End of a good Day in a Sandstorm

Lucky. The shower line approaching from the northwest stopped just in front of Bitterwasser. But landing had to be delayed. Shortly before sun set, a gust roller swept through the palm avenue and whipped the blown sand into the Kalahari in a flag that could be seen for miles.

Refreshing at 40 knots, landing was not advisable. A final approach with an arrival altitude of 600 meters didn't leave much room for alternatives. The luck: The cold air falling from the showers drove the heated desert air to rise. Until the draft on the floor had largely calmed down, it could be turned up again in the warm air. At 20 knots, the pan invited us to come down, no problem with its size, aligning the final and the taxi to standstill exactly against the wind.
The glider could just be packed in the low light.

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The gliding season in Bitterwasser turns up again

Although the season in Bitterwasser seems to be coming to an end in mid-January, the weather is at its best. Pilots from all over the world enjoy impressive thermals, breathtaking cross-country flights over 1000 km and a unique community.

1250 km palm tree for Dmitry Borovyk and Anton Minskii

The last season 2023/24 ended with a spectacular highlight for Dmitry Borovyk and Anton Minskii: on the very last day, they managed to fly around three declared turning points that cover an impressive distance of 1250 kilometers. This extraordinary achievement earned them the privilege of planting a palm tree in Bitterwasser - an honor only bestowed on the best pilots. One year later, the two are now returning to Bitterwasser to plant their palm tree in a festive ceremony in keeping with the old Bitterwasser tradition.