Susanne Schoedel


Susanne Schödel is a multiple world record holder and women's world champion glider sport pilot.

Biography

A former windsurfer, Susanne Schödel began flying in her 20s. She holds a pilot license for engine-powered aircraft. Soaring in sync with wind and thermals gives her the opportunity to optimize her skills and techniques, either during relaxing weekends, in contests or when record flying. A long-time sustainer of the practice, earlier on as flight trainer, at AeroClub Langenselbold, German Aero Club, Susanne continued as member of the national aviation sport team in displays of performance; as a team member as well as solo participant at cross-country flying, Women's gliding championships and events, Gliding competition, which performance vary from aerobatic gliding among the FAI Glider competition classes acknowledged and suitable for competitions.

Career

Schödel has an academic background in Political Science. Her professional career spans various sectors, from being Managing Director at Susan G. Komen for the Cure e.V. Germany, to public sector, having worked for governmental institutions in Germany.
From 2014 to 2019 Susanne Schödel held the position Secretary General of Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, World Air Sports Federation.

Records

Susanne Schödel was German women's champion in 2010, and women's world champion in 2009 and 2011, flying Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2.
The following table lists Susanne Schödel's FAI records accomplished in Africa, flying Schempp-Hirth aircraft while stationed at Bitterwasser airfield in Namibia.
ClaimantSportSubclassRecord typeRecord
performance		DateStatusRegion
Susanne Schödel GlidingD15Speed over a triangular course of 750 km126,1 km/h30 Dec 2011Ratified - current recordAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingDOSpeed over a triangular course of 750 km126,1 km/h30 Dec 2011Ratified - superseded since approvedAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingD15Free distance using up to 3 turn points1 066,1 km20 Dec 2011Ratified - current recordAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingD15Free distance using up to 3 turn points1 066,1 km20 Dec 2011Ratified - superseded since approvedAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingD15Free triangle distance1 062,5 km20 Dec 2011Ratified - current recordAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingD15Free triangle distance1 062,5 km20 Dec 2011Ratified - current recordAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingDOFree triangle distance1 062,5 km20 Dec 2011Ratified - superseded since approvedAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingDOTriangle distance1107 km31 Dec 2013Ratified - current recordAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingDODistance using up to 3 turn points1121,08 km31 Dec 2013Ratified - superseded since approvedAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingDOFree distance using up to 3 turn points1124,5 km31 Dec 2013Ratified - superseded since approvedAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingDOFree triangle distance1110,4 km31 Dec 2013Ratified - current recordAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingDOSpeed over a triangular course of 500 km139,20 km/h03 Jan 2014Ratified - superseded since approvedAfrican
Susanne Schödel GlidingDOFree distance using up to 3 turn points1161,4 km27 Dec 2017Ratified - current recordAfrican

The geography and geology of the Kalahari Desert and this part of Africa, create unique conditions for thermals, which allow the naturally powered gliders to fly at higher altitudes, for longer length of time, at various velocities. For record flights established a tree is planted in the area, traditionally a palm tree with plate.