'forced break' -2 >> 'flight ban' lifted :-))

Just a few days ago I had to visit my ophtalmologist, who did the cataract procedure on my left eye in January. He found everything to be in perfect order and as originally planned. So he lifted my 'flight ban'.
My equipment (glider and reserve) has also been checked in the meantime (and found to be in order). Now I only have to wait for a few decent days to get airborne again. Unfortunately so far I can see nothing in the wx forecast for the rest of the week. But the days will come...

new video by Jean-Baptiste Chandelier: 'Home Flight'

another great video by JB Chandelier:
- on facebook : https://www.facebook.com/jbchandelieron Facebook
- his website :   http://www.jeanbaptistechandelier.com/
 

more videos here

Hangliding Wilson Arch (near Moab, UT)

Something for my HG friends:

or the link here

Zac Majors: Wilson Arch

Dolomites (Rodella, Canazei, Pordoi, Marmolada): danger of being closed for flying!!

Screwing up in the Dolomites

Rodolfo Saccani of the FIVL writes:

We keep having serious problems in the Dolomites (expecially in Canazei – Col Rodella – Pordoi – Marmolada).

>>>  The Dolomites area is again at risk of being closed to free flight!

I ask you to please help us in informing European pilots and schools by publishing on your websites and magazines the following information (please also send me links to your websites once you published the news so that we can show to the authorities our cooperation in keeping these area safe).

The search and rescue helicopter service in the Dolomites area (Canazei, Col Rodella, Pordoi, Marmolada) is still struggling when hundreds of pilots, from all over Europe, keep flying during rescue operations not allowing the helicopter to properly operate to help fellow free flight pilots that need assistance.

The situation is so bad that the authorities will close the area if we can't manage to solve this problem.  In order to keep everybody safe and in order to keep open to free flight one of the most beautiful flight areas in the world, all pilots flying in the Dolomites area are requested to:

1) Take note: the official phone number in Italy for the rescue service is 118.

2) Starting from this year, we start experimenting with a radio channel reserved to flight safety.  Keep a radio always listening on the safety radio channel that we call "8-16" which is PMR channel 8 with CTSS subtone 16.  For the most technical pilots the frequency is 446,09375 Mhz + subtone 114,8 Hz This radio channel will be used to provide instructions during rescue operations and for any other safety-related communication.  Keep the channel free, don't use it for non-safety communications.  PMR radios are cheap and light.  Getting a second radio just for this safety channel is a good choice: it will be your cheapest piece of safety equipment.  Communication during emergencies is very important.

3) When you see the helicopter (red or yellow) fly at least 2Km away from the rescue area.

4) Tell also to your friends, on your usual radio channel, to move 2Km away from the rescue area.

5) If there is no other way to communicate with them, use the "ears" with the paraglider as a way to communicate that they also have to leave the area.

6) Don't stay in front of the helicopter when it's hovering.  Even when you think that the helicopter has reached it's operation place and that it's safe to keep flying, the helicopter is probably waiting for free flight pilots (including yourself) to move away in order to proceed to the rescue area.

7) Every pilot flying in the Dolomites area must have a red and a green smoke bomb.  They can be found at the Col Rodella cablecar.  If you have an accident and need medical help use the red smoke bomb.  If you have an accident and don't need medical assistance use the green smoke bomb and fold the wing.

Rodolfo Saccani | Commissione Sicurezza FIVL

"forced break" (Zwangspause)

Due to a procedure in my left eye ('cataract'/ 'Grauer Star')  -held on 7.Januray- I'm unfortunately 'grounded' until the end of February :-((
So don't expect too many posts in the mean time...
Thanks for your patience.

Arosa: 30.12.15

...one last flight in 2015...

Medergen

Arosa

26.December 2015: and even some weak thermals on the 'Weisshorn' and 'Hauptikopf' - just crazy...

Marlies

The Obersee in Arosa has almost completely frozen over (we call it 'blackice') and makes for a huge LZ; to be shared with icehockey players, iceskaters etc... 
And - best of all - I had (for once) no problems at all launching :-))

27.12. Arosa-Chur:

Pano: center: Chur / Calanda

LZ in Chur: bei Fürstenwaldstall

Snowbirds (Royal Canadian Air Force Aerobatic team) - tank cam

The Royal Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds air demonstration team has taken remote camera video to a new level with their "Tank Cam." The team, officially 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, has mounted a gimbaled, remote-controlled plexiglass-protected camera to the back of the small external centerline fuel tank on the team lead's aircraft. (Text/ picture: courtesy www.avweb.com)

the link is here

Season's Greetings!

accelerated collapses

I have found this video by Ralf Kahr Reite, in which he demonstrates his 'theory' that in case of a collapse when flying accelerted, the pilot shouldn't release the speed bar immediately/ too early. When keeping the speedbar pushed for a while longer, the whole situation seems to develop much less 'dynamic'...

Beschleuniger zu früh gelöst - speed bar released too early
immer noch zu früh - still too early
jetzt passt's - now it's ok

Arosa

Finally the conditions permitted also a flight for me: the last couple of times the wind just hasn't been 'right' for me. I need just a little headwind in order to launch without problems and that hasn't been the case lately.

Peter W.

Meanwhile my Oudie3 has been upgraded to Oudie 3+ and it's seems better readable in sunlight.

Weather

The latest issue of free.aero features a series of articles about the weather (emagramm etc) with links to useful sites.

On meteo-parapente.com you can find a simplified version of the emagramm, more adapted to our (PG) needs (details are explained in the issue above).

If you're going this site regularily, you might consider making a samll donation to its 'makers'... (the necessary info can be found on the website)

Harry Hofmann - the last navigator

By coincidence I've found this article about my former instructor for astronavigation while I attended SLS (Swiss Aviation Scool) in 1908-81. He's been one of the best and certainly the most interesting teacher I ever had!

Find the article here - especially: the second part which describes his life. Unfortunately it does his career and experiences not really justice -they are way more interesting.

Quixada: another TO by Nicole

Not so windy this time...

Ozone Test Pilot Russell Ogden discusses all things Paragliding

Video from 2012 where Russell Odgen (Test pilot for Ozone) talks about techniques of flying modern gliders.

or here is the link.

Mark Twain

Arosa

Pano from Weisshorn; looking towards Chur/ Calanda (center pix)

For the first time this year the ABB (Arosa Berg Bahnen -Company) run the Hörnli gondola and Weisshorn cable cars on all weekends in November. They have even prepared a ski slope at the Hörnli for the eager skiers.... So already last weeks many pilots took advantage of this opportunity, as normally at this time of the year almost no cable cars are running. And the few that are (like Fanas) can have quite long queues.

Erich

On both days there have been some thermals, so it was possible to climb a little above the summit of the Weisshorn. I only flew today as yesterday the conditions on launch had been a little tricky (cross wind), but for this time of the year it has been a really nice flight to Chur!

Chur

Emirates: #HelloJetman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VPvKl6ezyc

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFCQJ5sYGtI

(extended version)

Nicole Fedele: Quixada - 'windy' TO

                              Here are some links, which might be of interest: 
                                                         -  Facebook
                                                     -  her homepage

preliminary/ unconfirmed: new ladies-WR open distance: 394km by Nicole Fedele

Today (3.11.15) Nicole Fedele (IT)  flew (approx) 394.8km from Quixada (Bra).
If confirmed, this would be a new WR for ladies - congratulations, very well done!!

The track log of the flight can be found here.  OLC-distance 401km