FlyBC Airsports Paragliding is a BC based company. Our mission is "to promote safe Paragliding and Ultralight Flying."
FlyBC Mexico Tours:
FlyBC Paragliding has been taking Paragliding Tours to Mexico since 1996 and have introduced many new sites to beginners and experienced pilots alike.
Prime flying time in Mexico coincides with our worst Northern Weather patterns, in November thru March. So a perfect winter getaway awaits you down in Mexico.
Forget the news reports about muggings and robberies in Mexico, the sites we fly are near smaller towns and the people make you feel very safe and welcome.
While we provide retrieve services during our tours, many experienced XC pilots have gone past 100 kms and were able to get back to base with their thumbs everyday. Hitching and cabs are the preferred method of transport in mountainous Mexico.
Jim Reich, FlyBC's Senior Instructor and Tour Guide, flying at Jocotepec Mexico, January 24, 2002. Launched at noon and climbed out quickly with a turkey vulture before top landing to drive down to retrieve the rest of the pilots.
Joco launch is one of the smallest launch sites I have seen, but the view is amazing and worth the trip.
Mexico Tours for Beginner Pilots/P2 Level:
Typical Jalisco, Mexico FlyBC Tour Itinerary:
Saturday:
Fly into Guadalajara International Airport to clear Mexican Customs mid-afternoon.
Passport Required.
Proof of Valid Medical Travel Insurance Required (available from your Travel Agent).
Once baggage is claimed we are off in our Custom 4x4 Van to Site #1, San Marcos, for a glass-off flight.
San Marcos, Mexico. January 2004
This site offers great conditions to get tuned up for the week and is on the way to our hotel in Tapalpa. Huge lakebed LZs and generally good launching conditions as it is a SW facing site (into the sunset). For more experienced pilots there is an easy XC route to Jocotepec east of launch.
Sunday:
After Breakfast in the town Centro area, we head to Tapalpa Launch around 10:30 am.
Gary Hachey off Tapalpa and thermal-hunting. Note nice LZs everywhere.
9000 feet over the Tapalpa Valley and cruising north on an XC flight, so nice!
Tapalpa usually blows over the back of launch (east facing) after 2:00 pm, so we break for lunch after retrieving everyone at the bottom and head to San Marcos for the afternoon action.
Eduardo launching San Marcos, Mexico. January 2007
Once we have flown as much as we can or it gets dark it is back to Tapalpa for some night life in the Centro.
Monday thru Friday:
After Breakfast in the town Centro area, we head to Tapalpa Launch around 10:30 am.
A repeat of the previous day.
As pilots get more used to the thinner air and launches improve with practice we have several other sites we like to fly after noon.
Jocotepec is a great site overlooking Lake Chapala, reputed to be the largest lake in Mexico.
You can fly and land at the bottom in a huge soccer field, or go XC east towards Ajijic on the Chapala Lakeshore.
Five Star Hotel Landing in the distance at Lake Chapala, Mexico (20 km XC)
Five Star Hotel Landing Zone, Ajijic, Mexico
Most pilots come back after 6 flying days with over 20 hours under their belts, more if they want to stay up longer and go further. No limit on number of flights per day.
Cost for the FlyBC Mexico Beginner Tour is $1400 CDN/USD.
Included: Hotel (double occupancy), rides, guiding, parachute repacks if needed, Airport Pickup in GDL, tandem flights as required to get oriented.
Maximum 5 pilots, plus guide.
Saturday: Return to Guadalajara International Airport to fly home . . . or stay another week if there is room.
Mexico Tours for Intermediate and above Pilots/P3-4 Level:
Typical Tenancingo, Mexico FlyBC Tour Itinerary:
Saturday:
Fly into Mexico City or Toluca International Airports to clear Mexican Customs mid-afternoon.
Passport Required.
Proof of Valid Medical Travel Insurance Required (available from your Travel Agent).
Once baggage is claimed we are off in our Custom 4x4 Van to Site #1, La Malinche, for a glass-off flight.
La Laminche Launch, Tenancingo, Mexico. January 2008
This site offers great conditions to get tuned up for the week and is near our hotel in Tenancingo. Huge LZs near the hotel for your first Mexican XC Adventure and generally good
launching conditions in the afternoon. For more experienced pilots there is an easy XC route to Tenancingo North of launch.
Sunday:
After Breakfast in the town Centro area, we head to Malinalco Launch around 10:30 am.
After 1:30 pm, at Malinalco the wind is usually South across launch (south east facing),
so we break for lunch after retrieving everyone at the bottom and head to La Laminche Launch near Tenancingo for the afternoon action.
Over the back of La Laminche Launch heading to Tenancingo
Once we have flown as much as we can or it gets dark it is back to Tenancingo for some night life in the Centro.
Monday thru Friday:
After Breakfast in the town Centro area, we head to Malinalco Launch around 10:30 am.
A repeat of the previous day.
As pilots get more used to the thinner air and launches improve with practice we have several other sites we like to fly after noon.
Most pilots come back after 6 flying days with over 20 hours under their belts, more if they want to stay up longer and go further. No limit on number of flights per day.
Cost for the FlyBC Mexico Intermediate Tour is $1400 CDN/USD.
Included: Hotel (double occupancy), rides, guiding, parachute repacks if needed, Airport Pickup in MEX or TLC, tandem flights as required to get oriented.
Maximum 5 pilots, plus guide.
Saturday: Return to Mexico City or Toluca International Airports to fly home . . . or stay another week if there is room.
Updated videos from January 3, 2008 from our FlyBC 2008 Mexico Adventure on YouTube at:
Flying Malinalco, Mexico, January 3/2008:
Flying Fortin de las Flores, Mexico, January 9/2008:
Flying Morelia, Mexico, January 14/2008:
FlyBC Paragliding
Box 79, Harrison Mills, BC
Canada V0M 1L0
Tel: 604-618-5467
Jim Reich, FlyBC's Senior Instructor and Tour Guide, flying at Jocotepec Mexico, January 24, 2002. Launched at noon and climbed out quickly with a turkey vulture before top landing to drive down to retrieve the rest of the pilots.
