Anyone who plans flights and guides others through spectacular landscapes might sometimes choose to be just another pilot themselves. That's why the Fly with Andy team set off on a team trip to the Lake District in England. Their goal: to spend time together, discover new terrain and find out what the region has to offer in terms of flying — and that's quite a lot
A blank spot with a long flying tradition
Many alpine pilots would not consider England as somewhere worth visiting, yet this country has a long tradition of hang gliding and paragliding. Two Britons have been both hang glider and paraglider world champions in the last 30 years: they are John Pendry and Rob Whittall. For Ramona, Vreni, Mirjam, Michael, and Andy, that was reason enough to wait for a weather window and explore England's northwest from the air.
It’s just about the flying, really
The annual team outing is a fixed date in the calendar and a highlight for everyone. This time we set off with no fixed plan, only the desire to discover a new flying area. “England has been on our wish list for a long time. The contrasts to many other destinations could be interesting, and the local communities are very enthusiastic about flying”, says Michael. Being on the road together, following the wind and weather is what brings fresh energy and new inspiration to the team.
Rugged peaks, large lakes
The Lake District National Park is England's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gentle, green hills surprise with rocky peaks, divided by deep valleys and a dozen sparkling lakes. The higher summits rise almost 1,000 metres above sea level. The climate is changeable and often damp, but it is this interplay of sun and clouds that gives the landscape its dramatic character and fascinating diversity.
Magical mornings
"The alarm goes off before five in the morning because the ambiance at first light is so enchanting that we want to get out for an early hike & fly. We hike up in contemplative silence, wondering at the mirror-smooth lakes at sunrise,” reports Ramona. Perfect soaring conditions await us at the top of the mountain. Five paragliders are quickly in the air, dancing in the warm morning light. After the trip, the team lands at the edge of a small village and finds a cozy café – time for a hearty breakfast. Natural stone walls and grey Lakeland cottages complement the scenery; quaint pubs and tea rooms serve regional specialities such as Cumberland sausage and lamb from the valleys – always with warm hospitality and mostly local ingredients.
Thermal dreams in the afternoon
Later in the day, beautiful cumulus clouds beckon during this epic week in May. Local pilots fly almost 250 kilometres across the island, from a 400-metre hill to the sea in Scotland. Once at a cloudbase of 2,500 m, you can see the sea on both west and east coasts. Andy is delighted: “The Lake District is surprisingly rocky and has ‘real’ mountains. Further south, you only have to walk 200 metres up the nearest grassy hill then circle up to base from there. It’s a flying challenge, just the way I like it.”
Lucky us
From golden sunrise flights to crisp cross-countries and endless soaring sessions over picturesque landscapes, the Lake District is a playground for paragliders, where unspoiled nature, a long tradition of outdoor sports, and British hospitality come together. This region can surprise with its diversity and offers more than you might expect. Naturally, flexibility and spontaneity in planning is required — and, of course, a bit of luck. We were fortunate to have one of the best days of the year: weren’t we lucky!
The Equipment
