Birdmen Paragliding

Arrival of Action Air Sports and first three days flying

The Arrival of Action Air Sports from Holland with a crew of 18 pilots on the 11^th February at 10.30pm feeling a bit weary, we had light snacks and a few beers during the welcome briefing and to bed.

12^th was the first flying day, but first to Dolphin beach to do some ground handling for 2 hours or so, then off to Saldanha bay to fly the sand dunes. Easy flying for the first day and for us to see who needs help and who is confident.

The wind was perfect and we all had a absolute blast. We had 19 pilots up at one time, with enough space for all to fly, at ease and being able to take a few pictures. Robert, Ronald, Angelique, and myself playing around doing wing overs testing our new winds, while the others were  enjoying the warm flying conditions and the spectacular scenery.

13^th Sunday on the way to Sedgefield, we first stopped at Hermanus flying site, conditions perfect, the air seemed to be a bit bumpy but not too bad, we had about 3 hours of flying time before the wind picked up and we stopped launching.

The long journey to Widerness arriving at the Map of Africa the wind was light but a few of the guys launched just to have a late evening glide to the beach, before indulging in the Espatades and Don Pedro’s at Montechello’s.

14^th starting flying at Sedge field thermic site, the skies looked beautiful with the multi- colours with all the gliders flying around, pilots practising top landings and getting good air time, others trying to fly to the front ridge with no success.

Later we went to Majour Dad’s ramp on Paradise ridge, with our help, all pilots were off in a short time, flying up and down the ridge enjoying this fantastic views ,easy and milky smooth conditions.

 Looking in to the blue seas hoping to see Dolphins or even possibly some sharks, but no luck. Robert Ronald and myself top landing on the ramp, but not easy.

Having more than 5 hours of flying the guys were all flown out for the day and we went home for a Fillet steak braai and early to bed.  

Last few days with Flugschule Jura

7^th Feb, our last day in Porterville and a few pilots doing their best flights, Catherine normally landing after 2-4km, now did 11km, well done.

Other pilots flying the flats for the first time and doing well, big climbs and also big sink as well, but managing to fly 25km odd, also well done to Anita, great flight.

Our goal was Eendekuil hotel, which a few guys made. Sergio doing the best of the day, flying to Rhnosterhoek and back to Tienage about 80km odd.

8^th and 9^th we went to Hermanus, on the 8^th Hermanus was very thermic and the pilots getting up to 800m asl, we had a full days flying with a lunch break, what a day.

Thursday we tried Macassar first, but the SE erly was already blowing ,so we carried onto Hermanus, this day was smooth and easy soaring conditions with lots of cloud cover at first, but a excellent day and the last flying day for this group.

Friday was spent packing and visiting Cape Town and the Water Front area.

All in all we have had a fantastic trip with Flugschule Jura, only missing one day of flying and using this day to travel.

Flugschule Jura having great flying wilderness Cape Town and Porterville

30th Jan from early we had a strong westerly wind therefore no flying so we went to the Knysna Elephant park, very good and educational to see these massive animals so close to you, touching and feeding then.

From 4 pm the wind was predicted to die down and it did and we were soon at the Holiday Inn for a late afternoon soaring flight with many other pilots in the air as well, good flying, but lots of traffic roughly 2 hours of flying.

31st Jan Gerricka’s point was the place to be, with a light East turning to South East making it possible to fly down Paradise ridge, after flying around Gerrickas for 1.5 hours the wind shifted in our favour and the whole group was able to cross to Paradise ridge and fly all the way to Kleinkranz, along the way we had some rain, but this flight is still one of my more enjoyable especially when the whole group can make it.

1st Feb it was raining in the Wilderness area, so we drove back to Cape Town.

2nd and 3rd Feb Strong SE erly winds in Cape Town so we headed for Pieketberg, both days were very good flying good thermals and good climbs, we had a ceiling of 1600m the first day and 2000 the next, both days we god to the ceiling.

Some pilots having a few starts while the others got away flying to Eendkuil , Rhnosterhoek and back to Eendekuil. Well done to Peter, Sergio, stefan, Dave, Adriaan and Markus doing the longest flight for the day.

4th Feb we flew Paarl rock in the morning then Lions head, both places offering the most spectacular views but of different mountains and scenes. Paarl rock flying off this Massive Granite rock that stands proud in the Paarl valley, become thermic and lifts us to where we want to be, up high.
A hot walk up to the top take off of Lions head rewarding us with a spectacular flight getting above the top looking 360 degrees over Cape Town, one can see a lot by what is happening on the sea, we landed before the SE broke through.

5th and 6th Feb,Porterville, Sunday was a epic day, myself flying 117.3km in the front valley.

Launch was light and the air a bit bumpy and even more turbulent reaching the inversion at 1700m, with a light westerly our plan was to flew first to the South end of the ridge, then back to Rhnosterhoek, good to see so many local pilots flying. After takeoff some pilots climbed high while I stayed low and only near Porterville took a good climb to 1550m fly south was quite fast, two good climbs and I was at the south end, time to return after a elevator thermal up to 1800, a little speed. Now catching up the group some who had landed, at the Piekenies kloof pass I got a screamer and rode it up to 2976m asl being hovered up at 6.3 mps.

The valley looks flatter and flatter, going on a glide to Rhnosterhoek .
On the way back I saw two black Eagle chasing a leopard on the cliffs of the rocks, an incredible sight, once in a life time, circled a few times than flew to the pass and landed just before Eendekuil .

Within minutes Candice was there with a ice cold coke and very much appreciated, as it was still about 38 degrees and I was tired.

Flugschule Jura two week flying holiday

27^th night Flugschule  Jura, Markus Suremann,  arrived with 14 pilots and another 4 pilots later on, an hour after dropping off the last group.

We had a few hours of sleep before driving  to the Wilderness area, stopping for breakfast after three hours of driving, and arriving at the Map of Africa about 12h30.

 We saw a few gliders enjoying the blue skies, soon there would a lot more traffic, the wind was slowly picking up and we were all in the air with in 30 minutes, now the blue skies were dotted with colour, 14 Swiss pilots soaring around enjoying their first day of flying, some of the pilots had about three hours before we had to land due to strong wind on the sea.

Flying over the beach, over the sea, is a new experience for most, enjoying the warm air and not having to dress up like a snow man. Flying in shorts and t-shirt.

Wow what a great first day and a new site for this group.

Dinner at Montecello’s was excellent as usual, for the hungry masses ordering Espatada’s, the night was short as everyone was exhausted.

 29^th Jan, we left to go flying at 8am after picking up refreshments, headed up to Gerricka’s launch another new site.

 What a view looking down onto the crystal blue sea 121m below, spotting a pod of dolphins playing in the breakers. The wind was light while we were preparing, but within a hour the first pilot launched on the tandem Markus and his son, Nico.

 Soon the rest followed, a bit of a cliff launch which made it exciting, but easy at the same time, glider up and a few steps and you are off.

Most pilots had more than 2.5 hours in the air, soaring over the breaking waves with over 50 Hammer Head sharks swimming around looking for food, just behind the breaker line, but looking so magnificent moving slowly under the surface. During the day the wind picked up and then changed and we had to land on the beach below.

Back home for a swim and a early Braai Fillet steak, and to bed.

Fly with Andy last 3 days

We flew Paarl rock in the wine land area, the second time trying to fly there on this trip, and it worked, what an amazing place to fly and spectacular take off site. I, Barry was the first to launch to show the other pilots where to climb up, it was not long and i was above launch, looking down onto the other guys preparing, on this huge Granite Rock.

One by one the braved the launch, but it was well worth getting off early, and experiencing this beauty that lay underneath you. Cape Town to the West and Du toits kloof pass the East, with Franchhoek tucked away in the next valley.

We had a fantastic lunch with wine tasting at Delheim wine estate, this is living life to the fullest.

Next day was difficult in Cape Town with the Strong SE winds around, so we head for Porterville, what a day it turned out to be, Felix a lower air time pilot flying his PB 16km, well done, while three pilots of the group flying over 100km with the furthest distance of 157km and 6 hrs 4 minutes, well done to Dominique, Albert, and Taggi.

Last day in SA, some guys going to Cape Town, to the warter front doing sight seeing and other a last time to fly Macassor,

macassor was working but only for a while and we used this time to soar around over the False bay sea, with the white caps aproaching, what a way to end a fantastic three week flying adventure in South Africa.

Fly with Andy second week flying with a difference

Flying Sir Lowry’s pass, the takeoff was quite over whelming for some pilots, as it is very small and instantly in the air, most pilots had a good flight and getting used to thermic conditions again, after a day site seeing.

We went to Porterville on  Tuesday  16^th ,arriving in Porterville town it was already very  hot everyone sweating , buying lots of water for during the day to keep hydrated.

  Martin Dockerill launching his new Artik3 and having a very good flight and really enjoying his new toy.

 Arriving on takeoff after doing a detailed briefing we prepared as we were running a little late and the wind was picking up in the thermal cycles . Everyone preparing and we were all soon in the air, a few dropped out  and were not able to relaunch, ^.while the rest of the group  did well.

Most pilot first flying to the south to the end of the ridge then North again, ^,reaching altitudes of  2300 flying past take off, later on the highest height gain was 2850m asl.

Well done to Laurance for flying 88km and getting to 2850m asl, while other flew to the south then North to bumpie and back to Dasklip pass, distance of about 76km.

We had three good days in Porterville, with very high temperatures reaching up to 42 degrees, staying high meant, keeping cool. Some pilots doing their best flights and most bumpie conditions, despite this the guys did well and enjoyed the flying.

Next day was a very early start to Hermanus, arriving to wet skies, it was raining but it would clear. After a few cups of coffee, it started to clear and we were packing out  to fly, we stayed on the ridge admiring the views, top landings, touch and goes and having more relaxed flying.

Filichie really enjoyed Hermanus flying and flew for along time, getting good air time and experience.

We had two good days at Lion’s Head, on the second day we flew first at Llandudno, but only 6 pilots got off as the wind turned SW, which makes Lion’s Head very good and it was.

It was not long after a few pilots had launched, the first pilot, Taggi, flew across to Table Mountain and got up to cloud base the started to fly down the apostles, a few of our group then followed and also got up and were off along the apostles, making this a dream flight.

The orogarfic cloud forming on the top of Lion’s head is also very special, this set the scene for the most amazing flight, and for great pictures. Barbera was in most memorised by this flight and took some great pictures.

 SE erly was setting in again in Cape Town, so we headed for Porterville for two days, staying the night at Eendekuil hotel.

Todays flight was fantastic with very nice cums all over the place, the ridge and the flats were working well. Some pilots getting climbs of 6 to 7 mps sustained and climbing like a bullet, topping out at 2200m asl in the afternoon. Good distances were flown by all even the lower experienced pilots, while the top distances was flown by Dominique 65km, Marcel, Barbera 76km, Adrian 78, Andy Fleuhler 85km and Christian about 100km. Some pilots landed in the stronger SW erly wind and bit forward , a bit backwards, but land well and safe.

The last few days we have some more exciting places to fly.

Cape Town strong SE erly Tourist day

Sunday we planned to fly at Paarl rock, but due to the strong SE winds we have been having in Cape Town it was a 50/50 chance to fly, arriving on the Rock over looking Paarl town there was no way we were going to fly the SE erly would not let up.

A alternative program, some guys going to Hout Bay, for a boat ride to Seal Island, to see the stinky seal in their natural habitat, while the other did the Cape Of Good Hope tour. Firstly passing Maccassor flying site, with a howling SE erly and the sea was white, then stopping at Simon’s Town to see the Penquines,

 on the beach trying to hide from the wind. On the route to Cape Point we saw the Baboons (monkeys) strutting their stuff, no cares  in the world, only eating.

Cape of Good Hope always very beautiful, but every time we go its different in some way, today it was blowing even the gulls had to fly with big ears, wings tucked in. The trip home along Chapman’s peak  is such a scenic drive, with view points to stop at, to take pictures, for fond memories, once back home.

Everyone had a great day out.

Fly with Andy and 18 pilots

Last few days flying everywhere

Over the next few days we have been flying the Cape Town and Porterville areas.

Firstly flying Lions Head, conditions improved during the day and we were able to reach the summit, after a bit of working on the rock face, we also did a few Tandem flights. The views flying from Lion’s Head in Cape Town as just spectacular, looking back into the city and in front landing area, the sparkling sea that meet the crystal white beaches, filled with bodies laying in the sun tanning golden brown.

Franchhoek was a early start, but it also blew out quickly, Nick who got ready first had a great flight and doing a big ears launch as the wind was picking up.

We then went to lion’s Head again for the rest of the day, also very good flying.

We had the privilege of being able to fly Paarl rock, a easy drive to launch and flying  from this massive granite rock, very intimidating, but everyone got off and climbed up to 1500m asl, we flew there in a wind shadow of the SE wind.

Good thermals and not rough to fly, enjoying this majestic scenery of the Paarl valley. After flying relaxing, at wine farm, with a good lunch and wine tasting.

Porterville once again produced, a reliable place to fly in the summer, with a light SW forecast, we decided to flying North. Getting good climbs of about 4.5mps and cloud base of 1750m asl at first, reaching Bumpie peak  we hit a slight NW we flew out into the flat lands towards Eendekuil,

 the flats were very good and the base had lifted to over 2000m, we finally flew distance of 44km and nearly back to Porterville.

Next day the SEerly was to blow Cape Town away, but we managed to get a hour of soaring at Maccassor , sandy cliffs, soaring with the sea gulls over the sea, while the wind was picking up.  One can see all the way to Cape Point and Seal Island.

Today was also a early start driving to Hermanus, arriving at 9am and soarable, soon we were in the air, flying with a few Falcons, ridge soaring the cliffs, a beautiful day, but it blew out by 11.30am, we flew for about 1.5 hours, with a few top landings.    

Mixed group Wilderness, Sedgefield area

A non flying day Candice escaping into her world, diving in the Two Oceans Aquarium, feeding the fish.

Sunday 18th Nico, Kirstin from Australia and Heiner and Eva from Switzerland arrived to join our group, Monday 19th 5.30 am we drove to Sedge-field, arriving the wind was strong, but it was predicted to die off by late afternoon.

 3pm we raced to Holiday Inn and could fly immediately, soon the skies were pretty crowed, the ridge looked beautifull  with all the different colours of gliders floating around, close to 6pm the wind died off and some guys made it back to launch while others not judging too well landed on the beach and had to walk for a while…

Tuesday a later start, after a good breakfast we arrived at Sedge-view, a quick study of the conditions, briefing, before launching.

We had a four hour wind of good flying before we went to the Map Of Africa.

Flying at sedge-view was great good themals, exciting flying a bit active to keep you on your (toes) finger tips. We managed to get some climbs to 540m asl, this opening the possibility for Xc some day and the views were fantastic.

Map Of Africa, we spent the rest of the day soaring around, doing top landings, wing overs and more easy type of flying.

A well deserved landing beer and a good meal to end off the night.

From:Mike

It’s midsummer day 21st December at Sedgeview. By 9.30 nobody is going down – the air in front is on a rolling boil due to the sun on the town and the inversion above. There’s not much circling either – not needed for staying up. From the ground the flying looks quiet, unless you look closely. The non-stop action in the harness required to prevent more than the odd wingtip flap can cause minor concern at first, but it won’t get worse, and it’s great active flying practice. Top landing is fun. The smooth landing site makes a gap in the bush and the wind plus thermals are attracted. Even a grass level approach from in front will have you hoovering upwards with increasing ground-speed. Patience over your downwind limit is required – traffic permitting. 

From Hans

Where to start? For us it’s (now) just every day a flying day in Wilderness.

For me the yesterday flight from Gericke Point impressed me again. It’s a ciff-start, wind was strong but still ok to start, well I have to say with the help from Barry.

It impressive to fly there with the ocean below you…

We hoped the wind would become more south, so that we could continue along paradise ridge, it didn’t so we went for option 2, landing near the new birdmen house.

It’s landing at the edge of lot of water. I saw the others cross over first, so new I could make it as well. First I gained some more height, it worked perfect.

Link to flight

We ended the day with the famous aardappel-salade from Candice and delicious chicken braai from Barry.

I had a second and third plate, really good!!

Both Mike and Hans have been back multiple times for their flying holidays, with us.