Here I am spending my second full day in Sopot Bulgaria. I have met Nik and his lovely and extremely helpful wife and business partner Lena of Skynomad. Nik has offered to take me for a tandem paraglider flight sometime before Carlos, Hugh and Ellis show up this weekend. I had hoped it would be today but tomorrow seems more likely.
Sopot is a quiet Bulgarian village nestled up against the base of either really big hills or moderate sized mountains depending upon your reference point. The local paragliding site is reached by a short 10 minute or less drive up a largely cobblestone road to the base of a two seat chair lift. The chair lift takes you to the top of the mountain which is something close to 900 meters above the primary LZ located adjacent to the base of the chairlift. The LZ would be doable but very technical for a hang glider but is relatively straight forward for the paraglider pilots who fly here. A hang glider pilot would undoubtably earn his RLF rating if he could manage to land twice in a row without breaking anything.
The night before last I met several paraglider pilots from other countries including Norway, Great Britain and other Balkan countries. A few said they had been here before and that this was about the only place that they had travelled great distances to and chose to do more than once.
The towns people are reasonably friendly, however most speak little or no English. Also they do not take Euros, if you come you need to bring the local currency called Lev's, I believe.
For those of you who are single or still care about such things I would rate the great majority of young women here somewhere between very pretty and stunning. I don't know what it is about this place. My guess is it's the natural spring water that bursts from the hills everywhere.
Everything is inexpensive here. I don't know how much longer that will last but Sopot is a bargain still. You will be pleasantly surprised if you come. It's a pretty place and worth a look. I'll write more when I get some time in the air.
Dan T
Sopot Bulgaria
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
I got to take a couple tandem flights the day before yesterday, in advance of my regular class which is scheduled to start the day after tomorrow. I flew nearly all the first one except for the base and final leg. Early in the flight I made the "hangglider's mistake" of flying to sharply on the brakes,with shorter quicker motions than were necessary. After I settled down, the flying was easier, without trying to correct all of the modest bumps and uninitiated minor turns.
The launch point was reached by taking a chairlift 800 vertical meters up the mountainside. Very pretty spot and consistently good. I took some pictures but won't be able to download them until I get home.
Dan T
The launch point was reached by taking a chairlift 800 vertical meters up the mountainside. Very pretty spot and consistently good. I took some pictures but won't be able to download them until I get home.
Dan T
Re: Sopot Bulgaria the rest of the gang shows & flys
Hugh, Sally, Ellis and Carlos arrive. We all fly on the 16th after a heavy rain the night before. Hugh and Ellis take the chairlift to the launch point on the mountain, 800 meters vertical above the starting point which is roughly 500 meters MSL. Carlos, Sally and I head out to an 70 meter high training hill not far away.
Ellis and Hugh both have multiple memorable soaring flights to tell you about. Ellis got above the clouds one time and got that golden halo shadow on a cloud with the rainbow around it, along with many other memorable moments. Hugh described a fat 1000 fpm thermal that didn't stress him. Hugh commented that he was impressed with the fact that the conditions could be so good one day after a heavy rain. They are going to write more to this post when they get a chance. Right now they are headed to a location in Greece where the conditions are most likely to be suitable in what is another overcast and potentially rainy day, one of a very few this season.
Meanwhile Carlos, Sally and I headed to the training hill along with one local student whose name I cannot pronounce. During the morning session we all kited the gliders including Sally. The winds picked up and got thermally with dust devils kicking off the hill by midday. At that point in time our instructor suggested we take a break and come back in the afternoon after the conditions calmed down.
We took the short drive to the chair lift LZ where we got to watch Hugh pull off one of the more interesting approach patterns that I've seen and Ellis be Ellis. Our training hill instructor was watching Ellis flying overhead and suggested that we head back to the training hill right after "that pilot lands". I had been watching Ellis for a while and it was clear she had no intention of landing soon. I suggested that unless we wanted to wait until dark we should leave then. We did and had a great afternoon of training hill flights.
Probably most notable was the fact that Sally flew from the top of the training hill and successfully landed in the middle of the LZ. I should add that because the sunflower crop is still up, two nearly 90 degree turns are required to hit the fat spot of the LZ. Carlos had two flights to my three, because he spent a good deal of time extracting himself from the sticker bushes he landed in after his first flight. I had three flights that couldn't have been better. I managed to get off cleanly, down on target with turns and landed gently on my feet all three times. I should do so well all the time!
Dan T
Ellis and Hugh both have multiple memorable soaring flights to tell you about. Ellis got above the clouds one time and got that golden halo shadow on a cloud with the rainbow around it, along with many other memorable moments. Hugh described a fat 1000 fpm thermal that didn't stress him. Hugh commented that he was impressed with the fact that the conditions could be so good one day after a heavy rain. They are going to write more to this post when they get a chance. Right now they are headed to a location in Greece where the conditions are most likely to be suitable in what is another overcast and potentially rainy day, one of a very few this season.
Meanwhile Carlos, Sally and I headed to the training hill along with one local student whose name I cannot pronounce. During the morning session we all kited the gliders including Sally. The winds picked up and got thermally with dust devils kicking off the hill by midday. At that point in time our instructor suggested we take a break and come back in the afternoon after the conditions calmed down.
We took the short drive to the chair lift LZ where we got to watch Hugh pull off one of the more interesting approach patterns that I've seen and Ellis be Ellis. Our training hill instructor was watching Ellis flying overhead and suggested that we head back to the training hill right after "that pilot lands". I had been watching Ellis for a while and it was clear she had no intention of landing soon. I suggested that unless we wanted to wait until dark we should leave then. We did and had a great afternoon of training hill flights.
Probably most notable was the fact that Sally flew from the top of the training hill and successfully landed in the middle of the LZ. I should add that because the sunflower crop is still up, two nearly 90 degree turns are required to hit the fat spot of the LZ. Carlos had two flights to my three, because he spent a good deal of time extracting himself from the sticker bushes he landed in after his first flight. I had three flights that couldn't have been better. I managed to get off cleanly, down on target with turns and landed gently on my feet all three times. I should do so well all the time!
Dan T
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Ellis and I are in Drama (!), Greece with guide Niki and Mike, a Danish Army officer posted in Kosovo who is finishing his training here. We drove 5 hours over the beautiful Rhodopi mountains to avoid weather in Bulgaria. Flew the local city site - "only" 1000 feet. Mike had an interesting approach including a brush through a pine tree - trophy resin stain on sleeve. Today (Thursday) we plan to fly the big 3000 foot mountain site and come 10 miles back to town. Took in a short film festival - it was Irish film night so we didn't need the Greek subtitles... Staying in a vacant apartment for visiting pilots at the pre-world comp held here in June. - Hugh
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
th Drama, Greece. We launched form a 3600 foot mountain 10 miles west of town into a west cross for a downwind back to town. Immediately got to cloudbase at 6400 (Ellis went IFR and reported clud TOPS at 6800.) Ellis explored a line of lift out front while I jumped to the next mountain (cummie forming). Ellis came in under me and climbed to my altitude, then went off exploring and got drilled. I reported to Niki that she was low and might end up landing on the grassy shallow slope - but she is known for hanging on with her teeth if necessary. In the end she survived and did the entire 10 miles across the flats at less than 2000, hopping from LZ to LZ. I was fortunate to stay high on the shoulders of the mountains and even found blue thermals and wispies when jumping the small valleys. Got high over Drama town launch (where we flew yesterday) and continued 3 more kilometers into the valley further east for a 12-miler and my first paragliding cross-country. Thumbed a ride from a Russian guy. Once I spoke Russian to him and revealed my naval background (he was a merchant mariner) we are brothers and i will go out to meet him and his visiting family members from the U.S.
Mike hung around high over launch for about two hours, then went cross-country FLYING WITHOUT INSTRUMENTS with Niki chasing him. Niki had flown at launch, then top landed with difficulty - big ears for 20 minutes. Mike made it to within a couple of kilometers of Drama, a very creditable performance for a relatively new pilot.
We will fly here again tomorrow, then head back to Sopot, Bulgaria - wondering how Sallie, Dan and Carlos are doing with the beginner class... - Hugh
Mike hung around high over launch for about two hours, then went cross-country FLYING WITHOUT INSTRUMENTS with Niki chasing him. Niki had flown at launch, then top landed with difficulty - big ears for 20 minutes. Mike made it to within a couple of kilometers of Drama, a very creditable performance for a relatively new pilot.
We will fly here again tomorrow, then head back to Sopot, Bulgaria - wondering how Sallie, Dan and Carlos are doing with the beginner class... - Hugh
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Friday, Ellis and my last day in Greece, also featured over-the-back north wind being overcome about 1230 by thermic south wind. I got off first and climbed out immediately (can't emphasize enough how reliable these high mountain launches are) once at cloudbase about 5800 feet, I started drifting back along the large finger leading to launchpicked up another thermal at a decision point and commited to going over the back toward the Bulgarian border. Got co-altitude with the ski lift over a huge marble quarry, then bobbled parallel to the paved road down toward the village of Mikrokeirusa. There were landable fields along the finger I was following down, but my target was a green field right near town and along the road. Ellis and mike attempted to penetrate west around the next finger out front to follow the next ridge which paralleled the main road to Bulgaria but ended up landing out front. I settled down for a nice two-hour rest on my packed glider by the side of the road - needed it since the bouzouki muisc from the neighboring bars did not end until the wee hours in Drama.
Niki executed a feat of high-speed broken-field driving in our diesel Mercedes station wagon, passing on curves and avoiding potholes. We got back to Sopot at 9:20 PM - plenty of time to join Sallie, Dan and Carlos at dinner next door to the Skynomad guesthouse. Sallie had a total of three flights from the top of the 120-foot training hill, including mandatory 90-100 degree turns to avoid a sunflower field. She also distinguished herself by staying late in Plovdiv (~50 Km away) and coming back on the last bus in the evening. She, Carlos, and Dan - all three - were cleared for high solo flights from the moutnain when conditions would improve as they did on Saturday.
Saturday, Dan and Carlos each got two flights from the 2400 foot launch and Sallie took a tandem. Mike, Ellis and I did an early short "XC" to Karlovo, 5 miles east along the mountain, landing together for efficient retrieval. Conditions were overcast, but the clouds were working due to a 15 degree drop in temperature, so adiapatic lapse was enough. We hurried back for a relight and initially hung around launch (again, these high sites are wonderfully reliable). Mike landed to collect his newly purchased wing, which had just arrived. Ellis got stinking high (6800 - she was cold) and departed along the mountain - this time west up the valley as the upper level wind had shifted. She could see over the back but it was pretty much no-man's land in between. She left the ridge to stay out of the clouds and continued to the western-most village in the valley, where she encountered a strong end-of-day catabatic flow that stopped her west of the village and in a plowed field south of the main road. She landed going backward! I had hung out low (well, 1500 over the LZ) and a bit envious of Ellis, but caught another up-elevator and got to cloudbase of 5800 in the valley and followed a line of lift under the clouds right along the main road. I didn't really expect to make it so far, but Ellis talked me in to her landing field and we got retrieved together after a nice 12-miler. Niki took us to a "secret" restaurant in a converted garage at a house in Karlovo, whre we celebrated with Bulgarian delicacies that he ordered for us. Due to our early departures from Sofia, we made an early night and rose at 1:30 AM for our taxi ride to the airport.
This place definitely merits a return visit! - Hugh
Niki executed a feat of high-speed broken-field driving in our diesel Mercedes station wagon, passing on curves and avoiding potholes. We got back to Sopot at 9:20 PM - plenty of time to join Sallie, Dan and Carlos at dinner next door to the Skynomad guesthouse. Sallie had a total of three flights from the top of the 120-foot training hill, including mandatory 90-100 degree turns to avoid a sunflower field. She also distinguished herself by staying late in Plovdiv (~50 Km away) and coming back on the last bus in the evening. She, Carlos, and Dan - all three - were cleared for high solo flights from the moutnain when conditions would improve as they did on Saturday.
Saturday, Dan and Carlos each got two flights from the 2400 foot launch and Sallie took a tandem. Mike, Ellis and I did an early short "XC" to Karlovo, 5 miles east along the mountain, landing together for efficient retrieval. Conditions were overcast, but the clouds were working due to a 15 degree drop in temperature, so adiapatic lapse was enough. We hurried back for a relight and initially hung around launch (again, these high sites are wonderfully reliable). Mike landed to collect his newly purchased wing, which had just arrived. Ellis got stinking high (6800 - she was cold) and departed along the mountain - this time west up the valley as the upper level wind had shifted. She could see over the back but it was pretty much no-man's land in between. She left the ridge to stay out of the clouds and continued to the western-most village in the valley, where she encountered a strong end-of-day catabatic flow that stopped her west of the village and in a plowed field south of the main road. She landed going backward! I had hung out low (well, 1500 over the LZ) and a bit envious of Ellis, but caught another up-elevator and got to cloudbase of 5800 in the valley and followed a line of lift under the clouds right along the main road. I didn't really expect to make it so far, but Ellis talked me in to her landing field and we got retrieved together after a nice 12-miler. Niki took us to a "secret" restaurant in a converted garage at a house in Karlovo, whre we celebrated with Bulgarian delicacies that he ordered for us. Due to our early departures from Sofia, we made an early night and rose at 1:30 AM for our taxi ride to the airport.
This place definitely merits a return visit! - Hugh
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
While Ellis and Hugh were cavorting in Greece, Sally, Carlos and I were watching it rain or blow like the devil here in no-longer-so-sunny Sopot. In spite of that we managed to get out to the training hill for the second time and get a rather extensive session on theory on the day it rained.
We spent the morning of the second training day, kiting the gliders the gliders in a soccer field in very strong winds. It was a great education in reverse inflations and how quickly the glider can go from overhead to on the ground. I got a lot of practice learning how to use the risers and brakes to get it upright once it's nose down. Sally, Hugh and our Bulgarian student friend all did as well.
Quieter winds in the late afternoon took us back to the training hill for our second session of actually flying. Carlos managed to avoid the sticker bushes this time. That was pretty easy since we were flying off the other face and there were no sticker bushes there. He and I both had three good flights and Sally had two. The day ended with Carlos and I hopeful that lighter winds the next day would provide us the opportunity to fly from the top of this chairlift that sits nearly 900 meters above the landing point. Meanwhile Sally was considering a tandem from the same location.
The next morning offered some promise with overcast skies and light winds. Emil, our instructor met us at 9:00 AM Bulgarian time (meaning within 1/2 hour or so) and offered to take us up to the top. Our expectations were that with the early morning launch on an overcast day the thermals would be light to non-existent and we would enjoy a peaceful 20 minute sled ride to the large LZ a short 10 minute hike from the main one.
I launched first and quickly found myself bubbling up above my launch point. Nothing strong enough to cause more than a momentary thought about all the stories we'd heard about deflations and recovery methods etc, etc. In hindsight there was clearly no cause for concern but it wasn't a sled by any stretch. Twenty or thirty minutes and numerous 360s later I was on the ground, on my feet, and right in front of Nik who had radio guided me in.
Carlos had elected to bring his vario with him without really expecting to use it. Much to his surprise he put it to very good use. I think the spectators in the valley could even hear it singing to him as he rose rapidly toward cloud base immediately off launch.
Soon after we were both on the ground and packed up we headed back to the top for another round. Meanwhile Sally got her tandem. I believe she flew adjacent to a newlywed bride and groom who had both elected to take tandem flights on their wedding day. I'm told the bride was in her wedding dress, although I didn't witness it personally.
Hugh, Sally, and Ellis left in the middle of the night for home and Carlos is leaving shortly. Their vacations are over and mine nearly is. Sally took a lot of pictures. We are hopeful that we can put them together with these posts to assemble an article for the magazine. I think we all agree that this could not have been a better vacation. Our hosts certainly could not have been more gracious. I encourage you to look them up, on the web at Skynomad.com and consider your own vacation next year.
Dan T
We spent the morning of the second training day, kiting the gliders the gliders in a soccer field in very strong winds. It was a great education in reverse inflations and how quickly the glider can go from overhead to on the ground. I got a lot of practice learning how to use the risers and brakes to get it upright once it's nose down. Sally, Hugh and our Bulgarian student friend all did as well.
Quieter winds in the late afternoon took us back to the training hill for our second session of actually flying. Carlos managed to avoid the sticker bushes this time. That was pretty easy since we were flying off the other face and there were no sticker bushes there. He and I both had three good flights and Sally had two. The day ended with Carlos and I hopeful that lighter winds the next day would provide us the opportunity to fly from the top of this chairlift that sits nearly 900 meters above the landing point. Meanwhile Sally was considering a tandem from the same location.
The next morning offered some promise with overcast skies and light winds. Emil, our instructor met us at 9:00 AM Bulgarian time (meaning within 1/2 hour or so) and offered to take us up to the top. Our expectations were that with the early morning launch on an overcast day the thermals would be light to non-existent and we would enjoy a peaceful 20 minute sled ride to the large LZ a short 10 minute hike from the main one.
I launched first and quickly found myself bubbling up above my launch point. Nothing strong enough to cause more than a momentary thought about all the stories we'd heard about deflations and recovery methods etc, etc. In hindsight there was clearly no cause for concern but it wasn't a sled by any stretch. Twenty or thirty minutes and numerous 360s later I was on the ground, on my feet, and right in front of Nik who had radio guided me in.
Carlos had elected to bring his vario with him without really expecting to use it. Much to his surprise he put it to very good use. I think the spectators in the valley could even hear it singing to him as he rose rapidly toward cloud base immediately off launch.
Soon after we were both on the ground and packed up we headed back to the top for another round. Meanwhile Sally got her tandem. I believe she flew adjacent to a newlywed bride and groom who had both elected to take tandem flights on their wedding day. I'm told the bride was in her wedding dress, although I didn't witness it personally.
Hugh, Sally, and Ellis left in the middle of the night for home and Carlos is leaving shortly. Their vacations are over and mine nearly is. Sally took a lot of pictures. We are hopeful that we can put them together with these posts to assemble an article for the magazine. I think we all agree that this could not have been a better vacation. Our hosts certainly could not have been more gracious. I encourage you to look them up, on the web at Skynomad.com and consider your own vacation next year.
Dan T
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Wow! So you and Carlos got to launch from 900 meters after 6-9 training hill flights from 120 ft?
Amazing.
Can't wait for the pics.
Matthew
Amazing.
Can't wait for the pics.
Matthew
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Flying Lobster
- Posts: 1042
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2005 4:17 pm
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
[quote][/quote]
Awesome--sounds like a great time was had by all. Congrats on all the new panties flyers! : ) I might just have to come along next time--the flying (and lasses) sounds great .
marc
Awesome--sounds like a great time was had by all. Congrats on all the new panties flyers! : ) I might just have to come along next time--the flying (and lasses) sounds great .
marc
Great Googly-moo!
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
We did indeed fly after just 6 training hill flights, one morning of ground handling in strong winds and one day of theory. The mountain launch point is wide open and comfortably steep so it's very hard to screw up a launch there. All four of our high flights were good launches in very moderate winds though so no problem. We forward launched as is common at this site. Our instructor host radioed us into the LZ, although after the first one both Carlos and I were convinced we could do it without difficulty in moderate conditions.
I should close by adding that there was more more than flying to be had here. We got a history of this part of the world from a perspective that Americans rarely see. It turns out much of the events contributing to Greek mythology actually happened here in Bulgaria. This is proven by the fact that the artifacts were found here. We got to see Tracian tombs, visit a new winery, eat food we've never eaten, drink too much local beer, make friends of pilots from all over Europe and more. Oh for those of you who are single I should mention looking at very pretty girls who are fond of short skirts or very low hanging jeans, kinda like the best of the 80s or something.
Dan T
I should close by adding that there was more more than flying to be had here. We got a history of this part of the world from a perspective that Americans rarely see. It turns out much of the events contributing to Greek mythology actually happened here in Bulgaria. This is proven by the fact that the artifacts were found here. We got to see Tracian tombs, visit a new winery, eat food we've never eaten, drink too much local beer, make friends of pilots from all over Europe and more. Oh for those of you who are single I should mention looking at very pretty girls who are fond of short skirts or very low hanging jeans, kinda like the best of the 80s or something.
Dan T
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Sallie's and my pictures are at mcelrah.smugmug.com (Travel/Bulgaria). Need help uploading a few to here. - Hugh
Re: Sopot Bulgaria the first day after
Everyone else has left but I'm still here today and tomorrow. I had hoped to get a high flight in after the lessons and I did today. Today's flight was from the top of the chair lift again. Emil accompanied me and flew a tandem after seeing me safely off launch. About halfway into the flight we waved and ultimately radioed me over to join him. We ended up flying wingtip to wingtip for a good distance in the smooth evening air. It was really cool, I wish I had a picture but he didn't have a camera. I'm sure his rider dug it though. I didn't think I could fly that precisely but it was actually very easy.
Our plan was to land in the primary LZ next to the chair lift. This LZ is somewhat smaller than woodstock and has a number of obstructions in it. I asked to land in the big field Carlos and I had landed in earlier. Emil was confident that I could do it with him radioing me in. It turned out the wind shifted direction and the big field was the appropriate decision. It wasn't the prettiest landing I've had, sliding in, but it was right in front of the instructor. I realized after I packed up that I was flying the smaller glider Carlos had been flying. Turns out Nik's new beginner students are a good deal bigger than me and needed the larger glider.
It looks like I'll get one more flight tomorrow.
Dan T
Our plan was to land in the primary LZ next to the chair lift. This LZ is somewhat smaller than woodstock and has a number of obstructions in it. I asked to land in the big field Carlos and I had landed in earlier. Emil was confident that I could do it with him radioing me in. It turned out the wind shifted direction and the big field was the appropriate decision. It wasn't the prettiest landing I've had, sliding in, but it was right in front of the instructor. I realized after I packed up that I was flying the smaller glider Carlos had been flying. Turns out Nik's new beginner students are a good deal bigger than me and needed the larger glider.
It looks like I'll get one more flight tomorrow.
Dan T
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pink_albatross
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:20 pm
- Location: Ellis from Arlington
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Had a good time in Bulgaria of course.
Since I've uploaded some pix from Greece, here's a little write up of my flying in Greece.
The forecast was looking lousy in Bulgaria for the next few days, so Niki (our Bulgarian guide) packed up and took Hugh, Mike (new Danish pilot) and me on a roadtrip to Drama, Greece.
We arrived, met up with Dmitri, our host, and headed up to the low launch (1000 feet) next to the city, which the locals fly after work. I was a bit disorganized, forgot my mantra of "a good preflight is half the launch" and had line overs, knots and such and missed the window of flying. Ended up sitting at launch with the wind blowing over the back. <grumble> Hugh and Mike, who were not so discombobulated, had short soaring flights. Went for a hike towards a defunct shrine, which had a great view of the valley and ran into a big herd of goats, accompanied by a bunch of dogs who were ready to eat me alive. The shepherd rescued me and had to escort me to the end of his herd.
Next day headed over to the high launch, which is a 3000 foot (AGL) foothill to the mountains behind. It's 35km to the Mediterranean from there and we had fantasies of going XC and dipping our toes in the warm waters of the sea. We had to wait for the valley to heat up and suppress the prevailing North winds (from over the back). Had some good thermals over launch. I ended up in a cloud, completely whited out for what seemed like ages, fervently hoping that I wasn't going to run into Hugh or Mike, making sure I could reach my reserve handle and hook knife. But they had seen me enter the cloud and had staid well away from it. Hugh and I jumped the first gap. Mike being a new pilot was told to stay over launch. I was looking around for another thermal. Hugh found one and I joined him, regaining altitude. I think we climbed to around 6000 feet. I then tried to go further into the mountains and find more thermals, but found the fast elevator down instead. Hugh wisely staid high and left for the next mountain. I was left on this flat mountain top, which was barely sloping down for about 1 mile until it hit the drop off to the valley. I kept sinking and started to realize that I was going to have to land on top. I descended right over a huge herd of goats, not making much forward progress. About 100 feet over, the dogs noticed me and they didn't seem very happy about this intruder. Argh.... I couldn't spot a shepherd... Maybe I could make some progress further towards the edge of the mountain, away from the herd. About 50 feet over the dogs, I finally started making significant progress. There was a little thermal hitting the front of the mountain and I managed to sink my teeth into it and hang on. Climbed back up to almost 6000 feet. Lift petered out. Again, found the elevator down and again it was over the freaking goats with those freaking dogs. Another heart pounding trip away from them and to the mountain drop off. Phew. This time I didn't hit another thermal and sank into the valley below.
I started picking out a landing field. Lots of landing options, but it had to be a field that I could give directions to Niki to, who was going to drive retrieve and was reachable by a 2 wheel drive vehicle (as well as myself), which reduced options significantly. Finally picked one out, headed for it, set up my approach and hit a thermal. I had enough altitude to do a figure eight. So I did. Took that to about 1500 feet AGL then lost it. Well, I suppose I could try for another LZ. Again, picked one out, which I could talk Niki into, which was reachable by me and a 2 wheel drive vehicle and went on glide. Just over *that* LZ, on final, I hit a bump. I had enough altitude to do a figure eight. So I did. Took that to about 1500 feet AGL, then lost it. Picked out an LZ, which I could talk Niki into... You get the idea.
I lost count how often I did that. Once I hit 2000 AGL and had hopes of getting back to 6000. No go. Continued jumping from LZ to LZ. About 10km worth. Made it around the little (1000 foot) hill next to Drama and set down in that LZ with a perfect landing, remembering my new mantra of "save the vario". Meanwhile, Hugh is bopping along over the mountains, stinking high, enjoying life. He got about 3km further. I think he could have made the Mediterranean, if it hadn't been so late in the day. The east wind sets up then for a significant headwind. If we could have launched earlier... who knows? Mike also got clearance to go XC and Niki had jumped into the air to watch us, hanging out over launch. When Mike was sinking out, Niki tried to land so he could drive retrieve. He struggled to get down, finally flying with big ears for 20 minutes before he was able to land near the car.
Met some Greek pilots in the LZ (no women), then later on got some Gyros in town in a store run by a lady from Germany and went to the international short film festival, before hitting the sack.
Next day back to the high launch. Again, had to wait for the valley to heat up to suppress the wind from over the back. This time we were going to try to XC towards Bulgaria (north) since we were heading back anyway. There were two possibilities: straight over the back going north along a narrow valley or first heading west along the north side of the ridge and then heading north over a more hospitable valley.
I had not slept well and had some stupid launch attempts. Finally hopped into the air and joined Hugh and Mike who were already high. First tried to follow Mike, who had started making progress towards the west (sans vario!), while Hugh had taken off towards the North, which had fewer landing options. I never could get high enough to hop over to the next wider valley and finally gave up. Headed back to launch. Of course no sign of Hugh, but thought I'd follow and try the North route. Sank out and almost had to land behind launch. But squeaked over launch, which was working reliably. Tried several more times to go North again, but every time hit enormous sink, making me scramble back to launch for more air. It was getting late, the thermals were working reliably, but noticeably losing strength. Mike was setting up to land out front. There was obviously no XC for me that day. It was getting late, we still had to pick up Hugh and drive back to Bulgaria, I had already been flying for hours
I radio relayed to help Niki find Mike and then set down next to the main road for easy retrieval.
Hugh had a great flight, landing in a little town next to the reservoir and fairly close to the Bulgarian border. Maybe if it hadn't been for passport issues, he would have flown all the way back to Sopot.
He had to wait 2 hours to get retrieved though.
I didn't take any pix in the air, but here are some pix of our Greece sidetrip:
http://picasaweb.google.com/pink.albatr ... kDrama2008#
Since I've uploaded some pix from Greece, here's a little write up of my flying in Greece.
The forecast was looking lousy in Bulgaria for the next few days, so Niki (our Bulgarian guide) packed up and took Hugh, Mike (new Danish pilot) and me on a roadtrip to Drama, Greece.
We arrived, met up with Dmitri, our host, and headed up to the low launch (1000 feet) next to the city, which the locals fly after work. I was a bit disorganized, forgot my mantra of "a good preflight is half the launch" and had line overs, knots and such and missed the window of flying. Ended up sitting at launch with the wind blowing over the back. <grumble> Hugh and Mike, who were not so discombobulated, had short soaring flights. Went for a hike towards a defunct shrine, which had a great view of the valley and ran into a big herd of goats, accompanied by a bunch of dogs who were ready to eat me alive. The shepherd rescued me and had to escort me to the end of his herd.
Next day headed over to the high launch, which is a 3000 foot (AGL) foothill to the mountains behind. It's 35km to the Mediterranean from there and we had fantasies of going XC and dipping our toes in the warm waters of the sea. We had to wait for the valley to heat up and suppress the prevailing North winds (from over the back). Had some good thermals over launch. I ended up in a cloud, completely whited out for what seemed like ages, fervently hoping that I wasn't going to run into Hugh or Mike, making sure I could reach my reserve handle and hook knife. But they had seen me enter the cloud and had staid well away from it. Hugh and I jumped the first gap. Mike being a new pilot was told to stay over launch. I was looking around for another thermal. Hugh found one and I joined him, regaining altitude. I think we climbed to around 6000 feet. I then tried to go further into the mountains and find more thermals, but found the fast elevator down instead. Hugh wisely staid high and left for the next mountain. I was left on this flat mountain top, which was barely sloping down for about 1 mile until it hit the drop off to the valley. I kept sinking and started to realize that I was going to have to land on top. I descended right over a huge herd of goats, not making much forward progress. About 100 feet over, the dogs noticed me and they didn't seem very happy about this intruder. Argh.... I couldn't spot a shepherd... Maybe I could make some progress further towards the edge of the mountain, away from the herd. About 50 feet over the dogs, I finally started making significant progress. There was a little thermal hitting the front of the mountain and I managed to sink my teeth into it and hang on. Climbed back up to almost 6000 feet. Lift petered out. Again, found the elevator down and again it was over the freaking goats with those freaking dogs. Another heart pounding trip away from them and to the mountain drop off. Phew. This time I didn't hit another thermal and sank into the valley below.
I started picking out a landing field. Lots of landing options, but it had to be a field that I could give directions to Niki to, who was going to drive retrieve and was reachable by a 2 wheel drive vehicle (as well as myself), which reduced options significantly. Finally picked one out, headed for it, set up my approach and hit a thermal. I had enough altitude to do a figure eight. So I did. Took that to about 1500 feet AGL then lost it. Well, I suppose I could try for another LZ. Again, picked one out, which I could talk Niki into, which was reachable by me and a 2 wheel drive vehicle and went on glide. Just over *that* LZ, on final, I hit a bump. I had enough altitude to do a figure eight. So I did. Took that to about 1500 feet AGL, then lost it. Picked out an LZ, which I could talk Niki into... You get the idea.
I lost count how often I did that. Once I hit 2000 AGL and had hopes of getting back to 6000. No go. Continued jumping from LZ to LZ. About 10km worth. Made it around the little (1000 foot) hill next to Drama and set down in that LZ with a perfect landing, remembering my new mantra of "save the vario". Meanwhile, Hugh is bopping along over the mountains, stinking high, enjoying life. He got about 3km further. I think he could have made the Mediterranean, if it hadn't been so late in the day. The east wind sets up then for a significant headwind. If we could have launched earlier... who knows? Mike also got clearance to go XC and Niki had jumped into the air to watch us, hanging out over launch. When Mike was sinking out, Niki tried to land so he could drive retrieve. He struggled to get down, finally flying with big ears for 20 minutes before he was able to land near the car.
Met some Greek pilots in the LZ (no women), then later on got some Gyros in town in a store run by a lady from Germany and went to the international short film festival, before hitting the sack.
Next day back to the high launch. Again, had to wait for the valley to heat up to suppress the wind from over the back. This time we were going to try to XC towards Bulgaria (north) since we were heading back anyway. There were two possibilities: straight over the back going north along a narrow valley or first heading west along the north side of the ridge and then heading north over a more hospitable valley.
I had not slept well and had some stupid launch attempts. Finally hopped into the air and joined Hugh and Mike who were already high. First tried to follow Mike, who had started making progress towards the west (sans vario!), while Hugh had taken off towards the North, which had fewer landing options. I never could get high enough to hop over to the next wider valley and finally gave up. Headed back to launch. Of course no sign of Hugh, but thought I'd follow and try the North route. Sank out and almost had to land behind launch. But squeaked over launch, which was working reliably. Tried several more times to go North again, but every time hit enormous sink, making me scramble back to launch for more air. It was getting late, the thermals were working reliably, but noticeably losing strength. Mike was setting up to land out front. There was obviously no XC for me that day. It was getting late, we still had to pick up Hugh and drive back to Bulgaria, I had already been flying for hours
I radio relayed to help Niki find Mike and then set down next to the main road for easy retrieval. Hugh had a great flight, landing in a little town next to the reservoir and fairly close to the Bulgarian border. Maybe if it hadn't been for passport issues, he would have flown all the way back to Sopot.
He had to wait 2 hours to get retrieved though.
I didn't take any pix in the air, but here are some pix of our Greece sidetrip:
http://picasaweb.google.com/pink.albatr ... kDrama2008#
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
flying off mountains after a couple days of lessons? hmmm....methinks I'm getting the paragliding bug...
Brian Vant-Hull
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
You'll have to go to Bulgaria for that kind of accelerated program.
Took me 57 training hill flights to get my P2, though I did get to launch from 800' on my 15th flight and got an hour long ridge soaring flight on number 25.
USHPA requires 4 flights for P1 and at least ten flights for P2, including 5 spot landings, 5 consecutive forward launchs, 5 consecutive reverse launches, two minutes of kiting, plus no wind launches, high wind launches and cross wind launches and 8 hours of ground school.
Matthew
Took me 57 training hill flights to get my P2, though I did get to launch from 800' on my 15th flight and got an hour long ridge soaring flight on number 25.
USHPA requires 4 flights for P1 and at least ten flights for P2, including 5 spot landings, 5 consecutive forward launchs, 5 consecutive reverse launches, two minutes of kiting, plus no wind launches, high wind launches and cross wind launches and 8 hours of ground school.
Matthew
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Matthew,
We are all anxiously awaiting you getting your instructor rating!
I should point out that the launch conditions are very nearly ideal here, with very long unobstructed slopes that would forgive even the worst of starts by simply putting the pilot back on the ground. The LZ Carlos and I landed in was big enough that it was hard to miss and the winds were mildly blowing in. It's hard to imagine a more forgiving site, which is one of the reasons it's so popular with the Europeans. I don't claim to be ready to fly Woodstock.
None the less I got nearly an hour of total air time, flew wing tip to wing tip with my instructor, had nearly 10,000 feet of total elevation change, drank a lot of beer, flirted with pretty women, made a bunch of new friends, and decided I want to continue with paragliding when I get back. I think Carlos feels the same way.
Great vacation, thanks to Ellis for setting it up. I encourage you all to come on out next year.
Dan T
We are all anxiously awaiting you getting your instructor rating!
I should point out that the launch conditions are very nearly ideal here, with very long unobstructed slopes that would forgive even the worst of starts by simply putting the pilot back on the ground. The LZ Carlos and I landed in was big enough that it was hard to miss and the winds were mildly blowing in. It's hard to imagine a more forgiving site, which is one of the reasons it's so popular with the Europeans. I don't claim to be ready to fly Woodstock.
None the less I got nearly an hour of total air time, flew wing tip to wing tip with my instructor, had nearly 10,000 feet of total elevation change, drank a lot of beer, flirted with pretty women, made a bunch of new friends, and decided I want to continue with paragliding when I get back. I think Carlos feels the same way.
Great vacation, thanks to Ellis for setting it up. I encourage you all to come on out next year.
Dan T
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Bulgaria. Yes. Next year. Plus if Ellis has her way-- Alaska too.
And Torrey Pines, Scotland, Steamboat Springs, Bonaire, the Keys... and maybe the North Pole.
I need more vacation time!!!!
Matthew
And Torrey Pines, Scotland, Steamboat Springs, Bonaire, the Keys... and maybe the North Pole.
I need more vacation time!!!!
Matthew
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
LE is mentioning a Special Observer Program for signing off people who get their initial training outside the U.S. All that is needed is documentation of skills and tasks and then [Ben?] will administer the test(s). Ben is appointing me as a PG observer. Where is the observer meeting this Friday anyway? Maybe Tom is busy saving the U.S. financial system. I hope we see some Wall Street bankers doing the perp walk in orange jumpsuits and leg irons. - Hugh
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Observers can't give novice ratings.
Matthew
Matthew
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
I did some browsing on the USHPA website and found the reference to Special Observer Program in SOP 10-2 (might have the serial wrong). It appears to say that a Director (that's what LE is, right?) can give a rating based on foreign documentation and demonstrated skills. Not sure whether she is expecting the Bulgarian instructors would have filled out paperwork or if we observers would affirm we had seen the students execute the maneuvers.
In any case, I would say Sallie is at most a P1 equivalent and Carlos and Dan might be P2 equivalents - with the large caveat that they have only done forward launches. I'm not looking for a way to avoid using an instructor - my expectation was that we would just put them in the hands of Jim Kaplan or Juanito (leaving soon for Peru) or Dwayne McCourt.
As for Sallie, she participated largely because we put her in a situation where she was surrounded by pilots and if she didn't, she would have been on her own - I went off to Greece and essentially left her at the training hill for 3 days! So her independent motivation to continue may not be as high as mine for her. (But she did have the option to come to Greece as a driver/hanger-on and elected to stay in Bulgaria for training.) I would like to move quickly to get her with an instructor at a training hill so we "strike while the iron is hot" and reinforce her confidence in her ability and this doesn't just remain a vacation phenomenon in Bulgaria. Eventually perhaps there will be a Bill's day... She is a perfect fit for my equipment, so there is a path on that front also. Is there an USHPA registration for students before they even get P1? Where find? - Hugh
P.S. On another front, where should I go for a replacement line for my Ozone product? I went to a link you had sent before, Matthew, but it appeared to be just for some other brands and there was no dealer around here...
In any case, I would say Sallie is at most a P1 equivalent and Carlos and Dan might be P2 equivalents - with the large caveat that they have only done forward launches. I'm not looking for a way to avoid using an instructor - my expectation was that we would just put them in the hands of Jim Kaplan or Juanito (leaving soon for Peru) or Dwayne McCourt.
As for Sallie, she participated largely because we put her in a situation where she was surrounded by pilots and if she didn't, she would have been on her own - I went off to Greece and essentially left her at the training hill for 3 days! So her independent motivation to continue may not be as high as mine for her. (But she did have the option to come to Greece as a driver/hanger-on and elected to stay in Bulgaria for training.) I would like to move quickly to get her with an instructor at a training hill so we "strike while the iron is hot" and reinforce her confidence in her ability and this doesn't just remain a vacation phenomenon in Bulgaria. Eventually perhaps there will be a Bill's day... She is a perfect fit for my equipment, so there is a path on that front also. Is there an USHPA registration for students before they even get P1? Where find? - Hugh
P.S. On another front, where should I go for a replacement line for my Ozone product? I went to a link you had sent before, Matthew, but it appeared to be just for some other brands and there was no dealer around here...
P0 / H0 USHPA Membership
Hugh asked
http://www.ushpa.aero/membership.asp
Fill it in, sign it (including the waiver) and send it in with the appropriate $$ amount.
Be sure to use the Family Discount - Save $32 when at least one other Member resides in the same household. No Magazine. Member name & USHPA # required.
This is not a rating form (which has to be signed by a rating official) so the membership will be effectively P0 or H0.
Just what you need.
BTW - when you have this membership, you do not need to buy the $15 30 day temporary USHPA membership when taking tandem lessons; just show the card.
Yes, just pull the membership application and waiver form http://www.ushpa.aero/forms/Form_Member ... Waiver.pdf PDF from the USHPA site atthere an USHPA registration for students before they even get P1? Where find?
http://www.ushpa.aero/membership.asp
Fill it in, sign it (including the waiver) and send it in with the appropriate $$ amount.
Be sure to use the Family Discount - Save $32 when at least one other Member resides in the same household. No Magazine. Member name & USHPA # required.
This is not a rating form (which has to be signed by a rating official) so the membership will be effectively P0 or H0.
Just what you need.
BTW - when you have this membership, you do not need to buy the $15 30 day temporary USHPA membership when taking tandem lessons; just show the card.
Cragin
Douglas.Cragin(AT)iCloud(DOT)com
Weather - https://sites.google.com/site/hgweather/
Flying - http://craginsflightblog.blogspot.com/
Kay's Stuff- http://kayshappenings.blogspot.com/
GO to 50 https://sites.google.com/site/hgmemories/Home/50th
Douglas.Cragin(AT)iCloud(DOT)com
Weather - https://sites.google.com/site/hgweather/
Flying - http://craginsflightblog.blogspot.com/
Kay's Stuff- http://kayshappenings.blogspot.com/
GO to 50 https://sites.google.com/site/hgmemories/Home/50th
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Thanks a lot Cragin! - Hugh
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
FYI Jim Rooney at Highland can sign off P2s using the tow rig. He is looking for students -- needs a few more in order to get his US advanced instructor (he has an advanced instructor NZ rating). I think the tow system is a little bit underpowered but it gets you up good enough if there is a breeze.
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Hugh-- for PG lines, contact Superfly. http://www.superflyinc.com/home.htm
I think that they have lines for all gliders.
For P2, Jim is an excellent way to go. The rig will get you high enough to do turns and you can use it for both forward and reverse launches. And you can crank out lots of tows in a little time. But like Juanito, I think Jim will be leaving town sometime before winter.
Matthew
I think that they have lines for all gliders.
For P2, Jim is an excellent way to go. The rig will get you high enough to do turns and you can use it for both forward and reverse launches. And you can crank out lots of tows in a little time. But like Juanito, I think Jim will be leaving town sometime before winter.
Matthew
Re: Sopot Bulgaria
Hi guys,
I'll be here till the end of October. I do train to P2 with the scooter. With the quick turn around and moderate altitude, it is fairly easy to ramp up quickly.
Training for P2 will seem quite rapid from the perspective of a hang glider pilot. It's a double edged sword in that you have less familiarity with flying before your high flights... very much less of an issue for those coming to PG from HG. In NZ, we regularly progress people to mountain flying in a matter of days. For students that progress smoothly, it's one day on flats and the small hills... one on the big hills, then radio them off the mountain in smooth air. We also have very forgiving launches which does make things easier.
Jim
I'll be here till the end of October. I do train to P2 with the scooter. With the quick turn around and moderate altitude, it is fairly easy to ramp up quickly.
Training for P2 will seem quite rapid from the perspective of a hang glider pilot. It's a double edged sword in that you have less familiarity with flying before your high flights... very much less of an issue for those coming to PG from HG. In NZ, we regularly progress people to mountain flying in a matter of days. For students that progress smoothly, it's one day on flats and the small hills... one on the big hills, then radio them off the mountain in smooth air. We also have very forgiving launches which does make things easier.
Jim