Masterclass: Exploring the Spanish flats with Steve Ham

Steve Ham first flew a hang glider in 1981. A decade later he ‘discovered’ Piedrahita at the foot of the Gredos Mountains in Central Spain, then largely unrecognised as a flying site which he set about putting on the map. He’s been there more or less ever since. Over the years Steve has been a comp pilot, organised and run World Cups, set numerous national and site records and coached thousands of students. As an illustrator and caricature artist his work will be familiar to regular subscribers and those who follow him on social media.  

It’s unlikely there’s anyone who knows more about flying the flats in central Spain than Steve Ham. This is your chance to learn from one of the sport’s legends who’s been flying in Spain since the beginning. 

Steve shares his insights from a lifetime of flying Piedrahita. The learning objectives in this Masterclass include: 

• Why Piedrahita remains one of the best places to fly 
• Why 100km is possible for low-airtimers
• How our understanding of conditions has changed over the decades
• How to fly the area’s famous 400km line of convergence 
• Understanding thermal triggers when flying the flats 
• The importance of timing 
• Analysis of comp tasks and classic lines 

The talk is divided into five sections, each one about 12-25 minutes long. They include:

• Landscape and Skyscape (12:30)
• Thermal Triggers (12:38)
• Convergence (14:06)
• The Grand Theory: Putting it all Together (25:31)
• Bonus: Speed to Fly (25:31)

This is a lifetime of flying experience in a truly unique...