Flying into BAD weather - Final leg - Low and slow to BALADO (Scotland) - Part 5

[@DougBow96]

Thumbs up and appreciate the encouragement to go on a similar XC adventure in my backyard. 😁 Bummer about the rain storm. Excellent work finding spots to land out.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Doug, I'm glad the videos have encountered some adventurong travels. How are things over there?

[@DougBow96]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Thanks for asking. Hot 🥵 and dry. Busy with farming but hopefully a flight next week.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Great series 👍👍👍👍👍

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Glad you enjoyed them.. Not sure what I can do now. 🤔😁.

[@FlyingDarkLord]

It’s so goo to enjoy watching some flying when the weather prevents us from physically doing it 😢

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Geoff, I'm glad they are providing a flying "fix" for you.

[@Dave4291]

Great journey, this really is flying

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi David, thank you for following. I still have to pinch myself.

[@paulhiggins4216]

Great and enjoyable video again Giles; thanks v much. Some very valuable reminders there amongst which, the need for us all to be always be prepared for rapid changes in the expected weather. Plus, however enjoyable the flying, just how potentially fatiguing multi-stop trips can be. In my experience, it’s as much the mental energy one has to chuck into the planning/aviating as anything else that draws on your energy/capacity ‘pot’. Well done to all three of you.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Paul, you hit the "lessons identified" (I bet that made you smile), list for planning the Grand Tours. Keeping the concentration levels to a manageable level.

[@flyskiride]

What an eventful ending to a great trip. Well done, it was great to watch the adventure!👍🏼

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Lee, it certainly was eventful. We all took a lot away from this. Can you send some good weather so we can fly again please 😁

[@TomGarner4505]

What an adventure, it really does show that those small machines are far more capable than many people think they are.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

HI Tom, you need to get your flexwing sign off, then you can experience the pure joy, fun and games.

[@vauxscott]

What a fun trip! Must be hugely rewarding. Not the end you wanted but some very good calls were made! Count me in for next time!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

I can't wait buddy, I can't wait. The GTs are just going to be so much fun.

[@JodelFlyer]

Great mini series Giles. I hope it generates a lot of interest for your Grand Tours. Good luck with that. As I say in my videos, ‘Take care and stay safe’ 👍😎

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Tim, when I get a minute I have your video from yesterday to catch up on. Good to see you back. Yes I really hope the Grand Tours help encourage more to stretch their wings.

[@wrdturkey]

Trike wings and hang glider wings make great shelter in temporary downpours. Thanks for posting. That was a great trip.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Wayne, it literally downpoured about 2 minutes after I landed and I agree, they do make a good shelter😁💯.

[@paulmcmahon2034]

I’ll use the word stunning again. It’s absolutely inspiring. In a predictable world of technology and sofas it’s a flashback to the days of real adventure. It reminds me so much of our trip from the midlands of Ireland to Oban in Scotland in 2002 in a 462 Huntwing. Bad weather precautionary landing there too and our trip to France via Scotland a couple of years later. Thanks a million Giles for sharing your memories and experiences. They’ve revitalised mine. Hopefully we’ll meet in Darley Moor sometime soon because I feel a trip coming on.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Paul, it was a brilliant trip and like yourself, I hope it encourages others to venture past their own postcode. I hope the Grand Tours help.

[@paulmcmahon2034]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 you won’t see it just yet but this will have a significant impact on the sub 70 and hopefully flexwing flying in general. Yourself and Mark are very marketable and people will buy into you and what you do so just keep doing it. I even watch Mark’s Wingnuts now. You know I followed you long before you did this trip but you’ve really excelled this time. I’m off to race in the Belgian Classic TT next week but I’ll always have one eye out for your videos so keep them coming.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Paul, how did the Classic TT go for you?

[@paulmcmahon2034]

It was fantastic Giles. I finished 7th in class with badly fading brakes, scary stuff at over 100 mph. Just chilling in Normandy for the past few days. Ferry home from Cherbourg tomorrow.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@paulmcmahon2034 Safe travels.

[@gedstokes4832]

Giles, yet again been looking forward to your video. As per norm the three of you have knocked it out of the park. I didn’t realise you had experienced such trials and tribulations in getting home. As per other videos stunning views and scenery. Excellent support team. (Vital). I hope I will be able to take part in an adventure with you in the future. Fantastic, and pleased you have all got back safely. 👍👍👍

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Ged, I can't wait to get you back in the air, the Quantum is back. It was definitely an adventure of many highs with a minor low at the end. I'd do it all again in a heart beat.

[@chrsfrwll]

The joys of having a backup support crew. That's what stops me going big distances; no support.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Chris, and that is the whole reason behind the Grand Tours, knowing you can be helped along the way. It's why I never did paragliding unless it was in a comp, no retrieve 🤔😊.

[@stevedoran3631]

Great series of videos Giles...... be nice to se more adventures like this!... nice work!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Steve, we are planning some and I think the Grand Tours are going to become a regular thing.

[@stevedoran3631]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Excellent...... something to look forward to!

[@ShortField]

Sub 30mph groundspeed must be demoralising especially when you have so far to go. Glad you all got down safe even if it wasn't at your planned destination. Going to miss the videos of this trip, so well filmed and flown. Great stuff Giles brilliant 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Terry, it kind of took me back to my paramotor days of 15mph ground speeds. It was such a challenging yet rewarding few days.

[@BrianTurboT]

Luvly Jubbly 🙂 Well done ALL, for finding safe places to land.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Brian, it felt like back in my paramotor days, just a little bit faster. The wing did make a very good shelter as the heavens opened, 2 minutes after I landed.

[@tomcoryell]

Just figured out Foxtrot, Whiskey, Lima, Romeo. Buy some vowels and it adds up!😀 Didn’t notice until I saw it on the wing. Have a good day sir!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

HI Tom, it's a little bit sneaky but worth it. Shame I can't transfer it. I've dropped you an email. I hope it makes sense.

[@peterkelseyferryair2396]

Giles.... Eccles Newton is still in Scotland, though I can understand that you were getting befuddled after so many Low & Slow sectors & Mark had to confirm that you were still in Scotland... You might have even flown over English Soil in the circuit to Eccles Newton as the English Border is only 0.9nm South of Eccles Newton. The Cheviot Hill is 13nm SE of Eccles Newton Airfield so maybe Ben could see the Cheviots in the distance. Excellent video (as always) & glad you all got down safely ;-)

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

So close yet not quite south enough. Thank you for confirming. It was still a wonderful adventure and even the land out made it a bit exciting.

[@ferryair]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 I think between you and Mark you are certainly making Sub 70's more popular & are proving that they are "Serious Touring Ultralights ' Well done on the Low & Slow Balbo to Balado..... I think your Grand Tours will get bigger and bigger as so many people are now seeing what is possible with a Sub 70. I am impressed by your achievements on this trip, so pleased that you got the transit over Edinburgh Airport as it is a lovely site to fly over ( The next one for you should be Gatwick Airport enroute into Charlwood Vallance Byways)

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Peter, thank you again for your kind words of encouragement. We were technically SSDR as we wanted to carry the extra fuel but in reality we could have achieved it as a Sub70 machine, we just wanted the extra safety of fuel. It's the focus behind the Grand Tours to help encourage Sub70 and SSDR fliers what cna be achieved. I've always been a fan of pushing what can be achieved and it seems to now be more obvious to the masses follow our little adventure.

[@thecampawvaners5890]

Great mini-series Giles, just the tonic in this awful weather we're having right now. Still love my PG/PPG but these videos tempt me! Hopefully see you soon at DM. Mike

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Mike, I am sad that there are no more legs to share but I hope the Grand Tours will give an external flavour with other pilots sharing the joy of flying to New places.

[@fredmolloy6197]

Absolutely fab Giles start to finish, brilliant adventure with top editing glad you’re your all safe mate, T-W-F-M 👍

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

I'm going to have to get T shirts printed with TWFM on it. 😂😁

[@fredmolloy6197]

That would be MINT.😂😂

[@ianimg1043]

I've really enjoyed this mini series, well done Giles so creative and inspiring. Roll on the Tours 😊

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Ian, looking forward to seeing you back at DM.

[@nsm3]

Great series Giles, shame the cameras weren't rolling for your safe land out, would've been confidence inspiring to a newbie like me. As an aside (which is of interest to no one), like Ben, I also went to Newcastle Poly from 1979-81, but the Hang Gliding Club must've passed unnoticed by me?

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi NSM3, it's clearly a small world, I'll let Ben know about your comment. Thanks for following along.

[@flyingkub]

I liked the "Oh there's a centre line there" it reminds me of my old instructor who would say "Cadet we could visit the professionals on the centre line, they will not mind". You have been doing very well getting video footage and fly all the legs, a BIG WELL DONE from me.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

I'm glad you can see the fun side of all my random comments🤣. It's been a real labour of love putting these together. I hope they encourage more to leave their postcode and stretch their legs.

[@flyingkub]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 I think it was a great series that may well get a couple to do more than a local flight. The big advantage of your type of aircraft, is if you have support as you did, when the weather stops play, you can fold it up and go home. I really think that is a big advantage and needs a video to demo.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@flyingkub I'm actually making a rigging and folding video for Ben. 😊

[@flyingkub]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 That is nice but I was thinking of a "This is the big advantage of the PeaBee when you land away and can't fly back" Type of video, showing the ease of folding and transport.

[@92redferrari]

Hi Giles. I got my training at East Fortune great to see 29 and 11 again. I flew in a flash 2 alpha I liked it as it seems to have that floaty feeling your ultralights have. I did XC to strathaven and Baledo. I actually live beside baledo now although no flying pity I missed you three. Going across Edinburgh airport and musselburgh to east fortune was great. Great to see Jill there. I hear Douglas doesn't train any more. Any way great adventure from the three of you. Sure was epic.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Redferrari, sorry we missed you as well and I hope that it brought back some fond memories.

[@kevchilton908]

Fantastic series, Giles. Well done for recording the footage you did, especially when it must have been difficult at times. I for one enjoyed every minute, and I bet everyone else to came along did also. So glad you were all able to land away safely when the weather turned. Well done! 👌👏👏👏

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Kevin, thank you so much for your kind words. It's genuinely a labour of love to make these, the pennies I get fro YT would never cover it, but I don't do it for those reasons. Still got the kettle on when you have your generator fixed.

[@freebiker2765]

Thanks Giles - I’ve enjoyed every minute of the videos of your epic trip. We’ll done to all of you. I’m looking forward to the next adventure - once you’ve recovered, of course!! Cheers John

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi John, I'm glad you enjoyed it, you never know the Grand Tours might come to the South West 🤔😉😁.

[@freebiker2765]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 It would be great to meet up at last, Giles. But have you given any thought yet as to whether your grand tours would admit sub-70 (non FTROL) pilots and, if so, how? Maybe joining specific legs?

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@freebiker2765 yes, it's all been considered. The first one is Sub70 and SSDR specific.

[@freebiker2765]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 ... interesting - I'll wait to hear more! BTW, the latest edition of Microlight shows more G registrations of PeaBees and Adams than any other machine. Presumably these are all people converting to SSDR?

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Yes, the new registrations will all be SSDR, the CAA don't want Sub70 with G registrations on.

[@AnthonyVella]

Love seeing all the flex wings lined up for takeoff!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

I see you started with the last episode 😜

[@neilbarriskell7840]

What an epic journey and so well filmed and narrated. Most enjoyable microlight series I’ve seen in ages. Well done Giles.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Neil, we need to catch up in person next time you are in the UK for a good old Nato standard. 😁

[@neilbarriskell7840]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 works for me big lad

[@jonfb1683]

These videos are genuinely inspiring. Great work all!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Jon, I'm glad they are. Change the postcode can be so rewarding.

[@paulieb796]

Awesome video series. I enjoyed everyone and it had inspired me to stretch my legs. See you all in Troutbeck.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Break out the camping kit and the 2 stroke oil my friend.

[@flybe146]

I tell you what Charles I have thoroughly enjoyed these videos with you Ben and Mark having your adventures and can't wait to see the next flying adventures mate - well done great stuff!!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi David, it's wonderful to see your comment, I'd wondered if you gone on a long holiday. I've not been called Charles before (Giles) 😂. I'm so glad you have enjoyed the series.

[@flybe146]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 So sorry Giles of course I did know your name as I have called you it enough times but my bloody silly computer and it's auto text thing is really quite strange at times! No, I promise you I am still following you and your adventurers and loving every one of them mate!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@flybe146 it was more to make sure you were OK. I'm a big softy really. 😊.

[@InducedBank]

Epic trip, and a shame the weather stopped it a bit prematurely, but once again the ability to land out almost anywhere was well proven with 3 different landing sites! Well done all 😁. Don't you just love the view over the air museum as you take off from East Fortune on 11? Still love seeing that - spooky seeing it in your vid!! Eccles is a cracking wee strip - but definitely a short strip! Hope you met Gary there - lovely chap! Brilliant series!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Mike, it was weired being at your site having seen it in so many of your videos... I did leave the museum in just for you. It really did prove just how versatile the PeaBee's are and how they kept us safe. Bring on the next adventures, they don't need to be long, just shared with others.

[@tomcoryell]

You all seem knackered in this video. I enjoyed Mark’s humor about going to the gym not counting unless it’s posted to social media🤣🤣🤣. I’ll bet Michelle got quite the tour in having to track each of you down and then navigate close enough to pick you up. Did you have any disgruntled farmers or such when you all had to put down due to weather? I don’t envy you on the camera management and editing. I hope Adobe elements is intuitive. Well done on the videos!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

HI Tom, yes, it was tiring but rewarding at the same time. I think it was too wet for the farmers to be out or bothered, but we were all safe and that is what counts. I think the 3 of us bounced off each other, and that just added to the adventure. Michelle and Mella were a Stella team and had their own mini adventures seeing some amazing sights as well. I'll try and get their side in any future vlogs.

[@TomHardie-zv9or]

An amazing set of flights and videos, thanks. Is there a reason that you didn’t plan another Zone crossing at Newcastle?

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Tom and thank you. The air was getting quite thermic so we opted for the smoother costal air which was very smooth. I'm not sure Newcastle would have been as flexible as Edinburgh.

[@halfrhovsquared]

As soon as I saw that barn in your cold-open, I knew exactly where you were. I flew into Eccles Newton for their fly-in. As is often the case at fly-ins, Hotel Lima was the only gyrocopter there and I have a photo of her parked almost exactly where you were standing. I've flown into East Fortune a couple of times, too, and Balado is fairly familiar territory, as well.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

It's definitely a beautiful country to fly in. I will have to go back up there.

[@halfrhovsquared]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 - Let me know when you are coming up again and we could arrange to meet up. If you are up this way again, I would recommend Oban... and, of course, Perth.

[@huffpappy]

Hello Giles, Do you know if there is anything like the Icarus Trophy for microlights? I don''t think there is, but there should be. You guys had quite an adventure.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Sam, not that I'm aware of, it's kind of why we wanted to do this. The bigger twin seats carry everything but then alll you do is blast along on a straight line. We wanted the low and slow side of it for the fun side.

[@huffpappy]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Your Balado trek is why I asked. Having something like the Icarus Trophy for sub 70/nano trikes would be a blast. It wouldn't be much of a challenge in the bigger, faster two place trikes. I'm not sure if there are enough of us light trike pilots in the US to make it viable here, but Europe seems to have a lot more of you guys. Maybe the European manufacturers like Flylight, Aeros, La mouette, or Eurofly would be interested in getting something going. I think it would help sell a lot of trikes. Anyhow, it's just an idea.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Sam, only just found this follow up comment. Its kind of why the Grand Tours were started, to encourage more to go further than their Postcode ( Zip code).

[@huffpappy]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Maybe the Grand Tours will grow into something bigger. Can you imagine how cool it'd be to have 30 or so trikes going on a long distance cross country jaunt? I can only imagine the fun!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@huffpappy sounds epic.

[@flexmaniac]

Since it's SSDR, surely Mark could fit some fog lights without too much bother? 😉

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Don't give Mark any silly ideas, they'll be a modification, the only issue is a lack of power and charging system.

[@flexmaniac]

@GolfFoxtrot22 you're not doing much with your legs. You could pedal to keep the light on!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Haha, now that's an idea.

[@offshoretinker]

!85 rules!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Michael, is that a typo !85?

[@edwalker2790]

Did you arrange for the fuel mule to bring you two stroke oil? I just did my second cross country! About 20 miles round trip. It was amazing!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Ed, we planned to carry oil with us and also have a stash in the trailer so all eventualities were covered. Nice one on your XC, was it good fun?

[@edwalker2790]

@GolfFoxtrot22 It was awesome. Flying at 1200' you can really see the ridges and topography in my area, as apossed to when I'm flying a jet. My first A to B flight was to Kolb field just across the river. ( Birthplace of Kolb Ultralights) Beautiful grass strip.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

I can really relate to seeing the the land from above. It sounds like you are definitely enjoying your Adam.

[@edwalker2790]

@GolfFoxtrot22 Heck yeah. Can't wait to take it out again. Still need a bit of carb tuning but it's running good. I stopped just shy of the dimensions you said for the butterfly cut out, because I lost my spares somewhere. I'll get it sorted. I can't figure out the fuel calibration on the motomonitor.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@edwalker2790 you are probably better off, emptying the tank and just putting 1 litre marks all the way up, then you'll know from a physical measurement against time.

[@edwalker2790]

Were you guys flying throughout the day? I usually limit my flights to early mornings or evenings when the thermic activity is less.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Ed, we were flying right throughout the day.

[@edwalker2790]

@GolfFoxtrot22 Dang. Well, here on the east coast we've been getting pop-up thunderstorms and big ol cumulus clouds everyday. Thermals that can knock me well out of control.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

I think your lapse rates are slightly higher than we get here.

[@DavidReckitt]

You all did seem tired. No surprise. 🥹

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi David, it certainly gave us a good indiction of what the Grand Tour lengths should be like.