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Europe – Norway
Tromsoya is an island in northern Norway, near the city of Tromso. It is a popular destination for outdoor activities, including hang gliding. There are several launch sites on the island, depending on the wind direction and conditions. The most common ones are:
- Kvaloya: This is a south-facing launch site on the western side of the island, overlooking the Kvaloya island. It has an altitude of about 350 meters and a grassy slope for launching. The landing area is a large field near the sea, about 3 km from the launch site. The coordinates of the launch site are 69.6949° N, 18.8088° E and the coordinates of the landing area are 69.6858° N, 18.7712° E.
- Tromsdalen: This is a north-facing launch site on the eastern side of the island, overlooking the Tromsdalen valley and the Tromso bridge. It has an altitude of about 300 meters and a rocky slope for launching. The landing area is a small field near the Tromso camping site, about 2 km from the launch site. The coordinates of the launch site are 69.6617° N, 19.0194° E and the coordinates of the landing area are 69.6544° N, 19.0017° E.
- Kroken: This is a west-facing launch site on the southern tip of the island, overlooking the Kroken neighborhood and the Tromso sound. It has an altitude of about 250 meters and a grassy slope for launching. The landing area is a large field near the sea, about 1 km from the launch site. The coordinates of the launch site are 69.6244° N, 18.9375° E and the coordinates of the landing area are 69.6211° N, 18.9222° E.
Flying Conditions and Restrictions
Tromsoya is a suitable place for hang gliding all year round, but the best conditions are usually in the summer months, from June to August. The weather can be unpredictable and change quickly, so it is important to check the forecast and the local wind conditions before flying. The average wind speed is about 10 km/h, but it can vary depending on the direction and the terrain. The most common wind directions are south, north and west.
The flying conditions are influenced by the thermal activity, the sea breeze and the mountain waves. The thermals are usually strong and smooth, especially on sunny days. The sea breeze can create a stable layer near the coast, but it can also increase the lift near the launch sites. The mountain waves can create turbulence and downdrafts behind the ridges, but they can also offer long glides and high altitudes.
The main restrictions for flying in Tromsoya are related to the airspace and the landowners. Tromsoya is located near the Tromso airport, which has a controlled airspace up to 2000 meters. It is forbidden to fly within 5 km of the airport without permission from the air traffic control. It is also advisable to avoid flying over populated areas and respect the privacy of the residents. The landing areas are usually in agreement with the landowners, but it is important to ask for permission before using them.
Record Flights
More Information
If you want to find more information about hang gliding in Tromsoya, you can contact the local club or the federation. The local club is called Tromso Hang- and Paraglider Club (THPK) and their website is https://www.thpk.no/. They offer courses, tandem flights, equipment rental and advice for visiting pilots. You can also join their Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/THPK.no/ to get updates on the flying conditions and events.
The federation is called the Norwegian Airsport Federation (NLF) and their website is https://nlf.no/. They are responsible for the administration, regulation and promotion of hang gliding and other airsports in Norway. They also have a national center for hang-, para- and speedgliding in Vågå, where you can find accommodation, facilities and transport to various launch sites. You can contact them by phone at +47 908 67 560 or by email at [email protected].
You can also find more information about hang gliding in Norway on these websites:
- https://www.paraglidingmap.com/countries/norway: This is a map of paragliding sites in Norway, with live weather, forecasts, webcams and photos.
- https://www.flylookout.com/: This is a website of Lookout Mountain Flight Park, a hang gliding school and resort in Georgia, USA. They offer a Norway Hang Gliding Adventure tour every summer, where you can fly with experienced guides in some of the most scenic locations in Norway.
- https://www.realadventures.com/g3818-norway_t190-hang-gliding-paragliding: This is a website that lists various hang gliding and paragliding adventures in Norway, with descriptions, prices and contact details.
