Flying in Moldova

Flights in Moldova

    Republic of Moldova is a hilly country of a pre-mountain zone. Local relief is predominated by a mixture of hills and flat lands. The highest point of Moldova is 426m above see level.
    Most popular paragliding sights are placed on the Nistru River. In the radius of 5 km from the “base camp” in the village of Molovata, the river draws an “S” with the take off points for almost all wind directions. The river cuts in the terrain steep banks of about 80-120m that produce dynamic streams allowing flying at the 4-8 m/s wind. Landing places down the hill are quite limited, that is why the flights in the weak wind could lead to landing on the water risk.
    The village of Molovata, where the headquarters of the competitions will be based, is in the center of the area where all take off sights are placed. Molovata is at 5km from the nearest town of Dubasari and at about 50km from Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. The take off sights are placed near the roads and are accessible by transport.
    On the opposite bank of the Nistru River are flat fields that accumulate the heat and the water edge serve as a perfect trigger for thermal streams. The ripples on the water serve as thermals indicators and make visible its location and size. Also, ripples and waves on the water are perfect indictors of the wind strength and possible gusts or send-spouts, thus increasing flights safety.
    The season of cross country flights lasts from March to October. In the May and June are the best conditions for long distance flights. Especially in May, yet cold air and strong spring sun creates a good gradient and the cloud base in this month can reach 2500m. Average spring thermals are of +3;+4 m/s and the most lucky pilots can find a +6 m/s.
    Plenty of flat farm lands in the course of long distance flights allow safe landings. The branched roads network and villages at almost every 3-4 km makes easy the pick up or self return to the take off sights or base camp. The only thing that compels to stop the XC flight could be the small territory of Moldova and neighborhood with Ukrainian border, but this problem might appear only after 70-80km of the flight. Also, flights in the direction of Chisinau are limited by the airport approach zone. The organizers of Championship reached the approval from air space state authorities to fly in the direction of Chisinau during the competition, but not further than 40km. Turn points set up during competition will allow following of the prohibited area.

Record flights from these sights:
35 km in the East direction (border with Ukraine);
129 km in the South direction;
75 km in the West direction;
140 km in the North direction.

Record flight of country is 170 km

    In the weak conditions other spectacular places up to 150m height are available, but they could be visited only for free flights and not for competition. Also, towing flights are possible in days with weak wind, but again, not in the frame of competition. In the absence of flying weather the trips to Chisinau; landscape reserve “Orheiul Vechi” and winery visits could be organized.