Our #S2 E5 – with Dimitri Bella (French Mountain Pilot Association “AFPM” – Vice President) and Stefan Rabensteiner (Austrian Mountain Pilot Association “ÖGPV” – President)

Charter of the (European) Mountain Pilot:

As mountain pilot, I shall:

 

LOVE AVIATION FREEDOM

and respect the freedom of others.

 

PREPARE MYSELF CONSCIOUSLY FOR MOUNTAIN LANDINGS

by going on recce hikes.

 

AVOID NOISE DURING MY MOUNTAIN FLIGHTS

so that others can also enjoy the mountains.

 

CAREFULLY BACK OFF

when others want to enjoy the solitary silence.

 

NEVER AFRAID THE FAUNA

and avoid flying over mountain huts, alpine pastures, and mountain villages.

 

NEVER DESTROY THE FLORA

and enjoy the flowery alpine meadows.

 

RETURN FROM THE MOUNTAINS

and join clubs to jointly preserve this freedom of flight.

 

MAKE MY CONTRIBUTION TO EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN PILOTS ASSOCIATIONS THROUGH COMMITMENT

and preserve aviation glory.

 

 

In this episode of TSC, Dimitri Bella – former president, now vice-president of the French Mountain Pilot Association “AFPM” (https://www.afpm.fr/index0.php) and Stefan Rabensteiner, president of the Austrian Mountain Pilot Association “ÖGPV” (https://oegpv.at) share with us their road to aviation and especially mountain flying, the incredibly rich history of mountain flying in the European Alps, the peculiarities and new challenges faced by mountain pilots in the Alps, the dedication of all volunteers; including themselves to mountain pilot associations as well as the need to motivate a new generation of mountain pilots in continuing the work done to protect our passion – Mountain Flying in the European Alps.

 

 

Stefan’s Book of the episode: “Buschpilot in Alaska – Die vielen Leben des Don Lee” – Christoph Barszcewski – Aviator.at Verlag, 2013

Stefan’s Song of the episode: “Last Resort”, Papa Roach – Infest, 2000.

 

Dimitri’s Book of the episode: “Vol de Nuit” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – Harper & Brothers, 1939

Dimitri’s Song of the episode: “Cornfield Chase”, Hans Zimmer – Interstellar, 2014.

 

As usual, feel free to shoot me an email to let me know what your thoughts are about the show and if you have any questions.

Music credits: “Slowly”, Amon Tobin – Supermodified, 2000

Cover picture: Jean-Marie Urlacher – This was during an “Aerobivouac” of the “Jeunes Files” association on the altisurface St Roch Mayères in front of Mont Blanc, 2021.

Design: Maxime Compagnon – The STOL Collective