Erick Angles «Erick Angles» writes:

https://www.facebook.com/events/358700320921446/

In the last couple years, the competition commission of the French federation of free flight (FFVL) has made it a priority to try and boost the national comp. Circuit as well the national cross country Cup, which have both not been very popular in the last few years with very few pilots participating in both…We have already done quite a lot in order to do so and things are better but far from perfect and for 2015 for example, we made sure that all the national comps were registered as FAI Cat 2 to make them more attractive and we are working on making available a live tracking system for the comps.

So being member of the commission but also president of Atout vents, I decided that this year, in addition to organizing the St Andre Open, I would try to create an emulation by combining other HG events in order to gather as many pilots as possible and mix the genres with comp pilots, cross country pilots, rookies, all together on the same sites…

So between the 9^th and the 17^th of May, there is a combination of events going on in the St Andre area:

MetAVmorphose Cross Country Course at Col de Bleyne: May 9^th to the 13^th

Alain Chauvet (Metamorphose Courses. Multiple French and cross country Cup champion) and Atout Vents have joined forces to organize a Cross Country Course at Col de Bleyne. It’s one of the best cross country site there is (Current site record is at 300+ Kms) as it starts early with a South-East take off and is located 45 mns driving south of St Andre in the pre-Alpes.

The course is for up to 7 pilots with a minimum of 4. If you would like to come, we would need you to let us as soon as possible because if we don’t have 4 pilots registered by the end of the month, we will most likely cancel the course for this year.

If the weather forecast was so bad that we had to cancel, we are contemplating report dates right after the St Andre Open, from the 18^th to the 22^nd.

The cost of the course is 375 Euros per pilot and includes the shuttle to take off, briefings (security, weather, flight), Alain’s legendary Deluxe in flight guiding, retrieves after the flights, debriefs etc. the beer is not included ;o) Some theoretical trainings will be fitted in between flights depending the need of the students and the weather on hand..

Requirements:

Pilot’s License
PTT radio
IGN 158 paper map

In brief:

Where: Southern Alpes – Col de Bleyne
When: May 9^th to 13^th
For who: Licensed hang glider pilots

Price: 375 Euros

French info here: http://www.delta-club-82.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5240

Contact: Erick Angles: «Erick Angles» or +33 624 557 369

Bleyne cross country Klassik: May 11^th to 13^th

It’s a pretty simple concept based on the older Italian XMAX of the late 90’s and intended to mix competition and cross country pilots: We all meet on site fairly early in the morning with a weather and security briefing but there is no task set, no take off window, starts, nor gaggle to endure. The pilots take off when ever they want after the briefing and go ‘where ever’ they want in a given perimeter or axis depending on the weather forecast of the day. This is to facilitate retrieves and enhance the security aspect of things. Also for security purposes, the pilots will have to land 30 mns before the end of the aeronautical day and to report back by phone before the end of the aeronautical day (30 mns later).

The one who does the maximum kms wins! Not sure what yet but we’ll figure something out

So, the first French style XMAX will be from May 11^th to 13^th in Col de Bleyne, in parallel of the Cross Country Course and just before the St Andre Open. It’s one of the best cross country site there is (Current site record is at 300+ Kms) as it starts early with a South-East take off and is located 45 mns driving south of St Andre in the pre-Alpes.

The Local Rules are based on a classical cross country cup such as the OLC with triangles and OR flights having a better coefficient than free distances but we also don’t want to penalize a pilot who would go for some crazy open distance if the weather of the day calls for it!

We will take the decision to maintain or not the challenge depending on the weather forecast 48h prior but like for the cross country Course, we are contemplating report dates right after the St Andre Open, from the 18^th to the 20^th.

The following pictures are older as I have not been flying there myself for a good couple years now but they give a good idea of the playing field and you can see the take off here: http://world-phoenix.blogspot.fr/2011/06/110626-tribe-bleyne.html.

View to the North (St Andre) of Col de Bleyne by Paolo

View to the South (Coast/Gourdon) of Col de Bleyne by Erick

Climbing at Col des Portes (Between Bleyne and St Andre) by Paolo

Although it’s not a comp, for logistics and legal reasons, the pilots who would like to participate need to register on the website as the challenge is on the official calendar of the federation:

http://delta.ffvl.fr/open_comps_registration_form/31/list

French info: http://www.delta-club-82.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5244

For inquiries: «Erick Angles» or +33 624 557 369

3. St Andre Open (FAI Cat. 2): May 14^th to 17^th

The third edition of the St Andre Open will be held during the 4 day ascension week end (Christian holiday). Over 60 international pilots last year and the comp is now on the Swiss Team ‘calendar’ (since last year) to earn points for their national championship.

The entry fee is 80 Euros and includes the usual (t shirt + diner party etc.) but this year I hope to be able to add a few services such as shuttle to take off, retrieve and lunch boxes at no extra cost. We are still working on it as I am still waiting to hear back on a few things including from the head of the comp commission regarding some help with the shuttles.

Finally, I am very happy to announce that this year we have 2 new partners:

Beodrinx. They are a Swiss organic and sugar free energy drink company and they will provide us everyday with free drinks (niceT and Trezor) for the participants and the staff: http://www.beodrinx.com/en /

Hotel Fly St-Andre. Owned and run by Mark, English native. His place has been voted #1 by Trip Advisor for the St Andre area and he is used to accommodate staffs and pilots for PG comps. We might do the diner party there as the place is quite awesome!

Their FB: https://www.facebook.com/FlyStAndre And their website: www.FlyStAndre.com

Foreign pilots can register here where they will find all the information regarding the comp, lodging, tourism etc.: http://delta.ffvl.fr/open_comps_registration_form/21/list

The FB page of the event will be up and running soon but you only have another 3 weeks or so to register at the normal 80 Euros entry fee and it will cost you 20 Euros extra if you register after 1 week prior to the event. But as usual, the sooner we know about how many pilots come, the better it is…

Results, Pictures etc from last year: http://world-phoenix.blogspot.com/2014/05/apres-une-premiere-serie.html

From 2013: http://world-phoenix.blogspot.fr/2013/05/130508-12-st-andre-open.html

For inquiries: «Erick Angles» or +33 624 557 369

Again, by grouping these 3 events on 1 week and in the same area, the aim is to gather a maximum of pilots and boost some emulation of which all pilots could benefit while making the transportation worth it even for the pilots living the furthest away. Gathering competition pilots and cross country pilots on the same sites to fly some serious distances and show the path and share experience with the rookies while at it.

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