FlyBC "Site of the Day Archives" - January 2008
Valle de Bravo, Mexico
"Paragliding is definitely NOT a spectator sport." - Colleen Varcoe, January 2008
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Coaches Corner - Joe is driving at Woodside 604-796-3055, at least to the ?? km mark after all this snow. Click on Google Earth for Eagle Ranch for our location 30 minutes east of Mission. New Paramotors available from FlyBC - FlyBC Paramotors using Compact Radial Engines built in Surrey BC for superior technical support. New Rhino caged MZ100 will be at the Ranch for demos soon. These new Paramotors can be equipped with Paratoys, Paraavis, Ozone, APCO, Gin or our newest line - UTURN (UTURN prices from FlyBC are the best anywhere, direct from Europe, with our strong Canadian Buck!). There are a bunch of demo wings to try in the nice fall air: Gin Zoom Race Medium, Ozone Mantra I (Medium & Small), Ozone Mojo 2 (Small and Medium), Gin Boom Sport Medium. New Ozone Ultralite and Geo IIs coming soon as well. FlyBC's Long Range Calendar New students can sign up for beginner courses in 2008 on the dates listed on the FlyBC Training Schedule.  Click here for the 2008 Ozone BST Info . FlyBC's Paragliding School is here for you in 2008 with different training formats and venues. We are looking for committed aviation enthusiasts who want to learn more about flying. More road trips, more clinics and more fun! Click here for the 2008 Ozone BST Info . FlyBC has the most pilots flying after gaining certification and we have the most years of experience in training new pilots. Other schools claim to be bigger but HPAC numbers tell the true story, FlyBC certifies the most HPAC pilots on the West Coast. FlyBC graduating students have gone on to compete in the 2005 Red Bull X-Alps (Benn Kovco) , Canadian and US Paragliding Nationals, winning the 2007 Willi XC Race in Golden (Norm) and are some becoming legends for maximizing airtime and distance. But above all, they enjoy flying! FlyBC is certified with HPAC Senior Instructors/Tandem II Senior Instructors and Advanced USHGA Instructors/Tandem Administrators to serve you better. FlyBC has the only "dedicated flight park" in BC with a classroom, landing zone (LZ) and training hill area for the exclusive use of our students and customers. Our vision for Eagle Ranch is "to create a community centre for fun loving hangglider, paraglider and paramotor pilots (and their families) in the Fraser Valley". Go to FlyBC's Eagle Ranch Page for pictures of the new layout. Heading to Tenancingo, Mexico for Holidays and Flying??? Brad and Bernie's Casa is ready for you! "Casa del Piloto" is built in classic Spanish colonial style, with a small water fountain courtyard and bright colors. For the convenience of our guest we feature a bar, chef’s kitchen and living area with fireplace, full modern amenities such as internet, TV and phone. "La Malinche" Bedroom with one double bed and full tile bathroom attached. "Cuatro Vientos" Bedroom with four single beds and full tile bathroom attached. "Ixpuchiapan" Bedroom with 2 beds and access to a full tiled bathroom. Tenancingo offers four paragliding launches a few kilometers from "Casa del Piloto" and a large LZ 300 meters from the house. For a few pesos you can take a taxi close to any launch. It is in a region of central Mexico with many other excellent alternate sites 2-4 hours away such as Valle de Bravo, Morelia , Iguala , Puebla , Fortins de las Flores and Oaxaca. Please contact us at Casadelpiloto@gmail.com for more information. Fly high, go far, land safe! Bernie Scherler Entertaining Tenanacingo Videos Entertaining Tenanacingo Videos Picture Gallery 1 Picture Gallery 2
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Vancouver Report - Derek said it was sunny in Agassiz, but I didn't fall for it. Instead I went to work in the snow and rain. | Valle Report - A huge 93 km task to get more people to "dirt it", as too many pilots have been making goal at 75 kms, but even still 57 pilots made goal. The Valic Bros. have been consistently getting into goal with average speeds of +30 kph??, now in 1st and 2nd places after 3 tasks. task 3 results here. Addict 2 - Al "The Hammer" Theilmann has a new wing arriving today. "Addict 2" custom coloured . . . too bad about the weather. His Addict 1 is for sale, Medium good for 80-100 kgs, red and black, one year old. Normando's Excellent Mexican Adventure Pt. I Normando's Excellent Mexican Adventure Pt. II
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USHPA Magazine Review - locals Derek and Martina are featured in an article on Ecuador in 2007 by Paul Murdoch. They are pictured overflying a beach together. |  Derek and Martina in Ecuador last year - photo by Paul Murdoch Vancouver Report - nasty snow storms made me yearn for Mexico sand and sun, but alas I am stuck in BC. Mexico Report - another task ran in Valle, awaiting the results.  PreWorlds PG Comp Task 2 - another 75 kms - photo by PreWorlds Committee Updated videos from January 3, 2008 from our FlyBC 2008 Mexico Adventure on YouTube at: Flying Malinalco, Mexico, January 3/2008: Flying Fortin de las Flores, Mexico, January 9/2008: Flying Morelia, Mexico, January 14/2008:
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Valle Report - the first day of the Pre Worlds PG Competition went off well. |  PreWorlds PG Comp Task 1 - 75 kms - photo by PreWorlds Committee
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Woodside Report - Despite the forecast it was flyable most of the day at Woodside (the most reliable flying site in Western Canada). | Derek offered to chain up and drive up, Martina and I were the only interested fliers. We got no further than the previous days and hiked in 4-6 inches of new powder.  Coming up to Woodside Launch - photo by JPR Arriving at launch a bit faster than yesterday, Derek reversed off first, then Martina and I had a few duffs before getting airborne. Other than a few turns over the last ridge where a thermal was starting, and one over Hwy 7 it was sledder time. After landing and packing up, the mountain socked in for awhile, Then it was clear til we left at 3:30 pm. Nice ODing thru Mission, some hail and towering CUs.  Clouds obscuring Woodside Launch after we flew - photo by JPR
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Woodside Report - Martina said "Red Sky in morning . . . pilots take warning", but we didn't listen. |  Mt Cheam from Eagle Ranch, sunrise - photo by JPR Martina and Derek hiked up with Colleen and me from about 3 kms. Colleen volunteered to drive although flying might have been safer as the road is glare ice. We arrived to light cycles and clear skies, and Martina launched first.  Martina flying off Woodside - photo by JPR Derek and I set up and launched in unison, with me video'ing his flight. Not terribly exciting footage but we were close enough to touch wings at times.  Derek flying at Woodside - photo by JPR Flights were 9 minutes long! Landing at Stonehenge to avoid the walk in from the normal LZ. As we were packing up Justin was seen hucking off Woodside after hiking from the bottom, another short flight. Derek and Martina left as Thomm M, and the Kamloops crew showed up; Jim M with his new Buzz, Harold and Les just tagging along hoping for a flight. Then Al and Kevin showed up and we loaded up Al's FJ with gear and with Al, Kevin, Thomm and me hoping for a flight. Reports from Elk had Larry reporting 30 kph gusts at 4000 feet and socking in. We rushed up the hill, getting no further with the FJ than my little Suzuki. Kevin and Al packed light and were on launch setting up when we arrived. I hurried my setup and it was starting to snow as Al launched in pretty nice conditions. Within minutes it got gusty and strong north winds were crossing launch and it was snowing harder but I could see Eagle Ranch so I hucked off. Soon I was climbing through 800 meters and it got very white, but I coud see the roads below and had a good track to the Ranch on GPS. I came over Kelly's favourite camping spot, so I was too far north but still tracking SW and could see the ridges and the valley below. I popped out of the last ridge over Ihor's spot (long time pilots know this location), north of the HG LZ at 220 meters, and headed straight for Eagle Ranch landing at Stonehenge. What a great way to get rid of all the Mexican dust and sand! I had snow in every cell, and when I shook out the snow balls, they were very dirty. Kevin and Thomm decided not to launch when they saw me hit cloudsuck and disappear as I hit 800 meters, good call as it got snowier so they hiked back down and drove back to the Ranch. No photos from this flight as I didn't want to get my camera wet. - Jim
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Woodside Report - Well Jim, we didn't think we'd make it but we got a spectacular sunset flight in tonight. Derek was able to drive up farther than last time, so it was VERY fast hiking for 30 minutes and we got up to Woodside launch about 4:30. |  Martina setting up at Woodside, nice sunset - photo by DK We felt a big thermal go through as we were setting up and prayed that it wasn't the last one of the day. Luckily a few more blew through, and it was bouyant enough in the air to get almost 15 minutes up there. Surprising considering the time of day and time of year, but very welcome! A nice dry landing at Stonehenge, then we used the ninja entrance into the barn & enjoyed some leftover bevvies from the Christmas party until you & Colleen finished your drive in from the city. Thanks again for the retrieval (and the tequila!) and we'll see you tomorrow - Martina & Derek.  Derek soaring Woodside with Mt. Cheam in the background - photo by ML Last Day of the Monarca Open today!  Monarca Task 6 Map - photo by Monarca Task Committee Task 6 offical results
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Woodside Paramotor Report - I took Eric's new Paratoys MZ100 Paramotor out for one last shakedown flight to test the thrust and I was off the ground in one step right next to the Barn (north winds). It was pretty chunky air above 200 feet so I did a few circuits over Eagle Ranch and landed next to Stonehenge where it is a bit more open. Eric is going to love this unit, super light cage and lots of power with the 48" prop. Fuel consumption should yield about 3 hours airtime, which is impractical in these temps, but could make for some fun Cross Country flights between fuel stops up in Horsefly BC - Jim |  Monarca Task 5 Map - photo by Monarca Task Committee 85 KMS over uncharted territory! Jim O is in goal on a serial class glider, GO Canada! Task 5 offical results These guys are nuts!
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Monarca Open Report - the Slovenian Brothers Valic are "kicking ass". Average speed of 34 kph over a 75 km dogleg task! | Task 4 offical results  Monarca Task 4 Map - photo by Monarca Task Committee
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Monarca Cup 2008 Report - a long task, 67 kms took the pilots out towards Toluca for the farthest east task in history. | Despite spotty thermals at the start, 60 pilots made goal out of a field of 144 pilots!  Monarca Task 3 Map - photo by Monarca Task Committee Woodside Paramotor Report - despite the east winds, Kirill showed up for a motor flight but apparently froze after 20 minutes and landed. He helped me assemble Eric's new Paratoys MZ100 Paramotor Unit and I went for a test flight in no winds! I hate no wind launches!  Jim on the Paratoys MZ100 and Gin Tuareg Motor Glider - photo by KT What you get with a Paratoys Unit and how fast it goes together!  The shipping boxes, 70 lbs in total, the small one is the propellor - photo by FlyBC  Lay everything out on the lawn, and inspect for shipping damage - photo by FlyBC  Side view of the assemblies - photo by FlyBC  The Rhino cage pieces are added to the frame and velcro straps are affixed - photo by FlyBC  The final assembly, 15 minutes elapsed time - photo by FlyBC  Side view of the Paratoys MZ100 unit with propellor attached - photo by FlyBC New World Record for Brazil Pilots - 3 simultaneous records during same flight! Subject: [civl-info-l] New Hang Gliders World Records - 23 January 2008 FAI has ratified the following Class O (Hang Gliders) records: ================================================================ Claim number : 14871 Sub-class :O-3 (Paragliders) Category: General Type of record : Straight distance Course/location : Quixada - Duque (Brazil) Performance : 461.6 km Pilot : Frank BROWN (Brazil) Paraglider : Sol Paragliders Tracer Date :14.11.2007 Previous record : 423.4 km (21.06.2002 - William GADD, Canada) =============================================================== and ================================================================ Claim number : 14872 Sub-class :O-3 (Paragliders) Category: General Type of record : Straight distance Course/location : Quixada - Duque (Brazil) Performance : 461.6 km Pilot : Marcelo PRIETO (Brazil) Paraglider : Sol Paragliders Tracer Date :14.11.2007 Previous record : 423.4 km (21.06.2002 - William GADD, Canada) =============================================================== and ================================================================ Claim number : 14873 Sub-class :O-3 (Paragliders) Category: General Type of record : Straight distance Course/location : Quixada - Duque (Brazil) Performance : 461.6 km Pilot : Rafael MONTEIRO SALADINI (Brazil) Paraglider : Sol Paragliders Tracer Date :14.11.2007 Previous record : 423.4 km (21.06.2002 - William GADD, Canada) =============================================================== FAI congratulates the pilots on their splendid achievements. -- Marcel Meyer FAI Executive officer
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Monarca Open 2008 Task 2 Report - another long task with some distance over the flats. | Keith McCullough is in the top 13, Jim Orava is a bit further down the list - so "GO CANADA!" Results are at Official Comp Pages .  Monarca Open Task 2 at Valle de Bravo - photo by Monarca Task Committee
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Woodside Report - we awoke to high NE winds and sunny skies, spent the day shaking out the Mexico sand and dust before heading into Vancouver. |  Monarca Open Task 1 at Valle de Bravo - photo by Monarca Task Committee Valle de Bravo Monarca Paragliding Open Report - Here we are in Valle de Bravo for the 2008 Monarca Open, 150 pilots from all over the world. Today first task of 63km with perfect but strong conditions, especially in the beginning and in the Peñon area. Later on it got tricky and lots of pilots landed after or before the 4th waypoint of “La Casa”. Only 16 made it to goal. I was flying quite confortably and going well when going to the 3rd waypoint of “Los Reyes” and crossing over the Peñon I had a massive collapse while climbing a monster thermal- the wing full stalled and started a cascade of incidents that I fortunately resolved - I was high but managed to lose 200 mt in the process. Quite scary stuff and being the first time I experienced something like this I felt uncomfortable and wanted to go to land. Then I decided to continue flying , a good decision as going to land straight away would have probably affected me greatly. Stay tuned for more news, pics and videos. http://www.silviozugarini.com/
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Mexico City Report - we found Colleen's hospital to pick up her MRI reports, and made it to the airport without getting lost. Nice flight home in a 20% full 737-700. Customs was fast. Life is grand. Snow on the ground in Seattle and Agassiz. | Monarca Report - when we left town at 11 am, the CUs looked good. But no results have been posted yet?
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Valle de Bravo Report - this time we decided to get to launch by 11 am, but breakfast delayed us a bit. | We arrived at launch by 11:30 am, and waited and waited for sun. Ihor must have launched early and he was still up 2.5 hours later in the "Blender" house thermal to the left of launch. The skies were grey. No shadows. We hung out with Mark and heard how his downtube broke. He was doing a loop near launch and hit a thermal that broke some battens and he had limited control at slow speeds, so his landing flare failed and pushed him right into the dirt at the Boga Boga LZ last night. The Monarca Pilots were practicing again with some huge task of 70 kms, and the gaggle was well formed in front of launch.  Valle Launch Gaggle - photo by JPR I waited for the last of the Comp Pilots to go off and setup the Zoom. Lame cycles but eventually I went off after Percy, a Valle pilot and we mooched off each other for some time, before he caught a good one and was back behind launch. Norm finally launched and we circled in the Blender for a bit before he headed upwind behind a Boomerang 5 and caught some lift at El Penon. I wasn't far behind but had to soar the Penon forever. Norm made it over the Wall onto the Mesa and I was being patient at the Penon when a good thermal finally broke off and took me above the top, a Swedish Pilot flying an Advance Omega and trailing the Swedish Flag joined me and we climbed out together. The thermal took us under a cloud and the cloud went off behind launch to the "Penitas", little hills that I climbed out of yesterday. I hit them pretty low, and the Swede was faster and higher and off towards Toluca (his first mistake). I slowly climbed out of the Penitas, as 3 other pilots headed for me. The thermal wasn't big enough for 3 so I concentrated on my harness pulling on me and was climbing out nicely. I hit 2900 meters and watched the Omega pilot sinking fast to the NE. The other pilots never climbed out and were "dirting it" below the Penitas. I was at the top of my thermal just below the clouds at 2900 meters and not getting higher, so I looked toward town to see two gliders near my LZ two days ago climbing slowly. One was a Mantra M2 and the other not recognizable as they headed off as I got near. I flew with the Mantra M2 for several turns and we were waking each other in close proximity. The Zoom took the wake better than the Mantra M2 and soon the Mantra M2 pilot was heading off for easier lift. I was at 2800 meters over the Villas and I looked at the glide to the Boga Boga LZ and took an educated guess at the glide slope and headed straight to the Lake. I saw Jim Orava high above me just kissing the clouds and he told Corinne he wasn't sure he could make it to town. Now it gets fun! Not enought lift to turn in, but a "street of lift" was apparent on my glide to the Lake. Not enough to turn in but bubbles that aided my "death glide".  On the way to Valle de Bravo Boga Boga LZ - photo by JPR  On the way to the last ridge and closer to Valle de Bravo Boga Boga LZ, no bailouts in sight! - photo by JPR  Looking down at the houses on the last ridge, still no bailouts in sight! - photo by JPR  Looking down toward the lake at 2100 meters, glide looks possible - photo by JPR  Looking down at the lake at 1930 meters, some bailouts are visible - photo by JPR  Boga Boga LZ is in sight, speed is 29 kph, flight time is 1:50 - photo by JPR I made it to the Boga Boga LZ with one turn extra and had to slow the wing down to miss some kiters but had a smooth landing right in the packup area. Some kids packed the wing compactly for the flight home tomorrow. Cost is $20 pesos. I waited with Colleen over lunch and cervezas and was in contact with Normando still in the air. He said he was working his way towards the town. We got tired of waiting and wanted to go shopping and called Normando for a final fix and he said he was near town . . . in a taxi! The three gliders he was flying with all "dirted it" on the Mesa far from town.  Normando's last ride of shame in Valle - photo by JPR Dennis said he and Mark had 500 rockets to shoot off tonight so it may be hard to sleep. No special occasion, just a Mexico tradition.
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Peter Bowle-Evans - Peter died in an avalanche January 17, 2008. Peter was a ring-leader in keeping Mount 7 open for free flight, and was a past HPAC President as well. We only met a few times but this picture of him shows his zest for life better than words.
|  Peter Bowles-Evans at a past HG Nationals. - photo by Karen Keller Valle de Bravo Report - Normando and I got to el Penon Launch at noon, with Dennis and Claire (friend of Mark Sallesse) driving for us. When we drove up, we saw the Comp Pilots heading out on task to the NW. We arrived to see Jim O and Corinne launch (yes, they broke the boycott for the practice days as there is no pass fees for the Monarca Comp). When we setup the cycles calmed right down. We had to wait for a puff and I took the first one and it plucked me off and I went straight up. I flew around for 5 minutes before Normando launched, and we tried to "mooch off each other" but we weren't doing too well as we never got much above the Penon. We flew around the bowl for 1:30 trying to get away but the Piano was not an option. We never got below launch at 1950 meters, but never really climbed much above 2200 meters in the bowl. Then Normando caught a huge thermal right by launch, and was climbing fast. When I arrived at the same spot, nothing was going up and I was left boating around the bowl. I saw him high a few kms past launch doing well. I caught some small thermals that took me over the back and was committed to at least ridge soaring the two small hills behind launch (one has a small rocky ridge, the other is a cinder cone hill with a residence on top). As I arrived at the first ridge, I was thermalling over a plateau with some grazing cows, and I think a few of them farted at once as a nice thermal started taking me up in the lee of the launch. I was patient, not one of my traits, and stayed in the thermal as I climbed slowly and as I got higher the thermal got stronger and a CU formed over the cinder cone. I rode this thermal to 'base at 3100 meters and looked around for Normando. He was now low over "Tiger Country" with few LZs. I focussed on my flying and rode the cloudstreet toward the Lake at Valle. Sink between the CUs was about -4 m/s, but the climbs were more like +6.5 m/s so it wasn;t hard to maintain 3200 meters right to the Lake. As I topped out over my LZ yesterday, Normando announced he had landed along the road near the Race Track LZ. I headed to Torre Launch and came over the Lake at 2800 meters. There was lift over the Lake and I flew to the opposite side, near the Waterfalls and was considering doing a circuit around the Lake perimeter as I had so much height but "Beer Suck" set in and I started an approach over the Lake.  Over the Boga Boga LZ in Valle de Bravo. - photo by JPR There were several other gliders setting up and it was blowing about 20 kph off the Lake. I was setting up to the south as recommended and going up with every turn as it was sucking up the Torre Ridge. To make room for traffic, I "big ear'ed" in to final and had a smooth landing. Dennis and Claire had just arrived - flight time 2:04 to the Lake.  Norm in his cab - his so-called "Ride of Shame" in Valle de Bravo. - photo by JPR Pine from Colorado was all smiles as he made the 50 km practice task in 2 hours too. I didn't get the exact waypoints they used as they were already gone when we got to launch. We met the pilot on the Ice Peak that cravatted yesterday, apparently his first flight and first turn on this glider and he had the trimmers set fast which caused the cascade. After the full stall he reset the trims to slow. He felt he had 500 feet over trees when he stalled. Mayhem Update - the pilot that hit the trees yesterday was back flying as a tandem pilot today with only a sore hip. We met another HG pilot that was nursing a sore wrist as he pounded in near the Race Track LZ breaking his keel. Apparently, Mark also broke a downtube landing at Boga Boga much after we left (he has a spare one). The Boga Boga LZ is pretty small for a topless HG if it is less windy, but he has been doing it most every day. Health Recommendation - wear sunscreen when flying or you will look like this!  Norm's nose after forgetting sunscreen at Morelia. - photo by JPR Selkirk's Flying Report - just got back from my winter ski/fly trip. Thanks again for lending me the Mojo while I'm waiting for the Ultralite to come in. I was flying both the Gin Nano and the Mojo up in Fairy Meadows all week. The terrain there was fantastic for flying most areas didn't have a tree in sight and the snow was nice and light which made it great for landing pretty much anywhere. I just had to make sure the winds weren't to strong and the the visibility was good. Almost every day that was the case for at least a couple of hours. Here is a photo from Jan 11th of me coming in for a landing at the base of Friendship Glacier in Fairy Meadows of the Selkirks mountain range. The photo was taken by Kendra Wood. Hope to be back at Eagle Ranch sometime in February - Stephen .  Stephen flying the Mojo2 at Fairy Meadows - photo by Kendra Wood
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Valle Report - it rained last night for a half hour and cleared up nicely by 9:00 am. We had a nice breakfast and headed up to launch with our El Penon passes which cost $100 pesos a day. | As we arrived at launch they were just getting a Santa Barbara area pilot onto a backboard and into a Van as he had botched a launch and landed in the trees below with a suspected pelvis injury. According to Mike Sadan, he witnessed 8 accidents in as many days flying Valle earlier in the month. Ihor was up at launch and about 30 gliders were in the air in the only house thermal and they were getting lower as the sun was shaded by clouds. Normando and I setup on either side of launch separatd by a racy Advance pilot with full faired harness and we waited for a lull. I had one overshoot which I left fly over as braking it would have "turtled me". The wing pretty much fell back in place ready for the next lull. When it came I didn't say anything, just pulled it up and got yanked into the air. As I got centred in front of launch I noticed Norm was also in the air - a simultaneous launch captured by Colleen on Video which we will show later. No conflict but nicely timed.  Norm just off El Penon Launch in Valle de Bravo. - photo by JPR We were climbing on either side of launch but Norm did much better as usual, and we boated around trying to climb above the Penon but the wind was making the thermals nasty and hard to center in. Estimated +25 kph headwinds.  Niviuk Ice Peak Comp Pilot experiencing the nice air near launch, he cravatted and spiralled to the trees before a full stall saved his day. - photo by JPR Some of the earlier launchers on comp wings were heading out to the valley in front of launch as the ones that went over the back were struggling. I worked the thermals in front for a while and was maintaining but not getting very high and noticed some nice CUs forming way out front. I headed straight upwind and eventually it paid off as I got some +6 m/s lift that took me to cloudbase at 3200 meters. I was as far out as the volcano cinder cone in the follwoing picture at the end of the ridge before I figured out that Valle town as further NE of that point but didn't lose any height.  Cinder Cone Volcano approximately 10 kms in front of El Penon launch in Valle de Bravo. - photo by JPR As I started to head to Valle, I was met by a Boomerang 5 pilot, who had a great climb and excellent speed (the first time on the trip I wished I had brought the Boom Sport). We climbed back up to 'base together as Normando came in from low on the Penon. Norm also got a good climb and passed both of us and headed cross valley where he found -4 m/s sink for a sustained period and was heading back to the main valley to top out. I headed along the cloudstreet towards Valle and last time I saw Normando he looked low enough to head to the Piano LZ. I headed towards Valle and can see the Lake now and I have a good glide, but as I cross the second last ridge before town I also hit -4 down and I am picking fields to land in. A last low save over Villas near Valle got me high enough for the glide to the Boga LZ, but the sink that is in odd places scared me. I made a safer decision and landed by another pilot in Villas which is a 9 peso cab ride to Centro. Flight time was 1:17, + 6 m/s up, -4 m/s down. I was sitting in the Garden at the Hotel with Colleen when she spotted Normando coming over Torre Launch at 'base. He landed at Boga LZ into a nice headwind after playing near the clouds in Valle. His flight was 2:45, with similar climbs.
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Valle de Bravo Report - we headed up to launch at El Penon around 12:30 am, but got denied at the launch gate as we couldn't find anyone to buy a Pinon Pass from. | As we were driving back down from launch, we saw a White/Orange Gin Zoom landing in a bailout field and it was Ihor, who has been flying here for a week. The skies were cloudy and the lift not very reliable but some folks flew into the Bago Lake LZ. Other folks we know include Mike Sadan, Mark Sallesse and of course Corrinne. Norm and I were very frustrated that we didn't get a flight of El Pinon but we headed up to Torre Launch to try a soaring flight and Ihor volunteered to drive for us.  Torre Launch in Valle de Bravo. - photo by JPR Norm launched first and was maintaining just below launch. Light cycles made us have to huck the wings up and run fast off launch.  Norm in front of Torre Launch in Valle de Bravo. - photo by JPR We soared for about 30 minutes before heading to the Lakeside LZ (Boga Boga) which is pretty nice but still small and not forgiving if you blow the approach (you will get wet!).  Boga Boga LZ below Torre Launch in Valle de Bravo. - photo by JPR  Colleen relaxing at the Boga Boga LZ - photo by JPR
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Morelia Report - we were planning to leave by 1:00 pm, but not until we flew at least one flight at La Escalera. | We arrived at 11:30 am, and it was already getting windy at launch. I kited for a while until I got lifted off and I was soon high above launch to the east. I tried to go to the Hoover ridge to the west but it wasn't working yet. I headed back to launch and top-landed after 40 minutes of flight. Interesting full stall just off the deck about 15 feet but I released the brakes just enough to settle onto launch smoothly. Norm wasn't ready to fly yet, so I relaunched and was soon at 2550 meters over the Hoover but it was shady over the back so not reliable enough to go for it. Again after about 30 minutes, I top-landed in some pretty spicy winds but a down-wind, cross wind approach got me down safely. We picked up Colleen at the Hotel and headed down the road to Valle and drove by Norm's LZ from yesterday by the Big Lake, about 30 kms from Morrelia Launch. Flying Morelia, Mexico, January 14/2008:
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Morelia Report - the forecast was for light winds after 5 days of strong winds, so we headed to launch to hear the Piloto Meeting and two things were mentioned: 1. Do not fly over or near the Federal Prison and 2. Do not cross the Aeropuerto Control Zone. Even I understood this in Spanish. |  Norm was chilling at launch with one of the Red Bull Girls and she gave him a Red Bull. - photo by JPR As the Comp Pilots were hucking themselves into the air, Norm and I were trying to get the sand out of our wings from the Dunes. I had a tangled mess of lines and as Norm took off around 12:45 pm, I was still sorting things out. The pilots that launched early were already high on the first turnpoint called "Hoover" at the south end of this ridge. Norm is somewhere in the middle of the white dots (most comp wings are white so they are hard to catch on a long zoom).  Gaggle over turnpoint #1 at Morelia. - photo by JPR I had my wing sorted, clipped in and attempted a few launches but it was very strong 30 kph+ and the steep cliff in front causes a nice rotor. I had a solid wing and was turning when I saw a loop of line on a C connection hanging down about 2 cms. I killed the wing and Colleen came to sort it out but by the time she got it out it was mayhem out front. Pilots who got low were getting trashed by the strong winds when landing below (no crashes but it was ugly). Norm radioed that he was heading over the back chasing some comp wings and we lost sight of him and radio contact as well. I got the wing re-sorted by 1 pm, and waited for the lull that never came. Corinne flew over launch just above launch and was not penetrating well. She eventually got on the speed bar and was going out slowly and up but she decided to spiral down to a rough approach in front of launch (there are many fields but they are not level and very rough, filled with trees and shrubs). She landed well, but the approach was dodgy with rotor and thermals kicking off. After seeing the pilots in the air getting pummelled, and the rough approaches, I stood down and packed up. Antonio, a local pilot with 4 years experience here, said it would calm down by 4 pm. We left launch to head to town for lunch at 1:30 pm. We called for Norm as we left but never heard from him on the drive to town.  Old Church in Morelia, one of many well restored old buildings in Centro. - photo by JPR We arrived back at launch around 4:30 pm, and saw a crazy top-landing that got blown back behind launch where the pilot landed on the road between parked cars and survived with some help by people grabbing lines. It was just as strong as earlier and Norm was not back on launch so we headed back to the Hotel after hearing that the 3 top comp pilots had their day invalidated for crossing the Aeropuerto Airspace. Norm met us at the Hotel and told us of many collapses, frontals and rough air during his flight. He flew for 3 hours and he said it was smoother over the back and he landed near the big lake to the North and took a ride with a nice family to the 43 and then a bus to the Hotel. Easy retrieve. Apparently he too infringed on Mexican Airspace but he had a great flight. The trick at Morelia is to get launched early!
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Morelia Report - we arrived into town just after dark and found the Comp Hotel, Villa del Sol, and met up with a bunch of Canucks and US Pilots we know. | Corrinne filled us in about a comp pilot who had crashed just after the comp opened, landing heavily behind launch with a large collapse and apparently he suffered a fractured pelvis, injured spine and a head injury. They had to close the comp because a helicopter rescue was ordered. Morgan said he went over the back to avoid the helicopter and was going 72 kph so it was quite windy. Tomorrow is the last day of the comp so we may offer our services as wind dummies.
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|  Our hotel at Dunas Chacachalacas, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR Dunes Report - we awoke to the first NE winds this beach village has seen in months (over the back of the dunes we tried yesterday).  Looking north to the Dunas Chacachalacas, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR We headed 25 kms north to the North end of the dunes to the town of Farallon and had to hike in about a 2 km hike along the beach to the dunes. A 4x4 could have gotten us in there but not a loaded Ford Fiesta.  Looking north at the Farallon Beach, Mexico - photo by JPR When we arrived on the smaller dunes the wind was "spicy" but doable. By the time we rrolled out our wings it was "smoking" and we were getting dragged just sorting out the lines. Colleen was watch from a higher vantage point and said it gusted up on the ocean just as we setup. Fifty Kgs of sand later we finally rolled the gear back up and hiked back. In retrospect we should have stayed at the Hotel as some of the dunes there point in the NE direction. Always an adventure.  Colleen hiking in to the Dunes at the Farallon Beach, Mexico - photo by JPR We drove back to Fortin de las Flores to spend the evening before heading to Morelia to watch the last day of the Escalara Open 2008, where we plan to fly until we return on Jan 19.
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Fortin de las Flores Report - we had breakfast, headed out to look for a roof rack as we are too cramped for long trips and then went to launch for one last outrageous soaring event. I was elected to go first again, as it was very lame and Norm wanted me to land in the sooty field. | I flew for 15 minutes down to the end of the ridge, but started sinking out. I headed straight fo the Piano LX and had enough height for a 180 and landed right in the middle of the green football pitch - Sorry Normando!  Jim's gear in the Piano LZ at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR After we packed up we left the Hotel and got on the backroads to Veracruz (actually north of Veracruz where the elevation rises about 500 feet). On the way we saw some active soaring by a huge flock of birds over a powerline, but no paragliders.  Huge Gaggle of birds over a powerline at Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR We arrived in a little town called Chacachalacas about 40 kms north of Veracruz proper and stopped for late lunch on the beach. While heading there, we saw some signs saying "Dunas" pointing north. We ate fast and headed north and behold . . . some glorious white sand dunes facing east and south - Mexican Dune de Pyla!  Normando and Jaime hiking up the Dunes at Chacachalacas near Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR There were some large birds soaring over the dunes as we arrived and it was just soarable with SE winds. We hiked the dunes and I kited the Zoom up the slope backwards til it was strong enough to lift me off. I got a few passes and sidehill landed to get my next flight. Norm was trying to fly in flipflops and it wasn't working too well as they blew out a few times. Barefoot tomorrow.  Another shot of the Dunes at Chacachalacas near Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR  Sunset at the Dunes at Chacachalacas near Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR Colleen, Normando and I are staying in a nice hotel on the beach. Pool, TV, no internet, but walking distance to the Dunes. Hopefully more soaring tomorrow.  Dunes Hotel at Chacachalacas near Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR
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Fortin de las Flores Report - this lush, tropical area is proving to be very reliable for flying, but not for XC flying so far. | After spending some time on Google Earth, I found the Piano LZ (Piano is Mexican lingo for sinking-out ie. soared like a Piano). It is below launch and to the SE, right at the foot of the hill so it is possible to scratch all the way down. It is a Football field so 100 meters long or more, by 75 meters wide with trees on the east and west side. Coincidentally, it is the field due north of the sugar cane fire last night, referring back to those pictures. Norm and I surveyed the LZ and discussed approaches, but he was noted saying "it looks like an easy field to get into". But . . .  In the Piano LZ facing north at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR  In the Piano LZ facing south toward the sugar cane field at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR Normando and I headed up to launch alone as the NW boys headed home this morning, and Colleen's back will improve better not having to drive us up to launch. Cabs are plentiful and the road to launch is paved so they shouldn't complain too much. As we arrived, cycles were good, but cloudbase was low and there were imbedded CU showing through. Gulp! I was elected "Tecnician des Thermales" and flew first and had a sweet flight getting to cloudbase at 1360 meters (launch is 1245 meters) and flew with Norm for 30 minutes before I saw the birds struggling and decided to top-land.  Normando spotted through my risers at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR Easy approach from the North, just watch when you kill the wing that it doesn't end up in the high tension wires!  On final just before top-landing at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR Norm flew for a bit longer and ended up almost getting into the Piano LZ, and overshot into the sooty cane field. I could hear the grumbling from launch. I drove down through the tropical forest to retrieve Norm before heading to lunch with Colleen.  Normando landing at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR Second flights were better, and I hit 1485 meters before top-landing again after almost sinking out after blowing an approach. Normando was till on launch cleaning his wing, and he launched after I landed. Normando topped out at 1700 meters and flew over town landing at the banana plantation. Gain the birds were out playing with us and one grew attached to Normando for part of his flight soaring his leading edge.
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Fortin de las Flores Report - Doug, Delvin and Sid arrived at our hotel and booked in and were ready to fly by noon. We headed up to Microondes de San Juan Launch and Norm was designated windy dummy. It was coming in nicely right up the launch slot and we were confident he would show us the way. | Unfortunately it was not going to happen and he was in the "Piano" at 7:30. Coordinates for GPS geeks is "Aterrizaje Piano" lat=18.8650054932, lon=-96.9916687012 from Google Earth. You have to hike out of the Piano LZ to the main road a few kms but the guys didn't complain (not even Norm). One by one launched Doug (15:00), then Delvin (20:00) and finally Sid (7:00) launched and they were all in the Piano LZ or close. Delvin bagged the best flight staying above launch for a while and scattering the curious cow herd on landing that had collected to check Norm and Doug out.  Delvin in front of launch at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR I drove down to retrieve everyone and after a round of cold drinks and snacks at the OXXO store we headed back for Norm and I to try again around 5:00 pm.  Sugar Cane Fire at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR When we arrived at launch there was sugar cane fire out front. I guess they use this technique to remove the husks for harvest. You could hear the fire from launch and ash was decending from the sky as I readied my gear. I launched first and tried the same run south to get over the spine into the sunny side of the mountain but was denied. Interesting flying through the ash but no lift was generated by the fire. I hung in too long and by the time I turned back to the launch I was too low to catch anything in the shade. I landed in Sid's LZ by the high powerlines to avoid the hike out of the Piano LZ.  Sid's LZ at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR Norm launched right after me and was smart to not spend too much time heading south. He found a bug-fart near launch and rode it over the towers but it was far lighter than last night. It was far more inverted than the day before.  Norm over the Microondes de San Juan at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR
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Mexican Travel Adventures Continue - we left the El Porton Inn at 8:30 am, enroute to Veracruz. We had GPS coordinates but not much else. | We were told to go thru Mexico City on the Cuota (Toll) Roads as it was much faster and safer. For anyone doing this trip, do not stop for white shirted street cops! We missed a turn onto the Cuota and were circling back when a cops waved us over and said our car was too full and that was a $200 USD infraction. I proclaimed in english that I could see fine. He already had my licence so I couldn't take off as I knew we were being "skinned". After much ado he settled on $180 USD as we had no more cash and we were already running late. He was quick to ensure no money was in sight of the video cameras at the intersection. After getting fleeced, we rethought our actions and here is what I would do in future: 1. Ask for the ticket, and where the police station is to pay it. This cop didn't even have a ticket book. 2. Don't show any cash, only a credit card and say "no dinero". We eventually arrived in Fortin des Flores and exited the Cuota and set the coordinates in the GPS missing the decimal setting, not minutes and seconds setting so we had a 20 km side excursion north of town. No LZs out north as it is all cane fields. We doubled back to town and saw the towers near launch and headed out west without a clue. I saw one sign that looked promising (telecommunications something) but we felt it was in the wrong place and kept going past fields with red flags (I assumed for no landing here), as they were Chayote vines. We gave up and headed back to the town and saw the telecommunications sign and next to it was a worn out Parapente sign. Up we went on a part cobblestone and part paved road to the towers. We found the launch between two big microwave towers and calculated the glide out to town as do-able (just guessing of course). I somehow was out waited by Norm and set up on launch, nice grass you can see on the picture between the fourth and fifth tower from the left.  Norm over launch at Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR We flew together with the local birds for about 35 minutes going up everywhere despite the inversion.  Norm over the spine at Fortin de Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR I headed out to an LZ I spotted from the air, close to town. It was a small clearing between two banana plantations but nice.  Norm landing his Rebel at Fortin de Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR We found a nice hotel near the Centro called "Hotel Fortin de las Flores", and Colleen and I splurged for the extra cost of a pool and amenities at $54 dollars (breakfast included). Norm is in the Hotel Bugamvillas (Hotel Bug for short) as it is $20 dollars. We can see the mountains west of town where we plan to XC tomorrow (35 kms to a 5600 meter Volcano!).  The view from the pool at Hotel Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico - photo by JPR We still hadn't heard from the Washingtonians; Delvin, Doug and Sid, so I called them to find out their car had died with a bad clutch and they missed the turnoff to Fortin de las Flores and were in Veracruz proper 90 kms away. A new car was on the way but they have to stay in Veracruz tonight. I said to Delvin, "at least you didn't get skinned for $200 bucks by a crooked cop". He replied that they too had been stopped for a mystical stop-light violation for the same $200! Same "modus operandi", same circumstances stopping a lost gringo. Some cops are going to retire rich in Mexico City. Picture Update: Turista Normando took these great pictures on January 2, 2008. I only downloaded them lst night at the Hotel.  The old Church in Malinalco - photo by NWL  The Church Commemorative Sign in Malinalco, built in 1543 - photo by NWL  An interesting mural in the old Church in Malinalco - photo by NWL The old Church in Malinalco, built in 1543 - photo by NWL  Norm noticed this powerline on final in Malinalco, note the high grade wood used for the powerpole. - photo by NWL  This bull was in the same field Norm landed in in Malinalco, apparently not too excited by a parapente papalote - photo by NWL
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Tenancingo Report - after a fun evening after flying, where Sid Doug and Delvin followed Norm over the back into Town, we all went for dinner. I unfortunately lost mine mid evening when a virus hit me (or some other bug). I was sick as a dog all day but decided to fly later as I saw Norm climb out at 5.00 pm at La Laminche. I hit some interesting turbulence at 2700 meters causing a full frontal and some 50% collapses. Just what you want when you already sick, I tried to stay out of the lift and maintained 2700 meters over to the Hotel LZ as Colleen drove down. Norm topped out at 3800 meters and tried to go XC but the only lift was flat land flying, all the ridges were calm? Climbs at +5.7 m/s, Sink -7.0 m/s. | The LZs by El Porton Inn in Teneria are safer and smoother than in Tenancingo proper.
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Malinalco Report - Norm and I launched around noon and I was on the ground 45 minutes later after trying to bust over the ridge between Malinalco and Tenancingo. | I saw him get over the ridge but he decided to land on the same side of the valley as we launched and ended up in a "postage stamp LZ" surrunded by 9' high barbed wire. Oh and he bit his tongue on final, injury number three on this trip out of 6 pilots. Oh and worse, he landed short of my XC flight! Malinalco is proving to be a much safer flight if you don´t get up. Big LZs by the highway. Even when I went XC today I had tons of options, even the Bulls are tied up in the fields. ps: Colleen says this is not a non-paraglider friendly place. Not much to do for non-fliers. She is hoping Veracruz is better as it is on the coast.
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Mexican Adventures Continue - we headed to downtown Malinalco for breakfast and found a section of town called Las Truchas. We picked a restaurant with the river running through it and we had quesadillas and pineapple drinks. |   The Trout Restaurant in Malinalco - photo by JPR We headed to Malinalco today after breakfast for a noon hour flight. This site faces SE so it is a good morning site with lots of safe LZs and top-landing potential. Norm, Colleen and I hiked in (about 15 minutes on the flats) before Delvin, Sid and Doug arrived and I flew first. I got above launch for a bit, but it started to shut off so I top-landed on Norm (well almost). Doug flew and top-landed to drive down as I relaunched and climbed out to 3000 meters near cloudbase and waited for Norm but the thermals were fickle and I ended up in the LZ after an hour. Everyone else flew and got above launch several times before ending up in the same LZ.  Sid and Norm on final at Malinalco - photo by JPR La Laminche Report - we headed back to La Laminche at 3:00 pm, and arrived to find the Valle pilots (20 of them) waiting on launch and Doug threw out his gear and launched first, he got up on the Wall and headed over the back to Tenancing low. Norm and Delvin flew off next and climbed out fast on the Wall over the carving and headed to the Las Insurgentes LZ near the Seafood Restaurant.  Norm heading over to Christ Rey - photo by NWL I launched last and also climbed to 2500 meters before heading to the Seafood Restaurant. I had a close encounter with a Helium Balloon, fortunately it was a small Tweety Bird balloon not a large passenger carrying one. I almost face planted on landing, but Norm didn't have his camera ready.  Parapente Helpers in Las Insurgentes LZ - photo by JPR
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La Laminche Report - we headed up to La Laminche with Daniel P and his daughter Daniela, and arrived around 12:30 pm, too early to fly. So a hike up to the spring and the Aztec Carvings was in order. Many locals journey up here on foot and burros to see the carvings. This site features ceremonial carvings and what we believe to be sacrificial altars high on the "cerro". There is also a chair carved at the top of the rocks called the "Chair of the King". assumably for the leader of the ancient group so he could survey his holdings (and see invading forces). |  Axtec carving near La Laminche Launch - photo by JPR I headed back to launch and set up and launched into nice cycles. I started climbing well and was above the launch when the cycles sht off. I headed to the Wall to the north, no lift. Then to the south point, where I was maintaining and "bobbing up and down" for about 15 minutes but never able to climb back to launch. I got around the South end of the ridge and was maintaining over the trees but I lost site of any designated LZ and was about 5 kms from launch so I looked for alternate fields near the road. Remember this site is only 300 meters above the ground so if you lose lift you are on the deck fast. I spotted a nice field, into the wind high on the plateau but as I am lazy, I elected to the plowed field lower near the road. Although the wind was strong in the trees, once I was on final and into the wind gradient I had a fast landing. As I packed up, A local boy, Israel showed up to show me the way down to the road and a cab. Israel has gone tandem with Daniel V and talked all the way down about being a parapente pilot. The walk was through several streams and muddy cow pastures but beautiful and I arrived at the road and a taxi picked me up and for 7 pesos I was back at my car. Norm had launched and we saw him above the ridge as I got down to the road. I drove into town to get Colleen and we arrived back at the Seafood Restaurant to get lunch and Doug, Delvin and Norm dropped into to meet us. Apparently Sid started to sink out on his flight and elected to land in Bernie's LZ (a small clearing right below launch) and had ended up in a shrub bush with broken glasses. It took him some time to get his wing out of the bushes and hike back to launch. We started getting worried so after we ate we headed up to find Sid and we saw 5 pilots soaring La Laminche and we watched as one of them top-landed. As the pilot flew over our heads and said "Ola", Norm said it was a girl. I said girls don't top-land but as we approached the pilot and she took off her helmet we saw it was Corinne. Amazing to meet another local BC pilot here in backwater Mexico. She was boycotting Valle and flying other sites to find alternatives. She was here with Reto and some other visiting pilots. We partied with the visiting pilots back in our room til 10 pm and the day was done. Updated videos from January 3, 2008 from our FlyBC 2008 Mexico Adventure on YouTube at:
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Tenancingo Report - I drove back to Mexico City to pick up Colleen at ABC Hospital and spent 3 hours sorting out the insurance to pay the bill. | Check your Travel Insurance before coming to Mexico! Cost for a Search and Rescue Helicopter and paramedics - no charge Cost for a CT Scan - $1300 USD Cost for an MRI - $1899 USD Cost for 2 days at ABC Hospital - $63,900 pesos ($6400 USD) The lady at Sun Life was very helpful and through their agent in Mexico City a letter of guarantee was ent to the hoapital and we were free to leave and my credit card charges were credited. Travel Insurance is also available from Sears Travel for about $75 per year. Get it before you leave your province where your health care is being paid. Even within Canada. We were leaving on the Cuota to Toluca, where the terrain is 9700 feet ASL and it was cold. As we headed west it looked like snow on the pine trees, but at closer inspection it was "hoar frost" due to the high humidity and cold temps. We stopped in Tenango for a Coctel de Camarones, and a beer and it cost $100 pesos. Amazing seafood for towns that are 450 kms from the coast. Malinalco Flying Report - Norm and Daniel V. led the guys over to Malinalco, just over the ridge east of our Hotel 10 kms. A nice launch site with easy top landings and grassy groomed launches to the SE and South.  Malinalco SE Launch - photo by JPR Norm climbed out immediately and was flying all around the area scoping out the XC options while the others flew and landed at the bottom LZs. Do not land in the Golf Club below launch. Apparently a paraglider with a political bent flew over one of the politician's homes on the Country Club dropping leaflets protesting some policies a few years ago. He landed on the Golf Course and had his gear confiscated and a rule is now in place to confiscate anyone's gear that lands there.
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Tenancingo Report - the guys went to the "Caves" in the morning as I was still at ABC with Colleen. When I arrived back in a cab to the hotel, they were just getting back as a huge storm blew thru town (very uncommon to get wind here), so no flying today - Jim.
| Colleen was up and walking on her own when I left the ABC facility and will be back in contact soon.  Bev's Cactus - from her daughter at Christmas (Norm is portrayed here) - photo by Bev
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Tenancingo Report - we headed back to La Laminche today and it was stronger as we arrived. Again I was the "wind dummy" and climbed out immediately to 3000 meters (launch is at 2100 meters). |  Jim launches "Despegue La Laminche" - photo by CMV Norm launched after me and I "mooched off" him as my vario konked out and was giving no audio. We climbed together to 3600 meters and I headed over the back after an hour as Norm flew back to launch to see why no one else launched. Apparently it got squirrely at launch and eventually Delvin, Colleen and Daniel V got off. I watched Daniel scratching low as I headed off but didn't see any other launches. I made it to a football field by the hotel where the car was so I could retrieve everyone else - Jim.  Football LZ in Tenancingo, near El Porton Inn - photo by JPR As I landed I got a report from Sid on Launch that Colleen had suffered a hard landing at the Emergency LZ in trashy thermic conditions, and Daniel Podregas (our other host who is a State Policeman), had mustered up ambulances, a rescue chopper and many paramedics on scene by the time I arrived. After a fast flight to Mexico City in a very fast helicopter, we arrived at ABC Hospital and Colleen got CT Scanned and MRI'ed to find she had a compressed T12 which is stable and she is leaving the hospital tomorrow. But no flying for her the rest of the trip unfortunately.  Tenancingo, Mexico from a very fast rescue chopper - photo by Canon TX1 Video Grab The LZs around here are very advanced as are the conditions with hot, thin air and fast landings. More work is needed to secure better LZs, IMHO. |
FlyBC Paragliding Past Site of the Day Reports
November 2007 Site of the Day archives - Colleen and I went to California to fly the new Falcon A-16 Advanced Ultralight prototype and it flew very well. Some good soaring days at Woodside, some folks were still trying to fly Bridal but that is a waste of time this late in the season.
October 2007 Site of the Day archives - mid-air at Woodside caused Martin H some paraglider damage, some great soarable days. The Women's Fly In was a success with the Canuck Team taking top spot for the theme of "Celebrities in Rehab".
September 2007 Site of the Day archives - we re-discovered and flew 'Horsefly' Launch for the first time, some mayhem at Woodside due to tree-suck, lots of good soaring in afternoon glassoffs, a great Indian Summer until late in the month when the rains came early. Derek, Martina, Robin and Diane went to Europe. Kirill went to Australia for a paramotor Fly-In.
Augusr 2007 Site of the Day archives - fun two weeks at Mara Lake, followed by steady flying at Woodside and Bridal, making up for the dismal spring and summer.
July 2007 Site of the Day archives - good flights at Bridal, some mayhem at Woodside from visiting pilots.
June 2007 Site of the Day archives - more crappy weather on the weekends. Some awesome flights between showers as Norm and Thomm flew to Mission on the last day of the month.
May 2007 Site of the Day archives - flyable every weekday, but the Fraser Valley XC Comp got crappy weather on the weekends, although it was student flyable.
April 2007 Site of the Day archives - good flights are starting. Some complete triangles from Woodside to Bridal and back, some "musical triangles" from others.
March 2007 Site of the Day archives - fifth month of crappy weather on the Coast. We went to Santa Barbara for some flights, and to dry out. Some good days were also recorded locally.
Febuary 2007 Site of the Day archives - fourth month of crappy weather on the Coast. So we stayed in Mexico.
January 2007 Site of the Day archives - third month of crappy weather on the Coast. So we went to Mexico to fly Colima, Tapalpa, and San Marcos, while Brad and gang headed to Tenacingo, Mexico.
December 2006 Site of the Day archives - more ugly weather on the Coast. Severe winds damaged trees and property so not much flying happened. Some good flight reports from local PGers travelling world-wide.
November 2006 Site of the Day archives - the wettest November on record. We flew a few good flights but mostly we were rained out.
October 2006 Site of the Day archives - lots of good days with 3-4 hours airtime. The Women's Fly-In was on again in Chelan with about 18 Canucks, and a good day Saturday with 85 registered pilots.
September 2006 Site of the Day archives - still soarable in the Fraser Valley, little or no rain. Colleen is back flying! Some mayhem in the valley.
August 2006 Site of the Day archives - a great flying month everywhere, we had a super successful SIV clinic at Mara Lake with everyone SAT-ing and heli-ing.
July 2006 Site of the Day archives - road trip to Lumby, then on the 8th Colleen spun in below Gloria cancelling her summer plans (but she is recuperating well).
June 2006 Site of the Day archives - the Valley dried out, and we flew most days and every weekend.
May 2006 Site of the Day archives - more rain that ever imagined in the Fraser Valley. Very few soaring flights and even less XC.
April 2006 Site of the Day archives - the Easter Bunny was "run over" on Kilby Road, plus the train wreck on April 1.
March 2006 Site of the Day archives - a new pilot was born, Chloe. We also flew a few days between showers, some long flights up to 4 hours. A few Out & Return Flights to Deroche and Bear.
February 2006 Site of the Day archives - another wet month with some soarable days (2).
January 2006 Site of the Day archives - some flying on Elk and Woodside, smart pilots headed South for great Mexican or Chilean flying.
December 2005 Site of the Day archives - some flying on Elk and Woodside, smart pilots headed South.
November 2005 Site of the Day archives - rain, snow and not much flying.
October 2005 Site of the Day archives - Women's Fly In in Chelan yielded two soarable days before the snows hit.
September 2005 Site of the Day archives - dry most of the month. Some great 4 hour flights at Woodside getting to cloudbase most days. Three crash-landings in the same clearcut by pilots scratching too low, but no injuries.
August 2005 Site of the Day archives - road trips to the Interior gave us an opportunity to rag out some gliders at FlyBC SIV 2005 (Part II). Also a great road trip to Savona.
July 2005 Site of the Day archives - good flying all month, no rain but some windy days shut us down. The Willi started in Golden with a few good days, but one tragedy as Charles Warren perished in a crash near Harrogate.
June 2005 Site of the Day archives - too much rain, but good days to fly between showers.
May 2005 Site of the Day archives - our Instructor/Tandem seminar yielded some good flying. Our May 2005 SIV Clinic had a good turnout, with many wet wings/pilots! Many nice flights at Woodside and Bridal, with some long "out & returns" at Bridal.
April 2005 Site of the Day archives - some great soaring at Woodside and Bridal. Sad news from the US Hanggliding Nationals as Chris Muller crashes at goal.
March 2005 Site of the Day archives - we had to head out of town to Savona a few weekends due to wet weather on the Coast. Wetter than normal according to Environment Canada.
February 2005 Site of the Day archives - some good soaring despite early time of year. Flights as long as 3 hours at Woodside, some good flights at Whidbey Island for first timers, too!
January 2005 Site of the Day archives road trips to Mexico, not much flying locally due to strong north winds and rain. Record rain kept Eagle Ranch quite wet for kiting.
December 2004 Site of the Day archives a dry month with some good soaring including a fantastic day on Dec. 11 where we thermalled for 2+ hours!
November 2004 Site of the Day archives more record rain. We installed a fireplace in the barn to keep pilots warm between winter flights.
October 2004 Site of the Day archives more record rain, but sweet soaring between showers. Many new students signed up and making quick progress. We missed the Women's Fly In for the first time in 9 years, and there was some interesting flying on the Sunday!
September 2004 Site of the Day archives rainiest September on record for the first 3 weeks, made flying difficult. But Alan and others logged some pretty nice flights later in the month. Lots of student tandems for both Colleen and Jim.
August 2004 Site of the Day archives Great Maneuver/SIV/ACRO course at Mara. Jack got wet! Some great soaring at Woodside. Norm made it 68 km from Mara to King Eddie, Derek made it from Lumby to Enderby the opposite direction for 67 kms. We also did our BC roadtrip from Ashcroft to New Denver, and flew everyday.
July 2004 Site of the Day archives the Willi was on at Golden. We missed the mayhem due to work and school commitments but Norm did a great job representing the West Coast.
June 2004 Site of the Day archives Canadian Nationals came off with many great rounds. Pemberton-Whistler Championships were blown out most days so we headed to Cornwall.
May 2004 Site of the Day archives great flying at Woodside and Bridal. We held a very successful SIV Course at Mara Lake, and hope to run another one in August if they keep the forests open.
April 2004 Site of the Day archives good flying in the Valley. The Fraser Valley Cross Country PG Series was successssful.
March 2004 Site of the Day archives Nicole won in Brazil, otherwise the month sucked for flying time.
February 2004 Site of the Day archives some local flights extended to an hour with vigourous scratching above the trees. Good paramotor month.
January 2004 Site of the Day archives Mexican road trip yielded 20 hours of flight and a wet Canadian January kept most local pilots on the ground.
December 2003 Site of the Day archives we flew a few times but it got really cold at the end of the month as we prepared for a gala New Year's Party for 40 of our close personal friends and neighbours.
November 2003 Site of the Day archives windy and wet with the odd good soaring day, not many pilots out these days.
October 2003 Site of the Day archives Women's Fly In was great fun, some good soaring days mid-month, most of the students are signed off.
September 2003 Site of the Day archives good conditions until the last days of the month when it got stable. Most days were flyable at Woodside or Bridal.
August 2003 Site of the Day archives Forest closures made the end of the month a non-flying period unless you headed to Blanchard. FlyBC SIV 2003 was a great success with 9 stunt pilots and no deployments or crashes.
July 2003 Site of the Day archives we flew most days early at Woodside until it got windy, then over to Bridal. Good Golden flying reports from the "Willi".
June 2003 Site of the Day archives we flew most weekdays at Bridal, Woodside worked most weekends. Bridal Air Races had one great day with only two tree landings!
May 2003 Site of the Day archives not a great weather month on the coast, especially on the weekends but a few pilots managed to get some great airtime at Bridal. The Nationals were held in Lumby and it didn't rain!
April 2003 Site of the Day archives rain for 28 of 30 April days, but we managed to get a few flights in between showers. Even the golfers were complaining!
March 2003 Site of the Day archives some high spring flights in early March, but not a great weather month. Still no HPAC Insurance!
February 2003 Site of the Day archives some nice long spring flights in late February. HPAC Insurance expired on Feb 14, so many pilots stayed home instead of getting USHGA coverage.
January 2003 Site of the Day archives lots of rain all month in BC so we bailed and headed to Tapalpa Mexico for three weeks. Norm and Lucille had a great XC flight the first day we arrived.
December 2002 Site of the Day archives lots of rain all month.
November 2002 Site of the Day archives not a great flying month, lots of rain in the beginning and then super stable and inverted for the balance of the month. Even the Savona Road Trip wasn't that great. Looking forward to Mexico!
October 2002 Site of the Day archives Still soarable some days, great fun at the Women's Fly In 2002 in Chelan. Allan logged 15 hours and only flew a few days. Most of the students are ready for signoff soon to get ready for Mexico trips!
September 2002 Site of the Day archives Still soarable most everyday! Some scary incidents at Woodside. Fun flying at Ashcroft.
August 2002 Site of the Day archives More spring-like days with super lapse rates, great fun up-country at Revelstoke and Mara, with some good XCs for all.
July 2002 Site of the Day archives Some spring-like days with super lapse rates, but still rather wet at times.
June 2002 Site of the Day archives another rainy and windy month with great lapse rates, some great flights at Bridal with some getting above Cheam Peak. The Club Cup was nearly rained out but they got one valid task in on Sunday June 30.
May 2002 Site of the Day archives an extremely rainy month with the more spring mayhem, another reserve deployment at Lil Nick and a pilot crashed at the top of Deroche Mountain, uninjured but with a ripped glider and long hike down the mountain. Colleen placed 5th place at the Canadian PG Nationals in rainy Lumby!
April 2002 Site of the Day archives a rainy month with the usual spring mayhem, one reserve deployment at Woodside and a pilot hit a parked car at Bridal LZ, fracturing his leg.
March 2002 Site of the Day archives a few great days days with lots of snow and rain mixed in.
February 2002 Site of the Day archives two epic days already (4.5 hours and 2.5 hours!).
January 2002 Site of the Day archives Mexico vacation shots, some local flying but it was wet on the coast.
December 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, wettest December on record, some good days sprinkled thru the month.
November 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, had some good days at Woodside +2 hours, lots of rain later in the month.
October 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, but great flying at Chelan at the Women's Fly In.
September 2001 Site of the Day archives starting to get pretty stable, more sled rides forecast for October.
Aug 2001 Site of the Day archives Mara, Bridal, till some great flights locally
July 2001 Site of the Day archives Road Trip Month, Golden, Mara, points east!
June 2001 Site of the Day archives Great Month, 3 hours of airtime for some pilots every time they flew Bridal Lower! Some getting up to 6 hours in a single flight!
May 2001 Site of the Day archives Unstable Month, 2-3 hours of airtime for some pilots every time they flew Bridal Lower!
April 2001 Site of the Day archives Rainy Month, not as much airtime for some pilots
March 2001 Site of the Day archives Spring has Sprung!
February 2001 Site of the Day archives Spring is in the Air!
January 2001 Site of the Day archives - Mexico Flying Trip
December 2000 Site of the Day archives
November 2000 Site of the Day archives (great month for airtime!)
October 2000 Site of the Day archives
September 2000 Site of the Day archives
July - August 2000 Site of the Day archives
June 2000 Site of the Day archives
March - May 2000 Site of the Day archives
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