Birdmen Paragliding

Winter flying

We have had quite allot of new students starting to fly this winter, and the weather has been pretty good allowing us to fly from different sites such as Sir Lowry’s pass, Franchoek, Porterville and Hermanus.

Winter flying is great as we start later allowing us to sleep in a bit, but we are able to fly much longer without it blowing out early, giving all students about 4 flights or more depending on the site. The flights are not only top to bottom but good thermic soaring flights, between 30min to 1h30, real good experience and gaining confidence in themselves and their  equipment.

Big news

 Lynette, Werner,Erhardt, Maurtizio, George, got their new Arcus6 glider, crinkly new, beautiful colours, swamped the take off at Franchhoek as they opened their new kit, first time flying them, nothing could upset these happy faces, bodies fill with excitement, keen to get air born on this fantastic day in Franchhoek.

We flew almost all day, flying above the top peaks with light thermals helping everyone to stay up. A few students top landed. WOW WOW WOW came pouring from their mouths, this is real flying, twinkles in their eyes, legs like jelly and  little cold from the crisp winter air. They had to rest but, just drewling, wanting to get air born again, watching there fellow pilots enjoying themselves.   

Next weekend we all went to Hermanus prediction S going Ssw with-light winds all day. We arrived with cloudy skies and light se blowing up the front, we had a detailed site briefing with the students and how to approach the landing area. Soon after the first  guys were in the air. Towards mid day the sun popped out and we had the skies to our selves, only sharing the ridge with a pair of Black Eagle soaring below us.

This day was paradice for the students, easy, smooth and consistent, with good height gained we were able to practicing different flying skills with the students and top landings.

At the end of the day about 5 pilots flew to the Hotel. Before landing, flying over the sea looking for whales in the bay, coming for landing, with Nick waiting with a landing beer. Landing with style.

We had dinner over looking the sea and the sun setting over the mountains where we were flying, what a day in paradice.