ITS ALL IN THE WEATHER

Weather plays a crucial role in the sport of gliding. The elegant craft rely on solar energy for their lift (thermals) and the ability of a pilot to determine weather conditions and where to locate thermals is essential to staying aloft - and even more important in winning a competition. This need led to Helmuth Fischer working closely with the South African Weather Service which has resulted in a world-wide cost-saving breakthrough and a substantial upgrading of service provided.

Fischer came to South Africa came to South Africa 24 years ago, in part, because as he describes it 'it is one of the world's best countries for gliding'. As holder of the world speed record over a 1000kms triangle (169,7km/h), and 19 national records including the longest distance of 1250kms, he should know.

He describes predicting weather conditions in the flat terrain surrounding Mafikeng where the World Gliding Championships will be held as 'trying to find where the next bubble will come up in a pot of boiling water'.

"Simply put," he says, "the essence of gliding depends on the sun heating the ground and the ground heating the air which rises in thermals providing lift for the glider. It is the prediction of where to find these currents and how well a pilot uses them that determines how far and fast he can fly.

"When tackling a 300 or 500kms triangular route it is crucial to be able to plot where the thunderstorms and other weather conditions are in order to successfully fly round the pre-determined points. The information provided must be more extensive and precise than that normally needed by the aviation industry."

Helmuth's passion for gliding goes hand-in-hand with that of South Africa as a glider's Mecca. "Every year we have a pilgrimage of pilots, some of whom bring their own gliders and family in the pursuit of records. Favourite gliding 'hotspots' include the Drakensburg, Worchester, Mafikeng and Gariep where South Africa's first gliding resort has been established.

"It's a win-win situation with glider pilots getting all they want in the air and a wonderful holiday to boot on the one hand, and the country benefitting from the forex spent here during their stay."