Thermal conditions for gliding in the area of Bovec airfield (LJBO)

The Bovec airfield (LJBO) is located at 434 m above the sea level. The Bovec basin and its surroundings are characterized by two types of weather conditions:- the weather situation preceding the front with strong winds from direction SW-NW and- the weather situation following the front with NE to E wind.

Weather situation preceding the front:The disconnection height is usually at 600m above the ground. At ground wind speed 8 to 12 m/sec the slope wind on Polovnik ridge, up to the height of 1000 m, are from 2 to 5 m/sec. Similar data are valid also for this weather situation on the slope of Mt.Svinjak. On the slopes of the eastern half of Mt.Kanin and Mt.Rombon there are only sporadic slope elevations worth of being mentioned because of the west wind. All the elevations quoted allow you to enter thermal columns.

Weather situation following the front:The disconnection height, after the north wind has slowed down, and in presence of thermal elevations on the south and wind protected side of the hills is usually 600 to 800 m. the thermal columns are very narrow and quite turbulent up to the mountain crest height. There are important and strong drops between columns. It is necessary to circulate in the column with turnings toward the hill with increased speed and a major inclination. Such flight is only recommended to experienced pilots. The thermal exists on all slopes exposed to the sun. With unstable atmosphere the thermal is also present above the valley between 11:00 and 12:00, when the disconnection height is already between 200 and 400 m altitude above the line-up of runway 07. Evening gliding is also possible at 600 m height above line-up 07. When the atmosphere is very unstable, storms are possible already early in the afternoon with strong wind gusts from direction 07.

THERMAL AREAS IN THE BOVEC SURROUNDINGSMt.

Polovnik ridge (1480m a.s.l.)When the north wind force allows the taking-off of the air-tow, the disconnection height is at 400 m and the elevation is up to 5 m/sec and it is possible to reach an altitude up to 2300 m.The slope looking on Bovec is not specifically thermally active, but the southern side is thermally active.

Mt.Javorscek (1557 m )With west wind the disconnection height is at 500 m with elevations up to 2 m/sec, turbulence is likely to be met at the peak

.Mt.Svinjak ( 1653 m )When the west wind blows above the mt.Svinjak, the disconnection height is at 600 m, at which altitude the thermal columns allows for elevations above the peak and continuation along the crest  towards Vrsic with densely spread thermal columns. The elevations are between 3 and 5 m/sec.

Mt.Prisojnik-Prisank (2542 m ) and Mt.Razor ( 2601 m)Presence of accentuated thermal areas and the cloud base height arround 3000 m.Elevation also above 6 m/sec. One has to circulate near the slope with a major inclination to take advantage of the thermal.

Zgornja Komna (2300 m )This zone is thermally active in the afternoon, elevation up to 3 m/sec, the thermal column is usually located in SW part of the crest.

Ozebnik (2087 m )In this area we can find a permanent thermal column up to 5 m/sec.

Mt.Kanin and Mt.Rombon massif ( up to 2585 m )In the area between Mt.Kanin and Mt.Rombon there are turbulent elevations up to 2 m/sec already  in the morning. The disconnection height is between 500 and 600 m. In the afternoon the thermal allow for elevations up to 2 m/sec. It is necessary to watch out for paragliders and the cableway with the electric mains on Mt.Kanin.

Krnica (2395 m )The SW slope is characterized by a permanent strong wind.

Areas with wires from the slopes:

- the Trenta valley at 600 m altitude above the airport

- the Koritnica valley at 600 m above the airport

- the valley towards Kobarid (Srpenica) at 300 m above airport

- before the Ucja(Uccea) former border crossing at 400 m across the valley.

Please do not hesitate to consult us for further description of thermal conditions.

CONDUCT RULES AT THE BOVEC (LJBO)  AIRFIELD

Rules concerning flying activities:

  • All low flights and flying gatherings above alpine huts and peaks are forbidden, ESPECIALLY IN THE VICINITY OF MT.TRIGLAV
  • Obligatory reporting moments: Ready to start, Disconnected(released), Departure for position zone and altitude, Arrival into the zone (never below 300 m QFE), Departure into training circuit (200 m - when asked by the chief of flights), Communicate position and altitude, Inform about fire areas; outside the 20 km area arround the airfield you are allowed to change the radio-frequency on condition that you inform the chief of flights about the new frequency.
  • Do not fly near paragliders and watch out for them!
  • Watch the flying of other gliders and let them know if they fly in non-disciplined manner!
Other rules:
  • Every pilot has to sign the daily flight-plan before takking-off.
  • Each group shall leave at least one assistant at the starting point.
  • The glider shall wait in the queue for taking-off (with the rudder 1 m from the right margin of the runway ).
  • There is no after-flight briefing, however each pilot shall report to the chief of flights.
  • The chief of flights shall provide a mobile phone, because there is no phone at the airport.
  • You are expected to check the plane in case of storms and especially at night.
  • Every flight with Bovec aeroclub planes is paid immediately after the flight.
  • Only one radiostation is active all the time at the Bovec airfield.
  • The planes shall be tied up on the ground with the tail towards the Boka waterfall direction.
Thank You for respecting our rules.