A recording of a club talk from Jean Brossard and Ross Groom about their many years of experience flying at the Gondola & in and around the Heathcote Valley.
Topics discussed:
The Gondi site for newbies
What to be aware of when flying there
When is the best time to go
Why we should go to the better (often neglected) nearby sites.
This chat was mainly aimed at the newer lower airtime pilot looking to fly a paraglider in thermals.
The presentation clarified and debunked some of the stigma that is often associated with flying these sites.
Other high level talking points include:
Topology and "beta" for flying the Gondola in various conditions
Safety and being considerate of the Gondola infrastructure
Alternative and historical sites around the port hills
Affects on the Heathcote Valley when the wind direction changes or strengthens
XC opportunities that can start at the Gondola
Hopefully it'll give you some more insights to fly these amazing locations safely.
This talk was given to members of the Canterbury Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club (CHGPC) on 24 October 2024.
Diagrams displayed during the presentation:
High level view of the area
Zoomed in section of the immediate Gondola take-off
The effects of a Westerly on the Gondola site
Alternate sites to the west of the Gondola
Affects of the increasing NE in the valley
Alternate landing opportunities as the NE increases
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