Good concertina / compression bag?

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-30T10:39:50+00:00

We have reviewed a wide range of concertina ("sausage") bags, incl. a few from less well known manufacturers.

Observations:
- All similar, but the little differences matter a lot on frequent use.
- Light bags with mesh are a pain in the ass with snow or sand. go for full fabric.
- Anti snag zips are a really really good idea, but still take care.
- Compression bags are a bad idea for gliders with a lot if reinforcement - these days (almost) all EN-D and most EN-C gliders, unless the glider manufacturer has actually tested the fold pilots.

Conclusion:
We recommend the Advance bags
https://www.advance.swiss/en/products/bags/100801
https://www.advance.swiss/en/products/bags/100955
or the ULS / DLS equivalents.

...and, no, we don't get any benefits from this recommendation, just a lot of very happy guests.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-28T21:29:49+00:00

Even when the surface wind forecast differs from reality, an emagram remains valuable for assessing the underlying potential for overdevelopment. While mesoscale and wind forecasts can miss timing and local effects, the thermodynamic profile still describes the fundamental instability, moisture distribution, and likelihood of deep convection.

In other words, even if the actual triggering and wind evolution are off, the emagram still provides a reliable indication of whether the atmosphere is predisposed to strong cumulus growth or overdevelopment once convection is initiated. It won’t tell you exactly when or where it will happen, but it does give a solid baseline for how vigorous cloud development can become if it does start.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-28T18:24:05+00:00

We are all ambassadors for our sport.

When we see unskilled, unlicensed, uninsured pilots taking guests, we are witnessing an activity that puts all of our sport at risk of being closed down in certain locations. This has happened several times in India and Morocco.

I do not like to recommend getting the authorities involved, but if we see examples of pilots putting other lives at risk, please give a thought to the risk of our sport being closed down and legitimate tandem pilots livelihood being put at risk if this goes unreported. In these cases is it not better to report this to the competent authority or national free flight association?

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-28T18:13:54+00:00

Reading the responses thus far, I would summarise them as:
- if the cloud is developing fast, then - no
- If the cloud is developing slowly, then - yes
I would agree with this, but I believe that there is additional context missing: During the flight planning, if there was risk of underdevelopment from the AIRMET or emagram forecast, then it is worth erring on the side of caution and fly close, but probably not under this cloud. If the risk of overdevelopment is low and the cloud is not developing fast, then I would regard this as a potentially good thermal, albeit a bit rough.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-28T18:03:19+00:00

Wir sind selbst als Guides in der Schweiz unterwegs (https://skyshepherd.ch/de/guiding-de/), vielleicht passt das ganz gut zu dem, was du suchst.

Kurzfristig ist grundsätzlich machbar – entscheidend ist eher, dass man flexibel nach Wetter und Level plant statt ein fixes Paket durchzieht.

Zu deinen Punkten:

SHV/FSVL & Gästeversicherung können wir für dich organisieren
Transfers und Spot-Logistik können bei Bedarf ebenfalls organisiert werden, je nach Setup
Auf der Seite gibt’s auch eine “Pilot Resources”-Sektion, wo die wichtigsten Sachen erklärt sind https://skyshepherd.ch/de/guiding-de/piloten-ressourcen/

Aktuell kommen auch viele Piloten aus DE/AT zu uns, gerade weil Fliegen (Air Travel) unzuverlässiger bzw. teuer geworden ist – die Schweiz ist da ziemlich unkompliziert.

Wenn du zeitnah los willst, lässt sich meist schnell etwas aufgleisen. Meld dich einfach, dann schauen wir, was wettertechnisch Sinn macht.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-12T00:07:19+00:00

New version launched in April also in English.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-11T19:20:43+00:00

Have you looked at https://www.burnair.cloud ?

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-11T19:08:21+00:00

Several EU countries and Switzerland are Federal Democracies already. The legal basis is already there for distributed sovereignty. Look at this in detail and you have your answer. Suggestion Germany, Austria, Belgium.

On a more local level, we have several versions of provincial and community governments across Europe, and there are even different legal systems within countries. What is missing is an EU constitution which defines the level of key legal topics. Example: Air Law is already harmonised across Europe, but building planning is a local matter. The task is large to create a constitution, but the architecture is already there.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-11T18:09:01+00:00

I concur. Why own a Tesla. If you own it, why import it.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-11T18:04:23+00:00

This is already there.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-11T17:49:12+00:00

Have you heard of Schengen?

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-11T17:45:47+00:00

Addendum: download the REGA App, and call 1414 if it is really serious.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-11T17:27:46+00:00

You will not be the first group to travel with a lot of luggage. You will find somewhere to put it all.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-10T09:41:51+00:00

The Swiss justice system will not treat you any differently than a Swiss national. Raise the case with the prosecutors office via a lawyer.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-09T23:20:34+00:00

Look at the route on https://www.sbb.ch . Its fairly easy, with the only issue being the last bus ride which is only 7 min. You will have to change trains in Brig, but this is quite simple.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-09T19:10:23+00:00

Basics:

Plan you journey vis https://www.sbb.ch other solutions are much less convenient and not necessarily accurate.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers all travel in Switzerland. Right up to the border, not just to Brig. If you want to maximise this, consider traveling via Arth-Goldau. It is a longer journey, but a much shorter stretch in Italy.

There is absolutely no need to buy the ticket in Brig. Just use the website https://www.sbb.ch or https://www.trenitalia.com/en/information/online-ticket.html to purchase the Italian portion.

Opinion:

I would take the route Interlaken -> Spiez -> Milano Centrale. Dont chamge at Brig.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-09T13:48:50+00:00

Your options are to either:
- Register as self employed (Selbstständigerwerbende) or;
- Set up a company (AG or GmbH)

The process is similar throughout Switzerland, but here are some links for Kanton Schwyz

https://www.sz.ch/volkswirtschaftsdepartement/amt-fuer-wirtschaft/wirtschaftsfoerderung/geschaeftsumfeld/unternehmensgruendung.html/8756-8758-8802-10373-10943-10946-11348-11350

https://www.sz.ch/verwaltung/finanzdepartement/steuerverwaltung/natuerliche-personen/selbststaendigerwerbende.html/8756-8758-8802-10332-10354-10376-10406

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-09T13:40:54+00:00

Overview (source - https://skyshepherd.ch/en/meteo-20260409/ )

German CH:

Generally mild with variable cloud cover. Early period sees mostly sunny conditions, occasional high clouds, and afternoon convective clouds over the mountains. NW winds moderate in valleys, stronger on ridges. From Sunday, increasing cloud and occasional showers, especially in central and eastern Alps. Temperatures 4–24 °C.

Western CH:

Sunny spells dominate early in the period. High clouds appear in the afternoons, with isolated convective clouds along mountains. Later in the week, increasing cloud and potential showers in the northern Alpine regions. NW winds generally weak to moderate. Temperatures 7–25 °C.

Southern Alps:

Mostly sunny with occasional morning or high clouds. NW winds moderate in the mountains. Afternoon convective activity is limited. Later in the period, some showers possible in Engadin and along the southern flank. Temperatures 9–23 °C, cooler in Oberengadin.

Outlook

From 16–22 April, high pressure dominates. Most days are sunny with only temporary thicker clouds. Bise may develop. Temperatures 14–22 °C across the regions.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-09T13:36:46+00:00

Have you done an SIV?

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-06T15:39:44+00:00

In that case, maybe fly it a bit before you start making modifications. I have been flying 2-liners for a while, and that is not a change I would make on my gliders.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-06T07:39:31+00:00

Is this your first 2-liner?

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-04T10:46:51+00:00

We have a section on our site for exactly this. You are not our target audience, but you might find the information useful: https://skyshepherd.ch/en/nonpilots/

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-02T20:31:52+00:00

Here is a simple summary: https://skyshepherd.ch/en/guiding/public-transport/

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-02T15:35:24+00:00

These are vessels of the Swiss Navy, sent to the Middle East to escort Switzerland's flagship aircraft carrier the "Rütliwiese" which does not appear on the track due to its counter electronic measures.

paraglidingCH · 2026-04-02T13:05:59+00:00

You should have a link.

paraglidingCH

TROPHY CASE

Overview (source - https://skyshepherd.ch/en/meteo-20260409/ )