KLM video

 

Arosa (3 days)

Tuesday (8.2.): very short flight with the new harness - unfortunately no thermals. So there is not very much to say about the new harness: running (on launch) is easier; riser attachment point is lower, so I can grab the 'Baby' A-risers more easily. On the other hand: there is much less insulation under the butt...

ready for launch (pix by webcam)

Wednesday (9.2.): unfortunately the cablecar from 'Mittelstation' to 'Weisshorn Gipfel' has been out of service for the whole day - and this happend on the 'best' day of the week (for flying). I took the chair lift to 'Brüggerhorn' and hoped to reach the launch on Weisshorn by hiking...

Brüggerhorn looking to Weisshorn (Sattelhütte): turning back at 'x'

 

But I hadoverestimated my abilities: very steep trail in places, slippery snow, (too) heavy backback and not enough stamina made me turn around about one third up. I might have been able to reach the Weisshorn, but then a safe launch would probably not have been possible. Therefore I decided to turn around, hike down to Sattelhütte and then up the chairlift station on Brüggerhorn for a  ride down.

Thursday (10.2.): Cable car to Weisshorn was running again :-)

After a pretty nice launch I initially found some thermals over Prätschli hotel and flew for 1.25 hours, then it became too cold :-(

Beside the new harness I also was using Syride's Sys'Nav XL flight instrument for the first time. The vario seems pretty accurate and is very lightweight, but handling of the instrument needs more practice.

Gurtzeug

While I've been away flying on the Canary Islands, André from Flugsau has produced my new harness: Flugsau Pigi e-light (size L).

The harness has an especially large 'stowing area' and it has to be inflated before launch. The airbag will hold the air for the entire flight (no ramair pockets). Inflation can be done with the inflation bag (also used for stowing/ transporting the harness) or with a small electric pump ;-)  The reserve is not integrated but in a seperate front container (- much easier access when throwing with my left hand).

'new' (Flugsau) and 'old' (Sup'Air)

The difference is obvious: much smaller packing size and about 2.5 kgs less weight (for harness and reserve)  :-)

I'm hoping that conditions later this week will allow some flights in Arosa...

Monday/ Tuesday: traveling days

 ...and already my 4 weeks on the Canary Islands are over...

On Monday I have brought Hartmut and Gaby to the airport for their return flight to DUS. Even though it would have been flyable, I had to renounce as I didn't feel really fit-to-fly (after an almost sleepless night). To finish off this vacation, I had a Sushi dinner with Robert (- many thanks for the invitation!)

Tuesday: Departure at 1400; but before I had a look at the launch at 'el Tanque', as I never have been there before.

el Tanque

 

reaching Portugal near Faro

Departing with 22°C, arriving in ZRH (on time) with 2°C :-((

Conclusion: 4 weeks in mostly nice and warm weather. Due to Calima many days have not been flyable, but it still has been a great time together with great friends!