Reporting 2013

 

 

"Flying with the Champions" - Final Report

2013-11-19

 

 

That’s it – the first two events under the promising titles „Flying with the Champions“ are history. It was just a sketchy idea of us, a vision. Now we can say: the experiment was a success! All participant were completely enthused, while the champions experienced satisfaction by watching the steady progress of their trainees day by day.


An essential part of this success was weather in Namibia of course. Like we see it usually in December, a stable cycle established, which brought ideal conditions for both blocks. Beginning with moderate, blue thermals, it improved day by day to give the teams at the end of the week conditions to prove what they learned in long and fast flights, resulting mostly in a 4-digit number in the OLC-results.


At this occasion we’d like to say thank you to Bernd Dolba, representative for the whole Kiripotib-Team. The decision for this location turned out to be perfect. Daily operations were absolutely trouble-free. The familiar and amicable atmosphere contributed the rest to make things relaxed an easy. 

 

Thank you also to all the champions, getting just part of their cost as a reward. They all worked very professional and empathetic, considering the very different starting-levels of our trainees.


With all the experience made we start to think about next year’s event, many things we will leave unchanged, some things we’ll try to do even better…


Ludwig Starkl & Wolfgang Janowitsch

 

 


 

"Flying with the Champions" 2. block - repot by Gerold Auerbach

2013-11-15

 

 

Another day in flying paradise....

 

Read here all reports by Gerold Auerbach

 

http://www.namib13.blogspot.co.at/

 

 



 

Flying with the Champions" 7. day - 2. block, last day

2013-11-14

 

 

On the last day a grand prix task was set and so all our teams had to fly cross country despite the weather didn't look great. Today definitely was the worst day of our event. We followed the target that our trainees had to show what they learned, so they had to fly on their own with their champion only as a passenger. As it turned out, the day they did it well, all of them finished the task. Now we have to wait for the scoring and for the winner of the day.

 

Finally ten trainees participated and flew fourteen days. They all learned a lot, so we think our idea was a great success. Now we have to learn from this experience for the things to come.

The last landing at the event “Flying with the Champions”

 

 



 

"Flying with the Champions" 6. day - 2. block

2013-11-13

 

What a day, the wheater prognoses was good, but now we know, it was sensationel. All six teams flow more than 1000 km , Marten and Holger on Arcus E toped the day with 1181 km. The first leg was heading east, with booming conditions, half past twelfe we found allready 6meters lift. Due to this conditions Holger and Marten and Steve with Gerold flew to Botswans, the others tourned after 120 km and headed west to the still better weather. In the afternoon all teams found them at the western edge under a super convergence. Unbelievable 300 kph abouve ground where flown, to fly fast with this weather seams easy, ut depending on the line the average speeds differed a lot.

In the evening only happy faces, did all our trainees there first thousand that day.

 

Ludwig on his Antares 23E showed again the potential of his glider. With 166,56 kph over 1029,72 km he flow the to speed of the day. Remarkable is the speed on OLC speed, where the fastest 2.5 hours are counted, here he made 195.28 kph, 488 km in that time, not so bad.


 



 

"Flying with the Champions" 5. day - 2. block

2013-11-12

 

Today we could enjoy real Namibian weather conditions again. Although there was still some cloud-cover from the night around during the morning north and east of Kiripotib, the day developed very well with slight delay. You just have to hear the enthusiastic reports of our crews: no circling in lift below 3m/s, the maximum was again beyond 5m/s, cloud base at 5.600m. So the teams achieved between 770 and 950km, and also Hans flew 340km just between lunch and afternoon tea. Kindly he flew without his Champion Wolfgang today, he is fighting some African intestinal bacteria and stayed in bed most of the day.


 


 

 

"Flying with the Champions" - Impressions

2013-11-12

 

  

Our participants start the day on this way!

    

 

 



 

"Flying with the Champions" 4. day - 2. block

2013-11-11

 

 

Today will be a good day again and we changed the teams. According to Bernd Dolba, he is the organizer of flight operations here in Kiripotip and also presents daily weather-forecast, the best area should be in the west again. Therefor the task is prepared in this direction. Some of the teams take off very early, but they struggle almost for one hour in the vicinity of the airfield. In the meantime the most beautiful cumulus-sky is developing to the east. Fixed to the set task most 5 teams started to the west, except Holger and Marten and Ludwig in the Antares 23E turned to the opposite direction very soon. This was the right decision: outstanding conditions with climb rates up to 8m/s and a cloud base at 5.600m. What else could you ask for? Soon the teams heading west turned back as well and now the whole lot was on its way to Botswana. Looking at the OLC we achieved 5 flights beyond 1000km and one almost 900km. Ludwigs Antares showed its qualities today, carrying him over the 1000km with an average speed of 165kph.


 



 

"Flying with the Champions" 3. day - 2. block

2013-11-10

 

Today a common task was prepared. First to the west, the mountains between the Kalahari and the Namib, then to the south, back along the mountains and home, 628km. Unfortunately there were some differences in the databases of the instruments, so everyone had made some mistake during his flight (wrong turn point, wrong minimum task time, missed the finish-line). Therefor we declared the slowest team as winner for the day – everyone agreed and took it with humour.

 

 



 

"Flying with the Champions" 2. day - 2. block

2013-11-09

 

First of all I’d like to apologize that I didn‘t report about the last three days so far. As I had to act as substitute for one missing champion, I didn’t find the time.

 

After a couple of very nice days, there had to be a change sometimes. Strong winds and blue thermals up to 3.500m. To learn more about the weather, 3 teams set their task to the west, 3 to the east for a comparison. Conditions were moderate everywhere, so where the average speeds. But we are here for training and therefor it was okay.

 

Now we meet for a debriefing and to prepare the new day.


 


 

 

"Flying with the Champions" 1. day - 2. block

2013-11-08

 

Today we had to say good buy to the trainees of our first week, the left us during the day and took big imprssions about our event with them.

For us, startet the second block with 6 new students which will be or flying partners for the next 7 days. They had allready there first flights in good blue thermal with lifts up to 5 meters and a base of 4500m and the did very well, Flights up to 550km hav been registered on the OLC. Not so bad for the first flight.

 

Here the teams for the first three days.

 

Egon Otto Rehn / Brasilia with Uli Schwenk / Germany on ASH25EB28

Hans Kandlbauer / Switzerland with Wolfgang Janowitsch / Austria on Arcus M

Frank van Empelen / Nederlands with Steve Jones / Great Britain on ASH 25Mi

Marten van der Loeff / Nederlands with Janusz Centka / Poland on Arcus M

Martin Kerkow / Germany with Holger Karow / Germany on Arcus M

Gerold Auerbach / Austria with Ludwig Starkl / Austria (instead of Stefano Ghiorzo who got ill) on Arcus E


 


 

 

"Flying with the Champions" Day 7

2013-11-07

 

 

Today the weather-forecast didn’t call for record flights. So the task for today: flat triangle, 430km to the NE with regatta-start, maximum 3000m MSL. Despite it stayed blue, the average speeds were far beyond 100kph with max. climb rates of 6m/s up to 5000m MSL. All teams are back, also Ludwig could take part in the game today with our brand-new Antares 23E – actually he won the day with 136kph!

Furthermore the participants of our next block were arriving during the day. So main program of today’s evening will be “change of shift” at the planned sun-downer in the dunes. There the climb-rates and cloud-bases of last week will become even a little bit more again…

 

 

At the end of the first block all participants have experienced a sundowner.
A first acquaintance and also again a farewell.


 



 

"Flying with the Champions" Day 6

2013-11-06

The participants of our event can’t get enough. After swapping the Champions they proved today what they learned so far. Not too bad! Again everyone entered a 4-digit-flight in the OLC, only “DD” missed it by a few kilometres. This didn’t spoil the day for the team Uli and Ernst, they proved the truth of the theory concerning sea-breeze. They can confirm: it’s no advantage for thermal-development.

Gradually one can watch the physical challenge of everyday-flying. After a delicious dinner and tasteful care about dehydration everyone is looking forward to a good night sleep.


 


 

 

"Flying with the Champions" Day 5

2013-11-05


Yesterday all of us convinced to have a sensationel day today, that for, all the pilots were out of bed at seven o'clock to prepare their aircraft. Only the sky, the one who did not look for it. Cumulus congestus already in the early day and later at the briefing, we expected showers on the day. Due to the weather forecast we thout to go to the west, a new area for all, would be a good oportunity, the border to the Namib desert should work well. Soon after the launch of the participants at about 11:00 clock, first over-development and from 13:30 also first showers. For us on the ground it was impossible to assess because there was no current and internet . We could only imagine how the participants went. As then a storm rolled across the field from about 15:00, me personally was particularly mullmig . In the middle of this weather cuisine then the landing of DD and E, both were flown approximately 500 km and due to the weather conditions, they returned and landed safely . Both raved about the beautiful but difficult circumstances, especially the weather phenomena were described violently. Then a long time to hear nothing until about 17:00 TWO (613km) came back, and at last CS with 874 km a few minutes before sunset. A successful day came to an end and all were satisfied with their performence.

Tomorrow, the teams will change, each trainee gets the opportunity to fly with another Champion.

 


 

"Flying with the Champions" Day 4

2013-11-04

 

What a day, all our teams flew the declared 1.000km and even more. The day developed as expected, in the morning blue and starting at the first turningpoint with clouds, with best conditions. The whole day lifts up to 5 meters climb and the cloudbase above 5.000 meters. Today we could see whats possible in Namibia with cloudthermal. We are very proud that our training concept strikes and I trust myself to say, we will continue.

 

Tomorrow it looks better again, specialy here in the area of Namibia, i am sure we will have an idea with it.


actual: 4 flights with more than 1000km

CS      1.147 km

E        1.111 km

TWO   1.072 km

DD     1.071 km


congratulations

 


  

Two of our trainees should have changed there Champion today, but due to the expected good conditions, we have decided to do this tomorrow. We think, as todays weather will be fantastik, its better to fly in the old configuration.

 

All four teams have declared a task with more than 1000km. The will start twoards NE to the border of Botswana, than 250 km SE in the best flying area and back nearly the same track. The weather will become very good, during the start we had allready 3m lift and the biggest change today, we will have clouds, on the horizon we can allready see them.

 

Here todays potential flying distance

 

 

 

 

 



 

and the winner is....

2013-11-03

 

 

Today we had a Grand Prix race, although we we had reduced the task length to 585km, it wa the longest ever flewn distance in such a contest. Andris Vicinskis und Janusz Centka, the letvian - polish team on Arcus M got first only seconds in front of Ernst Blum und Holger Karow on Arcus E. Only a few seconds behind, Oskar Tollich and Uli Schwenk on ASH 25. This was a great result, with 25 Meters wingspan its not so easy to compet against an Arcus here in Namibia.

Valentin Maeder and Andy Davis had unfortunately to cancel their flight due to an error message on the engine control and so they could not participate in the actual race. An improperly folded down switch was the cause of the error.

In the evening at the price giving ceremony a great atmosphere, lots of happy faces and statements.

Tomorrow the teams will change, we will report.

 

 

 



 

The Teams

2013-11-03

 

 written down  
CS = Andris Vicinskis / Janusz Centka DD = Oskar Tollich / Uli Schwenk E = Ernst Blum / Holger Karow TWO = Valentin Maeder / Andy Davis

 

 



 

"Flying with the Champions" third day

2013-11-03

 

 

 

 

615,8 km, todays task, our trainees want to know it. At the mornings breefing we decides to fly a grand prix task, first start at about 11:00, racingstart at 12:00, maximum hight 2600m.


Here in Kiripotib only happy faces, all of us enjoy the hospitality of Kiripotib farn and of course the flying conditions. Today we expect blue thermal again, but its improfing every day, so better climbes with a higher base. Todays task will bring us closed to Botswanas border.


 



 

"Flying with the Champions" second day

2013-11-02


Not so bad, todays results, three flights over 500km with an average speed of about 110km/h.

 

After yesterdays first contact, the crews set their own targets, 500km in blue thermal, first to the south and than zick zack back to Kiripotib and as you can see on OLC, our trainees did well. Ernst Blum from Switzerland even flew his first 500km, we gratulate. Now you could say, "easy if the champ flys" but we realy look that our trainees fly themself. During the flight and specialy in the afterflight breefing the teams review and analyze there flights and find out trainees faults.

 

Tomorrow we axpect again a better day, as it looks now, we will fly twoards Botswana, for all of us a new area a new experience. Very important for the next days, the forcast brings 1000km weather NE of us. .

 

Anyway, the atmosphere is good, everyone is looking forward to the coming days and the new experiences.

 

 


 

 

"Flying with the Champions" has started

2013-11-02

 

Translation comming soon!!!

 

Yesterday was our first day of our event here in Kiripotib in Namibia. Very early in the morning all of us where out of bed to be prepaired for the first meeting. The gliders two Arcus M, one Arcus E and an ASH25 where rigged and tested the days before, everything was ok. We sattled the teams, the event begann.

Valentin Maeder / Switzerland with Andy Davis / England on Arcus M / TWO

Ernst Blum / Switzerland with Holger Karow / Germany on Arcus E / E

Andris Vicinskis / Latvia with Janusz Centka / Poland on Arcus M / CS

Oskar Tollich / Germany with Uli Schwenk / Germany on ASH 25 / DD

 

Nach der ersten Gesprächsrunde, in der das Programm  festgelegt wurde, und auch über die Gegebenheiten hier in Namibia gesprochen wurde, präsentierte Bernd Dolba das Wetter, leider nicht das hier übliche, Blauthermik mit Arbeitshöhen bis 3000 m, mittleres Steigen um die zwei Meter.

Aber was soll‘s, wir sind zum Lernen hier, und damit ging‘s um die Mittagszeit in die Luft. Doch nachdem der Arcus TWO und Arcus E in der Luft waren ging bei CS plötzlich nichts mehr, der Starter lief nicht an, zahleiche Versuche den Motor zu starten scheiterten, also musste er zurück zum Liegeplatz. Als nächstes DD, auch bei ihm plötzlich ein Zündkreis weg, der Motor lief zwar rund, aber aus Sicherheitsgründen konnte nicht gestartet werden. Jetzt ging es erst mal zur Werkstätte, was war heue los, alle Flugzeuge liefen am Morgen einwandfrei und jetzt dies. Also fingen wir an zu zerlegen, bei CS war sehr bald klar, es war der Starter. Bei DD fanden wir den Grund nicht wirklich, also muss der Motor raus. Zum Glück waren jedoch die erforderlichen Ersatzteile in Bitterwasser verfügbar, also fuhr Christian Hynek hinüber und holte alles ab, nur der Tag war für beide Teams gelaufen, für den Umstieg auf ein Ersatzflugzeug war es zu spät. Bis die Einweisung erfolgt wäre, wäre der Tag vorbei.

Am Abend aber dann doch vier zufriedene Gesichter, beide gestarteten Teams hatten schöne erste Flüge in der nahen Umgebung und konnten sich auch schon näher kennen lernen.  Nach einer kurzen  Nachbesprechung,klang dann der Abend in doch gemütlicher Runde aus und alle gingen früh zu Bett. Um sechs Uhr morgen mussten wir schon wieder aus den Federn, die beiden Flugzeuge mussten repariert werden.

Heute dann um acht Uhr morgens das erlösende Brummen von CS, der Motor hatte einen neuen Starter und lief wieder einwandfrei, Andris und Janusz konnten fliegen. Auf der anderen Seite der Werkstätte aber ratlose Gesichter. Bei DD hatten Christian Hynek und Helfer innerhalb von drei Stunden den Motor ausgebaut, neue Zündboxen montiert und den Motor wieder eingebaut, aber es lief wieder nur ein Zündkreis. Alles wurde getestet, viele Telefonate geführt, aber es war wie verhext, der Motor lief nur auf einen Zündkreis. Also mussten der Oskar und Uli auf die ASH25EB28 von Bernd Dolba ausweichen.

Vor dem Wetterbriefing um 9:00 Uhr hatten wir eine ausgiebige Nachbesprechung mit den beiden geflogenen Teams, viele Punkte wurden in großer Runde besprochen, vieles dass auch von den Champs als „Da hab ich jetzt was gelernt“ eingestuft wurde. Es wurde eine gemeinsame Aufgabe festgelegt, das Wetter soll etwas besser wie gestern sein, immer noch blau, mit etwas höherer Basis, am Nachmittag bis 4000m. Die Strecken führen über Bitterwasser nach Süden, an die 500 km sollen es werden. Als dann um 12 Uhr das letzte der vier teilnehmenden Teams gestartet war, kam bei allen am Boden Erleichterung auf, der gestrige Tag und heute Morgen, war doch sehr stressig.

Ja und übrigens, bei DD wurde auch noch der Fehler gefunden, ein kleiner Stecker hatte sich vom Steuergerät gelöst, eine Reparatur, die in wenigen Minuten erledigt gewesen wäre. Und wir haben den Motor aus und eingebaut, manchmal ist es so.

Wir haben auch ein Lifetrackingsystem in Verwendung, für alle die die Flüge Life verfolgen wollen, hier der entsprechende Link. Leider haben wir derzeit nur den Arcus E auf dem Schirm, Ich hoffe morgen sind alle zu sehen.

 

 


 

 

On sunday the custom will come

2013-10-25


 

 

For three weeks our gliders where on the sea, since yesterday the containers are in Walfish Bay. From here the trip will continue with a truck to Kiripotib, where the custom will do its work on sunday. On monday Bernd Dolba will start to unload the containers and rigg the first gliders.

 

I will arrive on tuesday the 30th, starting with the last preparations for our event "Flying with the champions".


It will start on the 1st of November, all participants are very excited and looking forward to an outstanding time. The weather forecasts are already promising.

 

 

 




The gliders are on the way

2013-10-02

 

 

Since yesterday, monday the 1st of October our gliders are on the see. With the vessel Antonio the containers will be now three weeks on the way to Walfishbay in Namibia, from where they will be brought by trucks directly to Kiripotib.

 

Just in time for season opening, we will unload the containers on 29th and 30th of October. After rigging and testflying they are ready for our event "Flying with the Champions" which is starting on 1st of November . Everyone is looking forward immensely to this unique event.

 

here a Link where the currant position of the Antonio can be seen.

  

 



 

Packing of our gliders for Namibia

2013-09-06

 

 

On Thursday the 5th of september, two of our gliders where already packed in the container for Namibia.

Bernd Dolba, organising the loading of the containers, is doing a good job. Six gliders in each of the containers, two single-seaters and four double-seaters fill the space completely. It seems that there is not even space for a peace of paper left.

 

 

 



 

Only two places available for “Flying with the Champions”:

2013-07-26

 

 

We would like to point out to anyone thinking seriously about participating in our event “Flying with the Champions”, there are still two places available from 1. - 8. November 2013. So, register now and profit from the plenty of experience of our World- and European Champions.

 

We are using 5x Arcus M, 1x Arcus E, 2x ASH25 and 1x ASH 25-EB28.

 

Here the link to„Flying with the Champions“

 

 

 


 

Only remnant space available for “Flying with the Champions”:

2013-04-11

 

We would like to point out to anyone thinking seriously about participating in our event “Flying with the Champions”, that there are only a few places left. So, register now and profit from the plenty of experience of our World- and European Champions.

 

At the moment we are planning to use 5x Arcus M, 1x Arcus E, 2x ASH25 and 1x ASH 25-EB28.

 

 

Here the link to„Flying with the Champions“


 

 


 

 

 

2013-03-01

Have you ever wondered, what a World- or European champion makes different from you?

 

If you are looking for the answer, maybe that's what you need!

HERE you find the full programm 

 

 

 

   

'Flying with the Champions'

   
  

 

    
Who:

The champions are:

  • Janusz Centka
  • Andy Davis
  • Stefano Ghiorzo
  • Pete Harvey

 

  • Holger Karow
  • Wolfgang Janowitsch
  • Reinhard Schramme
  • Uli Schwenk

 

 

all of them former European- or Worldchampions!

    
Where:

Kiripotib, Namibia, ca.150 km southeast of Windhoek

    
When:

two seven day courses

  • 1. - 7. november 2013
  • 8. - 14. november 2013

 

How:

  • In a doubleseater together with a champion is a direct transfer of knowledge possible.
  • The champion supports by feedback the development of motor and mental skills.
  • A structured training process ensures clear objectives.
  • The participant gets the tool for effective work on himself.
    
 

Six flying days, one reserve day are planned, course language is generally English, possibly also German.