Flying in alpine environment is very nice! Flying in the Alps with high mountains and deep valleys as scenery is impressing. Flying in the Alps is very special and challenging. Flying in the Alps can become dangerous – very fast. Therefore, flying in the Alps should be planned carefully and needs extended preparation.
To be prepared, at the beginning of August ´2017, ESA Aviator Benjamin from ESOC did a dedicated flight training for the Alps with a specialised flying school in Kempten-Durach. The airfield is located in the beautiful Allgäu region with the Bavarian Alps in the background. With an altitude of 2340 feet, this airfield is one of the highest airfields in Germany and the highest airfield in Germany with fixed opening times (Verkehrslandeplatz).
First part of the training was a theoretical training to become familiar with the advanced requirements for flying in alpine terrain, usage of planning tools and the special requirements of the neighbour countries Austria and Switzerland. In the afternoon the training continued with a practical part – flying to the Austrian Alps with a ICARUS C42-C 100HP. Instead of flying for 5 hours, based on very strong wind conditions, the practical training ended after the decision over ‘Lech am Arlberg’ (AU) to return to Kempten. Anyhow, even the limited practical training with 90 minutes flying through Alpine valleys – with significant Downwinds, Rotors and Upwinds was very impressing and brought significant profit. As consequence, it is foreseen to arrange one more appointment for a practical flight.
After a second night on Airfield Kempten and a landing in Hohenems-Dornbirn (AU) and Herten-Rheinfelden (D) in between, the white DYNAMIC WT9 travelled back to its Airfield in Reinheim.
