Colombia offers a great combination of reliable, consistent and calm thermals, with a variety of flatland and mountain routes.
We fly every day and maximise the flying time and distance by reacting to changing conditions.
The flying in Colombia is a mix of mountains and flatlands, giving a huge variety of routes and big XC flights. We typically fly up and down the valley, both along the ridges and out in the flatlands, on relaxing 60 to 100+km flights for 4-6 hours almost every day. We fly the mountains early in the day, and when the lee wind develops, we head out to the flats in the afternoon, use the convergence to cruise either north or south, depending on the winds.
This year we are running two trip versions :
XC1 is Safari style, where we will start flying from Piedechinche. On the 3rd day, we will head up to fly towards Roldanillo and move our base to La Union for the next 4 days. During this period we will fly from the classic sites of Roldanillo and Ansermanuevo. We will then head further north towards Jericho for the last 2 days of our trip, before heading back to fly home. This trip is for the pilots who want to explore the culture and varied variety of sites and flying styles that the Cauca Valley has to offer.
XC2 is Max Cross Country, where we will be based at La Union for the entire duration of the trip. We will fly from Roldanillo and Ansermanuevo, based on wind conditions and pilot preferences. Our aim on this trip will be to maximise XC flying potential each day, either by out and returns, triangles or downwind dashes as far the conditions allow. This trip is for pilots who want to maximise their distance potential each day.
The plan is to fly in and out of Matecaña International Airport, Periera.
We will collect pilots from Pereira airport or Cali airport. Airport transfers are at an additional cost, to be shared between pilots sharing the taxi.
For XC1, we will be staying at stylish and comfortable hotels in 3 locations : Santa Elena, Roldanillo and Apia
For XC2, we will be staying at a huge and stylish farm house in La Union. Breakfasts are included in the price. We normally eat out at night as the towns have good choices of restaurants and shops, although the finca does have a kitchen and we can ask the staff to prepare a BBQ for us for a few nights when the group would like to eat in.
Most fincas and farmhouses in Colombia usually have dorm style bunk beds, with 3 to 6 pilots sharing big rooms. In hotels, most rooms will be allocated on a twin/triple sharing basis.
There are plenty of taxis and bikes for local evening transport around the town.
Jan / Feb : Colombia offers some superb flying, at a time Europe is covered in snow and Great Britain has turned into a mud island. Flying is quite relaxing in Jan & Feb, with typically light winds, gentle climbs to 2,500m cloudbases.
The launches are generally smooth but steep and grassy with a gentle up-slope breeze. As XC pilots, you should all be good enough to fly from there with no problems so there won't always be a take-off instructor there. Please remember that you must be self-reliant and be able to make your own decisions.
If you bomb out then it is sometimes possible get a lift back up to Ansermanuevo launch take-off for another “free flight” in your own time, because the guides could be occupied taking the main group on the planned XC route of the day. Roldanillo is usually a one-flight day, as the pacific wind stops launching around noon.
We do not guide pilots into landings, this you do yourself. Making sure that you always have an easy landing option throughout your flight. It is important that all pilots are self reliant and are capable of choosing their out-landing options. Colombia is great for low saves, but make sure you always have a safe landing option and you give yourself space for changing wind direction as thermals can release giving 180 wind changes low down.
Please be aware of your own physical and mental limits throughout the tour and on each flight. We aim to do a lot of flying and this can be tiring, especially in heat that you may not be used to, so please be realistic and fly within your comfort and skill levels, landing early if you feel tired, or selecting more relaxing flatland flights, if you feel you have had too much of the mountain conditions.
Our aim is to have everyone getting personal bests and making the most out of the conditions. To give you an idea, on our last trip we flew everyday and 50km was a common average, with the lead group often doing 90+ km flights and flying for 3-6 hours on most days.
We assume that you will arrive with a functional paraglider, harness and reserve parachute, vario/gps. With regard to radios, make sure they're 2-metre band. Most electrical equipment these days will take a 110 or 220 volt charge, but it's up to you to check your gear. You may need to get a 110 volt to 220v transformer.
We recommend you bring along your own trackers (Inreach / Spots). If you don’t have one then we can provide you with one, but please let us know before attending the course.
The weather is nice and warm, good enough to fly in shorts and a thin flying jacket and gloves.
It is essential that you have travel insurance which covers you in respect of the following:
1. Medical Treatment
2. Medical Repatriation
3. Search & Rescue by helicopter
We will hand out a central grab sheet form, where we would like all pilots to fill in their emergency contact details, insurance policy and contact numbers.
This grab sheet also mirrors all the Risk Acceptance sign offs that are a part of this document. Please give make sure you understand and accept the risk involved.
