Visiting HG sites in Brasilia, DF, Brazil

[wmelo]

After visiting a HG school in Brasilia, flying from there training man-made hill, and renting a single surface, I visited their major HG sites: Paranã valley (http://www.guia4ventos.com.br/rampas-do ... rasilia-df ) and Sargent Ramp (http://www.guia4ventos.com.br/rampas-do ... argento-go) . Both of these sites are more or less 80km (50miles) from Brasilia. Their access routes are very good.

Unfortunately, this is not the best season for flying in Brasilia: the winds are very weak. However, if you are a good pilot (not my case), you can enjoy the strong thermals and have great technical flights.

My 1st visit was to the Paranã valley (altitude: 4,311ft; vertical: 1,837ft). The site has two natural ramps: one for paragliders and another one for HG. Both ramps are very large and slops similar to Zirks: running cliffs. The issue is the main LZ in front of the ramp: At this moment it is almost impossible to land there due to fences, high bushes and tall termite mounds. However, if you are flying a high performance glider you will not have problems to either find large fields in front of the ramp, go up and land behind the ramp, or land in down town Brasilia like most of the Brazilian HG pilots do.

When I visited the Paranã valley, I met several paragliders and 3 HG pilots. Most of the paragliders had amazing XC flights. I helped rescue my paraglider friend who flew that day +- 50miles. One of the HG pilots, a former Brazilian champion, landed in downtown Brasilia, his disciple landed miles away from the ramp, and the 3rd one (Sport 2) sunk and landed in the front of the ramp (the rescue is complicated if you land in front of ramp: your driver will have to drive 60 miles to rescue you!). I did not fly from the Paranã valley given the terrible conditions of the main LZ and weak winds.

A HG pilot brought me to the Sargent ramp another day (altitude: 4,068ft; vertical: 721ft). This site is mainly used by paragliders (since HG pilots prefer the Paranã valley). The ramp is huge and has space for many gliders/paragliders. The main LZ (2:1) is short, has a few high bushes, tall termite mounds, and rocks, but it is land-able. Again, if you have a high performance glider, there are better fields close by. For instance, my new HG pilot friend was the 1st pilot to take off from this site with a single surface and land in down town Brasilia: an epic flight.
Inspired by the odyssey of my new friend, I adventured on the skies and took off from the Sargent ramp with very weak winds by 1:00pm. The plan was to have a short flight to test the glider, get used to the site, its landing field before trying to fly from the Paranã valley. Although, I was able to climb above the ramp for a few seconds, I sank and landed a few minutes later in their main LZ. I had the most terrible landing of my life.

The 1st difference I painfully learned is related to air density. Brasilia is located in a plateau (3,500ft above sea level), therefore, the air does not have the same density I am used to around DC-metro area. A HG, even a single surface, glides longer and faster than I am used to. Second, there is almost no wind on the main LZ, making the landing a little bit more trick. My impression was that I am landing on a tail wind: probably because I might have a thermal pushing me from behind. 3rd, as I mentioned before, the main LZ is not good. To make things worse, this site is knew by its dust devils on the main LZ! Another point is related to Brazilian pride: Brazilian pilots do not use wheels, so I could not rely on them. Finally, I am not a good pilot (probably the most relevant point in this discussion). Adding up all these factors the result was a terrible landing where I whack, hit the ground very strongly, and hurt my left foot. Fortunately, I did not break anything and even my rental glider did not have wheels, the glider did not suffer any damage. However, my pride melt on Brasilia ground.

Given my accident, I could not fly again and I had to drop my plans to visit other sites and fly from their main sites: hopefully, another time, with my own glider I will try my changes again.

Concluding, despite my misadventures, I enjoy my visit. I could meet several inspiring pilots. I strongly recommend my fellow CHGPA pilots to fly in Brasilia, DF, Brazil. In addition, I encourage our good pilots to come and participate in the next World championship in 2017: they will have blast!