XC paragliding from the Peak District: how to fly further

The Peak District is an area of hills in central England. Flying XC from the Peaks is a usually a downwind run towards flatlands in the East and South. Typical British conditions are weak thermals, low cloudbases, and moderate winds.

To make long flights in these conditions, the crux is to arrive in the flatlands outside the Peaks with enough height to find a thermal to get you back up to cloudbase. Once in the flatlands, staying up is easier. The challenge becomes navigating the airspace.

On November 18, the Derbyshire Soaring Club held an XC workshop aimed at helping pilots make that critical transition beyond the first 20-30km. This post summarizes the main points.

Be prepared

Equipment: same every time, always ready
Physical / mental condition: avoid diuretics!
Weather: choose site accordingly
Other “life” commitments: juggle work/family
Airspace and NOTAMS: phone Scampton MATZ

Stay up!

If you stay in the air, you will make distance. 20Km per hour is a rule of thumb. Make short glides; don’t race yourself into the ground.

Be as high as possible over the highest ground

Take a thermal that will drift you over the highest ground. If you lose your thermal, continue to search over high ground rather than taking a hopeful glide into a valley.

Know the local terrain

From Bradwell, the highest points are the 2 antennas atop Eyam and Shatton Moor. Head for either of these, depending on the wind. Gain enough height to reach the far side of the Hope Valley before proceeding. The next high point to aim at is Froggart Edge.

Top up your height before leaving the Peaks

Air tends to sink down the shady lee slopes on the edges of the Peaks. For this reason, you need to be as high as possible over the last section of high ground to glide through this sink and pick up a thermal in the flatlands.

Mentally map out the organization of clouds and thermals on the day

Periodically keep an eye on cloud development as you’re climbing, and correlate clouds with their shadows on the ground. You’ll have a mental map of nearby clouds by the time you get to cloudbase, which will help you plan the next move.

Let the clouds be your guide

The clouds show actual lift. Ground sources are mere bets and may not work due to the interference of the prevailing wind. Only when very low, look for a windward ridge to dive on to and hope.

Stay with a working cloud

Only leave a cloud when it’s stopped working. Leaving strong lift will often mean a flight through strong sink.

Glide along the line of least sink

Drift to one side or the other to investigate if the sink there is weaker or stronger. Be alive to cloud streeting.

Glide at trim

Only use the speed bar if you’re in the strong sink just before a reliable source of lift.

Choose a good time to leave the hill

If you’re not out for a record, leave the hill when thermals are at their strongest, around 1400 (on a good day).

Be flexible

Each day is different. Plan according to your observations of the day rather than following a pre-determined formula.

Set goals for the season and know how to achieve them

Mine is to make the most of each day I fly, and to fly 50 miles. I need to work on my observation of clouds and terrain.

Define a task for the day

Having a goal stretches you, and is useful for shorter flights (e.g. if airspace or time is going to limit distance).

Credits:

Gordon Bishop, Pat Dower, Ruth Churchill Dower, Nigel Page, Andy Wallis, Ben Morris. And a motley crew of wizened XC pilots.

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