June 2007: Niklaus Wächter, 27th of November 2006, flying D-KRRK through the "Sickle".

Mountains mean danger, especially for pilots. However they also offer many extravagant moments, especially for the pilots. the sickle shaped mountain pass on the northern edge of the Thunersee (Lake Thun) in Switzerland is such an opportunity for special experiences. From the South you first fly through the narrow Justistal valley. At your right hand vertical cliffs on top of which the 1950 meter high Niederhorn. On your left hand the steep slopes of another mountain ridge. Please let us have no engine problems right now. At least not until we're through the Sickle. Oncoming traffic isn't being preferred either. The safest way to get through is with slow winds. Lee turbulences could kill. On the route from Lausanne to Buochs (home base of D-KRRK) the Sickle is situated right at the wayside. On occasion I love to fly through again and again. Unfortunately I have to fly and take pictures at the same time, because my copilot Elisabeth shuts her eyes every time we approach the Sickle.

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