Vizcachas Flying Site, Santiago , Chile.

ANDEAN MOUNTAINS: The Southamerican Backbone meets the Big City

Vizcachas has become the most popular flying site of the country. Being curretly run by GEOEXPEDICIONES CHILE,The site offers transportation by truck to a comfortable launch which allows up to three wings to be laid in an ample mesh, a grass landing zone and basic services, plus a casino and playground.

The big capital of Chile, Santiago, holds the biggest pilot population in Chile and has been the destination point of several flying pioneers like the first french paraglider pilots, and is where it all got started in the country. For many years hanggliding and paragliding pilots have enjoyed the many excellent flying sites that run along the western face of the Andean Range, specially the region which reaches the higher elevations.

Nowadays, hanggliding and paragliding is obtaining more recognition by the aviation authorities , so that these activities could be more appropiately integrated to a somewhat busy airspace. Thanks to a better understanding that has been forged thru the National Free Flight Association (ACHVL) and many Civil Aviation personalities, the pilots are allowed to soar in the most incredible flying sites that are located near a big city like Stgo and with high safety standards.

Vizcachas shows up years later than the first flying sites and rapidly ends up being one of the most popular, since due to its location, it brings Free-Flight access to the San Ram�n (10830�) mountain Andean Formation, an area which provides consistent conditions throughout the entire season and an amazing mountain scenery by the city. The site has also been improved with instalations to take care of demanding pilots and to provide the perfect setting for many important Free-Flight events (Currently including two Championships, valid for the national league).

New pilots practice "ground handling and kiting" in the school area by the landing.

The flying site�s Flight Potential has been gratly increased thanks in part to the national league meetings (MAIN "December";END OF SEASON "March") and other XC events held each year, discovering many new challenging and fun routes that run many miles along the Andes and cross beautiful valleys.

The flight season extends from September to April (The milder months give room to amazing inner mountaing thermal flying and even during winter some ridge soaring can be done in middle valley hills and coastal ranges in sites near by).

The area provides thermal conditions with constant south west breeze (almost "zero" non-flyable days during season) that can fit all flying levels, from beginners to XC.

Vizcachas is located in the southern outskirts of the city where the valley meets the mountain. The area offers a wide variety of outdoors activities and beatiful trails, creeks and animal life to enjoy.

Accesibility, comfort, wild nature and non stop adventure combine to give Free Flight pilots enough reasons to consider Santiago, Chile in their next journey to south"end"america.

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