Pie ‘n’ Pea’s Bash

Date: 16 – 18 September 2005

 Location: Model Ridge, North Yorkshire

 Event Description: Paramotor Fly-in

 Forecasts had been varying all week due to conflicting pressure systems fighting over the British Isles and so we were all unsure as to how flyable this event was going to turn out.  In the end we were lucky with Sunday yielding some fantastic flying conditions for all but the novice pilot.

 Friday came with blue skies and light winds making for some nice evening flights for the early birds who turned up at the start of the event.  The usual walkers and mountain bikers in the area were treated to a display of five or six gliders flying circuits around the area of Carlton Bank and Cringle Moor.  As most people were yet to appear Friday night was a quiet affair with a couple of drinks and an early night.

 Saturday saw a brilliant blue, cloudless sky with no wind.  The pilots who had arrived the night before and Paul Haxby who turned up at 7 am took no time in rigging their equipment and taking to the skies for an early morning flight with visibility as far as the Dales, Lakes and the East Coast.  The lucky few who took advantage of these early morning conditions were extremely impressed with the diverse countryside and scenery around the North York Moors.  Rumours were abound of a trip to Whitby on the coast, a distance of about 30 miles downwind but an increase in wind strength meaning no return leg put paid to these idea’s.

 Slowly during the day more and more pilots, tents, caravans, campers etc arrived to participate in the bash.  Unfortunately, the weather didn’t want to play ball and winds increased considerably forcing all pilots to remain grounded.  The forecast, however, was for a much better day on Sunday and so everyone settled in for a rowdy night.

 A viewing of the ‘Risk & Reward’ DVD was screened in the café followed by a slide show presentation by Paul Haxby.  At £1 per pint by two o’clock in the morning there were many very happy pilots and family members stumbling back to their makeshift accommodation.  Some decided to stay up even later but that’s another story, and one which could be very embarrassing for some members.

 Sunday dawned the same as Saturday, brilliant blue cloudless sky with no wind.  Everyone took no time in checking and rigging their equipment and following some comedy launches most pilots were in the air enjoying the scenery.  Even though the westerly wind did pick up during the day it remained flyable for all but a few hours. 

 A number of pilots flew personal bests, whether it be altitude gains, XC distances or just fewest number of take off attempts.  The general consensus was that the event was a complete success with compliments paid to the organisers for choosing a superb venue with excellent facilities.

 Plans are already being hatched for the next bash with what is hoped to be an even bigger turnout than the 40 pilots who attended this one. 

Basic flight rules...

Try to stay in the middle of the air. Do not go near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and other things. It is much more difficult and dangerous to fly there.... ;-)