Archive for the ‘Ultralight flying’ Category

Late summer evening flight from Invermere to Fairmont Hot Springs Airport, over Dutch Creek, to Columbia Lake and back over the Windermere Lake wetlands.

I love where I live.
Mountains, River, Creek and Lake
– Rocky Mountains, Purcell Mountains
– Columbia River, Toby Creek, Lake Windermere
A playground with lots of options
www.ColumbiaRiverPaddle.com – www.flyingMax.com

Flying over the Radium wetlands between the clouds…. Like a dream!

Nice Sunday morning flight over Lake Windermere.

Happy Canada Day!

We had an amazing day today, the kids were in the parade with the Windermere Valley Sallde Club, Penny with www.ColumbiaRiverPaddle.com and www.ColumbiaRiverCafe.com and I was lucky enough to watch everything from the air from my Quicksilver S2.

Based on how long ago I posted my last blog, lots of people are wondering what is happening,

It was a very busy summer with paragliding, ultralight flying, working with TrappeurHomes.com and ColumbiaRiverPaddle.com. The summer flew by, and it is hard to believe it is almost winter.

14324693_638255199686257_4880238975730397751_oSo, what’s new with flyingMax?

Besides certifying new pilots, running a SIV at Whitetale Lake, doing “Discovery” flights with my Quicksilver ultralight, guiding in the Dolomite’s, visiting a SIV workshop in Annecy and attending the Nova pilots meet, I renewed my paragliding instructor rating and accepted the invite as a Senior paragliding instructor.

For my instructor re-certification course I traveled to Claudio Mota in Drayton Valley, AB. It was the best thing I ever did and was able to brush up my towing skills.

 

Everything feels like all the pieces are falling into the right places:

  • 14089111_10206789387190018_3139404025204207449_nRe-connected with my old friend Juergen Kraus to get all the support to run a “soft” SIV at Whitetale lake.
  • Working more extensively with the Quicksilver in regards to Ultralight flying and instructions.
  • Re-certification instructor course with Claudio Mota and brushing up my towing skills.
  • Accepting the “Senior” instructor status to to be more involved with the HPAC instructor certifications.
  • purchased a “Scooter” winch (650cc Suzuki)
    • to offer another option to “foot” launch for supervised P2 flights.
    • use the winch for teaching powered paragliding
  • got approved as a Transport Canada Ultralight School in the Columbia Valley (Flight Training Unit #5031)

Based on all the above pieces falling in place, I have the following plans for 2017:

  • 14524378_647306515447792_3957626501152488156_oFor the 2016/2017 ski season
    • signed a contract with Panorama Mt. Resort to fly tandems at least 5 days a week
    • offer ski launch workshops
    • offer supervised P2 flights for P1 pilots
  • Powered Paragliding lessons
    • Running Ultralight Ground School (min 20 hours)
    • Practical PPG lessons
  • Run a paragliding instructor course in the early spring
    • Instructor course based on the on the minimum HPAC requirements
    • Instructor course including ultralight ground school, HAGAR course and practical instructional tips (1 week)
  • Run one P1 course through the College of the Rockies in early spring.
  • Plan to run another “soft” SIV in May
  • Explore the Alps tour in September

Happy landings to everyone and looking forward to the next season.

Max & Penny

14712866_649658138545963_7236756348619863559_o

Here is my midlife crises convertible.
Check out our “Family flying over the Columbia Valley with my new “convertible” video.
Stay tuned for the next flying season as we will also be offering “Discovery Flights”