Glider pilot unloads his wings in the French Alps!

Flying too close to the terrain can have lethal consequences for unsuspecting pilots.
Music by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. - www.scottbuckley.com.au
All rights reserved © 2023 Christopher Fleming
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 #crash

[@siamakaghazeinali]

There is a very good feeling in your work. The feeling of being an eagle on top of a mountain! Full of peace and love.

[@Skyforger62]

Thanks for “unloading” another beautiful video!! I appreciate the dialogue and superb production quality👍🏻

[@GuillaumeCara]

Your video is great as usual. You shows that soaring isn't just flying but also understand and exploit the environment.

[@biclogypsy2041]

I'm so happy to see a new video from Capt. Flemming. Always breathtaking. Soaring is a technical art - a mixture of science and passion. After a long week flying for a living, it's always nice to get back to why we got into aviation in the first place. I'm fortunate to have a house in France at the base of some of the best ridge riding in Europe and only a few KM's from the French National Gliding Center. Many Thanks to Fayence Soaring. You've made my day.

[@FayenceSoaring]

Wow, thank you for your very kind words!

[@peterfynn]

at 6:28, 7:36 and 7:52 ?? Fascinating. Once again, a beautiful video. Thank you.

[@nathaliesias5433]

Quel bonheur de voler avec vous MERCI 🙏

[@fotogeorgy]

You seem to have unloaded at around 0:19, 5:42, and 7:36, right? Thank you for the great video and the food for thought.

[@arsantonius1810]

Merci toujours magnifique Actuellement élève à Fayence , ça donne envie de bientôt pouvoir aller vers ces sommets lointains ! 😅

[@nixl3518]

You mean “safer“!! Even as I love what you do, there is no aspect to this sport, that constitutes the definition of “safe“!

[@FayenceSoaring]

With knowledge, training, and experience, yes, even flying a glider in the Alps can be completely safe. However, the sport is very unforgiving for those who attempt it without knowledge, training, or experience.

[@apocalips8008]

_"Glider pilot avoids hitting the mountain by unloading his wings!"_ Clickbait rubbish...

[@FayenceSoaring]

it wasn’t meant to be clickbait, and I’m sorry if you found it to be rubbish. I’ve edited the title, and I hope you find it less rubbishy.

[@troypayne8706]

'promo sm'

[@kimcarson2645]

As always Christopher, beautiful video and breathtaking views. I would look forward to a future feature length IMAX film . . . I can see the WOW expressions already . .. ! Kudos to Scott Buckley for the excellent sound track also . . . Definitely a winning artistic combination . . !

[@grmpflying]

Nice video, as usual! I would say you undloaded definitely a 7:37.

[@nicholasgoodyear7552]

Best gliding videos ever. Love the music the camera work the inset maps and vario sounds. They make the heart soar. Please keep them coming

[@MFPrice2222]

Hope to be you when I grow up! But until then... 😂

[@hj45lp]

Your videos are just so stunningly beautiful. Can't wait for the glider season to begin here in Lapland, still 2.5-3 months to go... 👍😎

[@jacekpiterow900]

Never-ending sea of mountains. Like a storm frozen in time.... majestic. Thanks.

[@jjiacobucci]

"like a storm frozen in time" - brilliant !

[@simonnomis5302]

oh man...here in Greece while we were gliding for 50 years now everything stopped by the authorities by no apparent reason....great stuff...soaring is the best flying.

[@susannedohmann797]

And i thought only Germany is trying to destroy the General Aviation !😜

[@christophwieland9526]

Thanks again for this great video and for contributing to make the sport more safe and seen!

[@Simon-ry1lw]

These videos are superb, the flying, scenery, the majesty of the mountains !

[@davidbowes5915]

Great video, I showed a previous one of yours to a non aviator and he was hooked. Thanks for uploading these and the technical tips.

[@user-tn1vc1xz5d]

Your videos are sublime. I had a few trial student flights back in uni, no thermals, just short hops. Your videos are so inspiring and thanks for sharing the experiences with us.

[@bertraminc9412]

Very nice. If only the 765 could do that! 😉

[@jean-pierrebegin7559]

Encore une fois, quelle belle leçon de vol!

[@unclemuir]

Beautiful footage. You made that cross country look easy. Thanks from California.

[@TheSoaringChannel]

Absolutely stunning video. I did catch the unloading!! I have always taught "when you find yourself running out of aileron: PUSH!"

[@susannedohmann797]

`Give me more ailerons ` ( Schleicher K8 - Pilot with thick legs .) 🙃🥵😱😄

[@TheSoaringChannel]

@@susannedohmann797 😂

[@TheSoaringChannel]

@@susannedohmann797 funny thing is that I would demonstrate aileron authority via pitch to my student by blocking the ailerons with my legs 😂

[@superfunky1973]

Magnifique 💪 merci, merci beaucoup pour votre vidéo incroyable ! Et surtout vos recommandations de vol !

[@josephinebennington7247]

Ahead of you, and around you, at all the times, the alps are ahead. That’s obvious. It looks like an ocean of waves. I’m assuming if you could see the air that too would look like a random mess of movement. You’re looking for lift, and avoiding sink. Is there actually a steadier consistent flow of air to assist you than my presumption says?

[@FayenceSoaring]

Thank you for your inquisitive comment! Yes, if you could see the air it would also appear random and chaotic, but there are natural rules that it must obey, and learning those rules is what makes gliding in the mountains so rewarding.

[@GC987]

Another wonderful video with great explanation. It looks like the (360 degree ?) camera is mounted perpendicular whereas (I think ???) I believe if it's mounted facing a random angle (e.g. 32 degrees or 108 degrees etc etc.) the stitching line in the film isn't straight ahead (it's then to the side somewhere) & since a lot of footage is presented nose on, the stitch line would then be more in the peripheral vision. In post production, it's then possible to orientate the shot ahead (or wherever) without the sticking line directly ahead (and a little distracting from the wonderful scenery). I really love if when you also show the LX & where you are soaring..... it's so difficult to appreciate the task from an armchair. Well done. Brilliant video - looked like a great flight on a nice day.

[@dutchr4zor]

Great video! What kind of camera do you use? It seems like a 360 camera mounted with the lenses pointing let and right?

[@FayenceSoaring]

Exactly. I film with a GoPro MAX in 360, and edit to 1080p.

[@alainescartincortillas9469]

Magnifique et merci pour la leçon. J'ai cru voir les trois décharge vers : 5'40; 6'30 et 7'30

[@lautoka63]

Nice work, thanks. I wish I'd known that there is gliding at Fayence; I used to ride through there on my way up to Mons in the hills beyond (I was younger and fitter).

[@LuckyLAK17]

Min 7:35. Could spot only this one

[@lfugoni1]

TY for your video! What model of camera do you use, please?

[@FayenceSoaring]

I film with a GoPro MAX.

[@MegaspeedMilly]

Nice video but what a clickbait title 😐

[@andremetayer1467]

What did you expect ? I'm quite sure that this title is a result from an automatique translation. The quality of english subtitles, telling us how a glider react in mountain is enough to prove the sincerity of Christopher.

[@ericgross3509]

Fabulous as usual, thanks

[@leslawc]

Märchenhaft

[@npelchat44]

Super vidéo. Je vois un unloading à 7:36

[@christianmeynard4952]

Bravo !

[@erwinklementin5014]

the aircraft is turned upside down and thus the wings are relieved!

[@myair737]

Great video again! And tricky way to create more views :D My guess: 5:40, 6:15, 7:35.

[@skavalic]

Amazing video. My also. The most obvious at 7:35. Also hearing the change in flaps after the unloading and roll correction. Next time with camera at the shoulders position please. Br S.

[@jacekpiterow900]

Landing out in this environment will be no fun. When flying those mountains do you have way out in case wind or wreathes change quickly?

[@FayenceSoaring]

I always have a way out, including a safe place to land. In this video, when I have the computer animation displayed, you can see that I'm just a few kilometers away from an airport: Solliers.

[@pastaga5020]

Après un tel vol, ca doit être difficile de revenir en bas sur terre au milieu des voitures et de la surpopulation!

[@christianmeynard4952]

Il ne faut rien exagérer. Les clubs de vol à voile sont constitués d'une petite bande de copains. Il faut bien aussi disposer de bagnoles aptes à tirer les remorques parfois nécessaires ! Le retour sur Terre est toujours convivial, chacun échangeant sur la journée qu'ils viennent de vivre ou d'autres.

[@rodsilva80]

i'm happy you saved your life by avoiding hitting the mountain! glad you could unload your wings. such a stupid video title

[@andremetayer1467]

What did you expect ? I'm quite sure that this title is a result from an automatique translation. The quality of english subtitles, telling us how a glider react in mountain is enough to prove the sincerity of Christopher.