landings.
With one minute to go to the window close time and with a very dark cloud with following squall line approaching slightly off to one side of the hill, our club treasurer headed off in final desperation to see what 'suck' he could find beneath this. Not really connectiing he flew an extended glide straight out and made 2.1km!!! The only qualifying flight of the day, the winner of the comp and flying a B wing.
Maurice has been flying for many years and is an experienced XC pilot, he is both delighted and slightly embarrased to win the comp with such a short flight, but rules are rules and everyone had the same opportunity. Well done Maurice!
Although very grateful for the prize, Maurice feels somewhat guilty and has declined to accept the fly-guide holiday. As a result, with sponsor agreement, the prize is being held over for pilots to compete for later. Details as above.
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FREE FLY-GUIDE HOLIDAY TO BE WON
UHPC 2014 XC Ulster Open
Sat 24th and Sun 25h May
Format: Historically this informal XC (cross country) competition has been a straightforward open distance goal for both hang gliders and paragliders. However, weather permitting, the exact format will be decided by the Meet Director at morning briefing. Competitors should acquaint themselves with the UHPC XC rules, viewable on the club website’s XC League page.
Location: The competition base is again the Kilcronaghan Activity Centre near the village of Tobermore in County Londonderry / Derry. Visit www.kilcronaghan.co.uk for directions. Many of the club’s most popular and frequently used sites are within a half hour’s drive of the centre but, as usual, the weather will dictate which local sites are suitable.
Sharing overnight accommodation is available at the Centre for the very modest cost of only £18/night for up to nearly 50 participants/partners/friends. This will be allocated on a first come first served basis and requests should be directed to the club Chairman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), please do not leave this to the last minute. If all on-site accommodation is taken, efforts will be made to find other ‘local’ accommodation, please contact one of the Ulster Open committee (see below).
Catering for Saturday’s evening meal and Sunday’s breakfast is included in the entrance fee at the Kilcronaghan Centre.
Qualification/insurance: Minimum BHPA Club Pilot rating and insurance is required, or equivalent. Evidence will be requested/required during registration on the first morning of the comp.
Payment: Entrance fee is £15 or €20 Euro if received by the treasurer BEFORE Sunday May 11th
and £20 or €25 AFTER for each competing pilot, payable by one of the following methods:
* Sterling cheque (in advance) made payable to UHPC, and posted to M.McBride (treasurer), 61Marina Park, Belfast, BT5 6BA. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*Credit transfer to the UHPC bank account 98 01 50 03553055 Please describe your payment as [“Your Name” 2014 Open].
*Paypal account: There is a paypal button on the 1st page of the club website. (Note: entrants are responsible for paying paypal fees, please select appropriate options before transferring fee as only fully paid-up entrants will be eligible for prizes). http://www.uhpc.co.uk/
*Cash (only), on the first day of competition, prior to the morning briefing.
No refunds will be possible. Every effort will be made to run the competition on the above dates, however entrants will be aware that our sport is weather dependent. If a day proves not to be flyable, even on the dunes, then there are options to watch the Motocross racing at the track right next door, go mountain biking on the excellent Davagh Forest mountain trails or surfing in the Atlantic. Just bring whatever kit you might need. The decisions of the meet director and/or
comp safety committee will be final.
Visiting pilots from UK mainland should contact one of the Ulster Open committee (see below) if requiring assistance with travel arrangements, accommodation, or general information.
Prizes: all prize winners will in addition receive a ‘shield’ with their name engraved on, i.e.:
- Paragliders: 1st , 2nd , 3rd
- Hang gliders: 1st only (it’s not fair that every entrant gets a prize!)
- Best Novice
In addition, our sponsors, including Simon Murphy's Flying Circus and Independence Gliders have provided a number of prizes which will be raffled on the Saturday evening. The biggest single prize is from our long time sponsor FlySpain who are offering a free week’s guided flying holiday in Algodonales to the best performance on an EN ‘A’ or ‘B’ paraglider!!
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UHPC ULSTER OPEN 2014 (24 & 25 May)
ENTRY FORM
Name and Initials: ................... ...................................
Address:............................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Post Code: ………………………………….. ............................eMail ..........................................................................
Tel. No. ( mobile )............................................ (Home):.......................................................................................
Next of Kin contact details. Name....................................................... Tel. No. ...................................................
1.My Pilot Rating is: ...............................................................
2.Glider: Make,Model and class: ..............................................................................................................................
3.My BHPA membership No. is: ………………………………
4. Non BHPA members alternate insurance details: (minimum cover required = £2 million 3rd Party liability):
Insurance Providers Name: ……………………………………… Policy Number: ………………….
5. Club membership info: UHPC: Yes / No IHPA: Yes / No OTHER CLUB: .........................................................
- I accept that paragliding is a sport involving potential risks and that flying in a competition involves some additional risks including but not limited to crowded air space and pre-set flying routes.
- I accept that each and every time I fly I do so by my own choice and that I have the final say in the route I choose to fly.
- I agree to obey the rules of this competition and comply with the instructions of its officials. I accept that the rules of this competition have been made available for me to read.
- I accept that the competition rules do not in any way supercede normal Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and any other relevant rules regarding my activities during the competition.
- I accept that it is my responsibility to ensure that both myself and my equipment are fit to fly and that my equipment is compatible with competition requirements.
- I accept that it is my responsibility to perform thorough pre-flight checks prior to each and every flight.
- I accept that it is my responsibility to fly within the limitations of my equipment and my personal skill level/competence.
- In all cases including accident or death, I release the organisers of this competition from any liability whatsoever.
Date:................................... Signature: …………………………………………………….
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Reserve Self Repack night - 21st March 2014, 7-10pm
- You.
- Your harness fitted with reserve but detached from canopy.
- A spanner (to undo the bolt on the maillon)
- Replacement elastic bands (used to stow the reserve suspension lines neatly)
- The manufacturer's instructions for repacking your reserve (although mine proved worse than useless).
- Bulldog clips can help to hold lines in place while re-packing
- Fine cord, to pull the container loop through the eyelets and insert the reserve restraining pins
- For a more authentic experience you may want to bring all your usual clothing that you wear when flying, gloves, flying suit, helmet, etc to see how difficult it might be when you do go to find that handle.
UHPC AGM 2013
The Annual General Meeting of the Ulster Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club, took place at The Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim on 17th November 2013.
Committee for 2013/14 was elected as follows:
Chairman: Ian Cross
Secretary : Ian Fraser
Sites Officer: Bertie Kennedy
Treasurer: Maurice McBride
Safety Officer: Steve Hill
Air Liaison Officer: Mark Piggott
Chief Coach: Tony Conway
In addition:
Ian Haslett and Phil Barron volunteered to help with sites issues;
Dave Tweedie agreed to cover coaching matters in the absence of Tony Conway;
David Wiggins agreed to act as accounts auditor;
Maurice McBride is to continue production of the club magazine; and
Walter Hoy and Willie Kane to look after paramotoring issues.
Subsequently Colin Dowey kindly agreed to source presents for landowners; Donal Hamilton volunteered to deliver presents to landowners at Mayobridge site as last year; and Alastair McMaster volunteered to arrange the club annual dinner.
Amendments to the club constitution as agreed at the AGM have now been incorporated in a revised UHPC Constitution now available in the members' area of the website.
FIRST KNOWN CIRCUMNAVIGATION of the MOURNES by PARAGLIDER
Leading "parapensioner" Danny Young flew from the Carmeen, Mayobridge site to Newcastle, Co.Down on 19 June 2013, thus making the first known unpowered flight between these points via a southerly route over and round the Mourne mountains. Details of this impressive flight are at http://uhpc.co.uk/leonardo/index.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=59.