New Activity - Walking Holidays

February 2008

We are widening our season by offering walking holidays during the early spring and autumn.

This area is already a well know trekking destination for Spanish mountaneers, but almost unknown to British walkers. We can offer dramatic scenery in a friendly environment, and we hope to back that up with a good service.

The first group is set for a week from the 17th to the 24th of April. Check the walking section for more info about walking in this area.

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New bmibaby flight from Birmingham

January 2008

Airline bmibaby have announced a new service flying direct from Birmingham to Madrid. On Sunday, the flights depart from the UK at 08:40 and arrive 12:10, which fits in well with our shuttle.

The return flight leaves Madrid on Sunday at 12:50. Prices from £24.99 one way, including taxes and charges.

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New Jet2.com Service Leeds-Bradford to Madrid

December 2007

Jet2.com have announced a new service flying from Leeds-Bradford to Madrid.

The times tie in well with our Sunday shuttle service. On Sunday, the flights depart from the UK at 10:30 and arrive at 14:05. The Sunday return flight leaves Madrid at 14:45.

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Change in Arrival and Departure day from Saturday to Sunday for 2008.

December 2007

Our arrival and departure day for 2008 is now SUNDAY. From July 2007 easyJet stopped their flights from some provincial airports on Saturday. Also, some clients made it known to us that a Sunday to Sunday would be easier for them for work reasons. There is also a direct bus to from Madrid to Piedrahita at 8.30pm on Sunday for those arriving too late for our shuttle service.

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Prices for 2008

December 2007

Our price of 450€ still the same after 5 years! But there are some changes depending on group size.

Our price has remained constant for the last 5 years. Our price includes all flying services, our alternative activities, airport pick up, accommodation, breakfast and three of your evening meals. Our only change in that time was to reduce from 4 evening meals to 3 in 2007.

We are able to maintain this price mainly due to our popularity: It is more cost effective with a larger group than with a small group. However, due to the high inflation in Spain, we are this year adapting the prices for smaller groups.

The base price of 450€ remains the same providing there is a group of five pilots or more.

For groups with less than 5 people, the price is 470€. If you book alone, but later find there are four other pilots here that week, you will only pay 450€. Check with the booking calendar, which shows how many pilots are booked each week, you will then know your full cost before arrival and can make your final payment of the correct amount. Of course, if you make a group booking of five or more, you can be assured of the €450 price.

If you are less that 5 persons and wish to pay the full amount at the time of reservation when there are still less that 5 booked, we will refund the 20€ to you on arrival if we have later made up a group of 5 or more that week.

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Steve wins Serial Class in British Championships 2007

September 2007

For the second year running Steve is Serial Class British Champion. In 2006,aboard his Airwave Magic 4, after winning the pre-World Championships and the Australian nationals in Serial class, he went on to dominate the British Championship series, only loosing the overall Open class title on the penultimate to come runner up to the overall title, and first in serial class.

During the 2007 season Steve flew various wings. Open Class for the World Championships with the Airwave FR3, then various serial wings for the British Championship legs (the UP Trango in Piedrahita, the Gin Boomerang Sport in the UK, and the new Niviuk Peak in the last leg at San Andre).

Steve got to goal every day but one during the championship, the big day of 153km to Arcones from Piedrahita, where he dropped a very frustrating 12km short of goal. On the first day at San André, although getting to goal with a good time he was shown to have crossed the start gate 2 seconds early, loosing 960 points, and any chance of the overall title and making catching up John Chambers, leading the serial class a lot more difficult. Racing hard over the short course on the last day saw Steve a few minutes ahead of John, securing the title for the second time.

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Tom Payne wins british championships Best Newcomer Award and a flyPiedrahita Holiday for 2008

September 2007

Tom is no stranger to Piedrahita, having flown with us in the past. Tom, aboard his Mac Magus XC made some particularly impressive flights in San André. Much of the week pushing ahead and often up with the Open class pilots on his serial wing. Well done Tom. We look forward to having him out with us in 2008 as winner of our British Nationals sponsored prize.

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XC-Open Series hits classic conditions in Piedrahita

September 2007

Steve Ham was the Meet Director for this competition. The first week in September traditionally provides classic flying and this year was no exception with fantastic conditions and 8 tasks out of 8 days. Typically the winning flights were between between 100km and 150km, the XC Open in Piedrahita was a great success.

Here is a video made by Martin Muller while competing in the XC Open. This is the original video on his site with a streamed copy below. See the report on the competition .

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Steve makes front Cover of Cross Country magazine

June 2007

Steve is very proud to make the front cover of his favourite magazine. He is shown flying his new FR3 with its Spanish Flag colours during the World Championships in Manilla, Australia. The photo was taken by team mate and subsequently World Champion, Bruce Goldsmith, on an epic Manilla day. The fantastic conditions which had lasted throughout the week before for the XC Open, were soon to turn problematic for the World Championships.

Bruce is famed for his ability to get fantastic pictures, happily snapping away in the gaggles, whilst most find they need to keep their full attention on controlling their glider. Even on the last day, of maximum pressure for Bruce as competition leader, he was still taking photos with the likes of Crigel Mauer and Jean-Marc Caron a few points behind and in conditions which soon had the rest of the British team on the ground. Well, done Bruce, and thanks for the great photo.

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