The Grande Course 2024
A passion for light flying, whatever the aircraft, is what unites us all.
Even if the experience of flying is often very personal, very intimate, it only truly makes sense if it can be shared with people who understand what is at stake.
About forty of us pilots got together last year to relive the experience of the "Grand Prix de France 2023", an experience that rekindled the flame among the participants.
For 2024, it is "La Grande Course" that will be brought back up to date.
Why?
Well, because adventure is sometimes right on your doorstep.
Because microlighting must above all remain a story of friends, a fun activity, accessible to as many people as possible, and one that brings people together rather than splitting them apart.
The rules of La Grande Course have been adapted to today's regulations. For those who knew La Grande Course of the 80s, the stakes are a little different.
All this is explained in the short explanatory video below.
La Grande Course is a chance to wake up the microlight movement, but it won't happen without you.
That is why I invite you all to bring out your "fun little machines" that are sleeping at the back of a hangar.
You have 10 months to get that Maestro, Baroudeur, Chikinox or whatever else back in shape and join the adventure.
There are also many experienced 3-axis pilots who want to take part in the great race but do not have a suitable machine available.
Likewise, there are clubs that have the machine, airworthy or not, but no longer have the youth and stamina to set off on the adventure.
There are indeed many machines, admittedly not high-performing, that deserve a second life, at least for a week…
So I invite these pilots and clubs to come forward, get in touch, meet, and bring into play the solidarity so characteristic of our microlight movement.
Who knows? Perhaps we will see volunteer pilots flying the colours of a club from the other end of France.
You can use the Facebook page called LA GRANDE COURSE - ULM to link participating pilots, clubs or owners who could lend a hand, and anyone with the right skills (mechanics, fabric covering…)
There are a thousand and one ways to take part in La Grande Course, and it starts today.
You can also send me an email at guyonchristophe@gmail.com and I will do what is needed to pass the information on.
I invite you to talk about it around you, in your club, to your pilot friends, and to think about how every club can be represented at this event.
And keep in mind that "La Grande Course" is a way of keeping the microlighting you love alive, in a setting of freedom that is dear to you.
You still have ten months to make it "Your Race".
