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MACI => Events => Topic started by: Richard Boyd on January 15, 2013, 11:53:45 AM

Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on January 15, 2013, 11:53:45 AM: Rathlin Island Road trip 2013

Meeting in the Ferry Car Park Ballycastle 9am

Saturday 8th June 2013

Benevinagh Slope

Sunday 9th June 2013

If you need more details please post here.

This is a trip of a life time !!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: billscottni on January 15, 2013, 12:36:01 PM: I'll try and make it this year!
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: andrew wallace on January 15, 2013, 17:09:28 PM: Maybe Sunday we'll have another adventure who knows where we'll end up :D
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on March 31, 2013, 22:30:12 PM: I’ve just been looking at various dates in the forthcoming calendar. :?:
There are two places I’ve been wanting to fly. One is the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare and the other is Benevinagh. :D

I’ve just ‘pencilled in’ the 9th June for a trip north, so l hope the winds will play ball.

(Don’t all of you start crying! :shock: You’ll only have to put up with me for one day. :P )

K.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: andrew wallace on April 01, 2013, 10:18:14 AM: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
I hope the jet stream changes and we get our west and northerly winds back
Keith delighted you're gonna come up and fly off benevenagh :D
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on May 30, 2013, 05:59:30 AM: Hi all, just a quick update on the road sea trip to rathlin island.
We will be meeting in the ferry car park ballycastle at 9.40 with the intentions of catching the 10.15 sailing to rathlin.
Cost of the ferry is £11.50 return
Journing time is about 45 mins
Over 60s with a smart pass travel free.
So far I have 6 people traveling to paradise for slopers
Let me know if anyone else intends to join us
When we return Saturday evening we intend to have food etc at castlerock then with the help of Andrew some bungee flying of the beach or maybe a bit of air towing.

Sunday will be again at the hands of the weather gods but Andrew has a few ideas to keep us adventurous !!!!!
Just lets say you will have the time of your life and experience some new sites
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 01, 2013, 08:18:09 AM: I’m keeping an eye on those winds Richard. Easterlies are no good for Benevinagh? :( Is that right?
(Although I dare say you guys are praying for easterlies,…… so you wont have to put up with me ON Sunday :roll: )

K.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: andrew wallace on June 01, 2013, 16:46:05 PM: yes keith easterlies are no good :(
but if it's northeasterly then we can fly off the beach :D
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 01, 2013, 17:23:21 PM: OoOOoo that sounds fun. Shall I bring my swimming cozzie :oops:
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: billscottni on June 01, 2013, 18:53:04 PM: Wetsuit!! Even in summer the water's bloody cold :oops: :?
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 01, 2013, 19:23:58 PM: Good idea Bill :clap: . Everyone would laugh at my skinny white legs otherwise. :P
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: billscottni on June 01, 2013, 19:29:40 PM: Hey we've all got them! None of us could enter Mr Universe!!! :wink: :wink:
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 02, 2013, 06:10:58 AM: Hi Keith we are going to get westerly winds !!!!! Keep positive lol
Get your over night bag packed !!!
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 02, 2013, 08:46:17 AM: Yes, that’s right, I must think positive: “Westerly winds, Westerly winds Westerly winds.” 8)

Or better, “Strong Westerly winds, Strong Westerly winds!” :D

K.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 03, 2013, 11:47:39 AM: Hi Keith sorry to tell you the winds are not looking in our favour for the west slope on rathlin
But it's looking sweet for binevnagh !!!! Northerly winds are forecast for the weekend with wall to wall sunshine.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 04, 2013, 08:09:42 AM: Hi all due to the solid forecast for northerly winds on Saturday we have decided to cancel the road/ sea trip to rathlin !!

On Saturday we will be fly of the mountain at binevnagh
We will be meeting up at downhill beach car park at 11am and making our way to the slope.
Saturday evening we will be beach flying so try to bring suitable planes.

Sunday is looking like easterly winds so if the conditions are right we might take the ferry to Donegal to fly of Mallon head. The ferry only takes half an hour. Another new experience unfolds.

I will update as time gets closer.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 04, 2013, 17:54:22 PM: Dam inconsiderate weather! :evil: One day I will get to fly off Binevnagh,….one day!

(Little Keith dries his tears and wonders when that day will come. :!: )
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 04, 2013, 19:55:46 PM: Hi Keith the winds are perfect for binevnagh !!!!!
Come fly in the north and enjoy a wee taste of heaven lol
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 04, 2013, 20:33:16 PM: Quote from: "Richard Boyd"

Sunday is looking like easterly winds so if the conditions are right we might take the ferry to Donegal to fly of Mallon head. The ferry only takes half an hour. Another new experience unfolds.

Okay, okay, good laugh! :lol: But tell me, is the above statement true or not?

K.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 05, 2013, 05:08:27 AM: Hi Keith we can fly bin in a north or west and even a south !!!
We will be meeting at the bottom of the mountain on Saturday morning. If its not possible for you to come up we will arrange another weekend during the summer.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 05, 2013, 05:55:04 AM: Yeah, can’t make it on Saturday, :cry: have to go to a wedding, :roll: bummer that! Like you say we’ll have to make it another weekend a little later on. :D
Hope you guys enjoy your trip, 8) (you adventurous bunch you!)

Keith
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 05, 2013, 07:13:39 AM: Hi Keith no problem we will do it again.
Just after checking forecast and winds are 10 mpg with temperatures 22C !!!
There will be white legs showing on the mountain. :roll:
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 05, 2013, 08:30:19 AM: Oh,… well that’s a new one to me Richard, “Winds are 10 miles per gallon.” :lol:

At 22c those puny white legs should become brown and sexy. 8) I’ll be quite envious. (So will Mandy!)

K.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 05, 2013, 10:17:56 AM: Lol Keith I am using my phone to post and it sometimes changes the words !!!
The gallons are for the cool beer we will drink on the beach Saturday night !
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 05, 2013, 10:42:49 AM: :clap: :clap: Quick thinking Richard!
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 05, 2013, 12:28:54 PM: Hello ladies :D

So, what time are we meeting, and where?
I'm still in and looking forward to do a bit of thermal flying for a change! (and I have a new F3K glider to test :D )

I'll be traveling on Saturday morning, can't move on Friday night :(
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 05, 2013, 18:40:13 PM: Hi Fred I'm heading up to the coast tomorrow (Thursday) I think it would be best to meet you at coleraine and then I can take you out to the caravan
I would think your journey time would be 3 hrs !!!
I will speak with Jp tonight and see when he is going up to the coast as he could also meet up with u on Armagh
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 07, 2013, 21:12:47 PM: All ready to go!
Models going from 450g to 12kgs. That should get me ready for any type of weather! :lol:

I have food, and the bbq :D

See you all tomorrow! Don't forget the sun cream! :D
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 08, 2013, 08:24:05 AM: Hi Fred and all , it 8.07am here on the north coast and it is really stunning weather !! Wall to wall sun shine but the down side is there is not a breath of air.
I have spent the last 2 days fly the DLG blaster and its been perfect for thermal flying
Yesterday I was joined by a full size glider and the pilot really entertained me ! He did loops stall turns rolls and a very very nice perfect flat spin inverted !!!
Today is going to be about thermal flying and I know Fred is a master of thermals. I'm so looking forward to watching his skills.
Tonight we have arranged for a beach party and Andrew is bringing the guitar !!! Mega fun

I'm sure you all wish you were here !!!
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: andrew wallace on June 08, 2013, 09:35:25 AM: Lol Mr rock and roll :lol:
Lovely morning and no feckin wind :!: :!: :!:
As Richard said it's all about thermal flyin today 8)
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: andrew wallace on June 09, 2013, 16:50:02 PM: What a great weekend we didn't get to Rathlin but we sure made up for it
we flew thermal models off the bungee and our blasters on top of Benevenagh mountain and had a bbq on Castlerock beach in the evening, today we aero-towed at the buzzards, we took Fred for a walk round the Ulster Gliding Club in the morning and went to the very top of Benevenagh and looked down on Magilligan
i'm sure there will be photo's and stories I would say very soon
:D
Thanks to everyone for a brilliant weekend and I hope Fred gets home safe :D
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Keith on June 09, 2013, 21:48:10 PM: C'mon lads a whole weekend of flying and not one pic ??? Someone give us our fix :D
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 09, 2013, 22:08:48 PM: Hi guys thanks to everyone for an amazing weekend. I'm assured that everyone went home exhausted yet having a perminant grin on their face !!!
I'm not long home and sorry Keith I have only a few bad fotos.
Mr Fred has taken hundreds lol
I'm sure he will post them as soon as he recovers

Fred is still on a high from winning the most pristigous trophy in the island of Ireland !!!!

I will let him tell you all about it !!!
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Keith on June 10, 2013, 00:55:00 AM: We'll give him a chance to get home so :D
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 10, 2013, 09:58:58 AM: And back to work... After a great week end!

Thanks to the North boys (and girls!) for the warm welcome (literally! :lol: ) , the laughs, and some of the best slopes I saw in this country! :clap: :clap:

I'll do a full report later with photos and all that.

Oh, and one for Andrew:

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/1594.png)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 10, 2013, 10:07:23 AM: Ok, another one...
View for the South at the Ballarina slope.
The moutains at the back, is Donnegal!

The photo gives very little justice to the place! 1200ft high cliffs with a great view of the North Atlantic.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/Ballarina%20-%20Southview.jpg)
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: andrew wallace on June 10, 2013, 15:30:46 PM: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/andrew%20wallace/971619_342407182553948_70784972_n.jpg)

this was from Sunday me towing Freds ASW 15b up with the Cub :D
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 10, 2013, 15:45:15 PM: Nice one :D (need a bigger one!)

Another one for the road:

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/Andrew-Richards%20blaster%20launch.jpg)

I like the Blaster! (had a blast with the Blaster... OK, had to do it! :lol: )
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Happy Days on June 10, 2013, 16:17:40 PM: 1200ft north facing cliffs, with a landing zone on the top?!!! :D :D

OOOooooooh!
(……I think I’ve just had an orgasm. :oops: )

K.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 10, 2013, 17:24:34 PM: Lovely fotos iof the blasters

Yes Keith the view point and binevnagh has perfect landing areas but the best area I have seen for landing and slope is rathlin island.
We are so lucky to have these great slopes on our door step

The winds were not in our favour this weekend bit we still managed to have an amazing fun time.
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 11, 2013, 14:56:44 PM: Quote from: "Happy Days"
1200ft north facing cliffs, with a landing zone on the top?!!! :D :D

OOOooooooh!
(……I think I’ve just had an orgasm. :oops: )

K.

Yep, the top of the cliffs, you basically have an airport to land in.
Easy access with big car park on all of them :D
You can fly pretty much any size of gliders. Looking forward to get back there with some good winds to try them properly :D

I'm a tad late for the photos!
I'll post them tonight!

Ok, one for the road...

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130091.jpg)
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 18, 2013, 13:08:00 PM: Ok, time to put more photos!

Saturday:

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130001.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130009.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130010.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130015.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130019.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130020.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130021.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130022.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130023.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130033.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130034.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130035.jpg)

FPV stuff.. Very neat! GPS positioning, altitude hold and all the bells and whistles :D

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130032.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130037.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130049.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130050.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130051.jpg)

Then, Andrew and Richard had a Blaster mini competition :D :clap:

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130044.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130046.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130047.jpg)
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 18, 2013, 13:20:44 PM: Then, we had a Thermal Competition, with some of the best thermal pilots in Northern Ireland :P :lol:

The "Harp Challenge Global Thermal Winners Cup 2013" :D

Conditions were rather poor for thermals, very scratchy and tight. We decided in a 6mins target time in 3 rounds. Sandow launch for all pilots.

The first round saw one pilot in particular struggling to reach the 2 minutes mark, despite all his training, confidence in the task to finally land his glider at the 1.59 minutes mark... Another pilot, who should remain nameless, landed after making a point (he could have go on and on, but got bored after 2.39 minutes... No fun :lol: :P )

Anyway, here is scoreboard :D

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/HarpChallengescoreboard.JPG)

The cup was then given (surprise! :clap: ) at Andrew's flying club the next day after a lovely BBQ :clap:

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/NIMeeting20130237.jpg)

More training is needed from the little Padawan :lol:

See you next year! This time, I'll fly my own glider :lol: :lol:
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: andrew wallace on June 18, 2013, 17:24:44 PM: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

fanastic Fred :D i look forwards to beating you even with your own model next year :lol: and bring the Gobal Harp Challenge Winners Cup back to the empty space on my shelf in the shed :D

thank you so much for coming up and making it a brilliant weekend 8)
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on June 19, 2013, 07:30:25 AM: Hi Fred thanks for posting your fotos.
What memories I have of that weekend
The harp challenge trophy was gifted to you lol
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 20, 2013, 15:52:24 PM: Thanks you too :D
And of course, many thanks to everybody, that was a stunning week end!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

I'll post more photos tonight :D
Stay tuned!
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Fred on June 20, 2013, 15:53:21 PM: Oh yeah, and I'll try to do my F3J glider this winter.. Should kick your arse :lol: :lol: :D

Again... :mrgreen:
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: EdwardFlemer on July 13, 2013, 12:28:23 PM: Rathlin Island Road trip 2013 sounds really great..Are they planning to organized this event in 2014 also?

:D :D
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: andrew wallace on July 13, 2013, 21:21:43 PM: we plan to go every year Edward but it all depends on the wind direction
were we fly at is the west lighthouse and it takes a straight west wind for it to work
out of this past three years we've only got once :(
Title: Rathlin Island Road Trip 2013
Post by: Richard Boyd on July 15, 2013, 09:39:36 AM: Hi Edward as Andrew said the wind direction the last few years did not work for rathlin but I'm sure you have seen the fotos of all the other lovely slopes that are available along the coast to fly.
Rathlin and the north coast offers us plenty of scope so next years road trip is all ready being planned !!!!
We will announce the date after Christmas once we learn of the areas competition dates.