Rampa de Machados

Rampa de Machados is a straightforward grass launch on top of a hill in Brazil, and its appeal is exactly that lack of complication. The takeoff area is wide enough to lay out more than one wing, and there is enough room to abort a launch cleanly if it is not going well — which is the sort of detail that separates a relaxed site from a tense one. It faces the northern through eastern arc, sits at a little over 770 m, and getting there is easy: a dirt road takes you almost to the top, with somewhere to leave the car and about two hundred metres of walking left to do. It can be flown in any season, and comes into its own through the southern-hemisphere winter; in summer it is rain rather than wind that tends to close the days down.

Launch & conditions

A wide grassy takeoff with room to lay out more than one wing, and enough space to abort a launch safely if you need to.

Getting there & local rules

A dirt road brings you by car to within a short distance of the site, where there is space to park. From there it is a quick walk of around two hundred metres to the top of the hill.

Local rules & hazards

Flying is possible in any season and is at its best through the southern-hemisphere winter; in summer, flying days are restricted mainly by rain.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Rampa de Machados, 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 Rampa de Machados with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.