Announce and track hang gliding events
#310796
The Ultimate Navigation Manual - by Lyle Brotherton
See videos from the book at: http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/Video ... otherton2/

Purchase at: http://www.amazon.ca/Ultimate-Navigatio ... 0007424604

Phone 112 for Emergencies:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPZv_8dABfU&sns=em[/youtube]
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By Fred Wilson
#316347
NEW and excellent: http://www.austrianarena.com/dot_pdf/44 ... FLYING.pdf

Event Management Support Wiki. (Coming soon.)
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Computer Assisted Paragliding Aerobatics. (We need something like this for Hang Gliding!) Ryan?

Computer Assisted Soaring too. (Training video)
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By Fred Wilson
#321725
A brand-new book just came out: Cross Country Flying by Burkhard Martens!
Available now at http://xtremebigair.com/

http://xtremebigair.com/Cross-Country-F ... 504C7.aspx

The very latest in cross country flying techniques from Burkhard Martens, author of the international best-seller Thermal Flying.

Published in May 2013 Cross Country Flying includes chapters and information on:
Pre-flight planning, route-planning and how to use technology to maximise your flight
Online contest rules and tactics
Cross country for novices
Weather, thermalling and understanding best glide
Understanding best glide and McReady
Need to know essentials: best time to launch, inversions, convergence, crossing valleys, dolphin-flying, tactics, valley winds and more
How to fly the mountains
A special chapter on flatland flying
In-depth interviews with experts, including Chrigel Maurer, Jocky Sanderson, Ewa Wisnierska and more

Cross Country Flying also includes detailed information on how to fly some of the best XC sites in the Alps, including:
Fiesch and the Wallis Valley
Fanas in Switzerland
Pinzgau in Austria
Speikboden in Italy
Greifenburg in Austria
Annecy in France

A third section includes in-depth interviews with some of the world's most experienced pilots:
Chrigel Maurer
Jocky Sanderson
Torsten Hahne
Mads Syndergaard
Karel Vejchodsky
Helmut Eichholzer
Ewa Wisnierska

A fourth section includes photo essays on these international flying sites:
Quixada, Brazil
Manilla, Australia
Iquique, Chile
De Aar, South Africa
Rift Valley, Kenya
Piedrahita, Spain

The book is hardback, has more than 500 illustrations and is 242 pages long.

Cross Country Flying is aimed at pilots who can already thermal and want to progress on to flying XC, as well as those pilots who already fly XC but want to know more and get better.
It features a wealth of information, all of which is aimed at making you a better, more informed pilot, capable of flying further and longer than ever before.

Illustrated throughout with full-page photographs and easy-to-understand simple diagrams, the book is an ideal companion to Thermal Flying, and is a must-have for any pilot serious about learning to fly XC and go far.

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By Fred Wilson
#336954
Weatherjack XC Weather Tutorials :thumbsup:

See their list of 22 Tutorials written for the sport of Hang Gliding at: http://www.weatherjackwx.co.uk/tutorial ... s-all.html

Thanks again to all the fantastic quality support we get from the British side of the sport.
http://www.bhpa.co.uk/

Welcome to GOAL! The website for British Hang Gliding Competitions: http://bhgc.wikidot.com/

The Hang Gliding Competition Pilots Association: https://www.facebook.com/groups/118763844883239/

Hangies.co.uk Forum: http://hangies.co.uk/
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By HG_Aviator
#336995
WOW... I've been wanting to start XCing and was looking for resources to help me understand all the nuances of XC flying. You seem to have included everything but the kitchen sink. Thanks Fred! :drool: :drool: :drool: :goodidea: :mosh: :mosh: :mosh:
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By Fred Wilson
#337002
You just made my day bud. Thanks! :shock: :-o :mosh:

THE reason, the entire reason I started this thread, and THE reason (the entire reason) every single last author above wrote what they did.

So be sure to thank each and every one of them in person.
Offer each and every one of them: "To Be the Driver of their Dreams for the Cross Country Weekend of their Dreams"
- in appreciation and heartfelt thanks.

(I did, and it is on record, as it is hear again today. For their files.)

Then we're even! :thumbsup:
Last edited by Fred Wilson on Sun Oct 27, 2013 12:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
#337003
Again, at one time, Dennis Pagan did promise to post some of his legacy XC USHGA Hang Gliding etc Magazine Articles onto this thread...
- when he had time.
I sent him a gentle reminder again today... and to him above all else, my promise (above) applies. In spades. :mosh: :thumbsup:
One of the most valued and appreciated people in this sport. The hero of our century in this category.

See: http://www.pagenbooks.com/index.htm
Last edited by Fred Wilson on Sun Oct 27, 2013 2:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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By HG_Aviator
#337009
[quote="Fred Wilson"]You just made my day bud. Thanks! :shock: :-o :mosh:

THE reason, the entire reason I started this thread, and THE reason (the entire reason) every single last author above wrote what they did.

So be sure to thank each and every one of them in person.
Offer each and every one of them: "To Be the Driver of their Dreams for the Cross Country Weekend of their Dreams"
- in appreciation and heartfelt thanks.

(I did, and it is on record, as it is hear again today. For their files.)
I will thank them. I've already started my driver duties with Jonathan Diecth. He has been kind enough to show me a number of bail out LZs and suggestion on approaches to said LZs. Pay it forward baby! :goodidea: :thumbsup: :mosh:
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By HG_Aviator
#337017
10,000 plus views....! There must be whole lot of would be XC pilots out there.
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By HG_Aviator
#337463
I'm currently flying a Falcon 3 195, and was wondering if anyone on here has flown XC a Falcon or similar wing. If so
How was your experience and do you have video of your XC flight on your Falcon?
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By Fred Wilson
#342042
Speed to Fly Theory

From: http://ozreport.com/1388147561

Generalized Speed to Fly Theory
Academic

http://www.trimill.com/cusoft/PolarExpl ... Theory.pdf

The DOS implementation of the theory here.

Find out the optimum circling technique for any glider at any altitude and wing loading.

Calculate climb performance in thermals of different strength and shape.

Plan and analyze cross-country flights and final glides.

Compare circling and cross-country performances in addition to comparing polars.

Calculate more realistic handicap factors based on the cross-country performance for the expected or actual weather conditions.
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There's a discussion about Speed to Fly Theory at: http://www.foroparapente.com/viewtopic. ... t=mccready

There's a good article on it here: http://paragliding-lessons.com/article/ ... %20Fly.htm

Related discussion:
How important is it to know the airspeed for best glide?
Last edited by Fred Wilson on Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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By dave hopkins
#342053
Fred Wilson wrote:From: http://ozreport.com/1388147561

Generalized Speed to Fly Theory
Academic

http://www.trimill.com/cusoft/PolarExpl ... Theory.pdf

The DOS implementation of the theory here.

Find out the optimum circling technique for any glider at any altitude and wing loading.

Calculate climb performance in thermals of different strength and shape.

Plan and analyze cross-country flights and final glides.

Compare circling and cross-country performances in addition to comparing polars.

Calculate more realistic handicap factors based on the cross-country performance for the expected or actual weather conditions.
I think this type of data is good to understand. I not sure such an instrument would be functional for HGs even rigid wings because of our low performance. I consider sail planes to have three to four times our glide which gives them meaning full gains over the course of a flight. I say this because in the real world I don't see us getting much better then 10 to 1, maybe 13 in rigids.
HG pilots fly by our quick decisions such as when to launch, finding lift lines, when to leave thermals, reading clouds, knowing lift sources and generally making magic happen between glider, pilot, and air. Every bit of knowledge helps.
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By Wonder Boy
#342057
Flying at your gliders best glide speed given the conditions is a must if you want to maximize your effectiveness in the air.

An instrument giving you that information is very helpful. Flex & rigids do benefit from it.
The flytec 6030 does an excellent job

Mike
#361098
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An excellent collection of tips. Start to finish to prep you for the XC Flight(s) of your dreams.
- A great beginners guide.

Cross Country Tips - by Chrigel Maurer
See: http://www.theparaglider.com/cross-coun ... maurer-132
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Winter Blues Reading Material + XC Magazine's Tuesday Tips Articles List. + Flytec Tips of the Week + Event Management Support
Last edited by Fred Wilson on Tue Dec 09, 2014 4:10 am, edited 3 times in total.
#361099
Secondly:
We have been promoting the idea (on the home page poll) of hosting a hanggliding.org Cross Country Coaching Clinic Fly-In.
We are going to do one in FlyOk land here this coming year at Fly Hills in Salmon Arm B.C. Canada.
Fly Hills is a high East Facing high Launch. This is the view looking SW, taken during one of our work party daze...

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This is the view from above our west facing Stoney Creek Flying sites (short but bad, slow road) looking at the Fly Hills launch and ridge at the very left of the pic:

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Our Premier West Facing XC high Flying Site is just 20 minutes away: Mara
Our premier South facing high XC Flying Site is also just 20 minutes the other way: Bolean - so good it hosted the Canadian Nationals for many, many years.

- We are working on brushing and re-opening our high North Facing Launch XC Launch 20 minutes North: Tappen

All launches are very good, very large and thus easily accommodate very large numbers of pilots on any given day.

Tentative dates TBD are, as recommended by the LZ / Campground Owner: Ken Steiner, the last two weekends of May 2015.
So May 23 - 24th and (rain days) May 30 - 31st 2015. Weekend warriors can go back to slaving away their daze. Those hanging out will get bonus days coaching mid week.
It should be quite the party! :thumbsup:

The view of the LZ's from the Fly Hills Flight Park Campground:

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If you are interested in attending OSA's 2015 Cross Country Coaching Clinic Fly-In, you can read all about it here, all the courses, hints and tips you can take advantage of on our "Members Only" Events Support Forum at: http://www.flyok.ca/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=635

Read the (point form) last reply at: Cross Country Coaching Course Outline.

This is the view looking north from Fly Hills, obviously not a novice route, but experts have flown enormous distances NE along this route!

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_________________
Winter Blues Reading Material + XC Magazine's Tuesday Tips Articles List. + Flytec Tips of the Week + Event Management Support
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By TjW
#361193
One thing I've never seen mentioned about flying XC is to keep an eye on the topography with regard to landing. Streams and washes are evidence of the ground sloping down toward them. Given a choice, land going away from the stream/wash.
It's a lot easier landing on a slight uphill slope than a slight downhill slope.