April 2021

Malcolm Grout reports that Friday 2 April provided a good day at Burnbank with many keen pilots turning up. The day started blue and light wind, with a forecast for it to increase by about 13:00. It was rather more round to the East than forecast so rather than hang around I walked over to Carling Knott for a launch. Helen Gant took this photograph of me flying round onto the nose of Mellbreak. A rough and gusty trip along the fell in what was effectively a SE wind funnelling down the valley was rewarded with climbs at the far end. Into a strong wind it was not possible to progress up wind further towards Buttermere, but some nice thermal climbs were enjoyed on the return trip to Burnbank. Whiteside and Grasmoor are in the back ground.

March 2021

No pictures from February due to the lockdown but restrictions were lifted on March 8 and Malcolm Grout reports "Monday the 15th March seemed to be the first flyable day since outdoor leisure got going again. A number of local pilots were out on Clough Head, which provided easy and smooth soaring conditions. Probably due to the sun going behind high cover as the air was quite unstable. Myself and Rob made three tandem flights each as both passenger and pilot to get a level of currency back, before flying with non BHPA members. One local pilot made it to Helvellyn and back; a good effort as the wind had quite a northerly component." The photo looks South West from Clough Head at the north end of the Helvellyn range. The valley of St Johns in the Vale is in the foreground and Thirlmere is just visible on the left.

February 2021

Malcolm Grout reports "Possibly the last 'legal' flying day for a while. Not again!! Wednesday 6th January 08:00 hours .gov website still displaying dispensation for flying open cockpit aircraft in tier 4 provided you do it locally to home. No new statement on BHPA or CSC websites and no Notams. Restrictions yet to pass through Commons and not Lords until Thursday. So what to do with a great winter forecast? Go flying of course. Conditions on the tops were much lighter than forecast so having hoped for a soaring day we opted for a bit of hike and fly rather than a simple fly down on such a wonderful day. Rob and Malc set off from High Stile near Buttermere. The photo shows Malc returning to the Buttermere valley. Newlands Hause is just above his right carabinier."

January 2021

After a wet and windy December, the month has closed on some bright but cold(!) weather. On Monday 28 December, Dave Ashcroft takes off from High Stile above Buttermere. The view is to the North West with Crummock Water in the centre of the photo. Malcom Grout took the photo and reports "Conditions were very light, almost windless, so we were quite happy to eke out a little soaring around the bowl and crags above Bleaberry Tarn."

December 2020

Not a lot of flying this month so it's back to the archives to remind us that we can still fly in November. On the 8 November 2011, the wind was from the North West and a gaggle of pilots were able to fly on Burnbank Fell over Loweswater in the NW Lakes. Although there was a lot of cloud, the flying was good.

November 2020

Friday 30 October was a fairly wet and windy day around the county but a few Cumbrian pilots made hay while the sun shone at the coast. James reports that take-offs could be challenging and patiently waiting for the lighter-wind cycles was the name of the game. The view is from Lowca at about 4.30pm with St Bees Head visible in the background. In the foreground is pilot Pete Simmons. Photo by James Jackson

October 2020

Sunday 27 September was a light wind day with N to NW winds. Malcolm reports that there were no great climbs to be had, just some local soaring in fine scenery around Crag Fell and Grike in Ennerdale. The view is up Ennerdale with Pillar on the right. In the foreground is Andy Mac flying a Advance Omega X Alps. In the distance is Phil Kew flying a Sup Air Savage. Photo by Malcom Grout

September 2020

Fed up lugging heavy paraglider bags up hills? Here is Phil Kew trying out his new mountain glider at Sandbeds north of Carrock Fell in the NE Lakes. The glider is a single skin AirDesign UFO. The Harness is a String from Neo and it all fits in a 26 litre pack. Photo by Sarah Eilbeck

August 2020

Malcolm Grout says Thursday 9th July provided some late evening soaring at Bewaldeth. The development of convergence cloud over Skiddaw and inland was impressive. About an hour after picking up from the SW the fairly stiff breeze died away to almost nil very quickly. Rob Grout is flying his Gin Explorer. Photograph Malc Grout. The view is SW from Bewaldeth (to the north of Keswick) with Bassenthwaite lake in the background.

July 2020

Malcolm Grout reports "Sunday 14th June provided a good days flying despite many forecasts predicting rain by the afternoon. Once the high cover cleared out by around 11:30hrs in the North Lakes, the thermals got going. A mid day launch from Grisedale Pike took myself and Rob straight to cloud base. Rob flew home and landed in the field by his house. I had a pleasant tour round some of the fells in the local area including a landing and relaunch on Sail." The photo shows Bud Patterson thermalling over Crag Hill in the North West Lakes. Bud's legs are pointing towards the summit of Crag Hill and Crummock Water is above the wing. To the right of the wing is the ridge leading towards Grasmoor. Photo by Malcolm Grout