On Saturday 21st February 2009 I went to Fumay with Jean-Yves and Jean. Flying conditions were also good on sites at the sea-side in north of France and the soaring dune of Zoutelande in The Netherlands. As for soaring at the sea-side, that day we should had to wait until the evening to get interesting windforce, so we decided to go to Fumay. The wind here was also very weak but we didn't mind about that. It's good to practice starts and landings in calm weather conditions in the beginning of the new flying season. In the afternoon we have met a local pilot (Jean-Luc) who's been cleaning up the start at Revin the same morning. I don't know if he was involved but the Fumay start has also been cleaned not so long ago. So no obstacles and no branches at this starting place. Look for yourself, enjoy the pictures.
On Sunday 8 Februari 2009 I went to Zoutelande in the Netherlands for some wintersoaring. Conditions in the morning were quite excellent, but temperatures were freezing. While some early birds were already flying, most of us were still doubting if it would be worthwhile making the trip to the coast. Around noon, as the wind blowed harder and forced the wings to land, some delta pilots showed up and were dancing on invisible winds together with the glorious seagulls. Together with Patrick and Bart we arrived at 13:00 in Zoutelande, some good flying already in the morning (isn't it Hans?) and it looks like the weathergods aren't happy to see us. Half an hour later we greet Jean-Yves, Steph and Jean and a whole bunch of colleague Pickupclub-members Seppe, Steven, Carl, Ronny, Frank, Bart and new member Danny... I bet I have forgotten to mention some other members, sorry for that and thank you for being there, this was a great gathering! Winds were blowing hard, more than 40km/h and no possibility for taking-off. Grey clouds approaching the coast, they soon delivered some strong wind and melting snow, most of us flee in the direction of the beachrestaurant "De Zeeuwse Riviera". Thank you for giving us the chance to take a pauze in the warmth, time to chat with one another, drink a "Belgian" beer and ask the wind to take away the bad weather from the seaside. Prayers were answered around 16:00, some impatient ones were already taking-off from the beach. Others were taking their bags to the official start on top of the dune. Clouds break and behind these fluffy curtains blue sky still exists, sun finally showed up. One by one taking-off, more and more sunbathing wings swoop above Zoutelande-beach. Around 20 wings were airborne. Windforce is decreasing and goes under 30km/h, Bart is giving a helping hand at most starts on the dune, thanks for your help Bart. Most impressive and divergent colored airballet, earth turned, sun disappeared behind the horizon, full moon showing up behind the dunes, this was a day full of wonders. Enjoy the pictures.
It has been 2 months that theres been no
flying with the wing.Weatherconditions
were not ideal for flying on the Belgian sites, neither on the sites over the
border.Except a day or two of groundhandling
and a reserve-throwing-exercise, the wing has been kept folded in the bag,
waiting for real flights.
Then, all of a sudden, it was last week
that Ive got this question from a colleague at work.He told me about his plan to organize a
cyclo-cross race in his hometown, Loonbeek.He wondered about the Free Tibet-paraglider flying nearby, as an
additional attraction during the race.As there are no big hills in the area and that thermals at this period
of the year hardly develop, I
said that this only would be possible if someone would fly the wing with a
paramotor.The idea was born and I found
someone who could borrow us a paramotor.As Jean-Yves has some paramotor-experience he was ready to fly with it.
On Sundaymorning we had some slight
battery-problems but we finally managed to get the wing into the air.As the wing took-off late in the morning,
there was already some wind blowing. Because of this, the bumpy flight only
took about 20 minutes with afterwards a safe landing.In any case the action was a great success. I would like to thank Jacques for bringing up the idea, Olivier from Easy
Flying for using the paramotor, Jean-Yves for flying, Patrick for the pictures
and Lena for supporting.Enjoy the snowy pictures below.
On Octobre 30th I went for a long week-end to Marlens in France, it is situated not far from the Lake Annecy. I stayed at the Auberge des Aravis, formerly known as Espace Marlens Parapente. The gîte has a big landingfield next-door. Due to bad weather conditions on the first day, it wasn't ideal for any flying activities (quite normal for this time of the year, see first picture). But on Friday 31st of Octobre the conditions were much better than the day before and as a result I made 3 flights from the Col de l'Epine above Marlens. On that day I also met a dozen of sympathetic paragliders from the north of France, the 'Champagne Vol Libre'-club. On Novembre 1st, All Saints Day, the weather was delightful. For the first flight of the day on the Col de l'Epine I meet again the same amiable club from the north of France. At the landing field we meet Patrick Berod, the 2001 Paragliding World Cup Champion. He's authorised dealer of Gin- and U-Turn gliders and he tells us that conditions are also good at some other interesting spots in the area. We decide to leave Marlens and drive in the direction of Saint Jean De La Porte where we will find the MontLambert. On this site resides the club of 'Les Indiens de Montlambair', they have a magnificent totem on their startingfield and the view on the valley is sensational. We meet the members of the club while they are cleaning up their startingfield. Conditions are quiet good, we let the Indians continue their good work and take off into the air. This site is most interesting and needs another visit in better conditions, we'll see how it flies in Springtime! After landing and packing all our gear we decide to leave the area and head for Chamoux Sur Gelon. Here's another flying site with a difference in altitude of almost 1000m. Conditions are also good here, wind direction is okay and we take off for a long flight down. You can't see the landingfield from the startingfield because you must fly out of a small valley first. The landingfield is close to the village of Chamoux and can be found easily. When flying out of the small valley you have a fascinating and wide view of the area. This is our last flight of the day and we are invited for dinner at the gîte of the 'Champagne Vol Libre'-club. The French hospitality and warm-heartedness of these guys is natural and spontaneous. Paragliding brings people together, for sure! On Sunday the weather is still favourable and as it is our last day, we go up early to the startingfield of Marlens. The weather is sunny and stable, we fly a lot, I'm practising some steering manoevres and the day ends with a big banana on my face. We take leave of the club 'Champagne Vol Libre', we will see them again some day. Thank you Sylvain, Davye, Bibsi, Patrick Berod, the Club Champagne Vol Libre and the Indians of Montlambair for this unforgettable week-end. (link to Youtube-movie at the end of the picture-list)
In the weekend of Octobre 19th I went with Lena and Jean-Yves to the Belgian flying site of Coo. Conditions were good and some other gliders were already in the air when we arrived. We managed to stay up in the air for a while, conditions were a bit thermal and for a while soaring was possible too. Enjoy the pictures.
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