Mode Zero

Don't look at forecast 's just turn up and have fun. That's our plan.

Forecast a week ahead are never reliable. A week ago they forecast today would be sunny all day with easterly wind. Today is actually cloudy and rain due by 4pm with a southerly wind...

Last years Ivinghoe meet was cancelled due to the wrong wind direction. Nobody told us and we had a fantastic day's flying with plenty of lift. In fact nearly every year it's been cancelled by the Ivinghoe club and yet we've flown every time. It seems like mode-zero meet goes ahead on the official day, their meet on a reserve date which is often not as good conditions as the one they cancelled. See you all next week?

I most certainly agree, 24 hours ahead is not always 100% accurate but a good guide. Having never been there before, I was just wondering whether a Southerly is acceptable wind direction to be able to fly.

I’m covered in balsa dust trying hard to get an old timer ready in time.

Fingers crossed for a suitable forecast. Original of this decode is from Michael Green's "The Art of Coase Sailing"

Hi Graham,

There is a south-facing slope that is quite flyable, but it isn't as good as the west slope. The most convienient slope is the north-east slope as it's a 30-second walk from the car park...

The Ivinghoe Soaring Association website says there is no south-west slope flyable, but it is partially incorrect, as we all flew there last year in a SW wind and had great lift. A SSW wind isn't great, as there is only a very narrow slope and the band of lift is easy to fly out of, and you find yourself going downwind into sink and a walk to the bottom.

All the normal forecasts have already changed from that given last Friday, they now all say sun with 12mph wind. We will only know Saturday morning for certain!

It was really good to see everyone yesterday, and huge thanks to all, and particularly to Phil, who helped in the recovery of my Lapwing from the top of a Hawthorn bush with minimal damage!!!

Just for the record..... That was the maiden flight of the model and it had been almost uncontrollable due to the CG being too far back. With a chunk of lead in the nose, the next flight was a lot better but it still needs a few "tweeks" and by the afternoon it was really too windy for "trimming flights" so I gave it best and decided to preserve the model for another day.....

Thanks again to everyone for your help...... Roll on next year!

Paul

Great weekend, lots of flying, banter and fun.
As the ISA retro weekend organiser seems better at cancelling events than running them maybe we should have a Mode Zero weekend down there.

Brilliant idea and maybe more than one a year

Jonathan and I were mulling over the possibility of having mode zero , group outings to slope sites around the country.

Early days yet but Norfolk could be on the cards first.

Shaun wrote: 10 Sep 2025, 23:22 ............. Norfolk could be on the cards first.

Sad to say but there are no hills worthy of the name in Norfolk, nor the rest of East Anglia come to that!.....

The best bet would be the South Downs where there are lots of great slopes, but it's a loooong way for you Northerners.