Chile 2006

The expedition personnel were: Gp Capt Dave Fidler from RAF Cranwell; Flt Lt Dave Chappell from RAF Brize Norton, Fg Off (Air Mshl (Retd)) Phil Sturley from RAF Wyton, and from RAF Halton Chf Tech Colin McInnes and Sgt Mark Minary.

Thanks to the generous hospitality of the Chilean Air Force (FACh), the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association (RAFGSA) have once again renewed their acquaintance with the high Andes in Chile. Expedition Andean Condor 2006 saw 5 lucky members of the RAF GSA soaring with Condors up to the highest peaks and ridge running in the most fantastic and challenging Andes. During the 10-day expedition, superbly hosted and facilitated by the Chilean Air Force in Santiago the capital of Chile, a total of nearly 200 hours was flown under the supervision of Chilean instructors, using high-performance 2-seat gliders. This marked the 9th such gliding expedition to Chile, and the 10th anniversary of the RAFGSA’s first visit to Chile.

The Andes, the highest mountain range outside of the Himalaya, is an exceptional but under-exploited area for gliding. Although most of the pilots had substantial prior experience of mountain gliding, they found the flying to be the most challenging and exhilarating that they had ever encountered. A typical flight lasted around 4-5 hours, reaching average heights of 18,000ft and covered distances of 400km and more. With much of each flight spent in the turbulent air within a hundred feet or so of towering mountainsides, there was little room for error and therefore the demands on the pilots’ flying skills and nerve were high.

Additionally, the Expedition gave the opportunity to reinforce the strong relationship between the FACh and the RAF, and all personnel made many long-term friends with their Chilean counterparts. Expedition personnel met with the FACh’s Deputy Chief and also took part in a parade and ceremonies to mark the 93rd Anniversary of the FACh Academy in Santiago (the Academy was an Army Air Academy until the formation of the FACh in 1930). The expedition ended with a farewell meal at the FACh Country Club, hosted by the Commandant, Colonel Eduardo Pena, of the FACh Academy. The RAFGSA now looks forward to hosting FACh glider pilots during a reciprocal visit to Britain planned for Summer 06.

With such opportunities available to all in the RAF, the RAFGSA is extremely keen to engage new members in the delights and challenges of soaring in gliders. With yearly expeditions to the Andes in Chile and to the Alps in France, occasional expeditions to Australia and South Africa, wave soaring in the Scottish Highlands, and with the challenges of international and inter-Service competitions throughout Europe why not try your skill at this challenging but highly rewarding sport. It is open to Service personnel of all ranks and branches/trades and their families; with a fleet of 50 high performance gliders, 10 motor gliders and 8 aircraft for airborne towing, and with 9 clubs throughout the UK and one in Cyprus there is challenge enough for all. Further information is available on Stations from OIC Gliding, or from http://www.rafgsa.org/.