Alpine Paragliding News

Recent News

Domancy, Plaine Joux and Chamonix Valley - October 2nd

The Flying

Now into October and Autumn is definately here, and so far much wetter than in previous years. It still remains flyable most days so can't complain, and its as busy as ever here.

The flying year has had very mixed conditions, really good for beginners and low airtime pilots and more challenging for those looking at high and long flights.

Hopefully the damp weather will pass soon and leave us with our normal clear and sunny weather.

Please note:

We have actually stepped back from teaching beginners full time. Our operations continue persuing the 'Pilot Development and Prgression' part of our business. We still have the beginners page showing on our website and will teach by arrangement, but generally recommend various schools here or to visit the BHPA website to check out the operations in the UK?

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I've been flying my new Advance Omega ULS and what a beautiful wing it is.. Can't wait for some more nice flying weather.

Advance Iota DLS

We have also been flying the Advance Iota DLS size 23 (EN-B+) It handles really well and its sweet to fly. It's stable, responsive, accurate to fly, very easy to position even in the most difficult thermals. It has a lovely glide and a good turn of speed. All I can say is try it, I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

Lightness 4

The new Advance Lightness 4 harness -Like the LIGHTNESS 3, only better: the successor of "The" pod harness classic offers even more comfort, easier handling and a sportier look. The fourth generation of the all-round pod harness remains the perfect companion for long and relaxed cross-country flights.

LIGHTNESS 4 - New seat geometry using 3D body scans to increase its comfort even further. The visual redesign, including the aerodynamic fairing, completes the sporty look and feel. Here are the first quick facts: • redesigned seat shell • maximum comfort • new aerodynamic look • moderate fairing • 35% more storage space • 3.47 kg (size M)

OUR PRICE 1946.50 Euros (retail 2290.00, saving you 343.50€) We are taking orders now..

Don't forget for none EU residents we can de-tax this saving another 20%, making it only 1622.33 Euros.

See our shop for other equipment details and prices - Shop

Equipment sales and de-taxing for none EU citzens (including the UK)!

We mainly sell Advance and Kortel products and our standard discount off new gear is 15%. Please don't hesitate calling/emailing if you are after other makes/products/equipment and we can lay our hands on most flying gear!

Just a reminder: we can also de-tax the TVA (VAT) removing the 20% tax on top of the 15% discount making this a 35% discount on new gear. The Paperwork and de-tax procedure is simple and straightforward. Please don't hesitate calling/emailing me if you would like further details.

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2024 Flying Season

Pilot-Development and Progression:

Pilot-Development/Progression tuition/coaching is available most of the year, and is ideal for new pilots wanting to develop their skills in the high alps. Check out the details here:'Pilot Development'

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2024 Bookings...

We are now taking bookings for 2024 see our 'Calendar' for available dates.

Spring, Summer and Autumn Paragliding...

We run Beginner and thermalling courses and fly guiding from April to November!

• Introduction to the high mountains and Rusty pilot refreshers.

• Pilot-Development and Progression tuition/coaching is available most of the year.

• Keep an eye on our Facebook for updates!

Also, don't forget to check availabilty here: Availability Page..

Winter Flying:

From early January to mid March is our winter flying period and we offer fly guiding in the mountains for all pilots wanting to experience the beautiful high flights within the spectacular winter surroundings!. If required we can teach you to Ski launch too! Check out our Winter Flying page

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This past season! (2023)

Despite a wetter than normal summer we had a great flying season with many good flying days: 235 days between January and the end of October. see the details on the chart at the bottom of this page!

As per normal it was hot at times and upper 30's weren't unusual. The weather has definately been changing in the Alps over recent years but it hasn't affected the number of good flying days we have. In fact our season feels a little longer with less cold weather and sadly shorter winters.

Throughout our season we've had a good mixture of Beginners and many Pilot Development days, setting some short, local and interesting tasks for those pilots wanting to learn more with task/XC/thermal flying.

We had a number of Rusty pilots visit this year and its really satisfying helping them back into flying..

Our Fly Guiding and Pilot Development and Progression continues throughout the rest of the Autumn and Winter. Granted, thermal activity is sparce from now until late January but there are some spectacular flights to be had in the high mountains once the ski lifts open again from the middle of December. Our drive-up-to flying sites are always readily available.

For those interested in Pilot-Development and Progression, Advanced Post CPC and Pilot Training, please see the relevant page. 'Pilot Development' - We are now taking bookings for 2024.

More details can be found in the links below:

Winter Flying

Pilot Development and Progression

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Weather, Wind, Webcam links and Cable Car information..

Here are useful weather links for this area:

Chamonix Valley Meteo: Chamonix Meteo

Meteo Blue for Passy-Plaine Joux Valley: Passy

Wind and Weather Stations for many flying areas in France: Wind and weather in France

Check out the 'Plaine Joux' take off site webcam: WebCam

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Annual Flying...

We have kept a record of all the flying days we've had in this area since 1996 and you can see on the chart below the number of flying days doesn't change much each year. The mid winter flying window is around 2-3 hours extending to 11 hours in the spring and summer. Some mid summer days have strong thermic periods where pilots become grounded for a few hours, otherwise the annual flying conditions are very good. It has to be said that not all the days produce fantastic flying conditions but it's not bad here and realistically we fly for about 65% of the year: the chart speaks for itself.

PLEASE NOTE - On the chart below some months are shown as n/a (not available) this is because in the winter we are skiing or flying tandem and not registering our flyable days and in summer it would be because we are away from the area, normally flying somewhere else.

Date	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Total
1996	n/a	20	15	23	25	16	22	20	21	26	20	208
1997	11	17	17	26	25	24	21	25	27	27	20	240
1998	n/a	19	26	19	17	30	24	24	27	19	15	220
1999	17	13	11	18	19	23	23	29	22	24	17	216
2000	2	22	13	17	18	26	26	17	25	25	19	210
2001	19	14	14	10	17	28	20	25	25	19	28	219
2002	17	30	12	22	23	17	27	22	23	27	n/a	220
2003	11	17	20	28	20	22	27	24	26	22	16	233
2004	15	6	21	16	22	22	25	26	27	27	19	226
2005	19	20	16	25	17	26	28	27	20	27	25	250
2006	4	24	17	12	19	23	30	30	19	23	20	221
2007	18	16	13	21	30	21	25	23	24	22	26	239
2008	20	16	24	12	18	27	18	22	28	25	14	224
2009	12	17	10	20	25	18	18	27	28	29	27	231
2010	10	13	11	16	25	19*	17*	29	22	23	n/a	185
2011	n/a	n/a	22	27	28	25	25	29	26	27	25	234
2012	n/a	n/a	n/a	20	15	26	22	28	25	20	20	176
2013	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	17	23	22	29	31	27	27	176
2014	n/a	n/a	n/a	25	27	26	24	22	26	23	21	194
2015	n/a	n/a	n/a	22	22	24	26	29	28	30	22	203
2016	28	17	7	22	22	19	23	28	29	27	23	245
2017	27	n/a	n/a	26	25	28	24	25	n/a	25	27	207
2018	n/a	n/a	13	22	25	27	29	30	29	29	26	230
2019	n/a	n/a	21	22	25	23	26	27	28	29	25	226
2020	n/a	n/a	n/a	27	26	28	22	26	28	27	26	210
2021	11	17	26	29	26	17	27	29	27	26	25	260
2022	n/a	n/a	n/a	26	25	27	28	29	28	27	23	213
2023	n/a	21	22	21	21	27	22	21	29	27	24	235
2024	n/a	19	19	23	n/a	n/a	n/a	28	27	25

Contact us - Office: +33450545963 Mobile: +33 610634558 email: info@alpineflyingcentre.com