Time is running out and we must find lift, or land within minutes! Get a front row seat as we search for that elusive thermal source. Is it in the mountains or flatlands? Where will a thermal form? Where does it go? Let's find out.
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XC Secrets
On the Rocks (Staying Up, Early)
Join Greg on a west-facing mountain slope early in the day, as we try and stay aloft together and work the scraps of lift to avoid an embarrasing landing at the base of the pass. In this episode: investigating sloping terrain, keeping turns flat and tight, turning before you leave the lift, matching your proximity with your skill level, looking for recurring patterns to find lift, gliding fast and straight in sink, using figure-of-eights to follow the lift, alternating between lift sources, being patient and working for every metre.
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How to Win at Hike & Fly
Join us for an enlightening discussion with a very special pilot. Christian 'Chrigel' Maurer is #1 in the world: multiple European champion, PWC champion, Acro champion, and 6 x Red Bull X-Alps winner. This guy knows his flying, especially hike and fly! We talk about how to win, taking risks, balancing flying, work and family, the best gear for racing ... and much more.
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Getting into Hike & Fly
There is a growing Hike & Fly ‘scene’ in the UK, with the X-Lakes event (Northern England) and the Dragon Race (Wales). On the Continent there are many events to choose from. Longer ‘volbiv’ trips can be achieved anywhere there are mountains. It takes the focus off the numbers (XC league scores) and is more about adventuring through a landscape, on foot or in the air.
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Thermaling tips – part 4 (Carlo #3)
Continue Flybubble's free thermaling tips series with Carlo Borsattino as he discusses getting to cloudbase and planning ahead, identifying good cumulus, when to wait at cloudbase and much more. Solo flying affects us all deeply: at first it might be just exciting, overwhelming or downright scary. Over time, it grows into a passion, a freedom, a way of life. We hope that by sharing some of our experience and perspectives you can gain skills to help you stay in the air that little bit longer, to feel that little bit more control, to understand more and get more out of your flying
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Thermaling tips – part 3 (Carlo #2)
Continue the thermaling tips series with Carlo Borsattino as he searches through the air currents in Colombia to find the best lift. Learn how to identify the best part of the thermal and work with other pilots.
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Thermaling tips – part 2 (Carlo #1)
In this second episode, Carlo Borsattino provides in-flight commentary as he tries to climb out on his paraglider. Learn from an expert thermaler how to look out for lift, identify the best part of the thermal, work with other pilots, and much more.
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Thermaling tips for paraglider pilots (Nancy & Carlo)
Join Flybubble Paragliding for some thermaling tips for beginner paraglider pilots. Fresh from a week in the beautiful Colombian sky, Nancy Elliott shares her advice on circling techniques, finding the core, catching surges, going on glide, staying calm, using instruments, clouds, weightshift turns and harness control.
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XC Secrets: Getting in close
The closer you are to the terrain, the less time you have to react. Keep that in mind as we discuss ‘scratching’: it’s entirely your choice, and you can control how much danger you expose yourself to when cross country flying. You’ll see many experienced pilots flying really close to the terrain because it’s sometimes the only way to stay up, so let’s have a look at how to do it safely.
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KEEP UP: Paragliding in light lift
Flying in light lift takes a lot of skill. It can take a long time to learn because every time you get it wrong you land, and the lesson is over. Here are some tips to help you soar for longer.
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