British Record Encampment

Simply Gradient will be running a UK Record Encampment to try to break the magical 200km in the UK. Two weeks in May (14th-31st) to exploit a record breaking NE'ly and two weeks in August (7th-20th) for a classic NW'ly or SWl'y. We will travel to the best sites on the day anywhere between the Peak District and the South Coast. You will be able to follow the action on this blog with SPOT. We will concentrate on team flying and 2m radios and a winch rating will be required. If you are interested in joining us please call me on 07974208076. (Flying a Gradient Glider is not mandatory but it may help!)

Beautiful Golden 3 Images

Golden 3 28 certified

The Gradient Golden 3 28 has successfully passed EN-B certification ! Sizes 24, 26 and 30 will follow soon.

Karel does it again! XC3 leads the XC Contest

Karel Vejchodsky flew another 340.7 km from Vosberg (De Aar) yesterday, Jana Kratka (Aspen 3) flew 253.9 km and Jan Kratky (XC2) 252.8km. Climbs topped out at 15,000ft over the high plateau.

'Another nice day in South Africa, north wind in the begining and slow part until DeAar, than conditions improved a lot and I was able to fly another 300 flight. The last part above plateau was amazing with beautiful sunset at landing... New Avax XC3 will be amazing XC machine. '

South African cloud base going crazy!

Two potential record days before the thundery breakdown on Monday and yes that is a 19,000ft cloud base. Go team Gradient.

Update 06/12, heat low breaking down quicker than expected so no record unless you can stay south of this lot!

The inversion finally breaks!

Great flights yesterday from Karel Vejchodsky (Gradient XC 3) and Jan Kratly (Gradient XC 2) of 342.6km and 340.2km from Vosberg in South Africa. Climbs took them to 14,500ft with a flight average of 50kph and the longest flights of the year so far.

295km on the XC3

The Gradient team have travelled further west to our old hunting grounds near Branvlei for a World Open Distance Record attempt. Karel Vejchodsky flew 295.3km on 30/11 in 5 hours 22 mins on the XC3 proto, landing close to De Aar. Conditions didn't look classic with climbs topping out at only 3000m but it was windy and the average speed was a good 55kph ....

'My landing was quite interesting as I was going backwards a lot, I unclick carabins and jump out the harness cca 1 meter above ground. My first and hope last similar experience... :)'