CAMP DIRECTOR

INTRODUCTION TO GLIDING AT GARIEP DAM

As the northern hemisphere is preparing itself for another cold and wet winter, at Gariep Dam we will be preparing for another summer's fantastic soaring in some of the world's best conditions.

The semi-desert area to the west of Gariep, known as the Karoo, is one of the world's best soaring areas in summer. Cloud bases often rise to FL180 (5400m) with 5 - 6m/s thermals. It is from Gariep Dam airfield that extremely fast 1000km FAI triangles have been flown & distance records of over 1400km have been set by pilots such as Helmuth Fischer, Sigi Baumgartl, the late Klaus Holighaus, Walter Binder and other well known international personalities.

These conditions draw pilots and their machines from all over the world. 1000km diplomas are practically always achieved by the open class gliders, but with luck and skill many have also been flown with first generation 15m gliders.

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Built 30 years ago, and used by glider pilots for over 25 years, the airfield is owned by glider pilots dedicated to providing the best facilities and infrastructure that top pilots require, at an affordable price.

Important features include:

• Two long and wide tarmac runways

• Dust and mud free operations

• Protection for gliders from the damaging effects of UV and hail

• Practically no power traffic

• Wide variety of affordable and high class accommodation

• Easy access from main centres

• Crime-free, quiet rural atmosphere

• Good weather, excellent road network and out landing facilities

• Huge soaring area, often with high climb rates up to 4 500m agl

• High density altitude produces higher average cross country speeds

• Plenty of recreational facilities for pilots, family and visiting friends

• Beautifully situated next to a lakeside nature reserve

• Modern fleet of aircraft for visitors

The Sportfordergruppe Segelflug der Deutchen Bundeswehr took advantage of Gariep's excellent conditions in Dec 2002.

From left to right: Uli Gurelin and pilots Alex Freidl, Volker Herzog, Christoph Zahn, Sebastan Beule (see www.segelflug.de/sfg/bundeswehr )

On site motor and airframe repairs

Gariep Gliding Centre is the premier long distance soaring facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

Peter Williams, a Gariep resident, who has been a big help in the development of the airfield to make it what it is today.

Brief history about owner of Gariep Gliding Centre:

Martin Lessle was born in Namibia (South West Africa), brought up on a airfield - 50 km North of Windhoek a place called Osona Gliding Club, where my father Walter Lessle flew. Moved to SA in 1985 and officially started gliding in 1990 in Magalies Gliding Club West of Johannesburg.