Impressions of Slovakia and Prievidza

We’ve been here in Slovakia for a little over 3 weeks now and I have formed some opinions and impressions over that time.

One striking difference between Slovakia and Australia is that there are people of all ages, everywhere, walking, at all hours of the day or night.

Compared to Australia, Slovakia is relatively inexpensive. For example if you visit the local Tesco (which is open 24 hours) and fill a trolley it is costs only 30 to 50 Euros (less than $100AUD). As an example bread rolls are 6c each, strawberries 60c for a punnet, (Australian) wine 2 Euros a bottle.

Fuel costs are similar at 1.12 Euros a litre.

Aerotows are also cheap at 2 Euros per minute. The tow planes are all Dynamics which are manufactured at Prievidza. They are not as powerful as the Pawnees that we are used to in Australia and a typical tow is around 8 minutes for a ballasted glider.

16 Euros per tow seems a lot more reasonable than the 60 Euros per tow that we were charged in Italy!!

There is also a Parachute Club at Prievidza Airfield. It is most active on weekends, and although it seems chaotic at times everyone seems to manage to find space to have fun without getting in anyone else’s way.

The weather is quite changeable. Two days ago we were all wearing thermals and jackets and had a maximum temperature of 15 degrees. Tomorrow is forecast to be 27degrees with temperatures gradually increasing as the week progresses.

For the last 9 days we have had Northerly winds. This is apparently unusual with southerly winds the norm.

The organising team here are the best I have seen anywhere (except maybe at Gawler J), and so far seem to be on top of all aspects of the organisation.

We have Porta Loos at both launch points, marked tie downs, watering points, internet that works over the whole airfield. If they can just organise the weather.

BTW Today on the official site there was mention of a comment by the tug pilot yesterday to the effect that he had noticed that the Australians had finally worked out that they weren’t in Australia and it wasn’t sensible to release at 500m.