Glider pilot flies low in the French Alps!

Sailplane pilots generally prefer to "get high and stay high," but sometimes they need to choose to go low to be able to continue on course.
Music by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. - www.scottbuckley.com.au
Copyright © 2021 Fayence Soaring - All Rights Reserved.
The content of this video is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Under no circumstances should one attempt to fly a glider in the mountains without first receiving flight instruction in mountain soaring. One should never operate a glider beyond one’s own capabilities. Fayence Soaring and any of the pilots, instructors, or guests featured in our videos will not be held liable or responsible for any of the content featured on our videos. The following content shall be considered “Use at your own risk.” Always fly responsibly and safely.
#aviation #airplane #gliding #soaring #glider #fayencesoaring #mountains

[@BrunoVassel]

Loved every second! Bravo on the excellent editing to make this so much fun to watch. Great save and great flight! Cheers.

[@FayenceSoaring]

Thanks for the kind words, Bruno! I'll send you a quick IM though Facebook Messenger....

[@ROBERTBONDLTD]

BRINO VASSEL, We got BIG superstar of Gliding here. enjoy your video as well

[@antoniouribe564]

Yes, more on soaring techniques in the mountains would be of enormous interest! Thank you very much!

[@neilkarande2829]

I've driven my Harley all around the area. Wonderful to see it from the air. Love gliding but have too many interests...

[@Pablismo62]

Je connais ce terrain de jeu en delta, c'est genial de le revoir depuis un planeur. Bravo pour la video!

[@TommyOlsson]

Thanks for a beautiful and interesting film. I got my soaring certificate back in Sweden 1972 when I was 17. Now at the age of 65, I am in the process of reclaiming my certificate. If all goes well I will have it in my hand this spring.

[@pierreguillerme8117]

It reminds me some weak conditions on the same area with an LS8-18. I finally succeed on the "tête de l'Estrop" and then flew back to my home club at Valence Chabeuil. Thanks Christopher for these wonderfull images to make us be impatient for the next season.

[@briansteele2723]

Hi there I’m a Scottish paraglider pilot and based in Menton, currently a litte ill so your videos are keeping me motivated. A few weeks ago we flew on a similarly sinky day and got really low on tete de l’estrop and again at thorame on the way back to st andre les alpes. We are starting to adopt flarm so you can see us jellyfish flying around you 😀

[@GC987]

Fantastic gliding VLOG !!! One of the best I’ve seen. Great use of the 360 camera (that first pan outside was brilliant !). Really liked the screen shot of the LX. I’ve only been gliding in the French Alps 3 times - One of the hardest things is learning good routes e.g. how to get up/ through Ecrins. Please could you do some split screen footage with chart & waypoints/breadcrumbs to show some routes & help others learn some names, land out fields, key features mountain peaks etc. Thanks ! Really enjoyed your flight !!!

[@xptical]

Have you thought of trying Condor? It's great for practice and route planning. The LX screen was nice man. I drop an XCSoar overlay on my stream and people love seeing it.

[@AndyDWHy]

@@xptical How do you set-up XCSoar with Condor?

[@GC987]

@@xptical Thanks Corey. I hadn't - but it certainly is an idea.....

[@xptical]

@@AndyDWHy You can hit me up on Discord and I'll try and walk you through it. Each case is a bit different. "xptical (X37)#5903" on Discord and I'll share my screen and walk you through my setup.

[@BillPalmer]

Great video. Loved the LX9000 split screen and showing the decision making. This will be great for my students. Also good to see the current and required L/D display. This is what I prefer also. Music is wonderful. Kudos to scottbuckley.com.as for making that an other beautiful pieces available for free (even for commercial use)!

[@alexholswilder7025]

Fantastic video again. Great editing. With all the effects and dramatic music if felt like watching a video. I loved the flightcomp. overlay. I enjoyed that you shared you thoughts at every stage. Looking forward to the next video.

[@asw19B100]

Ditto on the computer. Appreciate feeling the tension that makes soaring so exciting balanced by the objective risk calculation. The glider was low, but you had the airport made with an achievable L/D for an 18 meter, so in spite of the tension, it was not a fool’s errand even w/o sustainer. (-29e?). Well done.

[@pops9190]

360 degree gimbal mounted POV! The best I've ever seen! It's how actually we see things from the cockpit as our equilibrium justifies the horizon by keeping it level in our minds no matter what our flight attitude, discounting aerobatics of course.

[@finder2007]

You open the small window to smell the termals? Your videos are beautiful, love them.

[@Gianky640220]

Wonderful video, as the other two indeed. Very enjoyable and ... one of the greatest satisfactions in soaring is flying high and far after a low save. Love to come flying in Fayence some day. Find it perfect on the information side: as a glider pilot I've been able to confront my possible decisions with yours with the only help of images and your comments. Thanks a lot!

[@huntsvillesoaring1647]

Loved the video. Would be cool to see even more of your decision-making described with the graphic overlays and captions. Especially when you split-screen with the Flight Computer screen! That helps to tie all the info you've got in and outside of the cockpit and relate it to the decisions you made. Fantastic teaching method!

[@FayenceSoaring]

Thank you for your kind comment. I'm trying to balance the entertainment value of the videos with the educational aspects, so that I can maximize the audience. But I plan to have at least some videos in the future that are more toward what you requested. Please share the video with your friends in Alabama!

[@jjiacobucci]

Thank you Chris. I would love more video regarding mountain rain soaring technique especially climbing against rock with eight turns then transition to full circle. Merci

[@FayenceSoaring]

Did you mean to say "rain"?

[@martls6]

@@FayenceSoaring I think he ment ' ridge'.

[@mvaldman2001]

This is to date the best soaring video I've seen... Nice!! Make me feel VERY nostalgic and makes me miss flying Gliders A LOT! Thank you!!

[@andrewryder1319]

Your videos are gorgeous. And great music too! Yes, I'd love to learn more about soaring techniques!

[@metielking]

Your videos are the best I've ever seen at capturing the thrill of soaring! Wow, just wow!

[@brucemcfadden8778]

Got to say anyone that does this has my respect. Thanks for a taste of what it means to be a skilled sailplane pilot. Condor2 is as close as I will get to this.

[@BermudaBeachSurf]

AMAZING & EXCITING! SHOULD CONTINUE TO PRODUCE MORE. BRAVO!

[@LaughMuBai]

More please. Really enjoyable to watch with intrigue and suspense - brilliant!

[@timpearson2796]

Thank you for this. What i'd like to see is XC flying in the mountains, but with comments and info on the decision making process - as you have done here. It would also be very helpful to understand what defines your safety margins and what your escape options are. This will help me develop my flying

[@mrkd4126]

No better sound than that rapid bleeping!

[@Skyforger62]

Excellent video!! The music is so beautiful and fitting for such an epic adventure in the skies!

[@ABSScott]

Awesome video! Thanks for the fine production and helping to promote our sport....

[@tinojende1975]

Absolutely love your videos. Love the plane, the scenery, the view, everything. I'd love to come flying there as well.

[@robtopforce]

One of the best soaring clips I have seen so far, I am based in Sisteron and fly the Parcour as well to jump to the high mountain range towards the Glaiciers. Maybe from time to time a voice over with where you are and what your approach is would be nice, goodluck.

[@FayenceSoaring]

I will soon be offering more varieties of videos with varying degrees of commentary for you to choose from. Thank you for your comment!

[@johnj.duncan1725]

Having minimal experience as a P2 Paraglider Pilot, your graphics and description of anabatic wind was informative. Expert production quality. I hope that's a preview of coming attractions.

[@iliasstaridas8005]

Yes more about soaring techniques.I fly the 320 but brother this is real source.thanx.

[@poltemp]

Pour avoir pratiqué le vol à voile il y a plusieurs décennies , le plus passionnant au delà des images c'est la stratégie de vol indiquer l'enjeu et comment vous faites le choix en fonction du temps , des lieux , du planeur ....

[@FayenceSoaring]

Merci, vous êtes trop gentil ! Et merci pour vos commentaires !

[@123cp8]

Great video! Excellent photography and commentary!

[@johnbridge6857]

Excellent video! Reminds me of when I spent nearly 30 minutes at 300m above ground, soaring the ridge next to the village of Seyne, in a Duo Discus. We managed to get away...

[@MrChezyoung]

Why so high John? ;-)

[@johnbridge6857]

@@MrChezyoung Haha:​ Lack of talent !

[@gdineyt]

Bravo! Je vole également à Fayence et il semble que tu aies trouvé la caméra et la technique de montage qui permettent de partager la sensation. (Congratulations, I am flying from Fayence and it seems that you have found the camera and the video editing techniques that allows to share the feeling.)

[@cmhagstrom]

Fantastic video! Loved watching the visual depiction of your decision making and the 360 video works really well! Keep making stuff like this.

[@konradhambrecht9333]

Best video I have watched in this category. Excellent flying talent. Together with the music, the whole video was riveting. Very important to know your meteorology by hard, when gliding. You basically have to become one with the atmosphere. Brilliant, Regards Konrad

[@GregHartSk8er]

The footage from the 360 cam is AMAZING! Gives a very cool sense of what it must be like. I cant wait to try gliding again - Condor is about as close as I have gotten recently.

[@davidmarshall718]

Fabulous channel. Greetings from Western Canada.

[@lizard101pwd]

Hey, this is great. A few years ago I was flying in La Motte ... love to remember that time riding the parcours... I would love to see more videos on soaring techniques in the mountains.

[@nh974]

A decision that paid off. Thanks for your videos Chris!

[@njdpdv]

🌸EPIC SOARING SKILLS, SCENERY AND MUSIC🌸

[@Jm-cr2ls]

Lovely captivating suspense with the art of flight; splendide :)

[@chrishamilton4999]

In answer to your question, a video on slope and mountain soaring tequniques would be great to see. Thank you.

[@GregoryBrown6283]

Beautiful. I loved this video. Keep up the good work sir.

[@barryford1482]

great video Ive allways loved gliders

[@jjiacobucci]

Your videography is the best. Great music paring

[@roberthaugen9117]

Very nice video! Loved it! Was that last thermal climb done in leeside? Some more graphics on wind direction and strenght would be appreciated in next video.

[@FayenceSoaring]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@flyingtonyw]

Great journey in the full size, even to an RC model pilot. Enjoyed every minute and really get the feel from the cockpit.

[@hepgeoff]

Just stumbled upon your channel, and now I'm hooked! Nicely done! Wish you had a camera on the glider's exterior, but maybe that would affect your gliding ability? I'd like to see video of you landing.

[@FayenceSoaring]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, when I fly my primary concern is my performance and getting nice video is lower on my list. There's footage of me landing on my first video, available here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqiXoJ6oepmrnMU

[@tadeksmutek5840]

Really amazing video, like a perfectly prepared and cooked meal. Thank you!

[@franckp501]

You're the boss ! Je reviens bientôt voler mais je n'ai plus ce niveau là , 3000 de plafond mini et ok je sors de la cuvette de Fayence ^^ bon allez va pour 2000 :-))

[@Samrushtonblight]

Very enjoyable. The 360 camera is a great feature.

[@markplain2555]

Absolutely fantastic video. Where is your camera mounted? What is an American doing in France. Do you live there or only fly there.... or both?

[@markplain2555]

Oh what would I like? Tell me first a little about Fayence and why you chose Fayence against other clubs in the region. My wife and I are considering relocating to the South of France from Canada (she loves France and I want to soar in the Alps). I see a lot of gliding clubs in the region and am considering where to look for a place to live (for me) based on the proximity to the gliding club.

[@FayenceSoaring]

I live and soar in Fayence. I moved to France years ago and chose Fayence because it was closest to Nice and the French Riviera. Fayence is unique from the other nearby clubs in that it is sheltered from the morning valley breezes which let us launch much earlier in the day, allowing very long flights.

[@markplain2555]

@@FayenceSoaring oh Really? Nice to know!!! I used to glide for some 10 years then took up competitive sailing. Now as we prepare for the next chapter in our lives in France, I want to go back to gliding, especially in the Alps (hence why I'm subscribed to your channel). We have been visiting the area on a regular basis (not during Covid) to scout out the area for a new home. . Do you know know anything about the club in Ubaye? The gliding club in Ubaye freaks me out as they have a ski resort right next door. Bad gliding day? go skiing!! . Does Fayence have any sort of pax flight type services available - I'd like to try out a flight with an instructor. . Thanks again.

[@keesvanschaick7876]

Very nice filmed and edited!

[@FlightMate]

Belle vidéo, bien rythmée et utilisation intelligente de la cam 360 :)

[@gigispe25]

Someone once said that the difference between a pilot and a glider-pilot, is that the first is a pilot, the second is a man with wings!

[@onthemoney7237]

Thanks for sharing amazing please be very careful 👍🇺🇸

[@pastaga5020]

Est ce que vous avez pu retourner a Fayence ce jour là avec ce plafond vers 2800m sur Dormillouse?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Excellent videography. Are you using a fish eye type lens and then doing the sorting out in after effects etc. Also I really like that type don’t you use, what is it. I used to do gliding but stopped but I love the way KZbin has such creative people.

[@LucasArts29]

Wooow great flight! I enjoyed every second! Waiting for more maybe we can see a landing also! Thank you for sharing with us!

[@FayenceSoaring]

You can see a landing on my other video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqiXoJ6oepmrnMU

[@nicolasgermain2629]

Très belle vidéo, bien réalisée et très instructive. Merci

[@ramonmedina1974]

A fantastic video! I liked so much! Well done! I hope one day i glide also.

[@SparrowHawkPilot]

Yes, more flying techniques, please,

[@alvarodeorleans-borbon4516]

My heartfelt congratulations for solid substance and fantastic editing! A great way to sell gliding... Suggestion: start with a 5 sec intro video à la Goggle Earth, zooming World > Europe > France > Côte d'Azur > Fayence, to put the location on the map for global viewers - could also become the logo for future videos by Fayence Soaring

[@guregorihattofirudo2627]

Simply wondrous. Thank you.

[@eduferrero3855]

Love it !! great job !! amazing editing !! 👏

[@doddsalfa]

There are not many things more brilliant than flying in a glider

[@iansimmonds9076]

Soaring techniques in the mountains please 👍

[@jefsele]

C’est super , ça me donne envie d’apprendre et de m’inscrire au Versoud, j’ai juste mes brevets de pilote avion, mais c’est fascinant vos vidéos

[@EdoardoJacucci]

Very nice video thanks! Nice editing, music, play of the 360 video. How did you mount the camera? Do you have a picture? Hope to come flying there one day.

[@FayenceSoaring]

Thanks! I film with a GoProMax 360 and edit in FCPx.

[@martindavey8742]

Spectacular! for a novice like myself inspirational :)

[@eisenschweinchen5354]

Do you know, are there some hotels in fayence. Would like this your visit your airport.

[@FayenceSoaring]

Yes, Fayence has hotels nearby. And, it's only 45 minutes away from the Mediterranean and all of its beaches and resort hotels. If you want to stay close to the glider club, I either recommend the Auberge des Pins (www.aubergedespins.com) if you're on a budget, or the Moulin de la Camandoule (www.camandoule.com) if you'd like to upgrade yourself a little.

[@eisenschweinchen5354]

Thank you very, very much! Many greetings from Styria (Airport Lanzen Turnau).

[@michaelprice3190]

Excellent Christopher! 'nough said 👍

[@FaBioM250]

Really nice Video. If you could I would like to see the takeoff and the landing. Also... since I live in northern Germany (there are no mountains or ridges in the vicinity of my home airfield) I would really like an introduction to mountain soaring.

[@FayenceSoaring]

Thanks for your comment! You can watch a takeoff and landing on my other video on my channel.

[@gebord]

Thank you...! Nice moment !

[@Paul9601EX]

I love the video, immersive. I also love the sound of the glider.

[@piterpen1205]

Спасибо за видео!

[@robcrosley5700]

Awesome - calculated risks displaying plenty experience; I’ve noticed you open the little canopy side-vent when thermaling - is this for ventilation or to listen for changes in the airflow that can help you centre the thermal, or is merely coincidence that you happened to open it on both occasions that you started ‘thermaling’, 1st time a test turn, 2nd time finding a thermal ? When thermaling in the mountains, do you keep your speed a bit higher for safety ? Thermaling over less treacherous terrain with more predictable air usually involves slower speeds, so opening the vent can merely be for better ventilation, which is my experience anyway ? Great videos, well done !

[@FayenceSoaring]

@Rob Crosley Yes to all... I open the vent during every thermal to 'hear' the airspeed. In addition to the seat-of-the-pants forces, the sound of the air helps me differentiate between vertical lift and horizontal gusts. Not only does it help me climb, but it's also safer as a secondary indicator of stalls. It's also open during takeoff and landing for the same reason. And, I use it for ventilation too....

[@robcrosley5700]

@@FayenceSoaring Thx for the feedback @fayence soaring, keep those videos coming, enjoyable & instructive

[@adhbadoang1086]

mountains and floating above it .... a beautiful combination ... help me, my god, .... i want it too .... you are really lucky ...

[@si_vis_amari_ama]

Hello, thanks for the beautiful flight! For the next video would love to hear the vario, not music.

[@johnbaxter9446]

Absolutely amazing and inspiring to see what is possible with extreme skill. Wishing you Safe Adventure...

[@stoventures1770]

I’m a subscriber! Well done. Would love info on your ship and avionics. Keep em coming!

[@Mariuspluscauskas]

Really nice videos. Nice comments :) Maybe you have more footage of other landing sites in French Alps area?

[@FayenceSoaring]

Definitely !

[@jesperneerholtsrensen6401]

Hello! You make the greatest videos! You ask for a suggestion to a new video, so I suggest this! I am interested in why you are choosing that particular route. Your decision making is interesting. When you look ahead, what gives you the signs of lift or ridge effect. Is it possible to go low on a ridge and go for a good distance. Also I would like to see what happens when you make the wrong decision. When flying above a ridge I sometimes fear to be on the wrong side. And then i can see in some videos that it is okay to go on the leeward side, but I have been warned very much about it. But can you say or tell when it is dangerous to go the lee side? Thankyou very much for making the videos. Your calm way to explain about gliding is unique.

[@mikeviard8195]

Ça à l'air bien sympa votre spot!

[@susannedohmann797]

Nettes Video ! Möglicherweise stand der Bart auf der anderen Seite des Hanges ? Du bist linksrum in den Schatten gekurbelt. Aber stand der Wind auf der Sonnenseite? Gute Entscheidung, weiterfliegen! 2014 war ich mit einem Freund und seinem Arcus M in St.Auban , werde ich nie vergessen. Bruno, love your Videos too! All times happy landings ! Pit from Germany

[@FayenceSoaring]

Thanks for your comment. At the beginning of the video I chose the west side of the mountain because the east side was the lee side and the only mountain pass at the north end of that valley was blocked by low clouds. My only other choice was to abandon my task and fly west away from the mountains and into the sunnier lower terrain.

[@avigator]

Great video. I appreciate, that you share and explain your decisions. What kind of gloves are you wearing?

[@FayenceSoaring]

The gloves are high-quality photographer's gloves. They're perfect for hot weather flying as they breathe well and your hands don’t stick to the controls.

[@asw19B100]

Anti-gravity gloves.

[@chaaalyy]

Nice :) Is that the Dormillouse at around 8:30 ? Many years ago i´ve been in the area with my paraglider but it´s hard to remember every single one of so many mountains xD

[@FayenceSoaring]

Yes, that's Dormillouse.

[@nelsonbrandt7847]

Amazing video and use of 360 camera. I echo the previous comment about route selection. Meticulous route planning is critical to a good flight.

[@d3xterown]

high quality you can really learn from this

[@Theworldofhanggliding]

As a "little brother", I can only watch in amazement what is possible with sailplanes. That L/D is simply unreal ! And it was certainly an "all in" kind of decision to push on when it wasn't looking good. Que tantos cojones 8-) What is the minimal thermalling radius you can achieve in this glider (by that I mean turning radius in metres) ? Also, is the glider in this video considered a high-performance sailplane ? Thanks for sharing, great music and production !

[@FayenceSoaring]

Yes, my ASH 31 Mi is a high-performance glider, and is a dream to fly. Its turning radius depends on many factors which are always changing. For example, a glider fully loaded with water ballast at high altitudes has a turning radius twice as what it needs when its down low and without ballast. Fully understanding this fact is critical to flying safely in the mountains. Thanks for your comment!

[@bertrandarthuis3104]

Very nice movie !! Bravo !

[@LittleNoiseBoy]

I used to fly light aircraft - you know: cheating? With engines? One time I got to fly with a champion glider pilot on a delivery flight - easily the best 'seat of the pants' flyer I ever encountered. Now I'm a paraglider pilot (and don't miss heavy tin for one moment given the 'reality' it brings!) so perhaps understand a little more the challenges you face. Maximum respect, Sir: I'm still on small hills and can only aspire to your level of skill. Thanks for sharing

[@philipperobert-gorsse8084]

Great video ! Thank you . And i know this feeling ... i fly from Puimoisson . And spent 10 days with Baptiste in Fayence in 2019 . I would be interested to know what camera you use and how it is setup on the glider . Brav et merci !

[@FayenceSoaring]

Merci! 10 days with Baptiste must have been exhausting! ;) I film with a GoProMax in 360 and edit it to 1080p in FCPx. A bientôt!

[@maristevanvo57]

Ben! Z 1900m en face de la Blanche, je ne vois pas la difficulté à se poser large sur Seyne....

[@FayenceSoaring]

Oui, dès le début de la vidéo, j'étais à portée de Seyne. C'était le but de la vidéo, et apparemment tu l'as loupé.

[@Rob260259]

Great video!

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

how about an auxilary motor glider.. how far are you from aviano..

[@FayenceSoaring]

I fly from Fayence, France.

[@richardmaisonpierre1715]

Inspiring video. Thank you.

[@felixherold5460]

I like your viedos very much. The most I like your comments to your moves and techniques. Next I would like to learn about flight techniques in the alps.

[@FayenceSoaring]

Thank you for your kind words, Felix! I will include your request in my next video! Please subscribe to my channel so that you don’t miss it!

[@stefanobracca3344]

beatifull, your fly is a dream

[@bernardlardet7200]

Magnifique qu'elle concentration ...