Situated at an altitude of 1350m, Krushevo is the highest town in the Balkans, 159 km from the capital Skopje, 55 km from Bitola, 32 km from Prilep, and only 68 km from the Macedonian – Greek crossing border “Medzitlia – Niki”. Main takeoff places are East and West starts. Very comfortable even for beginners they also enjoy excellent (in mountain terms) roads connections.
East Start 1420m ASL (41.340802, 21.256547)
It is facing east – northeast towards Pelagonia Valley. It is several minutes drive from the town and an asphalt road goes almost through the launch. When you take the paraglider out from the car, it is already on the place where it should be open. Lazy pilots will love this launch. East Start is a grassy shallow slope bordered by big trees from the South, which offers thick shadows in sunny days.
Home thermals are everywhere: on the left, on the right side from the take off and sometimes straight ahead.
All kind of different cross-country flights can be made from East start. Usual flights are out-and-return to town Prilep to the East, all kind of triangles and zigzags in the valley or over the ridge or distance flights to the South up to the Greek border. Coming back from the South is quite difficult because in “normal” summer afternoon light north wind is blowing through the valley. A good road connection helps coming back.
West Start 1440m ASL
It’s a secondary smaller take off place facing west – southwest, it is 500 meters away from East Start. Cars, again, can be driven right up to the launch.
The same cross-country flights can be done from here. Landing fields under this launch are smaller than on the other side of mountain where there are very large fields, mostly grassy. This launch can also be used for beginners so landings should suit competition pilots too!
