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| Here is a list of some of the local gliding clubs, along
with their web addresses for further information.
Note: Special rules apply for UK pilots intending to fly from French
gliding sites. Click here
for the latest information. |
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 | Aeroclub Sisteron |
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www.aeroclubsisteron.fr |
| The Sisteron club is based at the airfield of
Vaumeilh-Theze, about 23km from Le Mas du Chêne, to the north-east of
Sisteron town. Although the site is able to cope with 100 gliders at
peak periods, pilots who are planning a vacation here should consider
booking early. |
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| The site is currently aerotow-only, with
several single- and two-seater gliders available for pilot checks,
training or air-experience flights. There are several hotspots on the
hills around the valley that allow pilots to gain access to the higher
Alps; flights to the Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and beyond are not
uncommon on a good summer's day.
We have been gliding at Sisteron for over 20 years; for a better
flavour of the things we get up to, please visit our Sisteron
Diaries website. |
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| CVV La Motte Du Caire |
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www.cvvmc.fr |
| This is a winch-only site, 34 km from Le Mas du
Chêne in the foothills near the village of La Motte du Caire. Its
visitors are attracted by the low cost of launches and the "club
atmosphere", which is closer in spirit to that of UK clubs than the
more commercial local clubs. There is a limit of 25 gliders on site so,
again, booking is essential.
Having escaped from the local hill, all of the Alps are available, just
as they are from all of the soaring clubs in this part of
France. |
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| The CFI, Jacques Noel, runs
courses from La Motte; their primary aim is to build confidence in the
student when flying close to rocks, so be prepared for intimate exposure
to the lower regions of the local mountains. |
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| CNVV Saint Auban |
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www.cnvv.net |
| This is the French National training centre,
located 24km to the south-east of Le Mas du Chêne. The organisation
boasts an impressive list of gliders and tugs, which are used for both
basic and advanced mountain soaring and for competition training. All
French gliding instructors are trained here. On-site accommodation and
restaurant facilities are available. I can highly recommend investing in a
course here, having attended one myself in the early 1980s.
It is possible for pilots to bring their own gliders to the airfield,
but I have no personal experience of this: please visit the website for
more details. |
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| Quo Vadis - Serres la Batie |
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www.quovadis-aero.com |
| Serres airfield is about 50km from Le Mas du
Chêne, just to the north of the town of Serres on the N75. The airfield
was built by Klaus Ohlmann who is famous for his world-record long
distance flights, both here in the French Alps and in the Andes of South
America. Klaus also runs courses at Serres throughout the summer, catering
for all levels of experience. Pilots may bring their own gliders, either
as part of an independent expedition or, if they are really interested in
huge flights of eye-watering proportions, as one of Klaus's followers on a
guided tour of most of the Alps. Highly recommended. |
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