Info flight operations Waldrast There is news to flight operations at the Waldrast

Despite numerous talks, direct flying from Waldrast hotel is yet not possible, but a mutual agreement has been announced for the 2010 season.

However, for the current season, Koralpe mountain chief Walter Töffel and mountain manager Mag. Klaus Hofstätter were kind enough to permit flying near the Koralpe summit (1845 m), just above timber line!

This location is really wide ranging; also the landing area is just perfect. Flying is possible at winds from South through North-West; ideal for slope soaring or thermalling.

This flying site can be reached by the own MFC Koralpe bus, meaning that no exhausting marches or climbing is necessary – unfortunately quite common at other locations.

Time for annual soaring at Koralpe had come – this year from 11 June through 19 June 2009; however never before I had started my travel with such mixed feelings, since after 15 years at “our” Waldrast location, flying at this marvellous site was currently not possible.

Bringing the gliders to 1850 m, not knowing the slope, temperatures at these altitudes, will the transport with the commuter bus work, etc.? All these had been questions which made me sceptical, but nevertheless I was very curious about this new situation.

All necessary circumstances, such as using the key for a road barrier up the road, opening the fence of a local pasture as well as parking the bus besides the upper terminal of a nearby ski lift had been explained in advance and in detail by Hannes Hipfl and Roman Traussnig.

Finally having arrived at the site we firstly inpected the slope and our first impression was: Phantastic !

The view down into the valley was gigantic and launching gliders easy, even for 5 m machines. Landing on the soft and even surface (spoilers and/or butterfly) was nearly a piece of cake.

After my first flight I was fully convinced about this new high altitude slope and my scepticism was blown away.

In summary: It was a marvellous week of soaring. This new site is much larger compared to Waldrast and thermal conditions after about 13:00 local are more reliable.

The only drawback is the fact that Waldrast cuisine is out of reach during flying.

Besides, weather was brilliant, but during bad weather during vacation all locations tend to become boring. I can really advice all model pilots to return to the Koralpe and I am sure that no one will regret doing this.

We, the pilots do need the Koralpe as Koralpe is needing us; otherwise we might loose this magnificent soaring site.

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