More from alpes maritimes…

It has to be said, this area rules when it comes to relaxing and flying paragliders. I have spent nine or ten authums here and i will keep comin back. It’s my paradise.

Just look at some pics from the last weeks…

The little flat spot is the highest takeoff on Cheiron.

Either U walk there or ride with Pierres landrover. It’s the only legal ways to get there.

The house i live in all of september. Anders Goliat is flying his glider above Greolieres.

My Crib.

Boggy spent two weeks in the area. Nothing will ever be the same…

Kenneth filmed some Swedes in the air. In the far right background U can see the door to my crib.

Jonna made a sweet blackberriepie for the Swedeposse.

Blomman having some pie on Lachens south takeoff.

Anders Goliat had some before flying.

Lachens south takeoff.

Jonna at the Greolieres tennis arena

David Dagault and Jonna played tennis. They had fun.

Nice backhand by Jonna.

Happy Dav. I think tennis is the next big sideactivity for paraglidingpilots

Even i cought the tennisbug…

When Dav is not playing tennis, he designs paragliders together with Luc. Luc is a genius. He also won the British championships…

This is one of their future gliders.

and another one…

Tomas Fridsen is probably one of the Swedes who spent the most time in Greolieres, me not included… Here he is having a last coffe before leaving for Sweden again.

I’m staying in this lovely area for a couple of weeks more. As U can see i like it…

Ozone Swift in my hands…

The Ozone Swift

I’ve had the opportunity to fly some with the Swift, and since it’s a new type of glider, in my opinion, i thought i should write some words about it.

First of all, the Swift is a crosscountryglider. It’s not a special lightweight glider. If You want a glider for xc, thermals and fun, this could be your only glider.

It’s made out of 36 and 27 g/m2 porcher marine fabric and it’s light and packs really small. One day when i went flying i honestly though i forgot my glider, but when i checked it was down there in the sack with my Supair Vampair harness.

Unfolding the Swift a first time is intresting. No mylars, just tine small plastic tubes keeps the leading edge up in the wind. It look’s great and works perfect.

The risers is a choise of normal black ones or white light shoestring looking ones made of dynema. The later mentioned are sexy and makes You feel faster… Though since i fly with a wrap i dont like the handles without a stick. Cramps the hand after awhile. In my opinion. This problem is easily fixed. Get a plastictube and fix it in existing handle. Bingo:-)

Launching the Swift is ultraeasy. If U cant launch the Swift, please stop flying

Groundhandling the Swift is almost to easy. It stays above You and it stays up in very little wind. If it’s flyable You will get in the air.

Flying then? well thermaling is something it likes. It bites in to the thermal without hanging back at all. It wants to climb. Flat or on tip is up to the pilot. No flaping on the ears in strong conditions and any movement in pitch or roll is slow. Every bit of information is easily understandable. Once You reach the top of the thermal the fun really begins. Gliding! This Swift is one hell of a glider ;-), speed and sink is in good harmony and it will take You places… I have no numbers on glide but it’s very good for it’s class. When gliding with others it’s rather noticable.

Handling. Hmm, it’s a fun glider. I weight 95 kilos in shorts and t-shirt so my hookin weight, flying with my superbly comfortable Supair Vampair, is around 115 kilos.

Almost at the top of the large Swift. At this the Swift is playfull and will do nice high wingovers. Fun for soaring and such activities.

Overall i like the Swift alot. The fact that it’s a full on xc glider in a light package makes it very intresting for me. I think this type of glider is the future. Good enough to fly far and easy to always bring with You. A Ozone Swift and for example, a Supair Hybrid harness is in my eyes a perfect kit for alot of pilots.

All photos of me flying the Swift was taken by Jonna on her brand new Canon Ixus95.

She also got some nice ones of me with the Gin Sprint.

Flown the green one some more…

Hmm, i have been flying the Gin Sprint large for some hour now. Even some xc. It feels good. Very safe and still okey performance. Sinkrate is low and it thermals nicely. All in all it’s very easy to fly. Agility is good enough for it’s category. I like it and think it’s a well finished product.

Anything bad? Well the glider i flew before the Sprint was the Ozone Swift and that is so lightweight and packs soo small. Big difference when going back to a “normal” glider. All of a sudden the backpack is heavy again… Make the Sprint in lightweight… infact make all gliders light!!! 

To get it small when packing You need a xcertina bag.

The new Gin rucksack is well done. Maybe i find the pack a bit high? It feels like it wobbles around abit on the back. Hmmm, not shure. The shoulderstraps are comfortable even with heavy weights. Nice limey details.

Gin Sprint is a nice limegreen glider.

(i think there’s other colours too;-)

Epic week. Sooo much good flying!

We have flown almost every day, and good flying! Smiling and flying takes a lot of power

I have flown the Swift from Ozone and soo has two of my posse. It’s a very good performing lightweight 1-2 glider. It is a superb product.

Now the last two flights i have been flying a Gin Sprint, also a great product. Good sinkrate, easy to thermal and fantastic colours!!! limegreen rules!!!

During the last years i have always said to my posse that most gliders are good, just find the one U feel safe under and like the colours… and i have been right the whole time

On the 5th of september we stayed on Cheiron for the night, sunset and fullmoon. Realy nice with wine and cheese. Later Kingy joined us and in the morning we waited for the northwind to go away. Then we had a lovely flight.

We had two days of mistral, one day of rest and fixing gear. One day checking the Canyon du Verdon. One big crack in mother earth.

We had a long nice day in sunny provence. Jonna spent the days in Nice and got back with another blond Finn…

Yesterday i flew from Lachens to Col de bleyne, alone, conditions were abit rough. Only me and sailplanes in the air… Got to try the Gin Sprint in turbulence. Check. No probs. I then hitched back just to get back in time for lunch. After that we went up again to takeoff and waited for the conditions to settle abit… It was hard. At 17.00 it went smother and the posse took off, into great conditions. Once the southside lost the sun the westside wentoff!!! 1900 meters and tree pilots headed out on xc. The four others had some nice magic air in the sun. Take care and see U in the air

Greolieres puts up and we shut up…

Last week was fine but this week started fantastic, with some epic flight for the Swedish posse. Col de bleyne, Gourdon, Greolieres and Lachens have shared themselves with us. Mini xc in Gourdonvalley, Greolieres to Coursegoules outandreturn, great local flying at Greolieres and a toptobottom at Lachens.

But,

now Mistral is here. Sadly it seams to ruin flying the next days. Posse abit dissapointed and so am i but i think they will smile at the end

Here’s some pics from the last ten days. Enjoy.

Photos by Jonna.

Some of mine…