Gliding
Gliding is similar to the flight of large birds of prey that glide on air currents. It is a perfect blend of technical skill and the power of nature that provides exceptional sensations: the joy of flying, the ultimate experience of being carried by thermal currents, a total sense of freedom and serenity, and the feeling of being at one with nature.
The glider
It is an aircraft with a gliding ability similar to that of large migratory birds. They have a wingspan ranging from 15 to over 25 meters and can carry one to two people (including the pilot).
Since they have no engine, they generally take off with the help of a tow plane or a winch that lifts them to the altitude needed to continue on their own. There are also some gliders equipped with a small retractable engine, allowing them to take off under their own power.
Motorless flight
The glider primarily uses two specific aerological conditions as its "engine":
- thermal updrafts, which are columns of warm air caused by the sun heating the ground;
- dynamic updrafts formed by winds deflected upward by obstacles such as mountains.
The pilot’s goal is to find and utilize these atmospheric phenomena to stay airborne, as these “engines” are not available at all times or in all places. The pilot must make optimal use of the glider’s ability to glide to move from one thermal to the next.
From Montricher, the pilot glides along the ridges of the Jura. They can even launch out onto the plateau to reach the Alps, gliding distances that can exceed 500 km and 8 consecutive hours of flight.
The Setting
In this sport, every flight is unique. This creates a stimulating environment for pilots, whether they are interested in flying for the sheer pleasure of feeling like a bird or for the challenge of pushing their limits and competing.
It is also important to note that gliding is a sport where mutual support is ever-present. Even though there is only one pilot per glider, there is always strong collaboration among pilots, whether on the ground preparing the aircraft or in the air, sharing via the onboard radio with their fellow pilots the best and worst aerological conditions encountered.
Life in a gliding club, such as the Montricher Gliding Club (Vaud), is therefore deeply imbued with this spirit of collaboration and sharing of experiences.
The season begins on the first Saturday in March and ends on the first Saturday in November. The best time to fly is from mid-April to the end of September.
