This was the PSSA's first scheduled event for 2009, and thankfully the forecast looked promising with 20-30mph winds from the South East bringing with it sunny spells and showers throughout the weekend.  I travelled over first thing on Saturday morning with Rez Manzoori and a car packed full with 9 models between us!  Following an effortless journey we arrived at the Glyn y Weddw Hotel car park in Llanbedrog at 10am.  Steve Kemp was already on-site with his colleague, Dave Dobson, and soon Alan Hulme arrived with his wife, Margaret.  Confirming the wind direction (S/E as per the forecast) we agreed on the Mynydd Cilan slope and placed a notice on the phone box, in time honoured tradition, to help direct any late arrivals to the chosen slope.

Once on site, just a few miles further West through Abersoch, we rigged a selection of models and commenced the 10 minute walk from the farm buildings out to the coast.  The wind was strong and with good visibility out to sea, it was clear from the outset we were in for a superb days flying. 

Steve Kemp was first in the air with his trusty Spitfire model, 43" span and all built up at 3lb AUW, converted from the Cambrian models power kit.  This was Steve's first trip to the Lleyn, and the smile on his face said it all!  In the 30mph winds the big coastal slopes produce big smooth lift, ideal conditions for PSS and Steve was clearly in his element!

Despite the attendance being limited to just 4 PSSA members, between us we had amassed an impressive 18 PSS models, albeit it for various lift conditions and on the Saturday 9 of these 18 models graced the slope.  Rez and I enjoyed flying our Conway Hawks together for the first time, all built up construction at 2.25lb AUW, and it was wonderful to see Alan Hulme enjoying a lengthy flight with his O/D 66" span DH Comet racer.

Steve Kemp flew his 48" span Overlander Tucano and 45" span Balsa Craft Bearcat with authority throughout the day and I also enjoyed a number of flights with my 60" span EPP Sea Fury in the smooth, strong coastal lift.  Steve had brought a couple of untested models with him, and on the Saturday he successfully test flew his 64.5" span C-47 Dakota Skytrain, restored and converted from a second hand power model (of unknown source) this proved a total success as a PSS machine!  Well done Steve.

Sunday morning arrived and brought with it heavy rain.  This continued until 11am when the skies quickly cleared, however the rain had delayed our start time and with the wind remaining strong from the S/E it was gone midday before we reached the slope with our models at Cilan on day 2.

The wind strength had dropped slightly to 20mph but this was still more than adequate on the steep, coastal slope site and if anything conditions were better than Saturday with less blustery conditions at the slope edge.

Once again, a number of great flights were had by all.  Of particular note the second maiden flight by Steve Kemp, this time with his new Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, at just 34" span, built from the RCM&E power plan, which proved a winner as a PSS model once he had corrected an elevator trim problem.  Alan Hulme also performed a faultless maiden flight with his new Fairey Fulmar airframe, built from his O/D at 54" span, this model flew very well and with a scale speed it looked most suited to the conditions.

Rez and I flew our BAe Hawks again at length, the lift was so smooth coming in off the sea we really were spoilt with the conditions.

By 3pm on the second day we returned to the cars and packed away the models just as another heavy downpour came through.  Voting forms were completed by all pilots, and bottles of wine were given out for Best Flown Jet and Prop, Best Static Jet and Prop categories, with the following results.

Despite the relatively poor attendance, with only 4 PSSA members present, this really was a superb weekend for flying the heavier PSS models and all whom travelled were well rewarded with unlimited slope access and wonderful conditions throughout the weekend, bar a few short showers.  Many thanks go to Alan Hulme for organising the event and supplying the wines and trophy.

A second PSSA event on the Lleyn Peninsula is planned 15/16th August, I do hope that more members make the journey and get to enjoy the slopes in this magnificent part of North Wales.

A video by Rez Manzoori capturing some of the highlights of this event can be viewed here;

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