Birdmen Paragliding

Student training April and May

Our training season is going well, the students are committed and attend most of the flying days over the weekends,  some can slip away from work during the week to get more flights and hours and to get the freedom of flight before returning to work.

We have had good ground handling sessions at Dolphin beach, when it was not flyable. The guys now enjoying trying to master the forward,  reverse pull-ups and kiting the gliders above their heads.

We have flown our training slope a few times and this past weekend, Porterville, every one excited to fly this mountain after hearing all the stories, of flying this area.

Wind was very light, so forward launches were perfected, and running like mad to get good air speed and a good take- off.  Progressing very well, getting more confident in different aspects of the flying and doing allot of the maneuvers for the license.

Big smiles all round after the day came to a close and we drove back to Cape Town, for a very good nights sleep.

We have also been doing some Paramotor training, with Tom and Craig, Tom had his first motor flight the other day and since then another 6 flights.

I have been flying my family from Canada, Tagen and Jessie on the tandem and motor along the beach to Big Bay and back, taking advantage of the beautiful Autum days, with light NW winds.

The glittering of the sun on the creating a golden mile on the sea, with Robin Island in the distance, and to the south Table Mountain standing proud, over looking the city and  table bay.

Progress with Students April Hermanus flying

We have done quote allot of ground handling on different days giving the students challengers each time, learning the forward and reverse launch techniques as well as kiting the glider and getting good control.

We have been to the dunes several times for small flights and soaring couple of the guys managed to stay up for about 20 minutes.

Saturday  we went to Hermanus, light rain when we arrived, but soon cleared to be a fantastic winters flying day. Marc and Stephen were the first to launch in very light wind, having to show their skill in doing a forward launch. Their fist high flights.

Later on more Cape Town pilots arrived and the site was busy.

Marc and Steve did 5 flights for the day, 3 bottom landings and 2 top landings, getting invaluable experience, forward and reverse launches, soaring for about 15/20 minutes the last 2 flights, s turns, fig 8’s, 360 turning and having a good time well done guys. This is the beginning and what flying is all about.

Weekend Training March

We had a good weekend training.

Saturday ground handling with some new guys, for 4 hours forward and reverse launching, in thermic conditions so not very easy for the new guys, but aft er some time they were getting the grips of it.

Myself doing some demonstrations on working with the glider and not fighting it, ground handling is more technique and not mussel power. We had a very good day and after 4 hours  the guys tiered.

Sunday back to the dunes for small flights, ground handling and kiting the wings. The dunes are hard work, working up all the time, but there is a benefit, getting fit, taking off and flying and progressing in the course, besides realising how important the ground handling is.

I’m sure everyone had a very good nights sleep.

New Students Starting ground handling and baby flights

Starting of the student training season, we have 8 new student eager to fly. First the paper work, then a simulated flight, then ground handling.

Light wind forward launching, arms getting blue from the risers over the arms. All the guys running like hell trying to keep the glider above their heads, not really know how to feel the glider, but later on they got better. Its more technic, than brutal force.

As the wind picked up we started with the reverse launch and the guys were able to kite the glider above their heads, doing well for the first day. Everyone having a blast and realizing how unfit they are, but having a break and a cigaret.

We then went to some sand dunes, for small bunny hop flights and getting their feet off the ground.

Arriving the wind was strong so we did some theory.  Later the wind dropped enough for everyone to have two small flights, shouts of joy, excitement, nervousness, but the looks on their face was something else.

Words of expression came out of their mouths, I cannot repeat, they were excited to say the least.

Last few days with the Mixed group

We have been flying alot of different site, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Porterville, Dune Soaring, Maccassor and enjoying a good evening out.

SLP the wind on launch was good light thermals making take off easy, the previous day was extremely hot, therefore making the air a bit turbulent and bumpy, we flew for about an hours before giving up and landed. Off to the beach for a few beers and a braai at home.

We flew Porterville two days staying at Eendekuil Hotel with a pool.

The flying was good Flying to Rhnosterhoek and partly back, distance of 55-60km. Well done to Bernard and Gauton. Not really being able to get very high but flying over the foot hills and new line and doing well.

The second day we flew and bounced between takeoff and Tienage due to the Sw erly and the Nw erly, landing after a good flight and not much penetration, all in all a good time in Porterville.

Some easy flying on the dunes, more relaxing and playing around doing touch and goes, wing overs just having a blast, with a bit of sea mist rolling in from time to time.

Last day with this group was an epic day, flying Macassor, launching from the beach and soaring the cliff everyone playing around and flying to there level. After a few hour of having fun the wind actually started to die, very uncommon, normally it picks up and blows out.

Great evening out and a traditional African restaurant, good company, beers and good food what a way to end the trip.

Birdmen’s mixed group

1^st Thursday

Arriving at Saldana bay the wind was stronger than the days before, but we were still able to fly . I was first then the others followed, we had a great day, flying approx 3 hours, just  having a good time soaring with the gulls, landing taking refreshments and flying again, great time had by all and that evening everyone to bed early all flown out for the day.

2^nd Friday

Hermanus we had  a short flight, as the wind turned more SW. After 30 minutes or so the guys sunk out and we made our way home.

 Stopping at Sir Lowry’s Pass, good thermals up the front, unpacked quickly and soon in the air thermalling above the ridge, a Wow factor for most as the take off is very small and the scenery beautiful, over a hour of flying before we landed and went home.  

3^rd Sat and Sunday Stronger winds predicted, I flew with Richard on Tandem from Signal hill, we had a great flight flying and getting above Lion’s Head after some time of scratching to get up and landed on the promenade, this is as good as it gets. Flying over the city of Cape Town.

Sunday to the Water Front and a lazy day.

5^th Mon

After picking up Bernard from the Air port we headed up to Wilderness area, stopping at Dona bay as it was getting late and the wind seemed to be getting lighter. We had a good time there, and another new site for Hans.

Late evening flight with the sun about to set, fling along the houses and over the preteen beaches.

Arriving in Sedge in time for a Fillet steak braai.    

6^th Tues

We flew the whole day at the Map Of Africa in milky smooth conditions and later on the wind picked up and we had to stop.

7^th Wed   

Flying Sedge, Holiday Inn, and  Klienkrantz.

Hans: First we flew at Sedgeview, had to go for landing for going to the next place, had to spiral and do big ears to get down….

Then start at Holiday Inn with a big west wind component, would it be possible to make the crossing to the kleinkrantz start today. Well wind wasn’t really strong, but I gave it a go. First crossed the road at the end  and gained the max height for the moment. But what a shame, the lower section didn’t work at all, so ended at about 2/3 , but there at my landing there were some nice wooden stairs from the beach to the road, then it was just 500 meter walk to KleinKrantz start. It took some attempts to take off, but one flying, crossed the paragliding practice dune flying just a meter above the sand and managed to continue and enjoyed  flying Paradise Ridge where it was really easy to stay up.  Was proud to end it with a top land at KleinKrantz.  And as the topping of the day flew (after pick up by Candice) at Holiday Inn again just a short one, but with a nice top landing as well. As I use to say: ’ It was again another Birdmen-day’

  8^th Thursday

 As usual the first pace to fly was Sedge view, thermalling but not able to get very high due to a low inversion, later we looked at Holiday Inn but the wind was way too much from the East,

 so we went to  Gerricka’s point, thinking it might be too strong but it was perfect. With easy launches we were soon all in the air, flying around with a few Dolphins playing in the waves below made this flight very special, flying around for about 1.5 hours before landing on a big field near our house and walked home.

Dinner was a steak braai, and three of us  had a really good massage. 

9^th Fri        

Sedge, Paradise ridge then back to Sedge view for a late afternoon flight.

Gaetan: starting of day as one like them, playing  with  thermal of Sedge view as the day warms up and to take advantage of the great  panorama view  that this site offers at 400m. We top landed  and Candice awaits for us patiently.

 Pack up and depart for one of the most magic place which I have never seen … after a small walk in the bush here we are at take off which  is not of the most standard for Swiss people.. 

 While we were opening our wings we were  very lucky to  see, admire the hundred  dolphins passing by and playing in the waves, surfing and jumping out showing off to us, this takes ones breath away. Launching of the wooden ramp we went for a 20km easy soaring glide, along this magnificent beach. We are privileged to have nature give us this wind off the sea  and takes advantage of it while soaring along this beautiful coast. Return in right moment, the wind lowers but leaves us the time to get back to Kleinkranz our landing area. This flight is one of my most memorable and it will take a lot to beat this flight.

Birdmen mixed group Swiss German and Dutch

Mixed group

25.02.2011 we had a mixed group of pilots arrive at different times, after collecting most guys we went to Macassar,  sandy cliff, about 40 meters, looking towards Cape Point in False bay.

Conditions were good but, the wind on the upper launch, was a touch too strong so we launched from the car park. I launched first to test the wind strength, then the others followed.

We flew for about 2/3 hours, flying with the sea gulls, doing top landing and enjoying the first day of soaring. We say a seal in the sea catching a fish and thrashing it on the surface, to stun it and to break it apart to eat it.

Nature is so amaizing and we have the previlidge to enjoy these kind of thing every day..

26^th Lion’s Head was light SW winds we flew there but not really soarable but still good to fly in the city of Cape Town.

27^th Saldana bay sand dunes was the place to be, as in Cape Town it was quite strong winds.

White beach sand dune, a very good place for low air time pilots and pilots who have not flown for a long time to get good air time, and for others it is a fantastic play ground.

28^th Cape Town was a stronger SE and not flyable, but Porterville was looking very good with height cloud base and good for  Xc flying. We have a lower air time group but most did well.

Mario  flying a good distance, 45km.

Best flight flown by Hans about 75km, flying to Rhnosterhoek along the mountains and back to Eendekuil in the flat lands.

Very well done Hans.

29^th light SW perfect for Sir Lowry’s pass, arriving wind was just too strong so we decided to go to Saladana bay and wow did we have a good time.

We seem to be the only pilots out and about , as we have the places, take offs to ourselves. We have been flying  18 days in a row and different sites, this season has been excellent for us, flying all over the place, with only 5 days non flyable, since mid October.

Fantastic flying with Action Air Sports

We flew three different areas, many different sites, and some new sites, during the two weeks Action Air Sports holiday.

We had a fantastic time with some pilots doing their personal bests, in different skills. Great soaring conditions and even better thermal flying, with good height gains.

unfortunately all good things must come to an end.

We look forward to their arrival next year.

Action Air Sports in Action Cape Town and Porterville

Monday 20^th we want to fly Lions Head, but  in the morning we had a very low cloud and no mountain cloud be seen so a late bacon and egg breakfast , went down well. Later it started to clear and the wind was more NW so we went to Signal hill, as we got there the cloud covered again. Bad luck.

Much, much later the skies opened up and we went to Lions Head, a few Sherpa’s helping to carry our gliders, as we got to launch within 20 minutes it went South and became unflyable so we walked down. I guess this day was just not work for us,  first non flyable day.

Tuesday 21^st , off  to Porterville for 4 days staying in our fantastic cottages up on the mountain, close to take off, we the most fantastic sunsets in the evening and beautiful still mornings.

Launching after a detailed briefing, the pilots were soon on their way to Tienage, not being able to get very high but still working hard to fly fare, some guys managing to get to Tienage, while others flew to Rhenosterhoek and 10km back south along the gravel road, distance of 60km.

Well done to Esmond, Bastienne for flying 11km, Joss 20km and Erwin 37km, flying their best distance on their first XC flight.

Dinner was a chicken Braai with great salads, and of course beer and red wine to sooth the pallet, but early to bad.

Wednesday 22^nd  forecast was looking potentially very good thermal height, but stronger winds at altitude. We had to delay launching time due to low mist, but it soon burnt off and we launched by 11.30am, but the wind picked up and not all were able to get off. Three of the group Hans W, Anton and Rob Ui,  flew very well flying to the south 20km, then back to bumpie peak 38km and one pilot Rob flew back to launch distance of 56km.

  Well done to them, but especially Anton for flying his best distance, 38km.

A early traditional Lamb potjiekos, cooked on the fire in a big cast iron pot, for dinner.

Flying in Paradise with Action Air Sports Wilderness area

Wednesday 15^th  and the 16^th we went to Sedge view as this site work most mornings before any other site.

 We had a good day there, most pilots practising top landings and touch and goes, some spirals and exciting correctly, the others just enjoying the views and being free, flying with the Jackal buzzards and the Fish Eagle nearby, with their amazing cry.

Then later we flew the Holiday Inn the guys who got off first had a good flight, while the others had a shorter flight as the wind went more east and they landed on the beach.

In the afternoon on the 16^th we flew Paradise ridge from Majour Dad’s, wind was just perfect, easy launches and flying up and down the ridge effortless. A few fisher men down below trying their luck, and hikers on the beach strolling on the soft  sand and the heat radiating off the beach.

Flying is the better thing to do, along this coat line.

Friday 17^th Sedge view again for starters and cloud base was higher than the other days, so we tried to climb base, only a few of managed and headed off over Sedge field to make the crossing to Gerrickas point, but we were stopped by the SSW wind, I was flying on the Tandem and managed to fly home, next to the lake on sedge Island.   

Next stop was Holiday Inn, also perfect winds, the ridge was soon covered with gliders floating over the beaches up and down the ridge, spotting a pod of Dolphins swimming and playing in the waves below us, later the wind started to die off, after a full days flying everyone was tiered, then off home for a Rump Steak braai, with red wine and lots of beers.

Saturday 18^th we were heading home after flying, but the East wind was strong form early, the Map of Africa was blown out so we went to Hartenbos near Mossel Bay, on the way home and flew there on some very low sand cliff and a ridge in front of houses, enjoyable with a few gliders flying close to each other and lots of wind and white caps on the sea, after a hour of playing around we headed home to Cape Town.

Sunday 19^th we flew Franchhoek, first the wind was from the back.

 By 11am we were starting to launch and the wind picked up quite quickly, two pilots not being able to launch but the other had a great time flying high well above the peaks, looking across the Franchhoek valley, with the vine yards full with grapes below, cyclists and motor bikers also enjoying this beautiful day.