Antenas de Vizcaya

Antenas de Vizcaya is a thermal, cross-country and soaring launch at 1,348 m near Torreón/Vizcaya in Mexico's Coahuila region, flying with north, northeast and east wind — northeast is the ideal and most common direction. Take-off sits beside the Vizcaya antennas, on artificial grass in a clean area, but it's still fairly narrow, so it's recommended for pilots experienced with similar launches rather than a first attempt at this style of site. Gusts here typically run below 24 km/h with a maximum base wind around 15 km/h; checking a wind model like HRRR alongside a live wind station before committing to fly is standard practice among local pilots. Reaching launch is a hike from the landing zone, with the 'Vizcaya Vertical' trail the recommended route up. Vehicle access to launch isn't permitted — this is a hike-up-only site. On strong thermic days, XC pilots need to keep local airspace in mind, particularly the Dallas–TRC corridor around 2,000 m ASL, an altitude commonly reached here on a good thermal day. Antenas de Vizcaya rewards prepared, airspace-aware pilots with strong, dependable northeast thermal and XC conditions.

Launch & conditions

Take-off sits beside the antennas, on artificial grass in a clean but fairly narrow area — recommended for pilots experienced with similar launches. Northeast is the ideal, most common wind; gusts typically run below 24 km/h with a base wind up to about 15 km/h. Check a wind model (HRRR is usually the most accurate here) and a live wind station before flying.

Getting there & local rules

Reached on foot from the landing zone — the 'Vizcaya Vertical' trail is the recommended route up. Vehicle access to launch isn't permitted.

Local rules & hazards

On strong thermic days, keep local airspace in mind for XC flights — particularly the Dallas–TRC corridor around 2,000 m ASL, an altitude commonly reached here on a good thermal day.

Check conditions before you fly

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