It was just by a fluke that a chap in Norway found a video I posted on Youtube.com the week earlier and posted it onto the rcgroups.com forum. After joining in with other aerial photographers on the internet I learnt that an aerial photography meeting was being organised and that it was in my area.

As you’ll see from the photos the weather was not so kind to us, but we did get plenty of flying in across three sites. Ray Jones from the Clwyd Soaring Association was there as our guide and host and under his expert eye we were shepherded around the Welsh countryside like sheep under the watchful eyes of a local hill farmer.

Flying site 1
From our initial meeting place we were taken down a seemingly endless number of country lanes and single track roads to the first flying site. With the landowners permission (obtained in advance of the meeting) we launched off the side of a landscaped hillside overlooking one of many beautiful Clwydian valleys that abound the area. I was reminded of my slope soaring days (some 20 years ago) and that it was generally bad practise to launch a model into the sinky side of a mountain. I guess electric gliders and ding resilient airframes are beginning to make me lazy?

The scenery was stunning and the aerial photography great fun. For me, this was the first time I had shot from the air away from home, so I was hoping I could pull something off.

After getting in some video, I swapped for the stills camera (terrestrial) and proceeded to snap up the others present.

Flying site 2
I don’t really know the name for this site. It’s best described as around the opposite side of the Horseshoe Pass, West of our current location. A short car drive along narrow single track roads and we were facing out into a west facing valley.

From here I managed plenty of flying, but only took still shots from the ground. As this was away from the crowds (there were crowds?) the AP flying turned into EP flying with many electric models taking to the air including my ducted fan Multiplex Microjet. You’ll also see photos of the inclement weather. apparently it rains in Wales.

I can only describe site three as breathtaking. We were on a south ridge over Llangollen overlooking the town and golf course. Views to the right of the slope melted into the Cheshire plain. Beeston castle and the Sandstone Trail ridge were clearly visible.

Flying site 3

Excellent flying was performed from this site. Another first for me as I was able to fly the Cularis aircraft as a slope soarer. I hope you enjoy the images and video contained on this site and maybe find the inspiration to go out and try it for yourself.