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Unten findet man nur lose Infos, die ich zur Planung benutzte

Overview:

http://www.sahpa.co.za/sahpa/flying_sites.jsp?section=npg&title=FLYING%20SITES

There is now an interactive map of all "official" flying sites in South Africa. Have a look! Below is a bit of background information on the regions.
Let's see - I think SA can probably be split into 6 main flying areas.

• In the first place coastal flying in the Cape and some in Natal. I haven't done a lot of this, so you should actually go. Generally this is recreational flying (eg. dunes at Betties Bay, Wilderness (Map of Africa), etc), with some exceptions, noteably, in my experience Table Mountain (WOW!!!).
• Next, staying with recreational flying, KwaZulu-Natal and most of Mpumalanga (eastern escarpment). The Natal pilots are known for working any lift to the top. Thats what conditions are like. Bruce Yelland will not leave a thermal even if it's doing less that 0.2 m/s - He always gets to goal - eventually. Bulwer is definitely worth visiting, as is Arthur's Seat. Conditions can sometimes be a lot stronger than I've let on here.
• Mpumalanga has some similar sites (noteably Bambi and Vaalkop) where ridge soaring and "valley release" (wonder winds) are the order of the day. The whole area around Volksrust and Wakkerstroom falls into this category, with numerous very flyable sites. On the other hand places like Ngodwana and Barberton (best in winter) are not for the faint-hearted, and make excellent competion sites.
• Rougher flying is to be found at inland Cape sites , noteably Porterville (Dasklip Pass) and Graaf Reinette. There are many more similar sites, I just don't know them. Porterville I rate as some of the best flying in SA, and definitely one of our top competition sites. I've only flown there in comps, but the flying is great, and often quite roudy. A couple of tasks of more than 80km have been flown, several flights more than 100km and even a 118km out and return (by a female - Andrea Joubert).
• In the interior, there are few hills, often serving more as launch sites into flatland flying. Examples include Botshabelo, Rhenosterkop, and most famous the Dam (Hartebeestpoort dam). Excellent flying is to be had at the dam, but airspace restrictions are a real pain.
• Last, but not the least, are the flatlands of the interior. Kuruman and Vryburg rank very high on the list of serious pilots visiting SA. However, just about any place will do, as a "portable hill" is used. What makes Kuruman exceptional is the infrastructure, with good retrieve roads and a quite airport, as well as reigning atmospheric conditions.

• 1. Eastern Cape 2. Free State 3. Gauteng 4. Kwazulu Natal 5. Limpopo 6. Mpumalanga 7. North West Province 8. Northern Cape 9. Northern Province 10. Southern Cape 11. Swaziland 12. Western Cape

Fluggebietsführer als Buch

Ich hab mir dort den Fresh Air SITE GUIDE - Flying in South Africa
( http://eternitypress.co.za)  gekauft. Das ist ratsam, wenn man vor hat,
auf eigene Faust ein paar Sites zu besuchen, und nicht nur nach
Wilderness und Porterville möchte. Er enthält unter anderem diese
praktischen ÜbersichtsKarten:

Porterville / Dasklip Pass

Remo: Potential für 60-80Km dann kommt Seewind und man steht am Boden
meist 20km+ Wind recht konstant  Anschluss an 2. Rippe, recht absaufsicher

Contact: Rob Manzoni  http://www.porterville.co.za

Welcome

Free Flying

Porterville            GRADE : BASIC.(after 2 guided flights)
DESCRIPTION : Porterville is Cape Town's premier xc site. Hardy scrub covers the dry and rocky mountain range. In summer, the fields below are barren browns and blacks, having yielded their grains to the yearly harvest. Ground temperatures can soar well into the thirties (*C) motivating good thermal activity and healthy height gains. The front ridge offers a unique beginning to some epic Cross-country flying. The Cedarberg Range which towers behind the front ridge has only recently been explored by paragliders, and then only very tentatively. It is a dry and dusty environment on the ground, but once airborne one can appreciate the true beauty of the land. Wild, untamed mountains. Plains stretching out from the foothills to the western horizon. Hidden, inaccessible valleys (stay high!). Blue skies above. Almost unlimited landing areas out in the flatlands. And thermals that leave you with no doubt that they are going UP. You can almost be guaranteed flying here between November and March (averages at 4 good days in 7). If you are proficient at thermalling, 20km xc is an easy goal. In winter (June - Sept), just after a cold front has passed, some thermic and soaring conditions are still to be found over a much greener Porterville valley.
WIND : W – SSW + anything thermic             GPS : +- S32º55΄37.4˝  E19º02΄10.9˝
LAUNCH : At the top of the DASKLIP PASS is a hangglider ramp and a cut-away. The launch is covered with shade-netting, and is just above the road. It is the regular site of competitions. I prefer to use the alternative launch, PAMPOENFONTEIN, which is higher and faces more directly into the prevailing thermic cross-wind. The primary launch is a cliff-launch, so is better suited to pilots with good ground-handling. The thermals are usually stronger so you can get away quickly. A wide ledge has been cleared and netting laid down. There is a large amount of space in the surrounding fynbos as well, and an easy top-launch. Toplanding is possible.
ALTITUDE : 550m high (800m asl), with airspace ceiling at 2900m asl.
LANDING : Directly below launch is a field to the right of a square forest (Grootelsbos). Land either side of the gravel road coming in from Porterville. From Dasklip launch, land on the field across the junction at the base of the pass. Most farmers in the area have no problems with us landing on their lands. Simply avoid livestock, be friendly, and don't bring your recovery vehicles onto their private land.
CAUTIONS : Make sure that you check the wind-direction around the back of the mountain. Sometimes the takeoff site is in the lee of a strong south-easter, and flying is not recommended until the heat of the valley has raised the inversion high above the ridge. Midday thermals can become incredibly strong, especially the house thermal to the left and right of takeoff.  The rocks below the launch-site are gnarly – avoid fiddling in your harness and maintain good glider control until well clear of the ridge. In strong thermic conditions it becomes difficult to judge your launch timing due to the ledge which obscures your view – use an assistant if possible. Expect your glider to surge as it bites into the wind.
DIRECTIONS : Take the N1, then turn left onto the N7 and drive for 100km to Piketberg. At Piketberg, turn right towards Porterville. Turn left at the T-junction and continue north. The first turning right is signposted 'Cardouw / Dasklip Pass'. After following this gravel road for 10km, you'll reach the base of the pass (tarred). If you are going to park here to catch a ride up with friends, please ensure that your vehicle is well off the road (up against the fence), as the locals complain if we constrict the dangerous intersection. When you reach the top, you will see a hangglider ramp on your left. The paragliding launch site is directly above this. To reach Pampoenfontein, continue on the road past Dasklip takeoff around the back. After +- 3km, turn right (uphill). Road climbs out to the front of the ridge.
SITE RECORDS FROM THE AREA : 151.4km N (Simon Green), 112km S to Franschhoek (Greg Hamerton), 72km W (Allen).
ACCOMODATION : Pampoenfontein -available on farm. Call Gemma Carlsson on 082 564 5500.  Dasklip - Flyer's Lodge (Manzoni - 082 788 4398)
CARETAKERS : Cape Albatross HG Club, Glen PG Club, the Carlssons. Dasklip - Rob Manzoni.
PERMISSION : Pampoenfontein - site fee of R20 payable in site fee box and sign the indemnity. Dasklip - site fee R35 payable to Rob Manzoni.

Hermanus                    GRADE : BASIC

DESCRIPTION : Basic grade. Thermic and soaring. A long ridge shaped like a gentle wave provides consistant flying conditions. Ridge-lift with a healthy sprinkling of thermals makes for some interesting flying. Hermanus is generally a relaxing place to fly, although the thermals and wind-shears can sometimes be quite strong. In springtime, you may see whales in the bay.
WIND : S - SE, (SW on the western end).            GPS : S34º24΄06˝  E19º14΄33˝
LAUNCH : Clearly defined area on the right of the scenic road, with windsocks, netting, and benches for spectators. Please confine your preparations to the area demarcated by the yellow rocks. In a SW, it is possible to launch to the west side of the radio tower at the beginning of the ridge, to soar the bowl overlooking the white pillars which marked 'Rotary Way' on the drive up. The landing is then the soccer field across the main road.
ALTITUDE : 180m asl, with airspace ceiling at 2300m.
LANDING : The school fields, avoiding the cricket pitches (special strip of hardened grass in the centre of the field). The rugby fields closer to the ridge are okay, though beware of wind-shear as you approach the protected lower layers. An emergency landing field is slightly to the left below takeoff, a long, open plot between the houses. It is also possible to slope-land at the base of the ridge, though be careful of the powerlines strung along a third of the way up the slope. The field beside the graveyard is also open and easy to negotiate. Toplanding is to the left of the takeoff site, close to the road, or behind the fence.
CAUTIONS : Please do not land on any portion of the golf-course. Beware of a prevailing Easterly wind; it wraps deceptively up the takeoff site, but is in fact side-on to the ridge (from the left) and extremely turbulent. Beware south-westerlies, which will become very turbulent as well.
At the end of the first unbroken section of the ridge to the left of takeoff sits a white trig beacon. This point produces some heavy turbulence if you fly above and behind it - be careful here, and stay clear and in front.
When top-landing, be careful of crossing the ridge too low, as the cliff edge produces strong rotor turbulence near the front of the the ridge to the left of the takeoff site.
Flying to the right of takeoff and crossing the first big gap in the ridge, there is a set of high-tension powerlines which run down the mountainside. They are difficult to see, especially in the afternoon.
DIRECTIONS : Take the N2 towards Caledon. After Sir Lowry's Pass, and Houwhoek, you will descend the Houwhoek Pass and see the rolling hills before Caledon. Turn left off the N2 on the R43, signposted 'Hermanus'. After some distance you enter the outskirts of Hermanus, and an area of cheap labourer's cottages on the left (behind a row of trees). Turn left at the white pillars which are marked 'Rotary Way, scenic route'. Follow this tar road until it becomes gravel, and continue for another 1km. You will see a signboard beside the road 'Paragliding', and an obvious launch site overlooking the town and the sea.
RECORD : 50km E (Abraham Meyer), 25km N to Caledon (Phil Bristow)
Ñ HG : 100km route - Stanford to the E, Hawston to W, back to the launchsite.
CARETAKER : Glen            PERMISSION : none needed, no site fee

Capetown Region

Lion's Head       

GRADE : BASIC (after 4 guided flights).
DESCRIPTION : Soaring. This is the home of the Glen Paragliding Club, a consistent and beautiful site to fly, offering a superb panorama of Clifton, Camps Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles. As the sun moves across to the West in the afternoon, Lion's Head begins to heat up and generate a thermic, upslope breeze. Best flying is from 3pm onwards during windshadow conditions. Parking is on the back (Cape Town) side of Lion's Head, then a stiff hike is required up the gravel road and around to the front side. Because of the spire-shape of the peak, the wind diverges quite dramatically around it, causing a strong venturi (increase in wind speed) at both takeoff sites when it is soarable. The wind is usually crossed from the left (south) at the topsite and very strong, and crossed from the right (north-west) at the lower Silvertree site. Please do not pioneer a new launch site somewhere else on the mountain - it is a Nature Reserve.
WIND : W - SW soaring, thermic in the wind-shadow during SE winds
LAUNCH : Lower launch is reached after 10minutes of walking. It is a challenging launch through a silver-leaf tree grove. This is where the path narrows from a jeep-track width into a hiking track with steps. Takeoff is clean - a new gabionned stone-mattress has simplified the launch somewhat. This is where to launch if there is soarable south-westerly wind blowing.
The 'Top site' is reached after another 10minutes of brisk walking, and is a rocky launchsite with a stone/netting surface. The wind is usually crossed from the left here, making good ground-handling and committed launch techniques essential for a safe get-away.
ALTITUDES : Topsite is 450m asl, with ceiling at 1200m asl.
LANDING : On the grassed playing-field in front of LaMed, at the Glen Country Club. The field is sometimes rented to the Camps Bay High School, so try to have a minimum impact on any sports being played on the field. The Camps Bay High School field (above the main road, to the left of the big swimming pool) can be used as an alternative if it is not being used. During the summer season the Municipality has asked us to please avoid landing on the beaches (Camps Bay, Clifton, Glen) There is also a median strip of undeveloped land between the upper main road and the lower main road, just above LaMed. The lower slopes of Lion's Head can be used to slope-land in an emergency.
DIRECTIONS : Drive up through Cape Town and take Kloof Nek road up to the pass between Lion's Head and Table Mountain. At the intersection, turn right to Signal Hill and continue until the road levels out. You will find a gravel carpark to the right of the road. The path to takeoff is on the left as you reach the carpark.
CARETAKERS : Glen Paragliding Club
PERMISSION : Guidance by a local pilot at this highly visible and sensitive site is essential. If you’re a regular here, you're expected to get a Wild Card which supports the organisation who built the launch-sites - the Cape Peninsula National Parks.

http://eternitypress.co.za/freshair/books.htm

Table Mountain 

GRADE : SPORT (no Basic pilots, >200flights + local instructor guidance needed).
DESCRIPTION: Soaring. The most awesome and complex of the Peninsula sites, overlooking Cape Town city. Table Mountain has a presence, an energy that commands respect the moment you step outside the cablecar. The wind swirls around the mountain in shifting currents, making takeoff judgement critical.
WIND : N, WSW, SE            GPS : it's not that hard to miss. Look up.
LAUNCH : A treacherous cliff-launch. N-wind : 'The Runway' is on the front face, looking out over Cape Town, just beyond Platteklip Gorge. The layout area is near the edge of the cliff, on flat rock. Expert handling of reverse launch is essential. As you run towards the cliff, be prepared for the lip rotor and turbulence that can cause sudden sink. Leaning forwards in the harness, ready to run is essential, as you cannot afford to go off the edge with a slack glider. SW wind : 'The Gully' faces SSW, and is behind the cable-car station. You have to walk away from the station along the top of the mountain for a few minutes to reach the launch site. Layout over the low bushes and rocks. Immediately after takeoff, you will find yourself in a gully, soaring along the south-facing north side of it. You soar out of the gully and onto the main rock faces which form the Twelve Apostles. Light ESE : Maclears Beacon' site is 100m E of Maclear's Beacon, just below a rocky ridge (30 minutes hike from the Upper Cablecar Station in an E direction).
ALTITUDE : 1000m asl, airspace ceiling is at 1200m.
LANDING : LaMed, or the more challenging rugby field in Upper Orange St.
CAUTIONS : Don't take a chance if you feel unhappy. This site is extremely unforgiving, and local knowledge is invaluable. Two signoff flights are required from each launch site before going completely solo, it's that difficult.
DIRECTIONS : Follow the signs through Cape Town to the Cable-car (up Kloof Nek road, turn left at the crest).
CARETAKER : Glen PG Club (who keep the register of Approved TM pilots).
PERMISSION : You need to be properly licensed and guided to fly here. 2 guided flights are needed from each launch site before flying solo. If you tell the ticket office that you are paraglider when you buy your Cable Car one-way ticket (up) you should be able to get a free return ride (down) should you not fly. Regular pilots should buy a Wild Card (covers all sites in Cape Peninsula Park).

Wilderness :  Map of Africa, Sedgeview, Gerricke's Point, Holiday Inn, Kleinkrantz, Paradise Ridge

De Aar

Marttin Arnold & Des:
Gute Infratruktur!
Preiswert!

Stressfreier: In alle 4 Windrichtungen Strassen!

http://www.pottiesbnb.co.za/deutsch.html

In der Nähe von de Aar: Sutherland / Gariep Dam

http://www.gariepgliding.com

South African Record Encampment In Oz-Report for November 2005 minnaar and de kock <minnaarendekock@yebo.co.za> writes: Sutherland, South Africa will be the location for a record breaking encampment  from the 5th to the 12th of November, 2005. The current South African record, unofficial, sits at 395km flown by Frank Jachinsky. The organiser has chosen Sutherland for the favourable winds, predominant South Westerly opening up the whole of the Karoo to the North East up to and past De Aar. It is a mountain launch. The Karoo is a semi desert area with excellent XC potential. The well known trough line situated over the area makes South Africa a record breaking destination for sail plane pilots from all over the world.  Interested pilots can contact Andre Van der Lingen mdk@yebo.co.za. Info on the trough line can be viewed at : http://www.gariepgliding.com/

Vryburg

Kuruman Airfield

Früher: CTRs! Problematisches Gelände auf grossem Gebiet,
ohne Strassen, nur mit eigenem Rückholer
-> Wird Heute gar nicht mehr beflogen von den Einheimischen wg. De Aar

Southern Coast

http://eternitypress.co.za

Map of Africa                 :: Garden Route                    BASIC

DESCRIPTION : A mellow site with a fantastic view, overlooking the tranquil Indian Ocean and the holiday town of Wilderness. A favourite site for flying schools.
WIND : S - SE                    GPS : S33º59΄31˝  E22º33΄36˝
LAUNCH : a gently-sloped grass field which becomes steeper - perfect!
ALTITUDE : 120m above the waves, airspace ceiling at 450m, George Airport to NW of the site who must be notified.
LANDING : Anywhere on the beach, well clear of sunbathers and beach-goers. In busy season, please land beyond (to the east) of the rocks which border the first section of beach, as that is the most popular area for bathers.
CAUTIONS : Avoid the sea at all costs, as the surf is powerful. If there are catspaws (streaks of wind) showing on the sea, beware of a dramatic increase in wind, which can blow you over the back (go and have a look over the back, you won't ever want to fly in strong wind!) Once the sea has white-caps on it, it is usually too strong for safe soaring. If you soar too far to the right, you'll end up in the sea. When the wind is SW, beware! for it curls up to takeoff, and appears flyable, varying between W and S at the top. As soon as you fly out, you encounter heavy sink and turbulence, which has put many pilots into the trees. When the wind is very E, it is similarly risky to launch. Beware of powerlines to the West.
DIRECTIONS : Take the N2 to Wilderness (just beyond George on the Cape south coast). As you enter town, turn left past the garage, and drive around the Wilderness Karos Hotel, turning left at the intersection beyond it. Bear right on this road which becomes very narrow and clim bs steeply, until it crests the hill and passes a little shop. "Map of Africa" signposts the turn to the left. Follow this road until you come to the signposted flying site.
If you're stuck without a retrieve vehicle, there is a path which leads through the forest, beginning from the carpark area.
RECORD : Tom Edwards, to Buffalo Bay
CARETAKER : Jan Minnaar (lessee). No site fees, sponsored by Cloudbase Paragliding School.
PERMISSION : Contact the local club and the George ATC (044 876 9210) before flying. Please obey the rules posted on the site board, as the land-owner is sensitive.

                                    Paradise Ridge             :: Garden Route                 BASIC

DESCRIPTION : Soaring heaven. 7km of virgin vegetation draped over a continuously perfect ridge, with the sparkling sea at its feet, and the sky overhead.
WIND : S - SW                                 GPS : S34º00΄03˝  E22º40΄03˝
LAUNCH : Cliff-launch, with clean and level layout area behind the crest. Walk 500m from the carpark in a semi-circle east, then south until you are on the cliffs.
ALTITUDE : 100m, airspace 600m.
LANDING : If the wind drops off and you are soaring below the level of the top of the ridge, turn back and try to land on the beach below the launch site, where there is a path up to the top. Or head for the Kleinkrantz dunes, because a 7km walk in the soft sand can be murderous. Alternatively, land near the east end of the ridge and walk around to Swartvlei, where there is a carpark and easy retrieve.
CAUTIONS : If the wind is WSW, turn back towards Wilderness regularly to check your penetration as you progress east along the ridge. The venturi at the eastern end can become strong, pulling you around into the treacherous lee-side bay at Swartvlei. When launching, beware of the sudden impact of the wind - your pullup begins in wind-shadow. Step towards your wing, or use an assistant. No smoking.
DIRECTIONS : Fly across from the dunes at Kleinkrantz. Alternatively, pass the turning to Kleinkrantz on the N2, and continue for exactly 4km. You'll pass the Kleinkrantz Sand Quarry on your left. An unmarked turning at the 4km point to the right accesses a compacted sand road, which will soon pass a deep sand quarry. The signs will eventually guide you to the parking area. Do not attempt the 4x4 routes without one - the sand is very soft, and you want to fly, not dig. This is private land so contact the locals first for current status
CARETAKER : Skywings            PERMISSION : Bruce Watney. You may be charged an access fee.

Graaff-Reinet             :: Eastern Cape                 SPORT (Basic under guidance)

DESCRIPTION : A big site with butt-kicking thermals in the Karoo semi-desert.
WIND : SW - NE                                GPS : S32º15΄00˝  E24º30΄00˝
LAUNCH : Rocks and scrub, with shade-cloth on the main S site (above the carpark, to the righ t of the top of the stairs). The N launch amongst the scrub below the carpark, E launch beyond the Toposcope.
ALTITUDE : 700m high (1400m asl), no airspace ceiling.
LANDING : The quarry on the north side of Spandau-kop (south-west edge of town) provides a good clear area with a windsock. Any of the school fields in town are fine if you have the height to reach them, though avoid sports practices.
CAUTIONS : Thermic activity can become severe on sunny days, even in winter. SW winds, which wrap around to b ecome a false S on launch, can be very turbulent if you attempt to round the Valley of Desolation peaks to the right. Spandaukop (in front of the S launchsite) produces rotor if the wind is strong. Strong wind launches are risky - it's easy to be blown over the spine into the pit.
DIRECTIONS : Take the N1 to Beaufort West, turn right to Aberdeen / Graaff-Reinet. When you arrive in town, visit Graham Botha at Botha's Garage on the east side of town, then drive out of the north-western side of town, past t he campsite to the site. After 3km turn left into the Nature Reserve, and bear left to follow the road up to the 'Toposcope' viewsite which faces east.
RECORD : Tristam Burrell, 132km, Jan 2000.             CARETAKER : Graham Botha (0491) 23716        PERMISSION : permit for Nature Reserve obtainable from caretakers.

Eastern Cape

Western Cape

North West Province

6. Mpumalanga

8. Northern Cape

10. Southern Cape

Private Reiseberichte

http://www.parastep.de/afrika/za03/index.htm	10 Seiten viel Text

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