Soaring in the Middle East / Gliders.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 25
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From: holding short of....
Soaring in the Middle East / Gliders.
Hi all, I am working in DXB at the moment and I miss my hobby... I would like to spend my free time in flying gliders in the UAE, Qatar or Oman. Does anyone know where should I go in this region?.
Is someone else in my position?
The only thing I found is that one Saudi has a glider in KSA...
I will appreciate your info about it.
Thanks,
AirGus.-
Is someone else in my position?
The only thing I found is that one Saudi has a glider in KSA...
I will appreciate your info about it.
Thanks,
AirGus.-
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Beside the sticker
Hi Airgus!!....I am the same position of you....or i should say....in two months maybe i will be like you.
Sorry i canīt help you...but i get any info i will let you know...
It will be really nice to soar around here...with an ELT... and some water in the backpack
i guess:Glide instructor "c gold badge"+ 1 diamond.
Plase keep in touch and gracias for the post!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 89
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From: UAE & Africa
You dreaming!
Wiley is right - the only place to glide in relative peace is Marka Airport, Amman, in Jordan. However, the floppy hat brigade only fly on one day of the week (Saturdays I think) and have a motor glider too. Their website is at RJGlidingClub.com
There is a Virus motor glider based at Umm al Quwain but I think the owner, an Emirati, uses it exclusively.
Otherwise, take a flight to South Africa - almost the same time zone, inexpensive fares and some of the best gliding in the world.
Wiley is right - the only place to glide in relative peace is Marka Airport, Amman, in Jordan. However, the floppy hat brigade only fly on one day of the week (Saturdays I think) and have a motor glider too. Their website is at RJGlidingClub.com
There is a Virus motor glider based at Umm al Quwain but I think the owner, an Emirati, uses it exclusively.
Otherwise, take a flight to South Africa - almost the same time zone, inexpensive fares and some of the best gliding in the world.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 25
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From: holding short of....
Thanks
Thanks for the info... I would try to convince some locals to form a gliding club there.... who knows! at least is a good way of training for the aviation schools there...
cheers,
AirGus
cheers,
AirGus
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,015
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From: "como todo buen piloto... mujeriego y borracho"
A bit far from DXB, but there is plenty of gliding in Israel.
The closest gliding as another member posted is in Amman, Jordan. A few princes in Saudi Arabia have gotten motor gliders, and I remember reading a few years ago about gliding in Iran and India. None of these places offer easy access to do some nice gliding on the weekend. Best probably to save your cash and do a gliding safari or an intense gliding holiday when you can in Africa, Europe, or America.
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: DXB
I would try to convince some locals to form a gliding club there.... who knows! at least is a good way of training for the aviation schools there..
Are you going to Al Ain this week-end? If so let me know.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 330
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From: There !
For The Jordanian Gliders Club They fly in Marka Every Friday
A Gliders club has been restarted recently as it was stopped since 2001 in Egypt, 6th October Airport HEOC
They fly every friday as well
But only Gliders NO motor gliders
they start at 0800 AM Cairo Time every friday on first come first serves basis and costs around 50 Egyptian Pounds
They have a Facebook Group called ( Amateur Pilots)
Regards And Happy Flying
A Gliders club has been restarted recently as it was stopped since 2001 in Egypt, 6th October Airport HEOC
They fly every friday as well
But only Gliders NO motor gliders
they start at 0800 AM Cairo Time every friday on first come first serves basis and costs around 50 Egyptian Pounds
They have a Facebook Group called ( Amateur Pilots)
Regards And Happy Flying
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 79
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From: california, usa
This time of year, the UAE is beautiful, and looks like great soaring, however having been there in May thru Sept, the visibility was about 3 miles and tops of the haze about 12000 to 15000 feet. With 40+deg C temps and humid as hell, not the nicest soaring conditions.
Still, I'd like to do some if there was a place to fly from; after all, they have indoor skiing.....
Still, I'd like to do some if there was a place to fly from; after all, they have indoor skiing.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 25
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From: holding short of....
Who knows, maybe the DSC can be real one day
Dubai Soaring Club... yeah right keep dreaming........ but I will try!
Thanks everyone...
Cheers
AirGus
Thanks everyone...
Cheers
AirGus
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2
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From: uae
Paragliding in UAE
On the east coast try to contact "Ittso" at Al Marsa Travel Dhibba Port, that is Dhibba OMAN side.
He runs paragliding into Evasion Bay Resort at Ziggi Beach north of Dhibba, top of the road around 1,000 feet above sea level
Ittso
050 3645291
Hope this helps
cheers
He runs paragliding into Evasion Bay Resort at Ziggi Beach north of Dhibba, top of the road around 1,000 feet above sea level
Ittso
050 3645291
Hope this helps
cheers
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1
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From: dubai
DSC...
Hi Guys,
Id definitely be happy to get involved in there was one! Surely there must be enough people to start one. Although, knowing the way things work here, it'd probably take years to get approval for a club etc
Why not set up a syndicate and buy a self launcher?
Also, isnt there a club in jeddah? Im fairly certain i remember hearing about a k21 going from the BGA or UK there a few years back? Any truth in it
Id definitely be happy to get involved in there was one! Surely there must be enough people to start one. Although, knowing the way things work here, it'd probably take years to get approval for a club etc
Why not set up a syndicate and buy a self launcher?
Also, isnt there a club in jeddah? Im fairly certain i remember hearing about a k21 going from the BGA or UK there a few years back? Any truth in it
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1
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From: qatar
Private flying in Qatar
There are a number of private pilots flying in Qatar. The private guys operate a mix of aircraft, ranging from a rotax powered trike, through to Cessna 172, 182's, Rockwell 114, Piper Matrix, TB20 and Cirrus SR22.
If anyone is interested in visiting Qatar, I can put you in touch with the owner / pilots.
If anyone is interested in visiting Qatar, I can put you in touch with the owner / pilots.
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,015
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From: "como todo buen piloto... mujeriego y borracho"
Now may be as opportune a time to push this issue as ever.
Last week during the Abu Dhabi Air Expo, GCAA unveiled a proposed Light Sport Aircraft Regulation which is now in a 12-month long consultation phase.
Arabian Aerospace - Light aircraft boost for UAE as GCAA develops regulations to open skies for GA
It seems that a number of parties are interested in developing Sport Aviation (and the business this drums up). One of the more exciting aspects will be the development of VFR corridors for some cross-country flying, rather than just flight in the local traffic pattern.
While the LSA regulations make provisions for a "Sailplane" Category pilot certificate, a closer look mentions hang gliders, paraglider vehicles, and powered parachute vehicles as Variants of this Category.
One of the greatest impediments, in my opinion, is the availability of infrastructure and suitable airspace. The UAE's most active airspace for fixed-wing sport aviation, the Jazirah Aviation Club in Ras Al Khaimah, has a runway too short for glider launches and the airspace restrictions limit the maximum altitude of 1400'. In Fujairah, it is 2000'.
Nevertheless, I think that the GCAA might be more receptive now than ever, and if a business case could be put together for a location (might even be a dirt runway long enough for glider winch launches) in uncongested airspace, perhaps they would be able to provide a box area with a good height limit to allow for some serious thermalling.
Last week during the Abu Dhabi Air Expo, GCAA unveiled a proposed Light Sport Aircraft Regulation which is now in a 12-month long consultation phase.
Arabian Aerospace - Light aircraft boost for UAE as GCAA develops regulations to open skies for GA
It seems that a number of parties are interested in developing Sport Aviation (and the business this drums up). One of the more exciting aspects will be the development of VFR corridors for some cross-country flying, rather than just flight in the local traffic pattern.
While the LSA regulations make provisions for a "Sailplane" Category pilot certificate, a closer look mentions hang gliders, paraglider vehicles, and powered parachute vehicles as Variants of this Category.
One of the greatest impediments, in my opinion, is the availability of infrastructure and suitable airspace. The UAE's most active airspace for fixed-wing sport aviation, the Jazirah Aviation Club in Ras Al Khaimah, has a runway too short for glider launches and the airspace restrictions limit the maximum altitude of 1400'. In Fujairah, it is 2000'.
Nevertheless, I think that the GCAA might be more receptive now than ever, and if a business case could be put together for a location (might even be a dirt runway long enough for glider winch launches) in uncongested airspace, perhaps they would be able to provide a box area with a good height limit to allow for some serious thermalling.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
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From: DXB
Well it's a beginning! Let's form a club/association, I'm sure we will find a lot of peolple intersted. Mainly, it's a story of contacts and money, only a team will succeed.
I think the best way to introduce it is to use motorglider, could be a good start (at least better than nothing).
Any one keen enough?!?
I think the best way to introduce it is to use motorglider, could be a good start (at least better than nothing).
Any one keen enough?!?
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 152
Likes: 2
From: The back of the hangar
I wonder if there's any possibility of gliding from Al Khor airfield in Qatar? There is a small GA community based there. One problem would be transport from Doha - it's a 45 minute drive north of town, so you'd have to be really keen, to do this while based in DXB! Could work if you got some Doha-based guys with cars involved too - and a spare room so you could stay over :-)