Soar high along the stunning mountain range,
with the gentle flatlands to your south and the spectacular back drop of the Himalayas to your north. This is flying utopia and a wonderful
place to discover by air!
Trips run every October
We aim to focus on one big XC flight per day, going up to launch for 9am and getting ready to launch for about 10-11am. Then we fly as far as possible, along the impressive Himachal mountain range, with the stunning Himalayan back drop, to either Dharmasala to the west or Mandi to the East.
Our dream team of Debu Chowdhury, Eddie Colfox and Richard Binstead who have been flying here for more than two decades are undoubtedly the best guides to fly with in Bir. We will be guiding on a superb ratio of 1 : 4 to make sure you get the most out of your trip.
We will divide the group based on their flying ability and levels. A guide will then be allocated to each team of pilots, to maximise their potential for the day. Our guide allocation will vary from day to day, depending on the conditions and the group's requirements, to enable us to focus our attention on the right pilots who would benefit the most, from more direct guiding and instruction. Each of us has a slightly different guiding style, and some pilots may respond better to one of us, so we feel it is important we all communicate and that you let us know your intention and feeling for the day, to enable us to provide you with the best guidance possible.
We will work with less experienced pilots taking it easy and focussing on improving your thermaling techniques, while gently pushing your XC envelope each day. If you are a top-gun pilot, then we will lead you, sometimes pushing you on speed sections to improve your speed-to-fly technique and help you max the day. If you enjoy flying high, we will work on high altitude flights, going over the back and exploring deeper terrain based on your ability and quality of the day.
After a task briefing, the Lead Guide for the day will set off and wait for the first group of pilots to get to base first and lead them away. We will have other guides taking off in the middle of the group, and the Chase Guide will take off last, bringing along the trailing pilots.
Whichever route we choose to fly, our ultimate aim for each day is to have the most amount of fun flying in this amazing landscape.
The plan is to fly in and out of Delhi Airport. From there, you can either take a domestic flight to Dharamsala, followed by a 2hr car drive to Bir. The other budget option is to take the overnight Delhi-Bir bus.
We will be arranging a group transfer van from Dharamsala-Bir. Alternatively we can help you make your own bookings.
Daily mountain transport is included in your course fees. We do not run a retrieve service in Billing, as the local taxis are plenty and very effective in bringing you back home.
Fees include twin sharing accommodation for 10 nights with breakfast at the Colonel's Resort. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in town for evening meals or to enjoy coffee and cake on off days.
We can allocate single rooms at a supplement cost. Partners are welcome to join. We can organise tandem flights, trips to nearby temples, monasteries and towns.
October is prime season for flying Bir. The month starts off with mild conditions and shorter days, ideal for learning thermalling and small XC flights.
Around mid-October, the base rises between 3000-5000', allowing longer days and the potential for long XC flights of 100kms and over.
It stays flyable well into November, is less crowded and still holds potential for 50-100km flights on most days.
This intensive trip is designed to give you much more knowledge in XC flying and glider control as possible, it will enable you to fly in thermals, and on XC’s, with a better understanding of coring, decision making and route planning etc. With this new knowledge & skill, you will be able to focus on the positive aspects of flight like finding lift and flying further. To make the most out of this trip, you need to have flown one minimum XC flight of 30kms and have logged at least 50hrs airtime as a pre-requisite.
Once you are all oriented with the terrain, typical XC Routes include flying to Dharamsala to the west, or flying to 360 campsite, which is a turn point on the east ridge, or continuing further on to Mandi.
We are aware the conditions can be strong sometimes, so if you ever feel you have had enough, or you just want to chill-out, then just let us know and we will set more relaxing tasks.
We assume that you will arrive with a functional paraglider, harness and reserve parachute, vario/gps.
We recommend you bring along your own trackers (Inreach / Spots).
It is very cold at base, we recommend flying in thick down jackets, multiple layers and thick or ideally heated gloves. On the ground, days are warm and nights are quite chilly, so bring adequate warm gear.
It is essential that you have travel insurance which covers you in respect of the following :
1. Medical Treatment
2. Medical Repatriation
3. Search & Rescue by helicopter
We will hand out a central grab sheet form, where we would like all pilots to fill in their emergency contact details, insurance policy and contact numbers.
This grab sheet also mirrors all the Risk Acceptance sign offs that are a part of this document. Please give it a good read and make sure you understand and accept the risk involved.
