an average day...
When is best time to visit?
When deciding the best time to visit please take into account your ambition and experience.
Intermediate pilots more XC orientated(CP+20hrs) on an XC course in Spring will be with similarly motivated pilots. A great idea when wanting to complete the 50km XC tour around the Zillertal or pushing for that elusive 100km in the Alps.
Novice to Intermediate pilots who want to take their first cross-country steps around the Zillertal valley should join one of our 'early season' cross-country courses. The tasks set are very achievable and designed to build your confidence. With some thermal experience surprisingly easy distances (30-50km) are within reach.
Lower airtime pilots wanting to improve their thermal technique or pilots simply wanting a relaxing flying holiday can join us on the Thermal and Ahorn XC weeks during the Summer months.
Whatever week you choose to visit you can be sure that the course is at the most suitable time of year.
An Average XC Day
After breakfast at your guesthouse I'll arrive at around 9.30am with a detailed weather forecast of our area. Depending on this I'll then decide which of our large, grassy launches we will use.
Once there pilots will be well briefed on what we'll attempt, ideal route pointed out on maps and any special areas explained.
One of our popular flights is the 50km Zillertal XC tour, previous Skywings articles, part 1 & part 2. The scenery is breathtaking and route friendly yet can be challenging in places. This can take between 4-6 hours.
Using a waypoint in the neighbouring Tuxertal it's possible to get this flight up to 90km on a good cross-country day. When the BIG days come in May/June we may head over the Gerlos Pass and into the Pinzgau valley, from there it's just a matter of how much endurance you have!
Since 2002 many pilot's personal bests have been surpassed with an emphasis on flying together safely as a team, understanding how to make good decisions and having fun.
All routes set will be around the main valleys where there are countless fields to land in if you find yourself too low to climb out.
However I will always try to get everyone round and will set the first few waypoints around launch giving unlucky/slower pilots a chance to catch up, much less stress this way.
We will be in radio contact throughout the flight and during XC courses we have a separate frequency to make retrieval easy.
If conditions are thermic but not quite adequate for XC then we'll concentrate on climbing high together. Practicing in the numerous house thermals around launch and basically getting to know the local area better. This helps greatly for when the BIG day comes!
Summer Days
The Zillertal isn't only about long XC flights, in my opinion some of the most relaxing days are spent around the local area. Sightseeing in the high alpine behind the Penken is always special.
It's easy to top land, rest then launch again. This helps to get pilot's technique sorted. I'll be on radio coaching pilots
The last flights of the day usually take place on the Ahorn ridge and Filzen. This ridge is situated directly into the valley flow. Reaching heights of 4000m+ is not uncommon.
With these conditions and our guidance pilots can make their assault on the Ahorn Spitz,2968m. An Amazing Cross Country flight in itself!!
Summer Evenings
On Summer evenings, a couple of hours before sun down, you'll find abundent lift everywhere. Huge 1-2m/s thermals together with light soarable winds enable pilots to relax and watch the colours change over the Alps. This time of day is excellent for pilots wanting to perfect there thermalling skills. This magic lift is one of my favorite features of the mountains, completely stress-free flying.
If, due to local conditions, the Zillertal is unflyable, it is very possibly good to fly in the Brixental, 1hr drive away. Should I think this is a better choice we can drive out. Though the mountains are slightly smaller, the scenery is still breath-taking plus good xc flights are possible. As always the launch/landing sites are forgiving and not technical.
