Jiri Prusa | Aerial photos http://www.prusa.org/ en Jiri Prusa | Aerial photoshttp://www.prusa.org/http://www.prusa.org/rss_favicon.gif support@infonia.com (Infonia Support) New Zealand http://www.prusa.org/es/new-zealand http://www.prusa.org/es/new-zealand New Zealand from the air as well as from the ground is a country of enormous beauty – volcanoes, fjords (called “sounds” here), hot water sources, mountains, a lot of greenery... I did not do all the piloting myself in NZ since I did not have all the paperwork ready. Therefore I took several times a Cessna with an instructor. So I did not get  a mature piloting experience but I had more time to enjoy the beauty of NZ and focus on filming and photographing. In addition I found the opportunity to fly a historical biplane Tiger Moth of which there are only a few air worthy pieces these days. New Zealand from the air as well as from the ground is a country of enormous beauty – volcanoes, fjords (called “sounds” here), hot water sources, mountains, a lot of greenery... I did not do all the piloting myself in NZ since I did not have all the paperwork ready. Therefore I took several times a Cessna with an instructor. So I did not get  a mature piloting experience but I had more time to enjoy the beauty of NZ and focus on filming and photographing. In addition I found the opportunity to fly a historical biplane Tiger Moth of which there are only a few air worthy pieces these days.

 

]]> Wed, 06 Nov 2013 16:58:00 +0000 Geographical photos New Zealand – Ngauruhoe crater Germany http://www.prusa.org/es/germany http://www.prusa.org/es/germany Flying between the Czech Republic and Germany is, these days, the simplest procedure that a pilot may wish for – there is no need even to file a flight plan. It is sufficient to take off in one of the countries and land in the other. Of course, it is good to maintain communication with the Air Traffic Control (I actually do that all the time) and thus be certain that one will not enter any prohibited airspace or area or that his/her course of journey does not conflict with anyone else´s. Flying between the Czech Republic and Germany is, these days, the simplest procedure that a pilot may wish for – there is no need even to file a flight plan. It is sufficient to take off in one of the countries and land in the other. Of course, it is good to maintain communication with the Air Traffic Control (I actually do that all the time) and thus be certain that one will not enter any prohibited airspace or area or that his/her course of journey does not conflict with anyone else´s.

Almost all flights from Czech Republic to western Europe lead over Germany and therefore flying there has become a routine. Co-operation with the ATC dispatchers in Germany is flawless and helpful. It is, however, important to bear in mind that airports in Germany can only be used within their operating hours. Outside these hours an airport can only be used in emergency

.

]]> Mon, 04 Nov 2013 14:25:00 +0000 Geographical photos Berlin Various http://www.prusa.org/es/various http://www.prusa.org/es/various This section contains photographs which, for various reasons, may be interesting. So the collection contains photos of the first solo celebration in Texas, the landing of B747 in Manston just a few meters away from me waiting for a departure clearance, the Cirrus SR22 which crashed on the Split airport runway after a journey from Austria on which it was escorted by Croatian Air Force fighter jets because it did no communicate with anybody. Other photographs show the damage that was inflicted by hurricane Katrina to an airpark in the New Orleans area or the damage cause to my aircraft by the unprofessional services at Corfu airport. This section contains photographs which, for various reasons, may be interesting. So the collection contains photos of the first solo celebration in Texas, the landing of B747 in Manston just a few meters away from me waiting for a departure clearance, the Cirrus SR22 which crashed on the Split airport runway after a journey from Austria on which it was escorted by Croatian Air Force fighter jets because it did no communicate with anybody. Other photographs show the damage that was inflicted by hurricane Katrina to an airpark in the New Orleans area or the damage cause to my aircraft by the unprofessional services at Corfu airport.

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:34:00 +0000 Aircraft, flying, airports American solo celebration - Grand Prairie, Texas, USA Paragliding http://www.prusa.org/es/paragliding http://www.prusa.org/es/paragliding In my mind, paragliding is the most interesting way of flying – the flying machine only weighs a couple of kilograms and you can carry it on your back where-ever you need to. You can fly without assistance of anyone else and flying itself does not cost anything, you make no noise (if you fly engineless) and all your body can feel the freedom of the open space. There is nothing better. I have only identified one problem and that is the exposure of the body to potential injuries. I paid my price too when flying in the Highlands of Czech Republic in 2007. It took me quite some time to fully recover and my family forced me to stop paragliding altogether. So I now look forward to my next life when I plan to enjoy paragliding much more intensively. In my mind, paragliding is the most interesting way of flying – the flying machine only weighs a couple of kilograms and you can carry it on your back where-ever you need to. You can fly without assistance of anyone else and flying itself does not cost anything, you make no noise (if you fly engineless) and all your body can feel the freedom of the open space. There is nothing better. I have only identified one problem and that is the exposure of the body to potential injuries. I paid my price too when flying in the Highlands of Czech Republic in 2007. It took me quite some time to fully recover and my family forced me to stop paragliding altogether. So I now look forward to my next life when I plan to enjoy paragliding much more intensively.

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:33:00 +0000 Aircraft, flying, airports Paraglide, in flight - Lienz, Austria 2006 In flight http://www.prusa.org/es/in-flight http://www.prusa.org/es/in-flight When “on final”, when the runway of yet another airport unfolds in front of me I always get excited and most of the time I take yet another picture of a landing. I have also taken photographs during various other phases of flight but unfortunately the most interesting parts of the flight - when one is struggling with the elements or with whatever adverse conditions – remain undocumented. Simply because there is no time or mental capacity to use the camera at such a point. When “on final”, when the runway of yet another airport unfolds in front of me I always get excited and most of the time I take yet another picture of a landing. I have also taken photographs during various other phases of flight but unfortunately the most interesting parts of the flight - when one is struggling with the elements or with whatever adverse conditions – remain undocumented. Simply because there is no time or mental capacity to use the camera at such a point.

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:32:00 +0000 Aircraft, flying, airports Glider tow - VSO 10 at Benešov u Prahy Aircraft http://www.prusa.org/es/aircrafts http://www.prusa.org/es/aircrafts You can find here photographs of the various aircraft from which the photos and videos on this web were taken. The aircraft have registration numbers of three countries – USA, Czech Republic and South Africa which is the countries of which I hold a pilot licence. It is interesting that despite all the international standardisation and unification of procedures one needs to undergo additional exams and testing when wanting to hire and airplane registered in a different country. However, if you fly in the same country an aircraft registered elsewhere, there is no problem and you can do so. Fortunately EU has progressed in the standardisation of pilot licensing so a licence issued in one EU country is valid throughout all of the EU. You can find here photographs of the various aircraft from which the photos and videos on this web were taken. The aircraft have registration numbers of three countries – USA, Czech Republic and South Africa which is the countries of which I hold a pilot licence. It is interesting that despite all the international standardisation and unification of procedures one needs to undergo additional exams and testing when wanting to hire and airplane registered in a different country. However, if you fly in the same country an aircraft registered elsewhere, there is no problem and you can do so. Fortunately EU has progressed in the standardisation of pilot licensing so a licence issued in one EU country is valid throughout all of the EU.

  • Cessna C172 ZS-LEX - we flew it over the Republic of South Africa in 2009
  • Cirrus SR20 ZS-ZIP –  we flew it during a trip over Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Republic of South Africa in 2010
  • Cessna C172 N-2479M and N-24144 which I used for training and for trips around Texas, Luisiana, Colardo, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico in 2007-2009
  • Cirrus SR 20 N-427 CR – I flew this fine aircraft in the USA – from Duluth/Minessota to Miami in Florida and on a number of trips around Europe in 2010-2012
  • Cirrus SR20 N-882AB – I hired this aircraft in the Summer of 2010 for a three day trip of Florida, up to Key West.
  • Diamond DA40 N-1810F – used for the trip from Santa Ana in California to San Francisco and back.
  • Tiger Moth ZK-ALJ – I made just an hour trip together with its owner – unforgettable experience.
  • Cessna C172 OK-TAB – I have flown itto Sicily in 2012
  • Koala OK-CUR05 – I used it for my training in 2003
  • Zephyr OK-IUG08 – I flew it and used for our training school in 2003-2007
]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:31:00 +0000 Aircraft, flying, airports C 172 ZS LEX, South Africa The display http://www.prusa.org/es/the-display http://www.prusa.org/es/the-display Flying into some of the smaller or mountain airports without GPS is difficult to imagine. Also,  if you fly in an unknown territory,  limited visibility, bad weather or over a desert and in high winds, maintaining a correct course would be next to impossible. This section displays photographs of the “glass cockpit” display which integrates GPS information with other devices such as all the engine and flight data. The photos are taken at different locations during various phases of flight. Flying into some of the smaller or mountain airports without GPS is difficult to imagine. Also,  if you fly in an unknown territory,  limited visibility, bad weather or over a desert and in high winds, maintaining a correct course would be next to impossible. This section displays photographs of the “glass cockpit” display which integrates GPS information with other devices such as all the engine and flight data. The photos are taken at different locations during various phases of flight.

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:31:00 +0000 Aircraft, flying, airports Display - climbing into the Alps The people http://www.prusa.org/es/the-people http://www.prusa.org/es/the-people This section contains photos of some of the people who had the courage to join me on some of my trips, or the people who looked after the aircraft we flew or influenced somehow at least a part of one of the trips. This section contains also some photos of unusual situations in various countries. This section contains photos of some of the people who had the courage to join me on some of my trips, or the people who looked after the aircraft we flew or influenced somehow at least a part of one of the trips. This section contains also some photos of unusual situations in various countries.

After some experience I came to the surprising conclusion that not everyone is so enthusiastic about flying as I am and so I do not force anyone to fly with me anymore. These days I only have a limited number of friends who are prepared to get on a trip with me. Most of the flying I do alone, however.

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:31:00 +0000 Aircraft, flying, airports On the way to the aircraft- Lakefront, New Orleans, Luisiana, USA Airports http://www.prusa.org/es/airports http://www.prusa.org/es/airports Airports look different everywhere and many are new for me. I don´t have photographs of all the airports where I landed but you can find here at least some. Airports look different everywhere and many are new for me. I don´t have photographs of all the airports where I landed but you can find here at least some.

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:30:00 +0000 Aircraft, flying, airports Aztec municipal, Colorado, USA Switzerland http://www.prusa.org/es/switzerland http://www.prusa.org/es/switzerland I have never landed in Switzerland because it is compulsory to go through a customs check before departing for and from Switzerland as it is not part of the EU/Schengen custom union. There is one solution to make the procedure easier – you can fly to Basel which is a French/Swiss airport. So one can land on the French side, walk through a gate to Switzerland and take a train to Zurich or Bern. I have never landed in Switzerland because it is compulsory to go through a customs check before departing for and from Switzerland as it is not part of the EU/Schengen custom union. There is one solution to make the procedure easier – you can fly to Basel which is a French/Swiss airport. So one can land on the French side, walk through a gate to Switzerland and take a train to Zurich or Bern.

The photographs in this section have been taken during my glider flying in the Alps in 2007.

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:29:00 +0000 Geographical photos Swiss Alps and the Jungfrau glacier UK http://www.prusa.org/es/uk http://www.prusa.org/es/uk I was a bit concerned about flying in the UK since there are some differences in the rules VFR air traffic is managed and controlled. I was a bit concerned about flying in the UK since there are some differences in the rules VFR air traffic is managed and controlled.

However, it proved less of a problem and I enjoyed flying there as much as anywhere else.

Ma first flight to the UK was jus a hop from Ostende to Manston with my instructor. I have made my second Channel crossing with my wife on board in bad weather. That was not a good combination since the lowering cloud base kept pushing us closer and closer to the sea. When we could easily distinguish the individual tops of the waves the right side of the cockpit filled with a lot of silence. Also, I did not hear any communication with other aircraft so I asked the British controller for a radio check. Everything went fine and I was advised that the silence is a result of the fact that due to bad weather there were very few light aircraft in the air over Britain. That calmed my wife down...

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:29:00 +0000 Geographical photos England - the wind generators in the North sea USA http://www.prusa.org/es/usa http://www.prusa.org/es/usa Sport flying (General aviation) is probably more pleasant and less costly in the USA than anywhere else in the world. There are plenty of airports (around 5000), most of them are equipped with concrete runways and night lighting. Aviation fuel costs about one third of the average price in Europe despite the fact that it includes a tax covering landing fees at all the U.S. airports. The average cost of landing at a sport airport in Europe is anywhere between 20-40 EUR and the bigger airports are even much more costly. I have never paid any landing fee in the U.S. Sport flying (General aviation) is probably more pleasant and less costly in the USA than anywhere else in the world. There are plenty of airports (around 5000), most of them are equipped with concrete runways and night lighting. Aviation fuel costs about one third of the average price in Europe despite the fact that it includes a tax covering landing fees at all the U.S. airports. The average cost of landing at a sport airport in Europe is anywhere between 20-40 EUR and the bigger airports are even much more costly. I have never paid any landing fee in the U.S.

In addition, one gets all the necessary services at many of the smaller American airports – such as car hire, aviation fuel, hotel booking etc. while in Europe finding these at small airport is mostly a big issue.  

Renting an aircraft in the U.S. is also much cheaper than in Europe – for example a new Cessna C172 with the latest avionics (glass cockpit) can be hired at some USD 130 per hour including fuel which is less than half the average European price. On top of that, of course, given the size and diversity of USA, the flying itself is a very interesting experience.

I have made altogether 4 bigger trips around various parts of the U.S. during which I covered the South (Texas, New Mexico, Luisiana, Florida) the West – California, Colorad, Utah, Arizona, the North/Midwest – Minessota, Wisconsin, Ilinois, Indiana, Ohio, the Northeast – New York, North Carolina, Virginia, Southeast – Florida up to Key West and also Tennesse, Alabama and Georgia. In addition I have done a lot of training flights around Texas and Florida.

 

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:28:00 +0000 Geographical photos Chicago Volcanoes http://www.prusa.org/es/volcanoes http://www.prusa.org/es/volcanoes Active volcanoes in Europe can only be found in southern Italy. The most famous ones are probably known to everyone: Vesuvius, Etna, Stromboli. There are some more in the area between Sicily and the Lipari Islands and one of them gave its name to all the others – Il Volcano. Active volcanoes in Europe can only be found in southern Italy. The most famous ones are probably known to everyone: Vesuvius, Etna, Stromboli. There are some more in the area between Sicily and the Lipari Islands and one of them gave its name to all the others – Il Volcano.

To circle around Vesuvius is a bit of a problem since it is quite close to the Naples airport and therefore the air traffic controllers are not overly happy to have a small airplane in that area. Circling over Etna is less difficult because it is not in the approach path of Catania airport. It is therefore easier to get a permission to spend some time flying around and over Etna. It is, however,  important to watch for the volcanic ashes and the sulphur vapour which could damage the aircraft engine the lungs.

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:28:00 +0000 Geographical photos Mt Etna Cyprus http://www.prusa.org/es/cyprus http://www.prusa.org/es/cyprus For a little sport aircraft, Cyprus is quite far away from the Czech Republic – some 10-12 hours one way. When you reach Cyprus, you are confronted with unreasonably high airport charges, the most expensive aviation fuel in Europe and a number of beaurocratic hurdles which make sport flying in Cyprus next to impossible. I made two trips to Cyprus and each of them ended with my decision not to repeat the experience. I am convinced the second trip was indeed the final one. For a little sport aircraft, Cyprus is quite far away from the Czech Republic – some 10-12 hours one way. When you reach Cyprus, you are confronted with unreasonably high airport charges, the most expensive aviation fuel in Europe and a number of beaurocratic hurdles which make sport flying in Cyprus next to impossible. I made two trips to Cyprus and each of them ended with my decision not to repeat the experience. I am convinced the second trip was indeed the final one.

From the flying point of view the most difficult part is the relatively long flight over the open sea between the island of Rhodes and Cyprus. If you fly in one go for example from Corfu or from the South of Italy, then you get to Paphos airport with the fuel tanks almost empty. If your are confronted with stronger headwinds, you might find it difficult to reach Paphos.

During my first trip the landing was made somewhat exciting by the fact that a storm developed over the airport just around the time I wanted to land. During the second trip the headwind was much stronger than forecasted and therefore I landed with a negligible fuel reserve of around 15 minutes.

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:27:00 +0000 Geographical photos Cyprus – Larnaca Scandinavia http://www.prusa.org/es/scandinavia http://www.prusa.org/es/scandinavia The main problem in the preparation of my trip to Scandinavia was the difficulty in finding aviation maps of Norway and Sweden. As only a few people fly to the area, the main publisher of aviation maps – Jeppessen company – does not publish these. Finding them was therefore a difficult task which I only resolved thanks to a UK on line pilot shop. However, I was then very happy to have them as the electronic databases and maps do not contain information on the almost invisible power lines  stretching over the fjords. With the maps I knew where to expect and avoid them before it was too late. The main problem in the preparation of my trip to Scandinavia was the difficulty in finding aviation maps of Norway and Sweden. As only a few people fly to the area, the main publisher of aviation maps – Jeppessen company – does not publish these. Finding them was therefore a difficult task which I only resolved thanks to a UK on line pilot shop. However, I was then very happy to have them as the electronic databases and maps do not contain information on the almost invisible power lines  stretching over the fjords. With the maps I knew where to expect and avoid them before it was too late.

From the flying point of view, Norway especially is beautiful and it is definitely worth flying there. The main issue there, is, however, the weather. I would only recommend to fly there between second half of May and August. Norway has an interesting system of airport charges – one buys a weekly card over the internet and then there is no need to worry about paying the charges at each of the airports.

I consider my journey across the arctic circle as one of the most interesting that I have made so far. I would recommend watching the video of the trip (there are two versions of the video – one in Czech and one in English)

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:27:00 +0000 Geographical photos Denmark - Bornholm