WHERE EAGLES DARE - 2004
Expedition "Andean Condor 2004" returns from Chile, where RAFGSA pilots soared with the eagles.
Flight Lieutenant Carl Peters

Pilots from the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association completed a daring climb to 20,000 ft during an exciting climax to their latest expedition, 'Andean Condor 2004'. Five members of the RAFGSA travelled to Chile, at the invitation of the Chilean Air Force, to face the challenge of gliding in the Andes, which offers some of the most demanding flying available anywhere in the world. Air Marshal Philip Sturley (NATO), Sqn Ldr Chris Heames (RAF Cranwell), Flt Lt Carl Peters (RAF Wyton), Chf Tech Richie Arnall (RAF Lyneham) and Sgt Paul McLean (RAF Marham), who are all experienced glider pilots, made the 7000-mile trip to Chile.

The Andean Mountains offer some of the most exciting gliding conditions that can be found anywhere in the world, with the added challenge that there are very few safe landing areas within reach once a glider is in amongst the mountains. The mountains command the utmost respect at all times and an aspiring mountain glider pilot must always be aware of the nearest escape routes to safety and how the weather conditions may develop. Once below the ridgeline in a mountain valley, only the knowledge of where the rising air can be found will allow a glider to climb out of the valley and continue on the chosen cross-country route.
On the best day of the expedition, each pilot managed to cross into the Olivares Valley that runs south parallel to the Chilean/Argentinean border. This spectacular valley has an awe-inspiring combination of ice-shattered rock faces, glaciers with deep-blue crevasses and vast overhanging snow cornices.
As a finale to this flight, the RAFGSA pilots managed to climb their gliders over the summit of the 20,000ft Mount Tupungato, allowing enough time to take in the sight of two active volcanoes further to the south towards Argentina before running for home. Each pilot finished the flight feeling very privileged to have crossed into the heart of the Andean Mountains and to have flown gliders in areas that only a few glider pilots had previously ventured to.

The Expedition was hosted by the Chilean Air Force at Chicureo airstrip just north of Santiago, the capital city of Chile. During the eight flying days available, the RAF team flew for 150 hours and covered almost 9400 km during cross-country flights.
The exchange with the Chilean Air Force, which has been running for a number of years, allows some of the more experienced glider pilots from each nation's respective air force gliding associations to experience gliding in conditions very different from those they are accustomed to in their home country. It is hoped that representatives from the Chilean Air Force association will again visit the UK later this year.

For information on the RAFGSA Clubs that operate around the UK and opportunities to try gliding as an AT activity, contact the Joint Services Adventurous Training Centre (Gliding) on GPTN: 94240 Ext 4995/4996.