Am 07.03.2015 um 21:00 schrieb :
Just curious if someone could comment about the "pucker factor" of flying in the French Alps. I remember Bill Bartel saying that is the most terrifying flying he had ever done. Do not really remember why, but the congestion in the air and limited handout spots were a real attention getter. I might have remembered this wrong but would love to hear from U.S. based flyers have have sampled the wonders of flying the French Alps. Must be the most majestic views of any flying.


On Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 10:25:25 PM UTC-8, Per Carlin wrote:
On Friday, February 27, 2015 at 6:15:38 AM UTC+1, Bruce Hoult wrote:
On Friday, February 27, 2015 at 1:52:35 PM UTC+13, waremark wrote:
On Thursday, 26 February 2015 21:05:51 UTC, Don Davidson wrote:
Hi, I'm planning to attend a mountain flying course at CNVV in St. Auban in June, and I'm trying to get answers to a couple of questions from others who have flown there.

First, I speak only enough French to mangle a dinner order. How much of an obstacle is that likely to be both for flight instruction and getting around the area?

Second, my non-pilot wife is going to accompany me, and I want to find some really nice accommodations for her to enjoy while I'm flying. Any suggestions? We'll probably have a rental car, so it won't be a problem for me to drive to the airport from someplace reasonably close.

Finally, we'll plan to do some sightseeing and other activities together while we're in the area, so any suggestions would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,
Don Davidson

Not answering your question, but make yourself a translation table from knots to kmph and from feet to meters. I found flying with unfamiliar units on the instruments took up unnecessary attention.

It's not much of a table! And you don't want to be looking at a bit of paper.

Thermal at 80 - 100
Cruise at 130 - 150+
Safe speed near the ground in the gap between those ranges, depending on wind

Quick and dirty 1000 m is 3000 ft. Add 10% if you have time.

Don't bother about hight at StAuban, it will be close to the ground in 90% of the flyging time.

Speed is important, you will learn quite fast the correct speed depending on situation. You will also learn to not spend time at the instrument. Look out is a survival instinct that you need to adopt fast when flyging in the French Alps.

I would not worry too much about this.

In spring time it can get a bit congested at the Parcours Royale, a
stretch of about 50km where you can do do quite nice ridge soaring.
There are a few sharp corners to turn, where you don't really see who
might be coming towards you around the corner. So you slow down a bit at
those places.

In late summer (last August Weekend IIRC) there is a ASK 13 competition
at St. Crepin. It *is* fun to see about 60 or more of those beautiful
machines creep along the hills from above, it can be at bit challenging
to fly with them at the same height, the speed difference is noticable.
But they are all *very* experienced pilots, they know what hey are doing.

Re. outlanding: You have to get yourself the outlanding catalogue, all
fields are described with map, photo and special things to watch. Some
fields are really easy to use, smoe require a visit by car before you
should attempt to use them. With some fields you will notice on such a
visit that the field might save you, but not your glider. In the lower
parts with broader valleys there are many additional fields available
that are very well landable, and not documented in the catalogue (I used
two of them myself). Also there are good documentations about what
altitude you need at which summit to continue across the next valley.
These should be strictly obeyed.

My personal tip: If you want to treat youself to some very special
experience: Go to Serres, and fly together with Klaus Ohlmann. He
usually flies with a group of 2-4 gliders, and he will show you the most
beautiful spots of the French alps, which you would never reach on your
own. Briefing in Serres is in English, and the best I have experienced
in the French Alps region. Check out http://www.quovadis-aero.com/?_Lang=_en

--
Peter Scholz
ASW24 JE