Rampa Vila Velha

Rampa Vila Velha sits above Vila Velha State Park near Ponta Grossa, Paraná, at a launch altitude of 922 m, on an escarpment with roughly 110 m of vertical drop and a 900 m lift band that pilots use to stay up. Wind comes in from the north, northeast and east, and the open, clear takeoff makes preparing a wing straightforward before launch. The main draw is easy thermalling and soaring right off the ridge, with enough flat ground and connecting roads nearby to string together cross-country routes when the day builds. One convenience rarely seen elsewhere: if conditions turn, pilots can land directly back on the takeoff shelf instead of committing to the valley. The standard landing zone below is large, flat and covered in low undergrowth, giving a forgiving margin for the approach. Airspace here is uncontrolled, with only light traffic from a regional aerodrome to the northwest to keep in mind. Flying is best across spring, winter and autumn, when Paraná's subtropical climate brings steadier, moderate winds to this stretch of escarpment.

Launch & conditions

The takeoff area is broad, clear and easy to prepare a wing on, with the option to land straight back on the takeoff shelf if conditions change.

Getting there & local rules

From Ponta Grossa, take the BR-376 toward Curitiba for about 30 km, turn off toward Vila Velha Park, then follow a dirt road roughly 4 km to the farm and walk about 100 m from the eucalyptus grove to launch.

Local rules & hazards

Airspace here is unrestricted, with only light traffic from a regional aerodrome about 18 km to the northwest. The area sees moderate winds year-round in this subtropical zone, with spring, winter and autumn offering the most reliable conditions.

Check conditions before you fly

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