Blog | Pre-PWC Aetheria Open & 33rd Hellenic Paragliding Championship

Blog
Summary
Details
Pilots
Results
Registration

47 Pilots Confirmed
47 Pilots total registered
250 EUR Entry fee

Go to Pilot List

100 Pilots max allowed
13 Countries presented
✅ All certified wings allowed
🏆 FAI Status = CAT 2 🏅

left before start of event

Registration will open on
12/01 20:00 (Europe/Athens)

Safety

🛰️

The organiser will supply Live trackers to you, for safety and scoring

Live trackers supplied
📱

The region generally has good phone coverage

Good phone coverage
📻

We will be monitoring radios for your safety whilst you fly

Radio coverage
🛰️

Live Tracking is MANDATORY in this event to score. The organiser will provide the trackers.

Live trackers mandatory

Organisation

🚐

There will be vehicles supplied to take you to launch

Launch Transport
🥾

There will be retrieve vehicles available to return pilots to HQ

Retrieve included
📢

The organisers are using Airtribune for registration, tracking, blogging and to publish scores

Airtribune blogging

Benefits

🥪

There will be daily lunch packs for pilots

Lunch packs
🗺

The organisers will give you printed maps at registration

Maps are supplied
🎉

There will be an organised party during or after the event

Party
👕

You will receive a tshirt or other welcome gift

Free gift
🅰

This event awards PWCA letters

PWCA Letters

Prize funds and scoring categories

OVERALL
SPORTS
GREEK OVERALL
GREEK SPORTS

Contacts

Event Organiser
- Hellenic Paragliding Commission
- eapelao@gmail.com
Administation
- Event Queries
- aether.airclub@gmail.com

Event info

The Airsports Club of Aether proudly presents the Pre-PWC Aetheria Open & 33rd Hellenic Paragliding Championship.

It will take place in Siatista, Greece from 17-24th August 2024.

For those not familiar with the area, Siatista is located approx 120km West of Thessaloniki on the Greek mainland, and 120km SE of Krushevo, along the same mountain range.

The venue offers a world class flying arena from 2 take-offs and the terrain is a mix of hills, mountains and flatlands.

The event will be a Pre-PWC and therefore offer PWC letters, and will also be the Greek Championship and also an FAI CAT2 competition.

There will be 6 task days, with the final Saturday as a back-up task day.

Flying site

The flying area is characterized by the dramatic landscapes of the Askio mountains, providing a stunning backdrop for competitions. The varying terrain includes open valleys and gentle hills, ideal for safe landings. Siatista’s landscape is primarily open and accessible, with minimal fenced areas, ensuring safety and freedom for pilots during their flights.

There are 2 main take-offs that the competition will be using:

Analipsi - Galatini
Location: 40.31304, 21.53038
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CWdM3beDAXRCydvFA

Altitude: 1,270m
Orientation: SW

The main launch site, Analipsi Galatini, is conveniently located just 20 minutes away from Siatista, at an altitude of 1270 meters.

It boasts an easy and safe launch slope, suitable for all level of pilot. The site’s capacity to support simultaneous launches of up to 3 gliders makes it an excellent choice for large-scale competitive events.

Access to launch site is straightforward, with a well-maintained, concrete road.

Vellia
Location: 40.28825,21.58621
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jPMUtkx3ep4q9nay6

Altitude: 1,730m
Orientation: N

The 2nd launch site – “Vellia” is North facing, and from the slopes in front of the wind turbines above Siatista. At 1730m it is higher than Analipsi, and works better on days with stronger meteological North wind.

There is ample space for multiple gliders to launch from, no obstacles, and a relatively uniform ridge to soar. Access is via a reasonable dirt road from Siatista.

Siatista’s blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and excellent flying conditions positions it as an ideal location for paragliding competitions, offering pilots and spectators alike a unique and memorable experience.

-------------------------
Flights logged from Siatista in Xcontest.org:
http://tinyurl.com/xcontest-siatista

Selection and entry fee

Cost
The Entry Fee is €250

It will include:

Transport to Launch
Retrieves within the task area on main roads
Daily weather briefing
Live GPS Trackers
Scoring
Lunch Packs
Commemorative T-Shirt
Official Dinner
PWCA Letters
Transport & Guided trips of various attractions in the area on evenings and non-flyable days

Selection process:
Registration will open for all on: Friday 12th January 20:00 (UTC+2)

The first 40 places will be reserved for Greek Pilots, who will be invited to pay before 31st January.

On the 1st February 2024 remaining places will be offered in order of initial registration date/time.

Elligibility:
Pilots must have the following:

FAI Sporting Licence valid for 2024
3rd Party Liability Insurance
Medical/Travel Insurance
2m Radio
Complete set of certified equipment (Paraglider, Harness, Helmet, Reserve)

Documents required at registration

Issued by your local NAC on behalf of the FAI. You cannot normally compete in an FAI event without one. Contact your National Association (NAC)

FAI Sporting Licence
The organiser requires you to present your National flying licence.

National Licence
You will need to sign an applicaton form at the venue. Usually the organiser will provide it on arrival.

Signed Application form
You will need to sign a waiver or release document to show you understand the risks. Usually the organiser will provide it on arrival.

Signed Waiver/Release form
You must provide the organiser with a copy of your liability (3rd party) insurance documents

Liability Insurance
You must provide the organiser with a copy of your medical, rescue and repatriation insurance. You can purchase Global Rescue cover from Airtribune

Rescue/Medical Insurance

Cancellation Policy

Refund Policy
Any pilot who cancels their registration will be given a refund as follows:

- Cancellation date more than 20 days before competition start date: 50% refund
- Cancellation date less than 20 days before competition start date: 0% refund

Cancellations must be informed by email and the date at which the email is received will be used to calculate your refund, if one is due.

Your payment is NOT transferable to another pilot. There is a strict selection process and you cannot bypass this by passing your payment to another pilot.

General schedule

Saturday 17 August
17:00 - 19:00 - Official Registration @ HQ
19:30 - Welcome BBQ

Sunday 18 August
09:30 - Mandatory Safety Briefing

Sunday 18 Aug - Friday 23 August
6 Task Days

Saturday 24 August
Back-up task day in case there are not at least 5 valid tasks from the previous task days

Prize-Giving & Closing Ceremony

Daily schedule

08:00 - Headquarter opens
09:30 - Transport to take-off
11:00 - Meet Director / Task and Safety Committee meetings
11:15 - Pilots' briefing / Previous task official results / Task definition
12:00 - Take-off window opens
17:00 - Report Back
20:00 - Provisional results

Accommodation and Activities

Recommended Hotels:

Hotel Arhontariki
https://hotelarhontariki.gr/

Hotel Siatista
https://www.hotelsiatista.gr/

Hotel Iberis
https://iberis.gr/

There are several other hotels within Siatista itself, most of which can either found on hotel sites like Booking.com or alternatively find details on Google Maps & book direct.

Also, it is possible to camp for free inside the gymnasium at the HQ. There are hot showers/toilets & electric available. The HQ is Trabantzeio High School, located here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9TEMokqs3VMyfcBj8

Grevena and Kozani are both approximately 25-30 mins drive away and have alternative hotel options & Airbnbs

How to get here

HQ - Trabantzeio High School, located here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9TEMokqs3VMyfcBj8

Mitropoleos 6, Siatista 503 00, Greece

✈️ Fly:

Nearest airports:
Thessaloniki (SKG) - approx 170km / 2 hrs drive
Ioannina (IOA) - approx 120km / 1.5hrs drive
Preveza/Lefkada (PVK) - approx 220km / 3hrs drive

Thessaloniki has many international flight connections.
Ioannina is slightly closer but only has flight connections via Athens.

🚍 Public Transport:
KTEL is the national bus company of Greece
Buses run regularly from Thessaloniki to Kozani (1:45hr) and then Siatista (30mins)
Schedules and more infomation can be found at:
https://www.ktelkozanis.gr/