March 30, 2008 Astrid Rao

Another Beautiful Shelar Evening

Sanjay and I drove to the site together just after the team. The wind was straight when we got there at 4 pm. The tandems were already in the air and students were ground handling and doing hops. Got to takeoff at past 5 and geared up. It was a full on Shelar evening with [...]

March 29, 2008 Astrid Rao

Tranquil Skies

  Although the wind was cross when we reached the site in the afternoon it turned earlier than last week. I can see that we are approaching the ‘Full On’ Shelar summer days. A nice steady wind coming in straight meant good lift and the possibility of wandering about in the sky. Spotted a long [...]

March 8, 2008 Astrid Rao

Crosswinds

  A cold north wind penetrating all the way down to the peninsula ensured ‘iffy’ conditions at Shelar.  I was able to stay up for half hour of scratching along the little south face. The wind was cross coming from the north – a phenomenon we are seeing a lot of for the last month [...]

March 4, 2008 Astrid Rao

The Restitution Rules

Again this weekend the wind is cross and mild. But patient paragliders got the most amazing flights. Characteristically the afternoon began with us all hanging about in the shade of the 3 Bhendi trees by the landing field. As the evening progressed the restitution gracefully slid in and Sunil, Ron and I enjoyed the smooth [...]