League third qualifying Paragliding Centre, held in Pedro Bernardo. Great flight environment, both about 90 enrolled in the competition, as the flyers are not registered and guests. In total, gathered more than 150 people on takeoff W. Lately is common to see fliers from other areas also point to this competition. I guess attracted by the warm welcome what they give local riders and well-enjoyed. In previous Arcones sleeves were some of the Northern League which came and this time, despite the greater distance, here in Pedro Bernardo. During the briefing, I went to take pictures and I did not put too much attention to his explanations, so I apologize if some data were incorrect. The sleeve consisted of a run on goal, placed in Maqueda, about 52 km away. With the face off from W, due to the valley breeze typical of the area. Notwithstanding the meteo wind component was N and therefore decided to test the direction SE. Although the forecast was for ceilings of 2,500 m, advised of the disqualification in case of exceeding the 3,000 m, to comply with the ban on civil aviation, as planes fly very low in their journeys to and from Barajas. Later, while picking up one of the pilots told me that was not may exceed 2,100 m. The Start point would be the beacon located in the service of the thermal Adrada entry to a radius of 23 km, which allows pilots to choose the area from which to begin the test. And sure, some tried in the valley and others in the mountainous area, drawing from shoulder to shoulder until you reach the first mark. From there to Maqueda, must cross the valley and the river Alberche Tietar. A friend of racing, he was about 10 km from goal, and told me he had only managed to reach target 11 pilots. But to confirm this better, look at the ratings for "LigaCentro.com" also told me several pilots, conditions were somewhat hard and rough, some mentioned that took more than a collapse. In fact, I talked with a driver entered in the competition that decided not to take off because they did not like the conditions. I know him and I know his experience and I suppose if he did not was because the competition for him is just a fun and security premium over the competition. In takeoffs were several ties. One of them kept us in suspense as we watched as the pilot tried to pull it out again and again, until I finally got it (In the pictures you can clearly see the tie and from the folded to the provoked to try it out). Another driver came out with a radio knot and called for the organization, enabling it to land up, but she told him to go straight to the landing. Finally, while picking up several pilots who were not competing, I learned that one of the group "plant trees" and was rescued by the Guardia Civil. Luckily no consequence. The photos of the day, you can see by clicking on the photo below. Both finals are mega pictures of 21 and 30 Mpx You can download it if you're interested. The rest are at 1024 x 768. (I have deliberately omitted the names so as not to disturb anyone. As for the pictures, if someone does not like to appear on them, I can send an email and retirement).
As lately it seems that only speak of Cebreros and remembered a few days ago with a friend flying, the great flight we came in a very little used, I began to search the computer memories of that day and today I will talk about it. Specifically I refer to the Najarra. is a Central System mountain next to the town of Miraflores. The best way to go is up to the port of La Morcuera and from there take a path that leads to the left, as we come to Miraflores. Immediately after passing the fence that closes the road, about 50m. of the road, climb a path also left out of this. The climb is not easy, hence this area is not widely used. We must save about 300m. of elevation to the summit. The more used to do these feats in a 50min., But I take more than an hour and a quarter. While once on top, the effort is worth it, both views, for the flight conditions. Not for nothing have some 1000m. of altitude to landing S. Allowing us the opportunity to find some heat on the long descent. Above all, taking into account the orientation of the slope, and maximum sunlight enjoyed by midmorning. Just then is when we took off. can also fly in northerly direction towards the valley of Lozolla, even when the wind direction is S or SW, it is possible to take off in these directions. But in all cases it is necessary to find a small clearing in the thick scrub vegetation, which in some cases is not easy. In fact, this time we went down about 50m. of unevenness in the face S to find some clear. If you upload some snow when, as now, the rise will be even more difficult, but the carpet of snow will take off from anywhere, the landscape will be more impressive if it fits. S landings are huge and clean. Together with a small swamp that looks at the map and photos is landed estate. As for the N face, I can not say the same. This face I have not flown, I just saw a colleague take off in this direction and was no more to walk down and land on top of the post, next to the car, which by the terms of the time. To fly to N, with guarantees of a great flight, the conditions should be excellent and be sure you will find something along the way, because otherwise we can see hanging from a pine tree, as there is no clear landing , at least within the glide ratio of our cloths. If in the 300m. Downhill to the top of the port have not found anything, we landed on a meadow next to the port itself, and try again. But not forgetting if it is windy up, we're landing in a venturi and the wind speed here. On the other hand, if the conditions are thermal, face N are much looser than in the S. Therefore, I believe that this approach is that offered fewer opportunities, and the area is only recommended when wind forecasts are the component S. For winds of N, we have other areas with better conditions. very important thing to remember is we took off and landed very near the limit E Regional Park Cuenca Alta del Manzanares. So, if we are not breaking the rules, never have to fly to the W, not to introduce into the territory of the park. More down as usual you have photos, map and video. And these are the coordinates of takeoff (40.8118, -3.83712) and landing S (40.7755, -3.81698).
fully reproduced below my reply to the comment that Carlos Jiménez, has in the Paragliding Forum on this entry .
"Hi Jack, thank you very much for your extensive comment.
My intention was just to have my views on flight zone. At no time have I wanted to make sure nothing like indisputable axiom, but obviously have not succeeded. At least with your comment with more experience, things have been put in place. Thank you very much again.
The aterizaje I commented in the post, is the one who suggested the flyers with that came and they had flown there a few times. I thought the ground, not being fenced, could be a ravine or public domain and not bother with any owner. But if foresters say no, will you can not land there.
Certainly it would be interesting we pierce the official landing coordinates, if any, for we knew it all.
Will we ever see some off and we can talk about flying, sure I will learn a lot.
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:25 PMSubject: [paragliding] Some considerations flight The Najarra
Leo with astonishment as axioms extrapolated some conclusions about the flight of the Najarra, a place I know first hand and we have been flying more than two decades.
First, the south side can provide good thermal flights, even in spring and summer in the middle of the day very powerful thermal conditions strong, but the landing was announced in the post by the pond, is within the Regional Park of the Manzanares and prohibited Paragliding (at least I did know a ranger at the time) If you land in the meadows next to Soto del Real no problem.
Second underestimates the N face, guidance in heatstroke in summer days well and taking up the convergence, from noon to late afternoon we passed the 4,000 msl and exceptionally reached the 4,500 msl, not in thermal lift, but a mountain of converging air can be reached from Cabezas de Hierro until after Cabrera, but the drift of this convergence depends on the strength of the wind breezes and weather plateau height . Usually the conditions are not too hard and the days are quiet but enormously descent amplitude.
It is also true that proximity to Madrid Barajas causes some aircraft can be seen below, especially if you own North. On the other hand, the plateau located over 1,700 meters above sea level make the flight north is a great place with a refund of heat stroke that can peek into Valle del Lozoya, by far much better than the South (not just my opinion, for years we have pursued these conditions and reached this conclusion after many flights).
The landing site of the north face are the fields next to the port that actually are located in a venturi, with winds loose no problem but if the wind speeds we will get there safe, although little is gained some height can land in a meadow that lies ahead where the source or shelter, because they are quite troubled disadvise. If he wins 500 meters and that the north wind is weak (which is common in case of convergent activity) is recommended to land in the plains of Soto del Real.
A new installment of Cebreros. This time, with a crosswind of E. Although the most characteristic of the video I am presenting today is not the crosswind but the snow. Yes, rarely see the white mantle takeoffs south oriented and not very tall like this, but last January 10 I finally managed to see it. When we got to take off, it covered a white ice fog that turned everything he touched. Actually I saw literally falling flakes, but it was a layer of 2 or 3 cm. of what looked like snow. After an hour of waiting, the fog dissipated and let us see the beautiful sun was hiding. Still, the cold was important and not invited to fly. But Fernando, the colleague with whom I was, did not think twice and took off. Gotta take a flight of 50 min. sticking to the E face of the slope, but it was enough to remove the monkey of months of not being able to fly. I jumped to record with my new camera that also records video in high definition. Below you have the result.
Unfortunately VIMEO leaves only watch the videos in HD from their own page, so if you'd like to see in HD, you can click here .
Although the flight that allows for convenient side is oriented SE, you can also take off with orientations E, S, and even W. Although in recent cases it is necessary fly with thermal conditions, since they do not pay enough to support us in slope. But once it is off, it's easy to find thermals to gain altitude and give us a good flight. This even in times of the year in which you would not expect these conditions, but the south and be in the vicinity of several reservoirs are to be given the humidity and temperature needed to generate the heat that makes us so much enjoyment. Here I present two videos. The first, recorded in June, with good thermal conditions, as expected at this time of year, but the south wind.
The second, recorded in October, with very light wind SE orientation, but with good heat. Allowing two flights take over an hour and a half each. In the morning and after eating.