god, it's been so long and there are so many new names here that I can't put faces to. Anyway, thought I would let you guys know I'm still alive and almost 4 years after leaving the states I'm still trying to get back to where I left off HG-wise. John Dullahan told me that flying in Germany would be nothing like the East coast and that was a massive undertstatement.
The weather: It sucks most of the time. Germany predominantly sees West winds which means lot's of mositure and clouds from the Atlantic ocean. It's a dark, wet country compared to the East coast that benefits so much from the continental climate. Winter starts in September and this year it lasted until end of May. I am sure you will find thermals during that time on some sunny vertical mountain cliff in the Alps, but they are a long drive away for anyone who does not live in a Region that may make up 5% of Germany.
The culture: So different from what I am used to. HG is dying compared to PG, and there are little clubs everywhere which aren't organized very well, at least not on the internet. It's been incredibly hard finding people who hang glide. The only forum I know is the one on the DHV (German HG and PG association) site and it's all but dead. No such thing as this site. The Clubs / sites are small, non-commercial so it all works on a good will / voluntary basis. No such thing as Highland aerosports. You're lucky if you find someone who tows you once a day, your problem if you didn't find a thermal from 1500'. But I'm only beginning to understand how it works as I spent about two years fighting with the DHV on acknowledging at least part of my training and finding a school that would allow me to redo the German license fast-track so to speak. Most of them wouldn't even call back.
The support: One Moyes dealer for both Germany and Austria. Sells about 5 gliders per year, go figure, doesn't seem to care much about his HG customers. I presume because of the strong Icaro and A-I-R competition Moyes have given up on this region. They took a whole year to make and deliver a new sail with a lot of frustration, disappointmens and ridiculous extra costs on my end. Nothing like Moyes USA. It's a different world.
The flying: No dragonflies, you get towed behind trikes here. They are small, heavy and fly crazy fast. Long story short: I can't do it, not on the Litespeed. I have locked out twice in what I used to call benign air, it happenes so damn fast because the trike doesn't react to the air like a Dragonfly does. They slice through everything and you just don't see the thermal coming lifting your wing and throwing you off. It's also very hard for me to anticipate when the trike turns because they do it more subtle, like a HG and not like a real plane. To stay behind them I need plenty VG and fly with the base tube right where my belt would be. Now add a +4-year break, a safety funnel behind the trike that appears to be 10 feet in diameter, the lack of any well-organized tow place that will gradually move you into rougher air and the disaster is perfect. Today I locked out for now other reason than reacting too slowly with perhaps 300' ground clearance. I have never been so scared. These things are evil little f*ckers. Beyond my understanding how the others pull it off.
I wish I could boast about my 100-mile flights and how it all came beauttifully together. It ain't so. It's been 3 tough years. Despite all the DHV regulations, CE marks on every stupid little device and the need to get your glider recertified every two years or so I have never felt so unsafe. Is it going to stop me? F*ck no
They don't know what a crazy-ass pilot I am yet LOL. Hopefully it's not going to get me killed before I toss out my Litespeed and get an ATOS. They do make more sense here.You guys have no idea how much I miss flying with you all. And, you have it so good on the East coast, it's HG paradise compared to this mess.
Best
Janni