But it is not quite so simple with the palm tree.
For a flight of more than 1,250 km flown according to the FAI 1,250 km Diploma rules, this means that the pilot must have been alone in the aircraft throughout the entire qualifying flight (single-seater rule). The opportunity to earn a palm is also available if the pilot has already earned a 1,250 km diploma elsewhere.
The logger must list the correct aircraft type and pilot. Many a flight has failed because of this. So be careful!
Since 2026/27, there has also been a palm for flights in accordance with the FAI 1,500 km Diploma. However, unlike the FAI rules, these flights may also be conducted in a two-seater aircraft.
Then there are also the palms for world records, which were flown from Bitterwasser and still are. By the way, for world records wild date palms are planted, which have small but tasty fruits.
History of the palm trees
Since the 1960s, Bitterwasser has been known to aviators as the Diamond Farm. Peter Kayssler, the former owner of the Bitterwasser farm, was an enthusiastic glider pilot. With the simple airplanes of that time and an old winch in the form of a drum with willow fence wire, he already used the thermals of Bitterwasser.
Why diamond farm?
In Namibia, diamonds have been found. But fortunately not in Bitterwasser. However, the FAI ( Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) the supreme air sports organization, awards badges and diplomas for special sporting achievements. It starts with the A-badge and goes over B-, C-, Silver C, Gold C to the Gold C with diamonds. And because there is very good weather in Bitterwasser, a lot of diamonds were flown in Bitterwasser. This led to the diamond farm .
The conditions are per diamond:
- An altitude gain of 5000 m.
- A flight over 300 km as a target return or triangle route.
- One free cross-country flight over 500 km.
Due to the progressive development in gliding, it became necessary after 1960 to extend the performance levels with regard to the achieved flight distances. Today there is a diploma for each level, which is awarded from 750 km flight distance - in steps of 250 km.
Peter Kayssler wrote a book about his life shortly before his death on 16.10.1999. Fortunately, much of the story has been preserved as a result.
The book can be purchased in Bitterwasser and has the ISBN number: 3-00-011463-7.
In 1955 the pan became an airfield by erecting a pole with a windsock.
1969 the first guest from Germany flies a diamond
In 1972 the idea of "Diamond Palms" was born and the first 21 palms were planted. From now on, for every flown diamond or world record, a palm tree was planted. Thus, little by little, a palm tree alley was created.
1984 From now on there are also palms for 1.000km FAI diploma flights.
1988 From December 1988, after the 150th palm, no more palms were planted for the track diamond. Only two diamond palms were added for altitude diamonds in the 1991/92 season. Now there are only palms for 1,000km FAI diploma flights or world records.
2019 In addition to the 1,000km FAI Diploma, a palm may now also be planted if a flight under the Diploma rules exceeds 1,250km. Deviating from the diploma rules, this flight may also be made in a two-seater.
2026/27 Advances in aircraft performance, technology, weather forecasting, and pilot skill have led to even higher requirements for earning a palm (since the palm is intended to highlight a special achievement). Effective immediately, a palm is awarded for a 1,250-km flight conducted in accordance with the 1,250-km FAI Diploma rules. In addition to the 1,250-km FAI Diploma, a palm may now also be awarded for a flight exceeding 1,500 km in accordance with the Diploma rules. As an exception to the Diploma rules, this flight may also be conducted in a two-seater. We are eager to see when the first 1,500-km flight will take place.
As of 2025/26 there are:
150 +2 diamond palms,
13 world record palms for 41 world records
124 FAI 1,000km/1.250km diploma palms
Location of the world record palm trees
Counting direction of the diamond palms
Location of the 1,000km/1,250km palms
Listing of FAI 1.000/1.250 km palms
01 Palm alley south of Hoskia from 1984 to 2005 LINK
02 Palm alley north of Hoskia from 2005 to 2009 LINK
03 Palm alley north of Hoskia from 2010 to 2014 LINK
04 Palm alley north of Hoskia from 2014 to 2018 LINK
05 Palm alley north of Hoskia Row 3 + 4 from 2018 until today