Vaisala is a Sponsor of the World Gliding Championships in Finland

Vaisala is sponsoring the World Gliding Championships organized in Räyskälä, Finland from 22 June to 5 July 2014. The competition brings together 112 pilots from 25 countries. Over the years the number of classes in the World Gliding Championships has grown substantially. In 1976, when the competition was last held in Räyskälä, there were only two classes. This year the world championships consist of six classes, three of which will be competed in Räyskälä. The remaining three competitions will be in Lezno, Poland later this summer.

Räyskälä hosts the championships for Club, Standard, and Two-Seater classes. In the Standard class the wing span of the glider is limited to 15 meters, while in the Two-Seater class the wing span can be up to 20 meters. Each country can enter two gliders into the Standard and Club classes, and one glider to the Two-Seater class.

Understanding the Weather is Essential

The World Gliding Championships lasts for two weeks. Weather permitting, races will be flown daily. Accurate and frequent weather observations are essential when forecasting aviation weather. The most important sources of observations are radio soundings, surface observations together with radar and satellite images. Radio soundings provide detailed information about the temperature, humidity and wind profiles. The Vaisala radiosonde is one of the most accurate in the world. Jokioinen observatory, operated by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, will make additional radio soundings every day using Vaisala equipment to assist the task setting for the World Gliding Championships. Vaisala has also installed an automatic weather station at the Räyskälä airfield. It provides information about surface temperature, humidity and wind in real time.

Weather radar is the most important tool to follow the development and location of rain showers and thunder storms. Weather radar data is available from the radar network operated by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The radar network has been recently updated and it includes several Vaisala radars.

Safety Takes Priority

Reliable weather observations and forecasts are a crucial part of safety in aviation. Also pilot training, reliable equipment and regular maintenance, as well as following the regulations set by aviation authorities play a key role. Safe gliding requires the right attitude and the ability to make circumspect decisions. Understanding the development of the weather provides benefits in gliding competitions.

For more information visit www.wgc2014.fi, you can also follow the action on Facebook www.facebook.com/WGC2014 and Twitter at www.twitter.com/WGC2014.

For more details, please contact:

Heikki Pohjola, Application Manager, Meteorology
Phone: +358989492834
Email: heikki.pohjola@vaisala.com

About Vaisala

Vaisala is a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement. Building on 78 years of experience, Vaisala contributes to a better quality of life by providing a comprehensive range of innovative observation and measurement products and services for chosen weather-related and industrial markets. Headquartered in Finland, Vaisala employs approximately 1500 professionals worldwide and is listed on the Nasdaq OMX Helsinki stock exchange. www.vaisala.com  www.twitter.com/VaisalaGroup