News

Vinon in southern France is a flying area that everyone should experience. Its unique location on the edge of the French Alps, its proximity to famous cross-country and wave flying areas, and its enormous potential for long flights are what make this spot so appealing to many glider pilots. In his book Next Year of Gliding, Bert Schmelzer vividly describes why southern France is among the best and most diverse gliding regions in Europe.

In February, Werner Luidolt and I headed to the Algarve, where sunshine, mild temperatures, and a spectacular coastal landscape make flying appealing even in winter. But Portugal’s south isn’t a sure thing: experience, flexibility, and a keen sense of the wind, terrain, and the many small weather windows along the coast are crucial. This report shows why the Algarve can be a fascinating winter destination for advanced pilots—with soaring off cliffs, spontaneous spot changes, and impressive flying moments over the Atlantic.

In the new episode of the WANDERBIRD Podcast, Werner Luidolt – together with Paul Guschlbauer, well known as a former X-Alps participant – talks about his remarkable journey through the world of flight. 

Hardly any field of soaring is as fascinating and at the same time as demanding as flying in the mountains. In the search for the perfect line between ridge lift, thermal lift and wave, there is little room for chance. With Peak Soaring, record-breaking pilot, instructor and coach Benjamin Bachmaier now presents a work that unites theory, practice and emotion – a new standard book for all who want to understand and master alpine soaring.