SPOTs are a powerful resource

• They reassure your family
• They reassure you
• They make my life easier knowing I can find you

We are often flying in areas outside of good cell phone coverage. A SPOT with tracking activated and used could save your life

They are not mandatory for the clinics, if we are in the flatlands I strongly recommend one
We have a couple spare we can rent by prior arrangement

Your GPS should be set to a coordinate system of degrees.degrees (d.ddddd)

If you want to keep an useful tracklog you should be taking tracklog points every second, depending on the storage capacity of your GPS unit

In Europe they use FM 2M, often not legally

We will discuss and make a decision as a group well before we go

We have organised some accommodation at a guest house overlooking Sopot, a short walk from the chair lift

There is a mixture of rooms with multiple singles and some double beds, The rooms are all serviced, have air conditioning and most have ensuite bathrooms. There are laundry facilities, shared areas and a good sun deck. They provide a good breakfast each day

We will need to discuss as a group how we use the rooms, some may prefer their own rooms, some may want to share a room with an adjustment in cost
We will work this thru before we go

Sopot is 2 hours drive from Sofia

Arrange a flight into Sofia and we will pick you up from the airport

Contact Sascha at Travel Scene – she finds amazing fares – sascha@tsbright.com.au

Try Orbitz and Kayak – they regularly have good fares

An important part of the event is individual and group goal orientated skills development.

We work with each pilot to identify areas of opportunity to develop and improve individual skills. We discuss and agree strategies to work towards measurably improving those skills. We jointly identify achievable goals that over time demonstrate how well those strategies are working.

Some of these opportunities are discussed and developed before the event via an internet based remote skills development process.

All of these opportunities, strategies and goals are documented and become part of a skills improvement package that you take away with you to continue to use and develop your flying.

• All pilots need a clear inflight radio communications system (we can work with you to help you get this properly sorted out), a GPS and a cell phone.
• We all fly from the same site each day, as you fly you routinely radio to the retrieve driver your GPS position based on bearing, height and distance from launch . If they have not heard from you frequently enough they will ask you for updates. We can find you based on this information alone
• A  SPOT or Delorme satellite GPS tracking system is mandatory. This unit will transmit your coordinates via satellite (does not need cell phone coverage) to our driver. We can also track you whilst you are flying. We can rent you one if you give us notice
• When you land you use your tracker to send your GPS coordinates to the retrieve driver
• You will need to land or walk to a vehicle accessible road, we will not haul you out of dense bush. Remember a good looking track may have locked gates so be smart and focus on landing beside paved (sealed)roads.
• The retrieve driver has a vehicle based GPS that will accept your coordinates and guide the driver to you, they also have maps of the area

For Australian pilots

Send a Aus $750 deposit to Sascha at Travel Scene quoting reference T15696
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK
ACCOUNT NAME – AISHA NOMINEES
BSB – 083945, ACCOUNT – 536354691

For overseas pilots

Use our enquiries page to contact us

This deposit is 100% refundable until the course is confirmed 90 days before the tour starts

Once the course is confirmed the deposit is non refundable, the balance is required 45 days before the tour starts

Please don’t book flights until you have a confirmation from us that the tour is running. We will be depending on a minimum of 3 guests before we confirm

Sopot and Shumen are inland thermalling sites

There are some days when we do not fly, there are many days where we can fly all day

I would classify Sopot as beginner friendly under supervision, it’s chair lift and 850m vertical make it attractive for all skill levels

Fuel is expensive, trains and buses are popular

Food is inexpensive and good

The people are remarkably friendly

Brian Webb