How to prepare to fly the Alps. Photo: Olivier Laugero
Fly Better,  Techniques and Skills

How to: Get ready to fly the Alps

"So, you're heading to the Alps this summer..." Joanna Di Grigoli has some old-school tips for modern times

8 June, 2026, by Joanna Di Grigoli | Olivier Laugero

So, you’re heading to the Alps this summer… My first trip to this beautiful area of Europe was in my third year of flying. In 2002, I’d already done my first XC flights in Venezuela when I headed to Annecy to study French in the mornings and in the afternoons, fly!

I didn’t know much about valley winds, föhn or airspace, and given the limited information and tools we had at the time my approach was completely different from what it would be nowadays. However, things can still be confusing, so here are some old-school tips for modern...

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