At regular intervals (usually at the end of the month), I would like to provide an overview of the topics that have particularly stuck in my memory or deserve a special mention, as well as special events that are coming up in the next month. As I really enjoy watching paragliding videos, I’m sure there will be video recommendations from me in every review. Let’s start with Flying from Brauneck to Munich, XC Therm and the videos Crossing Dreams, Paragliding Roadtrip to Morocco and Learning to Fly.
Flying from Brauneck to Munich
It is a dream of everyone who lives in Munich to fly back to Munich from Brauneck. Now, in spring, is the best opportunity to realise this dream before the Bavarian wind prevents or at least complicates the undertaking later in the year. A few have already made it, but the rest are still hoping to cross the subject off their bucket list. A signalling group has been formed to exchange pilots.
XC Therm
XC Therm, a thermal forecasting tool, recently launched a high-resolution forecast. The homepage states:
The high-resolution wind and weather forecast for the Alps, based on the ICON-CH1 model with a horizontal resolution of 1 km, are only available to subscribers of XC Therm, except the 10m wind and the weather overview.
The season will show whether the reduction to a 1 km grid really brings improvement. In my absolutely subjective opinion, XC Therm is perhaps 60 to 70 % correct in terms of the start, strength and end of the thermal.
Crossing Dreams – Solo bivouac paragliding adventure in Himalaya by François Ragolski
An incredible adventure: in 60 days, François Ragolski has travelled over 2500 km by paraglider in the Himalayas. Left to his own devices, he talks about the highs and lows of bivouac flying.
100 Days – Paragliding road trip to Morocco
Not quite as crazy as François, but still driven by a thirst for adventure, Bulliflieger describes his trip from Münster to Morocco and back in his video. He gives lots of tips and things to bear in mind in the respective flying areas (in German).
Learning to fly? | Everything you need to know | Tips for beginners and those interested
What do you need to start paragliding? Tobias Vaze gives a really comprehensive overview for those who are thinking about starting training or are simply interested in paragliding (in German).
