Llanbedr 2021
Written by Andrew Brown
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It was with great enthusiasm that some of us arrived at Llanbedr a day early on Friday 3rd September. We had missed out last year and were hoping for some good flying this time.
Over 50 pilots flew over the next two weeks, including visitors Steve Noujaim and John McWilliam from Aston Down who came along with their self-launchers. The club kit included a K21, K23, the Duo Discus and the ASW24. The Duo trailer arrived with only three wheels attached and Ed Bittenbender got stuck in Barmouth, but we all got there in the end.
Llanbedr airfield. Photo: John McWilliam
‘Five years ago I saw an article in Sailplane & Gliding by a LGC member describing how much fun they had gliding from my old RAF haunt at Llanbedr. It is where we used to practise hydraulic failure landings in the Gnats and where we shot at Australian Jindivik drone targets. I rang the big chief, the famous Robin May and asked if another ex-RAF guy Steve Noujaim and I could join them next time in the country bumpkin category. He said yes - probably with some trepidation…’
- John McWilliam
Our two tugs flew up on Saturday morning. By afternoon there was a large cloud between us and Moelfre, the nearby hill, which persisted all afternoon. It was formed by one of a number of convergences formed by an offshore wind and a sea breeze, but without a classic sea breeze front. Scattered climbs could be found up and down the coast for an interesting afternoon’s soaring.
The first week
We had a wonderful wave day the following Wednesday. Robin had seen the opportunity coming, so we all got up in the dark and were on the runway by daybreak. It seemed very dark when John McWilliam took off in his Pik followed by Steve in his ASH31Mi. They found good lift right over the airfield. A quick R/T call to Robin and the whole fleet of two dozen gliders took off, up into the sunrise and the wave.
Sunrise Wave. Photo: Jared Thomas.
Several pilots experienced wave for the first time, with helpful hints from Robin in the tug. Once high enough some of us ran north to Snowdonia using the wave from the southeast wind. John flew along the north Wales coast to Great Ormes Head. I stayed for over an hour near Snowdon, admiring the views of routes that I had walked up and climbed in my youth.
Snowdon. Photo: Andrew Brown
RAF Valley Radar were very relaxed about our movements, obviously they're not as busy as in our RAF friends’ Gnat days. A number of badge claims were done that day, so well done to all. Well done too for landing safely after descending through some very rough rotor on the way down!
There was not much flying in the next few days. Steve Noujaim gave a talk about his record breaking round trip in 2010 to Cape Town in a single engine plane with 200 horsepower. He did this feat in 3 days, 11 hours and 16 minutes, there and back. Flying through thunderstorms in darkness near the equator for 6 hours was gripping stuff. It was a tale of ingenuity and endurance. Afterwards, I suggested to Robin May that he could have a go at the record in his RV. He gave me a broad grin as if to say “Not bloody likely”!
Clutching at Straws. Photo: David A White.
The second week
The second week brought some limited flying opportunities. Tuesday was a wave day, a slim opportunity grabbed in a hurry after a rainy start. The rotor cloud downwind of Cadair Idris attracted a lot of gliders and gave a rapid 4 to 5 knot initial ascent. Top cover held most to modest heights but some got to 8,000ft and were very happy with that.
Second week group. Photo: Paul Candler
On the last day, Robin's briefing was for wave from a southerly wind but you would have to be brave and have a motor glider to get the benefit. Mark Burton commented that he only qualified on one of the two criteria! He motored with Hans in 4M under a 2,300 ft sheet of cloud and through some very rough air to a clearance in front of Cadair Idris, where they were able to climb to 9,800 feet. The wind was reducing with height (22 knots low down and 11 knots higher up) so the climb weakened with height. They made a dash to Bala and back down the Mawddach (Barmouth) valley.
Lake Bala. Photo: Mark Burton
There was good food to be had in local towns. We often had to book because of ongoing covid restrictions and the demand from the many holiday makers in the area. The marvellous Ellie, who used to run a café at the airfield, did roast dinners for us on two nights each week.
Many thanks to Robin, Trevor, Phil and Dan for making it all happen. A special mention too should go to Ed, Hans, Alan and Pete for putting a lot of time and effort into repairing the trailers.
‘The photos show what a spectacular place Llanbedr is to glide from. Steve and I were very lucky to be able to share it with you good folks. Thank you.’
- John McWilliam
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Written by Andrew Brown
