GliderIreland - Ireland RC Forum - Flying Model forum in Ireland

Club House => Road trips => Topic started by: joe on February 13, 2008, 19:33:08 PM

Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: joe on February 13, 2008, 19:33:08 PM
So we have Fred, David, Peter and myself so far. Will mail Garry Keogh from Shankill club and see if any of them fancy it.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 13, 2008, 19:37:07 PM
Cool !  :D

Where is the Lighthouse exactly ? Is it in the Wicklow village ?

I'll try to setup a map...
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 13, 2008, 19:39:33 PM
Ok, found a map !  :D
This is after the golf club !
I'll post that tomorrow
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Peter on February 13, 2008, 19:46:06 PM
Yes I think you drive through Wicklow Town and on a couple of km to reach the lighthouse.  In terms of other slopes, Bray Head used to be a favourite locality in an easterly but I don't know anyone who has flown it recently.  It certainly looks good - there is access from a road off the Bray-Greystones road - it probably requires a short walk in.  I must recce it and see if there is anywhere to park.  Parts of the Head are very rocky, but others heather covered.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 13, 2008, 19:51:18 PM
Yeah, I saw some hang gliders flying in Bray head while I was flying in Dalkee.
Drove to Bray, but I never found the way they took to go up the hill... :?: Looks like a very good East slope !

Btw, the forecast is SEE wind for sunday... And sunny !  :D
I'll take lots of photos of this slope for future references  and add the info to the slope list :D
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Peter on February 13, 2008, 19:59:27 PM
This is a potential slope on Bray Head - you can access the Bray coastal path from the road you can see, but not sure where one can get parking.  Also looks like it will work in a south-easterly.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Peter/BrayHead.jpg)
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: joe on February 13, 2008, 20:36:36 PM
I'm happy to try out Bray. Garry Keogh has flown Wicklow head a good bit and says it doesn't work in south-east. WindGuru(http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=1910) is saying east to south-east wind 10-15 km/h. That is light! We may be better off at Bray in case the wind is more southerly. I don't mind walking a bit. Especially if its a nice day! Will ask Garry bout Bray.
Title: Bray or Wicklow
Post by: garrykeogh on February 14, 2008, 10:31:39 AM
Hi There.
I am thinking Wicklow might be good (because I have to pick my kid up from a birthday party in Wicklow this Sunday!!!) but the wind might be a little too southerly.  In my experience, NE through to E is brilliant from Wicklow.  Slightly south of East is not relly a problem because it is a straight enough ridge and the last thing the wind saw was Wales, so it is not too bad.  Again my experience is that SE is a bit too much to ask of this site.  There are cliffs south of the lighthouse but I have only bad stories from here :cry:
Directions for Wicklow head...







With regard to Bray head...
You can approach the flying spots on Bray head from both sides of the headland.  For this weekend, the best spot is probrably from "Windgates" half way between Bray and Greystones.  






You can clearly see the cul-de-sac and the apartment block at the end of it in Peter's photo above

WARNING:  The ideal spot to park is right at the end of this cul-de-sac (ideal for us!) but the apartment owners here are VERY POSSESSIVE about their privacy and parking.  Find a discreet and sensible spot to park before you drop down into the apartment complex, be sure you are not inconveniencing anybody... for our collective good :clap:

You can walk through the apartment car park and climb over a 5-bar gate and walk all the way around to Bray from here.  I have not managed to fly from here but have spent many hours walking around wishing I had any form of plane with me :cry:

I will keep in touch with this thread to see if we can meet up this weekend.  Of course it goes without saying that if you can't find enough lift to fly off the hills, there will be plenty of hot air eminating from the Shankill Club field beside the Great Sugarloaf, maybe enough hot air to thermal on :D  so feel free to drop in to the lads...
Talk soon

Garry
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 14, 2008, 11:54:51 AM
Thanks a million Garry for the input  :clap:  :clap:  :D
Hope to see you on sunday !

And if you allow me, I'm going to put all the slope info in the slope page and update it on monday with photos.

Fred
Title: You work away Fred!
Post by: garrykeogh on February 14, 2008, 12:04:45 PM
You are welcome to use the directions and any hints or tips, post them wherever you feel they will be easy to find.

Maybe edit them on Monday after I you find I have sent you on a "Phileas Fogg" adventure :roll:

They (directions) should get you there :D

Hopefully we will get to meet up again Sunday

Garry
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 14, 2008, 12:33:52 PM
That's great !
Thankd Garry

Ps : I love your avatar !  :D  :D
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: IceWind on February 14, 2008, 21:09:13 PM
Is this only for top notch rc pilots?
Or some beginner can join the experts too?

If everything goes has planned i'll receive my main radio tomorrow! :)
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Peter on February 14, 2008, 22:19:22 PM
Thanks Garry for the details about Bray Head access and parking - really useful.  Are we going to try it then on Sunday?  I am aiming to get there about two I guess but could make it earlier.  Icewind - the more the better so do come along.  The wind is going to very light I fear but the slope looks good and there's a chance of a sea breeze.  Failing that - that offer of some thermal flying off the Shankill field sounds great fun.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: joe on February 16, 2008, 14:32:47 PM
Hello all. So winds look really light for tomorrow. Windguru is saying 7-10 km/h east to south-east. Hopefully we can get some lightly loaded models to fly. Wicklow head doesn't work in south-east so maybe we should try Bray head? or Glencree even. What are ye all thinking? I haven't flown Bray head so I don't know. I am willing to head up and give it a try!
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Peter on February 16, 2008, 18:10:27 PM
I was going to try Bray Head tomorrow - I was there today on the northern part of the Head (not gliding!) and there was a light but steady breeze from the SE that the gulls were able to use - so it may be possible.  What time were you thiinking of Joe?
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: joe on February 16, 2008, 20:16:33 PM
Hiya Peter. I'll head to Bray head for about 11:00 tomorrow. See ya there!
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Peter on February 16, 2008, 20:19:13 PM
OK - see you there. I'll try for 11 as well.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: IceWind on February 16, 2008, 20:26:29 PM
Does anyone have the gps coordinates for the spot?
For that is perfect has i put on the car gps and i dont get lost! :)
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 16, 2008, 20:28:56 PM
Hi guys,
Good for me too at 11am tomorrow !
See you there !  :D
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: joe on February 16, 2008, 20:30:09 PM
Hiya Fernando
I have mailed you the google earth KMZ file for the apartments where we access the path. See Garry's post above.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 16, 2008, 20:34:21 PM
Hi Fernando,
Here they are :
 53°10'26.95"N
 6° 4'44.98"W

See you there !  :D
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: IceWind on February 16, 2008, 20:48:34 PM
Hi joe and Fred!

Thanks a million! :)
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Peter on February 17, 2008, 20:04:28 PM
A few pictures - despite lack of wind/mishaps(!) great to get out today.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Peter/BrayHeadglidingFeb08%20001.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Peter/BrayHeadglidingFeb08%20003.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Peter/BrayHeadglidingFeb08%20007.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Peter/BrayHeadglidingFeb08%20010.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Peter/BrayHeadglidingFeb08%20015.jpg)
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 18, 2008, 08:48:47 AM
Well, that was a fine quiet day !  :D
Some beautiful views, some decent battle against the elements (well, especialy trying to stay afloat with the lack of wind and thermals... :P ) but a big bowl of fresh air !
Here are some photos...
First, the slope.... Just for the view, worth it ! This is the view from below the slope, just up the walking track(?). We tried before going more up the hill, and you have much more space.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/slopeview.JPG)
View from the middle

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/slopeview1.JPG)
View from the left towards Bray

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/slopeview2.JPG)
View from the right with Greystones below us

I'll make an entry in the slope list with more photos !

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/glider1.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/glider2.JPG)

Then, that was time to head to Kilakee and see what we can do from there... We went to Glencree and have a bit of flying, well, we've manage to stay in the air much longer than in Bray.
The paragliders were here too...
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/para.JPG)

And here, just the view on the West slope in Kilakee...  =P~
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/kilakee.JPG)
This photo don't do justice to the magnificient view !

Well, I'm not talking about the usual pile of rubbishs ! Shame... And seems to get worse every week end...
Title: Sunday
Post by: David Kelly on February 18, 2008, 08:57:31 AM
Hi all,
Good to meet you all yesterday, pity the wind was so light :( . Great location for flying however, pictures look really good Peter.

Fred if you need me to get you an exact price on the belt for the designjet send me model, think you said a 650C and is it A0(42") or A1(24"). Its fairly old kit so parts may be cheaper than I gave you off top of my head.

Joe the battery I'm looking for is a DualSky X-Power 600mAh 11.1v SL Li-Po p/n XP06003SL. The dimensions 52mmx30x11 goes into fuselage neatly.

David
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: IceWind on February 18, 2008, 09:40:16 AM
Hi everyone!
Great photos... i have some too but i dont have the cable to take them out of the camera.

The place was great, let's hope next time will be more wind.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Alan_Perse on February 18, 2008, 11:19:01 AM
Dame it  :evil:  :evil: . I wish I could have been there with you guy's. Fred is that Fog in the valley in the picture of Kilakee or is it just haze.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 18, 2008, 11:59:42 AM
I love this photo ! But much more beautifull in "real" !

I don't think that was fog, but Haze... Gliders were full of mist while we where in Glencree...
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: garrykeogh on February 18, 2008, 16:52:57 PM
Looks like you had a good day...pity the lift was marginal.  I had a good chat with Peter and a brief chat with Joe and Fred before I had to go and do the family stuff.
I hope that the next easterly is a bit better for flying!  Lookig forward to meeting you all again.

Nice pictures too, well done.

Garry
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: joe on February 18, 2008, 19:49:35 PM
Nice photos lads. Shame about the lack of wind. Good exercise and a nice day anyway!
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: IceWind on February 23, 2008, 21:02:46 PM
No flying tomorrow!?
The wind must be too strong no?
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: garrykeogh on February 23, 2008, 22:30:57 PM
Hi Fernando,
Thats what we thought today!  I met up with some friends from the Shankill club (www.srfc.net) and we went to Kilakee.  We had a few foamies but it was just to windy and turbulent for them.  We went home past the lake at Lugala mountain... WOOOOOOoooooooooooeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

We flew our combat foamies here for a couple of hours of high adrenaline zig zag frenzy... the kind of stuff that keeps ya young!

I have to say, the conditioins in Lugala were at crazy (good) with absolutely vertical lift and surprisingly smooth.  I ran half the ballast that I had on when I couldn't fly in Kilakee but had a 100kmh foamie to play with 8)  8)  8)

Garry
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: IceWind on February 23, 2008, 23:06:08 PM
:) Awesome!!! At least it made worthy the trip.

Tomorrow i´ll probably go for for a ride, just in case i'll take the wing in the car.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Fred on February 24, 2008, 11:22:39 AM
Yep, conditions were really good in Kilakee yesterday ! Crazy even, very windy !
Nice to meet you lads, and sorry I was not able to follow you in Lugala !  :cry:  Next time ! And I'm up for some combat !! BANZAIIIIII !!!

Flew the Alpina for a good while before heading home !

Sorry Fernando, no slope for me today, I still have the inlaws at home !  :!:   :wink:
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Alan_Perse on February 24, 2008, 17:18:32 PM
Where is Lugala lads
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: IceWind on February 24, 2008, 19:25:44 PM
eheh!

Like i said i went for a ride and passed in Kelakee, it sure was windy!
I tried to put the poor wing in the air... it was missing some weight i think.

In the end i packed and drive around those roads and enjoyed the view.

There was someone more ahead in the road flying a glow plane, big. It seemed a cessna. It was on the air but the wind was pushing it around like a leaf.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: Peter on February 24, 2008, 19:44:10 PM
I did get up to Kilakee for a while this afternoon - breezy and cold but flew my Falco V.  I am busy with work now for the next three weekends so no flying for me for a while!!  See you all next month sometime hopefully.  Good flying!
Title: Kilakee
Post by: David Kelly on February 27, 2008, 15:32:11 PM
Got up to Kilakee today (having a quite day at work) with 1.2m fling. Westerly, bit brisk at times but great flying and sun was shining :D . Had the sky to myself except for a few clouds and some crows that flew overhead for a while.
Put in about an hour, few hairy landings into the heather at speed, no damage :) .

Wouldn't be around this weekend, but should catch up with y'all following w'end weather permitting.

Cheers
David
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: IceWind on March 04, 2008, 14:24:01 PM
Finnally i got the cable to connect my camera to the PC.
So here goes some photos from Bray. :)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/IceWind/P2170470%20%28Custom%29.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/IceWind/P2170488%20%28Custom%29.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/IceWind/P2170491%20%28Custom%29.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/IceWind/P2170492%20%28Custom%29.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/IceWind/P2170494%20%28Custom%29.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/IceWind/P2170485%20%28Custom%29.JPG)

I also have some small videos, i'll see if uploading them to youtube or something similar the quality is acceptable.
Title: Sunday 17th Feb Wicklow head
Post by: garrykeogh on March 04, 2008, 21:06:16 PM
Nice photos Fernando,
I missed you the day you went to Bray.  I had a family commitment and only got to talk to Peter.  I had to head off just as Joe and Fred arrieved.  We will meet before too long I guess.
Keep up the photography, it is great for my enthusiasm 8)

Garry