Press Release 28 June 2017

20th FAI World Hang Gliding Class 2 Championship 24 July - 6 August 2017 at Aspres-sur-Buëch (Hautes-Alpes), France

Class 2 hang-gliding is an unpowered, free-flight air sport using high technology aircraft with exceptional performance, and it is surprisingly not well known! Midway between a hang glider and a sailplane, the Class 2 ‘ultra-light’ sailplane combines gliding skills with a mastery of flying conditions, knowledge of weather and an expertise in flight strategy in order to achieve tasks of several hundred kilometres without a motor. The 20th FAI World Championship in the Hautes-Alpes department of south east France at the end of July, brings together the top 10 Class 2 pilots on the planet, hailing from France, Austria and Switzerland. The competition runs over two weeks, based at the Chevalet airfield at Aspres-sur-Buëch. At least nine tasks are expected, depending on the flying conditions this summer. To stand on the winners’ podium at this world championship, requires consistently good flying across all the tasks during the fortnight.

These carbon and kevlar ‘birds’ are rarely seen in skies over FranceThe aircraft weighs between 80 and 100kg, and is flown rather like a glider, and with performance far superior to a hang glider, but with more comfort! Because the ultra-light glider can be foot-launched and landed, it is technically defined as a hang glider (Class 2), and therefore does not require an aircraft pilot’s licence. It can, however, more easily be launched by aerotow, pulled by a ULM (microlight), as will happen at the upcoming World Championship this summer. It can also be fitted with a lightweight auxiliary thermal or electric motor. But in this case, it is considered to be a ULM and requires the appropriate licence and insurance.Two seater ultra-light gliders do not exist. Thus, to fly these machines, pilots are recommended to learn to fly hang-gliders, and then fly for several hours in a two-seater sailplane, before flying an ultra-light glider for the first time. This is primarily to ease the learning curve and avoid errors. There are several types and makes of ultra-light glider, and the purchase price of a new model can range from €35,000 to €80,000€. For comparison, the price of a classic sailplane varies from €80,000 to €250,000. The best known models, as will be flown in this competition, are:• The Swiftlight (manufactured in Belgium by Aériane), is the model flown by

the current world champion, Manfred Ruhmer, both in competition, but also in aerobatic demonstrations, such as the Coupe Icare, held every September in France, near Grenoble.

• The Archaeopteryx (manufactured in Switzerland by Ruppert Composite), is claimed to provide greater manoeuvrability and better thermalling performance. It gave the gifted, free flying legend, Andy Hediger from Argentina, second place in the World Championships in Annecy in 2014.

Further information and technical details on ultra-light gliders can be found on the organiser’s website: www.ultralight-glider.fr

15 days to discover the vast free-flying potential of the Hautes-Alpes in FranceWith its headquarters at Aspres-sur-Buëch (Chevalet Airfield), the competition offers pilots the opportunity to discover one of the most highly valued flying areas in Europe for long distance flying. It is a veritable paradise for these pilots, in the foothills of the pre-Alps,

with its wide valleys bordered by the mountain ranges of Dévoluy and the Ecrins. In a single task, the competitors are likely to fly over snow-capped alpine mountains to the north and east and over the antennas on the stark rocky peak of Mont Ventoux to the south-west. The aim of the organisers is to show to competitors and the international free-flying community, the huge potential of this region, and the various routes that can be flown from this one site. The organisers have taken it upon themselves to attract more pilots to the area and to the sport, creating a real hub for ultra-light gliding. In this way, they will be contributing not only to the development of this little-known discipline, but also to expanding airsports in general in the Buëch area of the Hautes-Alpes.During the event, spectators can follow the pilots remotely on the internet, thanks to a gps-based ‘live-tracking’ system. It’s a great tool for seeing the different routes each pilot takes to reach each turnpoint, understanding their strategies, and to note for later perhaps, to follow a similar route when flying in the area! The airfield at Chevalet offers a wide range of facilities for families:

fully-equipped camp site, swimming pool, bar-restaurant and further holiday accommodation in the nearby village.

CHAMPIONNAT DU

MONDEDE PLANEUR ULTRALÉGER 2017Aérodrome du Chevalet / Aspres-sur-Buëch

du 27 juillet au 6 août 2017*Décollages tous les jours à partir de 11h

www.mondialdepul2017.com

Aspres-sur-Buëch «Air et Lumière»

AVL SarlAviation Services & Supplies

Press Release 28 June 2017

PRESS CONTACT: Mrs Louise JOSELYN +33 (0)6 07 24 53 86 - louisejoselyn@gmail.com& Mrs Frédérique ASSAEL +33 (0)6 10 26 43 16 - conseil@frederiqueassael.com - www.frederiqueassael.com

ORGANISATION - Association ADPUL - rue du Lac - 05700 SERRES - France - www.ultralight-glider.fr

www.facebook.com/ADPUL www.mondialdepul2017.com

20th FAI World Hang Gliding Class 2 Championship 24 July - 6 August 2017 at Aspres-sur-Buëch (Hautes-Alpes), France

Provisional programme for the fortnightThe 10 contending pilots are free to take practice/training flights from Sunday 24th to Thursday 27th July. Then 9 task days are planned from Friday 28th July to Saturday 5th August. During the second week (Monday 31st July to 5th August), they will have the company of other pilots flying Class 5 (rigid-wing) hang gliders. These pilots will be flying their own competition over 6 days, called the ‘Big Task Open’. The aim is to challenge these pilots with extra-long tasks, perhaps 100 or even 200+km each day. And like all grand international competitions, there will be opening and closing ceremonies, open to the public and hosted by local officials and dignitaries. The competition itself is not technically open to the public, although the airfield is open to all, as it is all year round. However, professional ULM pilots will be on hand, offering fun flights, enabling the region to be seen from the air – a must-have experience reserved for our special guests!Full details of the competition programme and allied events and activities are available on the website www.mondialdepul2017.com/en/blog/provisional-agenda.html

Calling all partners!The organisation of this World Championship is staffed primarily by volunteers, and is steered by the local club, ADPUL, (Association pour le Développement du Planeur Ultra-Léger). It is still looking for partners to help finance the event. Sign up now and benefit from allying your image alongside the strong messages of this event, such as high tech performance, innovation, sportsmanship and respect for the environment. This last, an ethic that has become considerably more important to decision-making among consumers today. " We are looking to project an image of sportsmanship combined with respect for the environment - an image which is a fundamental component underlying the collective aims of the local authorities and businesses of this dynamic region. Please join us in this event, bringing your messages and your image, and let us carry them high above, and right across the Alps."Pascal Lanser, Vice-President ADPUL

For further information on becoming a partner:www.mondialdepul2017.com/en/contact/partnership.html

Press InformationPRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Poster (hi-res), photos and videos on request • Remember to send us a request for Press Accreditaton (online form) before 24th July. • Flights in a ULM available for photographers/cameramen. Contact us to reserve a place (only accredited journalists accepted)!

TECHNICAL INFORMATIONS TV Video clips will be available on our website right through the competition. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.

Press release photos: ADPUL & Ruppert Composite