| Right Place, Right Time: | All XC Courses run at THE most reliable time for long XC flights in the Alps, March - June. |
|---|---|
| EASY XC Possibilties: | If you can go round in circles, you can fly XC at this time of year. |
| Extended XC flights: | XC flights around the Zillertal. Routes of 30 - 50km plus are possible. |
| 'Flow of the Day': | Routes designed to allow pilots to fly XC with ease, no over-technical parts. |
| Task Orientated Routes: | Simple to understand briefings & flying with purpose around pre-chosen turnpoints. |
| Less Stress: | Large flat Landing paddocks along all routes. Landing out is never a worry. |
| Easy retrieve along chosen routes. | |
| Evening thermaling & soaring on light valley winds on the Ahorn possible. |
XC Courses March & April
During the late winter & early spring months the conditions in the Zillertal are excellent for pilots wishing to make their first XC flights. There's potential for pilots of all abilities to fly some of the first big kms of the season. As the valley floor is only at 630m the snow starts to receed quite early.
The snows leave behind a warm, green valley. The valley winds are light & the air mass is nearly always unstable. Thermals start from the valley bottom. This means on good days pilots can glide further in search of lift, as the potential for low saves is huge.
All our XC flights will be pre-planned and, as usual, the crux points explained.
Such as potential easy rides up, points to be high for crossings, any cut off altitudes & of course areas to avoid. These will be repeated on radio as we encounter them enroute. We'll have plenty of space to get airborne as the area is huge.
Just like the all our XC courses tasks may involve some criss-crossing of launch, this gives slower pilots a chance to rejoin the group should they need a long time to climb out enroute. This takes the pressure of the first thermal, normally when pilots need time to settle.
It can help if pilots have & can use a GPS as it's useful for ground speed and distance to the set waypoint. However, it's not essential as everything is on detailed maps provided. I like to use Seeyou software to look at the flight afterwards for debriefing on the laptop, so it's worth bringing your cable if you choose to use one.
Aswell as flying acheivable 20-50km routes I'll also be coaching efficient use of thermals. Offering a simple tip here and there, if appropriate. Thermals can start as early as 10.30.
When it's clear that we can stay up with ease we'll launch. Attempting to fly as a group around the pre-determined turnpoints.
Using exclusive Google Earth movies I'll give an informal theory session. Topics ranging from what makes a good day to how to recognise potentially dangerous lee-sides.
prices
Early XC Course: 560€
This price includes 7 nights bed & breakfast in an alpine chalet, all rooms have ensuite facilities, cable TV.
Plus 6 days air-to-air guidance around our huge Arena, including access to private sites.
Easy retrieve along chosen routes.
logistics & dates
Pilots wishing to attend will need at least 10hrs plus a small amount of thermaling experience.
This course we will have a retrieve along the chosen routes.
Another part of the course is a look at our flights using SeeYou software, so don't forget you cables for your GPS (if you use one).
Numbers are strictly kept to a maximum of 8 pilots only.
We will be based in Mayrhofen. We will aim to house everyone in Haus Martinus in the center of Mayrhofen.
Please refer to the page 'getting here' for logistics about which flights to use and method of airport transfer.
For more info please contact us, info@austrianarena.com
