THE SEVEN DAY STEP-UP TO CROSS COUNTRY FLYING.

This cross country course is designed to take soaring pilots to the next step. That step is cross country flying in all its many parts and possibilities. We gather as a small tribe and study the theory then put it in practice with daily guided cross country flights. Everyone learns more in our one week of group practice than they can in years of flying on their own. The fun is in going XC for the first time for some or getting their longest flight for others. But the real emphasis is on learning skills and ideas that will enhance a pilot’s progress long after the course is over. The tried and true techniques of record setters, competition pilots and just plain good recreation pilots are presented throughout the course.

The general format is to begin each day with a lecture lasting up to two hours. All courses are conducted in English. The lectures are fully interactive with questions and answers part of the program. Topics are arranged in the natural progression of pilots’ development (see below for a short outline of discussion topics). Then everyone goes to launch to set up and prepare for the task. An XC route is chosen according to the conditions and the pilots’ progress. If pilots are at different levels, different tasks will be assigned. We separate into three groups for flying purposes, and each of the three instructors takes a group to fly with and coach on the radio. The combined experience of the three instructors is over 50 years.

We fly our hearts out then head back to headquarters for a debriefing. Sometimes we debrief in a swimming pool, in a restaurant or back in the classroom, depending on time and the situation. The value of the debriefing is that each pilot can review his flight to the group and everyone can learn from the mistakes and successes of the others. The learning curve is very steep in this sort of exchange.

We invite you to join us for our course this coming summer. Pilots of various skill levels are welcome. We can accommodate single surface gliders and paragliders, but please have some thermaling skills. To be sure we will hone your thermaling to a high degree, but you should at least recognize and know how to circle in a thermal.

We can guarantee that you will have a great time in the air and learn many techniques you didn’t know existed. Come join the fun in the aerial playground above Greifenburg in Austria!

To register:

The cost of the course includes rides up to launch as well as retrieve. The buddy system allows us to keep track of all the pilots and we normally get back with little or no hassle. The cost for a week is €500. The student is responsible for their own lodging and meals, but inexpensive camping is available in Greifenburg. Contact Harm for lodging information.

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