SkyTour.com.ar

SkyTour is a mountain launch near the Cordillera de los Andes outside Mendoza, Argentina, at 1,611 m, with strong summer thermals that make it a genuinely good cross-country site. Takeoff works easily in east, northeast or southeast wind; south wind is manageable but rated a medium level of difficulty; and west or northwest wind rules out flying here altogether. To get there, head from Parque General San Martín toward El Challao — the route from that point is well known locally. There are no formal flight restrictions at the site, but the weather rules matter more than usual here: pilots are told never to fly with atmospheric pressure below 922 hPa, never in strong south wind, and never in a zonda — the notorious foehn wind that sweeps this part of Argentina and is treated as an absolute no-fly condition. Landing is generous: a big green circle marks a zone workable from any wind direction, which takes some of the pressure off a day when conditions haven't cooperated on the way down.

Launch & conditions

East, northeast or southeast wind gives an easy launch; south wind is workable but more demanding; west or northwest wind isn't flyable here at all.

Getting there & local rules

From Parque General San Martín, head toward El Challao — the route from there is well known locally.

Local rules & hazards

Don't fly when atmospheric pressure is below 922 hPa, in strong south wind, or ever in a zonda wind — the local foehn event is considered too dangerous to fly in at this site.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to SkyTour.com.ar, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open SkyTour.com.ar with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.