Hi
It’s that time of the year again, a long layoff and the weather brightens up and we all want to fly. A light westerly wind Bradwell Edge starts to work its magic on us and the whichever end of it we choose to fly from, fixed wing or flexible the urge is the same!
At the south end pilots need currency checks involving circuits, real and simulated cable breaks, cross wind launches and landings. Others think it may be waving, yes even in light winds like yesterday and mixed in with this we have trainee pilots wanting to demonstrate their skill. Similar passions are aroused at either of the ridge, the simple love of flying over the Peak District. I also understand that many current flex-wing pilots are new to soaring Bradwell. On top of this there are the old politics of Bradwell Edge along with the desire that we all fly safely.
All I want to say is that when the weather is like yesterday the area along the ridge to the north of the gliding club known as the bowl below 500ish feet above the ridge becomes a traffic hot spot. The work load for pilots of fixed wing gliders wanting to land at Camphill is high. The presence of a numbers of para-gliders in this area presents a hazard and concern to all, especially the less experienced. Yesterday para-gliders and hang gliders were observed ridge soaring just above the edge and along the boundary of Camphill airfield. A broken dynema cable draped over a flex-wing will make a mess! Several hundred meters of 5 mm of steel cable does not bear thinking about - please stay clear!
As new soaring season starts this is meant as a timely reminder to all that, please when sailplanes come out to play they need space. Sailplanes travel at 50-60knots in circuit, a virtually stationary para-glider presents a huge obstacle, 2 or 3 as yesterday with a couple of, hang gliders multiples that danger exponentially. Go round is not always an option! I do not want to get into old arguments about who can fly where and when, simply appealing for some common sense, airmanship and consideration. I also know it works both ways.
So please when flying Bradwell have a care for everyone. You know it makes sense!
Happy Soaring
Dave Martin the 1st
Dave makes some good safety points.
If You fly with the Sail-plains make sure you understand how they fly in the area.
Make sure you know how to spot when a sail plane wants to launch.
Do not be at the winch end when one is launching. The sail-plain may be dragging or releasing a broken cable.
This will kill you.
Make sure you spot what the sail-plain landing approach path is on the day. It is the most critical part of a sail-plain flight. It is simple to identify and make the appropriate alterations in your flight plan.
Some times things go wrong but with a little understanding and consideration we can all be better pilots.
Steve.
To create an emergency slope landing area at Rebellion
Any one up for scrub clearing at the north end of Bradwell edge. Rebellion Knoll. This Sunday 10am.
Please bring gloves and tools.
Steve.
Bradwell (pop, 1,700, with a quarter of residents over 60) was, so it is said, originally populated by renegade Christians sent by the Romans to the edge of the empire to work in the lead mines. It is also the birthplace of Samuel Fox, inventor of the modern umbrella
OK SO SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAVE SHORT MEMORIES, DO NOT READ POSTINGS HERE OR ON THE DSC FACE BOOK PAGES CANNOT READ OR DO NOT CARE ABOUT SAFETY, OR HAVE NEVER TAKEN A DEAD PILOT OUT OF THE WRECKAGE OF HIS/HER AIRCRAFT. I have and I have vowed never to do it again.... !
I am writing in capitals because I am shouting - sorry if it is not you but today on Bradwell paragliders were soaring well within the glider circuit pattern and low on the edge south of the windsock Very poor airmanship.
As the duty instructor I was not amused. It is becoming possible to identify the culprits. You know who you are!
Please stop it now before something serious happens.
Dear Dave.
I have relied to this Mail.
But you may reach more people if you use Facebook.
Can you give us a diagram of your Glider circuit pattern? Were your four aircraft briefed to following your circuit pattern.
Not sure what the issue is with pilots flying, What you state as low, south of your windsock?
I think we do understand the issue with your landing approach and pilots flying above Deadman`s Clough, but what is your normal approach height above Deadman`s Clough?
Not sure what the specific safety issue was on the day. Not sure what postings you are referring to.
Culpable?
Steve.
The circuit pattern on the day was a left hand circuit starting somewhere between the north end of the airfield and the windsock and out in the valley, around the 600ft plus height then flying south. Depending on the glider glider and pilot experience.
The safety issue on the day was paragliders flying within that area. We have discussed this before at length. Paragliders coming south of "deadmans clough " apart from infringing ANO's place themselves and others in danger. We now use dynema cable for launching, lighter and stronger then steel launch heights are up to 1500feet or more over deadmans clough
If the picture comes out this was far too close for comfort.
I'm sorry but if you're using these pics as reference of where not to fly, they are pretty much a useless tool, being zoomed in to a sky background. Please include some ground reference too and they will help to explain the situation. Also a circuit diagram would also be useful for helping explain to others who don't know your landing procedures. It doesn't take much effort to put the circuit pattern drawing up but the more times you do, the more likely it'll sink in.
I stayed north of the airfield by the way 😉
Ta Dave.
This is the anticipated response. I am not using them to show where not to fly. But they show paragliders in close enough range to be photographed, others were closer. The description of the area is given above. This is an ongoing problem when gentle winds caress Bradwell Edge. You obviously knew the danger and left the area. Sketches maps etc would serve no useful purpose. If pilots do not know where they should or should not fly, it raises the question that should they be flying at all. I have an idea of who some of the pilots maybe, and that they are pretty experienced and know of the problems. With the distinctive colours of the wings,I sure the identity of those flying is known to you. Trying to pass the buck to the gliding club is not the answer it is educating pilots to fly safely and respect others who want to do the same and setting a good example. At least no one is trying to blame visitors from abroad
This is an extract from the DSC Site guide -- on flying on Bradwell Edge. (Yes I know it is not a DSC controlled site)
Restrictions
Do not fly low over the houses at the end of the landing field on approach (it both annoys the owner, and pilots have been dumped and injured doing this). Do not fly over Camphill Airfield below 2000ft AGL. Do not loiter in the Deadman’s Gully area (this is used as the base leg for the Camphill Airfield approach circuit). Do not loiter on Durham ridge anywhere that may affect the Gliding Club operations
Hi Steve
I am not a face book fan -- you get all sorts of trolls.With almost 800 views, a lot of people are looking at this thread on this site. Sailplane do go below 2000 around the club, they have to - to land!!! But they get "advised" if they soar over the airfield. Bear in mind all but a few may be 2 out of 30+ have airband radios and flarm. By ANO i mean the Air Navigation Orders that govern all pilots flying in UK airspace flying. Durham Edge is the bit of the edge along side the windsock - loiter is a word from the DSC site guide.
Cheers Dave
