Anyway: congratulations to Nicole Fedele for a great competiton!
Videos of the competiton can be found here.
Monday, 30 January 2017
PWC Superfinal 2016 in Governador Valadares (BRA)
...for 9 task she was leading the overall ranking; on the 10th (and last) task she came in second after Seiko Fukuoka Naville and this unfortunately resulted in 2nd overall place for the PWC superfinal.
Anyway: congratulations to Nicole Fedele for a great competiton!
Videos of the competiton can be found here.
Anyway: congratulations to Nicole Fedele for a great competiton!
Videos of the competiton can be found here.
Saturday, 21 January 2017
la Palma: Campanarios/ el Gallo
Also the last 2 days of this week of flying here on la Palma have been very good.
Yesterday (in Campanarios) I didn't feel so motivated and landed already after 50mins of flying :-((
Later in the afternoon at my little 'Finca', my neighbours told me that there was oil under my car (Fiat Panda 4x4). Apparently while driving up to Campanarios I must have hit a stone/ rock somewhere. It was not leaking very much, but I called Hartmut to have a look at it. He meant, that it probably would be safe to drive it for another day... But during the night I decided not to take any risks and in the morning informed the rental agency. They offered to exchange the car here at my 'finca' during the day. So for flying today, Hartmut and Gaby took me to 'el Gallo' (before they headed to the airport for their return flight), where I lauched just before the clouds started to prevent a flight from 1300m.
For the first 20min I didn't find almost no lift at all and was already down on the ridge above the LZ. For another 20mins I had to scratch around without gaining much height. Fortunately then the thermals became stronger/ more organized and a nice flight was finally possible. I flew almost to Fuencaliente/ los Canarios, where I had to turn around as conditions became rather 'strange': at times strong sink and also much more wind. I landed after 2h10' in Puerto Naos and took a cab back to my house (where I found the replacement car already waiting).
Tomorrow there will be no more flying as my flight leaves at 1330. But it has been a very good week with lots of nice flight.
Flying the 777 Rook2 is a real pleasure and not once I felt uncomfortable! Especially launches in nil wind are pretty easy.
Many thanks to Hartmut and Gaby for the great company and all the assistance/ driving/ retrieving!
Yesterday (in Campanarios) I didn't feel so motivated and landed already after 50mins of flying :-((
 |
| Campanarios: Hartmut getting ready |
For the first 20min I didn't find almost no lift at all and was already down on the ridge above the LZ. For another 20mins I had to scratch around without gaining much height. Fortunately then the thermals became stronger/ more organized and a nice flight was finally possible. I flew almost to Fuencaliente/ los Canarios, where I had to turn around as conditions became rather 'strange': at times strong sink and also much more wind. I landed after 2h10' in Puerto Naos and took a cab back to my house (where I found the replacement car already waiting).
 | |
| NOT my Finca -unfortunately ;-) |
 |
| Puerto Naos (looking North) |
 |
| Puerto Naos |
 |
| 777 Rook2 |
Many thanks to Hartmut and Gaby for the great company and all the assistance/ driving/ retrieving!
Last -but not least- my thanks go to Ruth!!
Thursday, 19 January 2017
la Palma: el Gallo
At first I didn't feel like flying today; only after I had talked to Roger and he had confirmed the wind situation at the landing in Puerto Naos (light SW) I changed my mind. Luckily I did!!
In the beginning I couldn't find the actual launch, as last time I've flown from here has been in 2004. The launch we had used then cannot be used anymore, as the trees have grown too tall in the meantime. But an alternative site has been designated: though rather flat for a nil-wind launch, but its quite large and free of obstacles; furthermore it's now just below the road and does not require an uphill hike anymore...
I had a very good launch (for me!) considering the flat terrain and little wind. Although the sky was almost overcast, the longer I flew the better it became: I made it south to Fuencaliente / los Canarios.
Here I had to turn around, as I could see the windgenerators at the southern tip of the island indicating a NE-wind with an estimated speed of 20-25kmh.
Coming back to Puerto Naos I decided to cut the flight short as suddenly the wind here had turned south with 10-20kmh and I was not sure if it wouldn't increase even further.
For sunset and dinner we then visited 'Balcon Taburiente': first course on the terrace, after the sun had set and it became quickly colder, we could change to a table inside. The food was excellent (the view anyway!) and the prices moderate.
In the beginning I couldn't find the actual launch, as last time I've flown from here has been in 2004. The launch we had used then cannot be used anymore, as the trees have grown too tall in the meantime. But an alternative site has been designated: though rather flat for a nil-wind launch, but its quite large and free of obstacles; furthermore it's now just below the road and does not require an uphill hike anymore...
 |
| 'el Gallo' (looking towards Puerto Tazacorte) Bernd launching |
 |
| Hartmut |
 |
| Fuencaliente |
Coming back to Puerto Naos I decided to cut the flight short as suddenly the wind here had turned south with 10-20kmh and I was not sure if it wouldn't increase even further.
For sunset and dinner we then visited 'Balcon Taburiente': first course on the terrace, after the sun had set and it became quickly colder, we could change to a table inside. The food was excellent (the view anyway!) and the prices moderate.
 |
| Sunset over Puerto Tazacorte |
la Palma (Roque de los Muchachos, Puntagorda) Torre del Time
What a day!
First we drove to the top of the island: Roque de los Muchachos (2426m), where the vsibility was excellent.
With a little exploring we found 2 launches, where I have not been before:
'Roque de los Muchachos' at 2100m (above the cloud layer) and 'Puntagorda' (in clouds).
Finally we arrived at 'Torre del Time', where -this time- conditions for launch have been very good.
Conditions have been excellent, with cloudbase at 1500m, so we attempted the flight south to Puerto Naos, where we both arrived with lots of altitude to spare and could continue flying.
Even as the sun was setting, the was still some lift!
First we drove to the top of the island: Roque de los Muchachos (2426m), where the vsibility was excellent.
 |
| 'Drago' (Drachenbaum) |
 |
| Pico del Teide (Teneriffa, 3712m) |
With a little exploring we found 2 launches, where I have not been before:
'Roque de los Muchachos' at 2100m (above the cloud layer) and 'Puntagorda' (in clouds).
 |
| 'Roque de los Muchachos' |
Finally we arrived at 'Torre del Time', where -this time- conditions for launch have been very good.
 |
| 'Torre del Time' (Hartmut getting ready) |
Conditions have been excellent, with cloudbase at 1500m, so we attempted the flight south to Puerto Naos, where we both arrived with lots of altitude to spare and could continue flying.
 |
| La Laguna |
 |
| Charco Verde -looking North: Puerto Naos; on the horizon; the ridge, where we had launched |
Even as the sun was setting, the was still some lift!
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
La Palma (Torre delTime) / Campanarios
Yesterday, as the wx has not been very promising, we did some sightseeing and I showed Hartmut different launches and landings. Only in the late afternoon it looked as we could fly from 'Torre del Time'. But the wind was either very light or completely cross, so after one failed attempt I packed up; Bernd finally was able to get off.
Luckily, this morning looked rather better.
Very nice thermals took me to almost 1700m; with more patience probably 2000m would have been possible.
Later Bernd flew again from el Time, but the conditions have been very weak and I'm happy that I decided not to go there after this morning's nice flight.
Luckily, this morning looked rather better.
The forecast promised little wind with cloud base around 1500m. So we drove 'my' Fiat Panda 4x4 to Campanarios.
 |
| Bernd (Swing Nyos) |
 |
| Campanarios (upper launch) |
 |
| Hartmut (Wings of change) getting ready |
Later Bernd flew again from el Time, but the conditions have been very weak and I'm happy that I decided not to go there after this morning's nice flight.
Monday, 16 January 2017
la Palma
 |
| Sunrise over Berne |
...unfortunately I had not chosen wisely when I had selected the seat on my flight from ZRH to SPC (Santa Cruz de la Palma), as I was sitting on the 'wrong side'; so I missed some good pictures (alos on arrival). The early departure had asked for an even earlier wake up, but at 1100 I was already on la Plama. After having picked up my car and being shown my little house in Los Llanos I met my friends from Germany (Gaby & Hartmut, Carola & Bernd) for a small lunch. When we had finished eating, I showed Hartmut the LZ in PtoTazacorte and we drove up to el Time. Meanwhile the wind had dropped significantly, so it was possible to make a short flight :-))
 |
| Bernd (Swing Nyos) |
 |
| Hartmut / Puerto Tazacorte |
Monday, 9 January 2017
...la Palma and Morocco instead...
Some of you might have noticed in my other blog, that the upcoming voyage to Antarctica was cancelled due to 'fatal main engine damage' of the expedition ship 'NG Orion'.
Therefore I needed to adapt my plans for the next three months...
First, I'll be going back to la Palma for a week (starting coming Sunday, 15.1.), where I'll be meeting my friends Hartmut and Gaby from Germany. Hartmut is supposed to bring me along a modified KOBO eReader (hopefully!), which is running 'Top Hat', a glide compter for hang- and paragliders. Incredible how much research, time and effort it took him to get that far!
'All' that remains to be done is 'hooking up' the Kobo via Bluetooth with my XCTracer...
If anyone out there knows how to do it, his knowledge would be highly appreciated ;-)
In mid February (17.2.) I intend to join Peter from Paragliding.ch for his 2 weeks trip to Morocco...
: - ((
Therefore I needed to adapt my plans for the next three months...
First, I'll be going back to la Palma for a week (starting coming Sunday, 15.1.), where I'll be meeting my friends Hartmut and Gaby from Germany. Hartmut is supposed to bring me along a modified KOBO eReader (hopefully!), which is running 'Top Hat', a glide compter for hang- and paragliders. Incredible how much research, time and effort it took him to get that far!
'All' that remains to be done is 'hooking up' the Kobo via Bluetooth with my XCTracer...
If anyone out there knows how to do it, his knowledge would be highly appreciated ;-)
In mid February (17.2.) I intend to join Peter from Paragliding.ch for his 2 weeks trip to Morocco...
: - ))
Sunday, 1 January 2017
New Year: Arosa / Medergen
It seems that today I have been a little too optimistic: to me it looked as conditions would be (at least) as good as yesterday. But apparently the thermals had 'a hang over' and didn't get up in time for my flight ;-)
Never so far there has been as little snow as this winter, so together with Ruth I drove to Medergen after my flight: all the way up to our hut - something we never have been able to do in late December/ early January. (Until 2000 we spent all New Year Eves up there together with friends, but of course we had to walk up on skies.)
Never so far there has been as little snow as this winter, so together with Ruth I drove to Medergen after my flight: all the way up to our hut - something we never have been able to do in late December/ early January. (Until 2000 we spent all New Year Eves up there together with friends, but of course we had to walk up on skies.)
 |
| lunch |
 |
| view from our terrasse (towards 'Weisshorn') |
 |
| Medergen |
Saturday, 31 December 2016
New Year's Eve
...and it even got better!
 |
| Markus |
climbing (even if just a little) above launch :-))
What a way to finish the year!
Yesterday afternoon, the hotel 'Post' has caught fire and burned copletely down.
Friday, 30 December 2016
Arosa in December -3
Incredible: 30.December - some weak thermals allowing to climb about 100m and prolong the flight by 20 minutes!! But I have to say that I think that with the Epsilon this would not have been possible; luckily I took the 777 Rook along :-))
 |
| Markus |
Sunday, 25 December 2016
Happy Holidays!
Many thanks to all the regular (and of course also occasional) readers of my (rather irrelevant) blog!
I wish you all a merry XMas, a happy NewYear and of course all the Best for 2017 - including many great flights!
Fly high! Fly safe!
Taggi
Friday, 23 December 2016
Almunecar-7: 'Fremde'; Heimflug
I've received also some pix from Manfred (taken while flying in Loja). On the return flight to ZRH I was able to see and recognize some sites as well. And (as usual) the day started with to a (almost) cloudless sky...
 |
| Sunrise from my apartement in Almunecar |
 |
| Loja (by Manfred) |
 |
| Loja (by Manfred) |
 |
| Loja (by Manfred) |
 |
| Granada, Sierra Nevada, Cenes de la Vega |
 |
| Darro, Sierra Arana |
Almunecar-6: Otivar
My final flying day here on this trip: by far the nicest flying of the whole week! Herbert proposed 'Otivar',asite about 10kms (as the crow flies) from the coast. When we got there around 1100, the first pilots had already launched and were heading west towards la Herradura.
I also tried to fly there, but the first 2 attempts to cross towards the first ridge to the west failed due to much sink/ headwind; on the 3rd attempt I managed to reach the first ridge ('Pyramid') but rather low and I couldn't find any lift, so I had to turn back (again), but didn't reach the LZ...
Jürg flew well past la Herradura towards Velez Malaga and Manfred (almost) reached the beach at la Herradura. I made a second flight, but no more attempt(s) to get to the coast. As much as I like to fly the Advance Epsilon 8 (easy to launch, very stable etc) making crossings against a (even slight) headwind is a pain in the ass. I've noticed this before in Fiesch and in the Dolomites, where even on short crossings I had lost more than 1500m in hight :-((
Manfred meant that I should have the glider checked for proper trim, as in his eyes it didn't look as it is suposed to be...
Anyway: even though the first days have been unflyable and it became really good only on the last days I had a good time here in Almunecar in the company of nice fellow pilots (Jürg, Manfred ed alt). If I ever come back here' I'll certainly take Herbert as a guide again, as he as a 'good hand' at finding the best site of the day for flying. And don't take at face value everything people tell about him; his foremost interest is to get his clients flying (as much as possible and as they want) and the rest for me is not really important.
For the next 2 weeks (XMas-New Year) this place is becomig really busy and overcrowded, as 'hundreds' of pilots come here, so in a way I'm glad I get away.
 |
| Jürg getting ready |
 |
| Jürg |
 |
| looking East towards the Sierra Nevada |
 |
| Launch |
 |
| Sierra Nevada |
Manfred meant that I should have the glider checked for proper trim, as in his eyes it didn't look as it is suposed to be...
Anyway: even though the first days have been unflyable and it became really good only on the last days I had a good time here in Almunecar in the company of nice fellow pilots (Jürg, Manfred ed alt). If I ever come back here' I'll certainly take Herbert as a guide again, as he as a 'good hand' at finding the best site of the day for flying. And don't take at face value everything people tell about him; his foremost interest is to get his clients flying (as much as possible and as they want) and the rest for me is not really important.
For the next 2 weeks (XMas-New Year) this place is becomig really busy and overcrowded, as 'hundreds' of pilots come here, so in a way I'm glad I get away.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)