Soaring South Africa

Guys,

Been thinking about taking a trip to Bloemfontein, South Africa. Any of
you folks been there or have any feedback on the soaring operation?

GL

If you have access to SOARING magazine July 2005 there is an article
very specific to the Soaring Safari operation in Bloemfontein . It's
entitled "Great Cross-Country Soaring In January ".
I can assure you the operation and the soaring are as good as it
gets .

Ron (ZA)

At 01:27 01 March 2011, Gregg Leslie wrote:
Guys,

Been thinking about taking a trip to Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Any o
you folks been there or have any feedback on the soaring
operation?

GL



I've been there a number of times. It's a very well run operation
with some absolutely fantastic flying to be had. The local terrain
is mostly plateau at 4,500ft altitude. To the south and east, there
are mountainous areas. In the flatlands, there are very many
large fields in case an outlanding is required. The soaring
conditions range from good to awesome. The only down side is
that the area can be prone to thunderstorms. The visibility is
generally very good indeed and it is often possible to see a
hundred miles. Thermal climbs to 12,000ft or more are
commonplace and in my experience, a 300km flight is barely
more than local soaring.

A typical day at Bloem will be get the gliders out and watered
before 10. Briefing at 10:00 sharp. Launch around an hour or
two later when the conditions really start to pop. The cut-off at
the end of the day can be quite sudden so a shorter, faster task
is better than a long one. That said, many flights of over
1000km have been flown from Bloem. Accommodation is either
camping on site or in one of the many local guest houses and
bed and breakfasts which are all luxurious and excellent. The
local restaurants are also very good indeed and will be well
suited to the American palate.

You will need to rent a car and for the yanks, may have
difficulties with coping with driving on the left and with traffic
circles etc. I'm British so it isn't a problem. Car hire is expensive
although the cost of living otherwise is pretty reasonable.

You only get one life and this is one of those things that
definitely must be done before you pop your clogs. Go for it!!

Hope this helps.

Mike

On Mar 1, 11:09*am, Mike Philpott @ wrote:
At 01:27 01 March 2011, Gregg Leslie wrote:

Guys,

Been thinking about taking a trip to Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Any o
you folks been there or have any feedback on the soaring
operation?

GL


FMIS: http://www.soaring-safaris.com/

On Mar 1, 6:09*am, Mike Philpott @ wrote:
At 01:27 01 March 2011, Gregg Leslie wrote:

Guys,

Been thinking about taking a trip to Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Any o
you folks been there or have any feedback on the soaring
operation?

GL

I've been there a number of times. It's a very well run operation
with some absolutely fantastic flying to be had. The local terrain
is mostly plateau at 4,500ft altitude. To the south and east, there
are mountainous areas. In the flatlands, there are very many
large fields in case an outlanding is required. The soaring
conditions range from good to awesome. The only down side is
that the area can be prone to thunderstorms. The visibility is
generally very good indeed and it is often possible to see a
hundred miles. Thermal climbs to 12,000ft or more are
commonplace and in my experience, a 300km flight is barely
more than local soaring.

A typical day at Bloem will be get the gliders out and watered
before 10. Briefing at 10:00 sharp. Launch around an hour or
two later when the conditions really start to pop. The cut-off at
the end of the day can be quite sudden so a shorter, faster task
is better than a long one. That said, many flights of over
1000km have been flown from Bloem. Accommodation is either
camping on site or in one of the many local guest houses and
bed and breakfasts which are all luxurious and excellent. The
local restaurants are also very good indeed and will be well
suited to the American palate.

You will need to rent a car and for the yanks, may have
difficulties with coping with driving on the left and with traffic
circles etc. I'm British so it isn't a problem. Car hire is expensive
although the cost of living otherwise is pretty reasonable.

You only get one life and this is one of those things that
definitely must be done before you pop your clogs. Go for it!!

Hope this helps.

Mike

- What are the best months for flying? Thanks for sharing.

Soaring Safaris operates October to February inclusive.

South African soaring does get tamer in winter - however, I did my 5
hour for silver in June thermals. The last hour was pretty marginal - I
could barely manage to remain above 4000" AGL. ;-)

That said this summer has been very wet - so the soaring in December and
January was impacted by rain.

Thanks Mike!

At 13:37 01 March 2011, GK wrote:
On Mar 1, 6:09=A0am, Mike Philpott wrote:
At 01:27 01 March 2011, Gregg Leslie wrote:

Guys,

Been thinking about taking a trip to Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Any o
you folks been there or have any feedback on the soaring
operation?

GL

I've been there a number of times. It's a very well run operation
with some absolutely fantastic flying to be had. The local terrain
is mostly plateau at 4,500ft altitude. To the south and east, there
are mountainous areas. In the flatlands, there are very many
large fields in case an outlanding is required. The soaring
conditions range from good to awesome. The only down side is
that the area can be prone to thunderstorms. The visibility is
generally very good indeed and it is often possible to see a
hundred miles. Thermal climbs to 12,000ft or more are
commonplace and in my experience, a 300km flight is barely
more than local soaring.

A typical day at Bloem will be get the gliders out and watered
before 10. Briefing at 10:00 sharp. Launch around an hour or
two later when the conditions really start to pop. The cut-off at
the end of the day can be quite sudden so a shorter, faster task
is better than a long one. That said, many flights of over
1000km have been flown from Bloem. Accommodation is either
camping on site or in one of the many local guest houses and
bed and breakfasts which are all luxurious and excellent. The
local restaurants are also very good indeed and will be well
suited to the American palate.

You will need to rent a car and for the yanks, may have
difficulties with coping with driving on the left and with traffic
circles etc. I'm British so it isn't a problem. Car hire is
expensive
although the cost of living otherwise is pretty reasonable.

You only get one life and this is one of those things that
definitely must be done before you pop your clogs. Go for it!!

Hope this helps.

Mike

- What are the best months for flying? Thanks for sharing.

Hi Gregg

Disclaimer - this amounts to blatant advertising and /or bragging...

There are a couple of videos on Youtube -

One standard Bloemfontein thermal - Better than 5m/s is regarded as a
"good" thermal...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyghw...eature=related

Flying a storm front the right way -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaNTB...eature=related

If you get it wrong you get a 120+km retrieve from the other end of
nowhere. Don't ask how I know.

Soaring Safaris clips-
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=...27/MwZWMt_EuVU

Sometimes you get to do 200+km final glides, sometimes you get to meet
the friendly farmers. Same as anywhere else - but it is an exceptional
place, run by an exceptional gentleman. Dick has everything from club
class to open class available, pure and self launch. One of the best
experiences must be a day in the ASH25 with him dryly teaching you how
it's done from the back.

Cheers
Bruce

PS - I have no personal or financial links with Soaring Safaris.

On 2011/03/01 3:27 AM, Gregg Leslie wrote:
Guys,

Been thinking about taking a trip to Bloemfontein, South Africa. Any of
you folks been there or have any feedback on the soaring operation?

GL


--
Bruce Greeff
T59D #1771 & Std Cirrus #57

Hi, I went there the first wek in Feb, last year. Only didn't fly one day.
but it was excellent! really good. i flew the LS4 98.

got over 23hrs in the one week i was there. can't wait for next winter
:-)

I stayed in Kridge Lodge. very very nice and very resonable. excellent
breakfast, pool everything you need.

Great gliding
Nick Barnes