Explanations of the tools below and more
Introduction to weather for ultralight pilots
NWS hourly forecast – Poteau, OK
Wister, OK – current conditions
Stigler, OK – current conditions
Poteau, OK – current conditions at the Poteau airport
Kiamichi – current conditions near Panorama launch
Buffalo Mountain Flyers – current conditions & more at Buffalo Mountain
WeatherLink station at Buffalo Mtn – requires a free logon (more info)
MesoWest stations Ouachita Mountains – current conditions
Weather for Aircrews – Basic weather info for non-professionals
Pivotal Weather – an outstanding site for anything weather but it requires some work and know-how
SPC Balloon Soundings (every 12 hours)
UoW Balloon Soundings – usually available before the SPC soundings for 72364 (ELP)
Jet Stream and 4 day forecast – Pivotal Weather (above) gives much more accurate info on the Jet
NOAA Satellite image of moisture and clouds over the USA
Windy – animated map of winds and other data over the surface of the world
Wind History Map – actual vs. forecasts
Weather Spark – monthly, daily, and hourly graphical reports anywhere on earth
SkyVector Aeronautical Chart – road maps of the sky including TFR's
Introductory videos: The Dream of Human Flight is now a Reality - The Joy of Paragliding – a fine video production by Steve Crye showing the elements of why we love to fly. Let's go places (from Toyota), Featured video and introduction to paragliding (from the National Geographic), Fly like a bird (from USHPA)
Nearly every country in the world promotes and loves adventure sports, like hang gliding and paragliding. Switzerland even put an image of a guy paragliding on their 50 Franc note. Our sport is popular because it is the purest and rawest form of aviation there is and one that an average person can afford (about the price of a 10 year old used car).
On schedule – please contact us for training locations and dates.
Yours truly went up to repair the gate to launch that had been damaged by some people. What I saw was amazing.
The road going to launch off the Talimena Highway.
Panorama launch parking area
Panorama launch. Cloudbase is likely 500' lower than launch. It was a true winter-wonderland that that Creator gave us that day.
It was cold flying today – and misty with a 300' AGL cloudbase. Such conditions which are near freezing but not quite enough to produce snow often produce ice. Just like in an ordinary aircraft, the leading edge of the glider started to accumulate clear ice. A pilot cannot see the leading edge but he can see his risers, clothing, etc. When they start to accumulate ice, it is time to promptly land. The glider's shape had not begun to change nor was there any perceptible change in its handling, which is always the most important thing to watch. Reflex gliders are more resistant to the effects of increase weight from icing than a standard PG glider. Nonetheless, if there is a chance of ice occurring, it is important to be close to the ground (<200') so a pilot can land quickly, as conditions warrant.
This is the sign on your clothing that it is time to get on the ground.
The content of this website is copyright © 2021 by Southwest Airsports, LLC. / All Rights Reserved / Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
