Where I generally can be found Flying

I am extremely fortunate to be living so close to one of the premier slope soaring sites in the world.


It is known as the Bwlch and is the primary flying site for the South Wales Soaring Association.


Located between Nant Y Moel and Cwm Parc on the A4061 and A4107



The cliffs all stand around 400m above sea level and the majority of that height starts at the bottom of the cliffs.


The lift here is absolutely incredible, even in light winds.


If the clouds are a bit low and visibility at the Bwlch is reduced to zero, there are a number of coastal sites dotted around the area that cater for winds from S through W to North with Rhossili on the Gower peninsular being particularly spectacular with awesome lift and absolutely luscious landing areas.


Here is some info regarding the sites at the Bwlch and also Rhossili:


Rhossili: park in the church carpark (golden donation) or the field used as a carpark during Summer on weekends (costs a bit more) and walk uphill. Works best in a Westerly, can tolerate a little bit of North or South. If there are lots of paragliders, the second half of the ridge is safer as it is further away from their launching area. Landing is sooooo easy there, soft spongy heather to land in.


The Bwlch: Mickeys; park at the gate and follow the track uphil til you reach an edge with the wind square. Works from SW to W (bigger Walk). No-one has a key for the gate so no parking to fly for Mickeys anymore Easy landing in grass over the track from where you fly, but make sure you have a walk around to check the breeze (you need it consistent) before you launch.


IceCream; park as for Mickeys and walk towards Treorcy along the face of the hill with the high side on your right til you reach a flat area and the track forks. That's the pit area. Slope works best in NW to NNW. Nice grassy area for landing, again, have a walk to suss out the best area for the conditions. DO NOT fly too far back on landing to the left (North) as there is a quarry that eats planes that don't penetrate back to the slope. This area has been DS'd successfully.


Wrecker; park in the layby on the A4107, walk about 150 yards along the cliff to your left, drop your plane off the edge. Works best in NE. Landing in anything over 5mph walk back to your car, over the road and up to the top of the hill. land with commitment and do not fly too far to the rear. Beware of having a 'go around' as the rotor between the landing area and the slope is severe and at about ankle height as you stand in the landing area.


VR98; park on the side of the A4107 just east of the Wrecker layby (or in the layby and walk East). Walk down the hill from the road to the edge, drop plane over. Works best in a northerly. Landing walk uphill to your right (east), try not to fly over the road and land at your feet. Nice, long soft grass.


Back of the Wrecker; park as per Wrecker, walk over the road and up the hill to the cliff on the other side. The lift is normally a little better and more consistent from the spot between the two rocky outcrops to the East and the slope works best in a Southerly. Landing can normally be done safely on the top of the little rise just behind the slope. If the wind is a bit strong and causing rotor in the landing area, walk to the top of the rise to the west and land on the top as per the Wrecker landing area.


Crest; drive further west along the A4107 until just short of the cutting. Walk about 20 minutes to the north making sure you close the gate on your way through. Just follow the single path (sheep track really) until you think the slope is square to the wind. Drop your plane over the edge again. A square edge can be found in anything from SE to NE (SE being the longer walk). Very important to go waaay back for landing, so make sure you find the highest area behind you and check it out. the tumps of grass can be a bit of a wing twister, so slow the plane down lots before touching down.