Winter flying in December 2009

(Above is the Pic de Bure taken at 10,500 feet)
This month we completed that training for two students at Tallard. One with all the solo hours being required and the other with his cross country section to tackle. Both had lost many hours of flying in the UK due to the poor weather in the UK at the moment. Conditions at Tallard were as usual sunny and with very little wind. The winter air was crisp and temperatures in the morning were as low as minus fifteen . Several thin layers were added to the Ozee Exeat suits that we prefer. Both students were solo at Tallard on the day of their arrival following a check out. Despite the cold we flew 20 hours over the six days. With the windchill we probably had minus 25 in the open cockpit of the Quantum. Before each take off we rigorously checked for potential sources of draughts . Nothing worse than a zip slightly open at the hips or ankles . Flying over the mountains without a cloud in the sky was well worth it in spite of the cold. The southern French pilots refused to fly as it was too cold for them. We quickly became known as the "eskimo's". Late December saw a return to 15 degrees on the right side of zero and all was well. Next winter we plan to have a french registered trike with snow boards attached. This gives a new freedom to explore and land out as never before.
Posted by Marcus at 03:26 0 comments