The Lleyn MAC PSSA Fly-In – 11th/12th August 2012
A weekend of mixed fortunes upon Mynydd Cilan.
Photos by Phil Cooke, Matt Jones and Rez Manzoori.
South Easterly winds had dominated the weather forecast and having amassed a group of 6 flyers at the Llanbedrog meet point on Saturday morning, we made the short drive through Abersoch to Dorothy’s Farm on Mynydd Cilan. Once we’d each rigged a couple of models and loaded up a rucksack for the day, we made our way up through the farm and over the 2 fields to the South East coastal slope. Upon arrival at the coast it was clear the wind was blowing in from the East South East, at speeds measured between 12 and 18mph. Unfortunately this meant the slope was not working to is full potential for much of the day, and as such flying on the Saturday, initially at least, was a little hampered by poor lift. But we made do, and with only 6 flyers in attendance we were never going to be struggling for airspace – we flew as and when we wanted in a relaxed atmosphere from 11am until nearly 8pm, the lift improving significantly after 5pm when we started to fly 250m further along the coast.
Despite the attendance being lower than normal, there were still some new and updated models on show worthy of note.
Dave Gilder had travelled from Glossop and brought with him his new Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon, (Right) built for PSS from an all moulded EDF kit of unknown origin. Model spans just 31.5″ and weighs in at 1lb 4oz. Dave had finished this in the colours of the 2002 Netherlands airforce display mount and the model looked well in its complex striped scheme.
The model was test flown later in the day when the lift was better and it showed gliding promise although Dave struggled immediately with the lack of response in roll from the Taileron configuration. Having landed out safely, the model was not flown again over the weekend and is due for modification with wing mounted ailerons before its next outing.
Olly Pearson had brought with him an array of models including an F-4 Phantom II (Left) built from the old Howard Metcalfe kit, a small scale DH Super Chipmunk and a N.A. F-86 Sabre.
Sadly the Phantom proved difficult to control after launch and the model was landed out beyond our line of site over the edge and to the right. Having spent some time looking for the model it was eventually found in pieces on the rocks far below us – impossible to retrieve and soon to be taken by the sea.
Thankfully Olly had much more success with his Super Chipmunk and his Sabre, both models flew very well later in the day.
Tim Mackey flew his well trusted Ripmax Spitfire, only using the electric assist when the lift temporarily dropped off – these flights were interspersed with PSS jet missions on his Saab Gripen and the BAe Hawk.
As ever there was a squadron of Hawks on site and Rez Manzoori, Matt Jones, Tim Mackey and myself all enjoyed flying them on mass and at times in good formation circuits (below Left), a skill we never seem to tire of practicing! Matt’s Hawk has recently been updated to represent 100Sqns 95th Anniversary scheme – reproducing the markings of a Lancaster which they used to fly. The model looks stunning (below Right) in its new colours both on the ground and in the air.
At one point in the afternoon with us all flying PSS ok in the lift as it was, the conditions suddenly changed and what lift we had was quickly switched to sink… and sink we did – fast! With little height to play with when the sink arrived, I was very lucky to get my Lockheed T-33 back onto the hill – my forced landing was, like Olly’s F-4 earlier in the day – beyond our line of site and I was relieved to find the model just perched on the edge of the slope, perhaps 15 yds from the sheer cliff face.
Rez was not so fortunate, and his BAe Hawk, which had been flying very nicely until the lift died, never made it back to the slope. Instead it flew on, out of sight from where we were standing, and once Rez and Matt had run down the hill in an attempt to recover the model, Rez’s distinctive patriotic coloured Hawk (Right) could be seen floating in the sea.
A stark reminder of the risks of flying from these coastal sites – outweighed of course by the benefits of clean, booming lift when the conditions are right.
By 5pm we were all a little frustrated I think, the wind speed had strengthened to a constant 20 mph, ideal for PSS – but the direction was still just off the slope, and in a last attempt to salvage the day, we walked 250 yds further along the coast where the local cliff formation seem to improve the lift. It worked. From this point on we could fly with more confidence and as the sun descended towards the end of the day we enjoyed a great couple of hours flying and photography in superb light.
Rez flew his venerable Airbus A380 (above Left), the silver and red Virgin Atlantic scheme looked superb in the sunlight, and after some balance point modifications Olly successfully test flew his F-86 Sabre (above Right). We flew on until nearly 8pm when we needed to leave only to make last meal orders at our chosen pub. After some food, a couple of pints and a good discussion on the days events we settled in to our B&B and kept our fingers crossed for improved conditions the next day.
Sunday did bring the true S/E winds as we had hoped, and again the group was on site at the same slope for 11am. Conditions were much improved, with the wind blowing square onto the slope it was working well and the heavier PSS models were transported to the edge including my Sea Fury which, now in its 7th season, continues to fly well when the conditions allow.
The day continued well with everyone flying when they wanted and enjoying the views, the company and the banter when they were not on the sticks. We flew as a group until 3:30pm on Sunday at which point those with longer drives ahead of them started to make a move, and soon after the weather turned to rain so the meeting was brought to a close. This was a Fly for Fun so no prizes were awarded, I will endeavour to have some element of competition and prizes at our next event.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who made the trip to fly at this event and thank also the Lleyn MAC committee – without whos prior agreement and cooperation these PSSA meets would not be possible. We look forward to flying on the Lleyn peninsula again in 2013.
The next (and final!) PSSA Event of the year is planned on the Great Orme at Llandudno on 13th and 14th October 2012. I hope to see you there.