Archive for the ‘News’ Category

The 2016/2017 ski season at Panorama resort is open and has been since Dec 9th. The flying season will be open once the Sunbird Chair is in operation. Currently Panorama is working on the ski runs to open the terrain to our landing site. Once this is in place, Panorama will open up the Sunbird chair lift which is needed to get you from the landing site back on top of the mountain.
It sounds like this should happen in the next couple of days, but until then, there is no flying at Panorama as of yet.

Once again, for this season, Panorama is very supportive of pilots with a special fly/ski ticket this year.
Please keep in mind that this special day pass is for pilots who are going to fly only! If you are at the take-off site and it is not good to fly, you can leave your wing at the launch site and ski until the conditions improve. Please do not abuse this special deal, or we will be in jeopardy of losing this privilege.

The take-off and landing is the same as the years before.

Please respect the following points:

  • No flying over the bottom high-speed Chair (Mile 1 Quad) area at all (see picture below)
  • No landings at the village. Only land on designated landing site or on Golf course if it gets to windy.
  • No launches after 3:00 pm
  • Cross lifts with at least 150 feet
  • Pilots need to have skis or a snowboard to get a ride with the lift
  • Contact RK Heliski before you head up the Mountain at 250 342-3889.
    This is just to let them know we are flying as they will inform their pilots of the activities.

Here is what you need to be able to fly at Panorama: 

  • Novice Rating (P2 rating)
  • HPAC Liability Insurance
  • NO Speedwing flying, Paragliding only
  • Access to launch sites only possible with skies or snowboard.
  • All pilots to sign the 2016/2017 waiver
  • Pilots are required to get in touch with Max Fanderl (max@flyingMax.com) to get the waiver forms
    • Send your HPAC membership number, expiry date and rating

More details at https://flyingmax.com/area/panorama/

Seasons greetings and happy landings

Max, Penny & the kids

 

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