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Chamonix - Chamonix

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Passy - Passy-Varan

Passy-Varan Launch site		GPS: N45° 56' 42" E006° 40' 55" Direction: South West to South East Altitude: Numerous take-off areas from 1640m to 1920m Vertical drop: 1080m to 1360m maximum Access: Hameau de Bay, situated on the road to the Plateau d'Assy. Two parking spaces at Coudray then 1 hours walk or by 4*4 along the dirt road. Site Details: Windsock & FFVL info board on the official Pobu take-off (1640m)
Flight conditions: Calm in the morning, strong thermic activity in the afternoon. Dangers / Difficulties: Cliffs at the end of the take-off area. Ability: Beginners under supervision to cross-country pilots. Landing field: Passy-Chedde and Passy-Marlioz. An alternative landing area is possible by the lake in the Passy plain, off the Domancy road with the intersection of the riding school (GPS N45 54' 59" E006 39' 52" alt. 560m). Suitable for all pilots in the morning but subject to very strong valley winds in the afternoon. Special rules: If accessing by 4*4, do respect walkers

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Passy - Plaine Joux

Passy Plaine Joux Launch Site		GPS: N45° 56' 58" E006° 44' 22" Direction: South Altitude: 1360m Vertical drop: 760m Access: The road through plateau d'Assy to Lac Vert / Plaine Joux with a large car park at the Plaine-Joux station. Site details / equipment: FFVL & club information board, windsocks, preparation of gliders behind the take-off area if the site is busy FFVL registered site: Webcam: www.ot-passy.com
Flight conditions: Year round flying. Thermic conditions in the afternoon / evening. Dangers / difficulties: Site susceptible to overcrowding, be aware of rules of priority. Do not fly with strong West winds. Ability: Supervised beginner to cross country pilots Landing site: Passy-Chedde and Passy-Marlioz Specific rules: All the ridge behind take-off (Pointe de Plate) is a natural reserve and flying below 300m above the ground is forbidden.

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Passy - Passy-Chedde

Passy-Chedde Landing site		GPS: N45° 55' 41" E006° 43' 30" Altitude: 603m Registered FFVL site: Access: Street Paul Corbin at Passy-Chedde. From Le Fayet, follow signs for Chedde. Lainding is in the far corner of the valley approx 200m further on from the centre of Chedde. Chedde railway station (SNCF) approx 5 mins by foot. Site details / equipment: Windsock, information board, blackboard with club outing information. Pack gliders alongside the road. Do not blaock the access to the landing field (landowners and rescue services) - there is a lowered curb
Dangers / Difficulties: Overcrowding during landing approach, especially durign the evening and restitution conditions. The wind gradient can be pronounced. Ability: Supervised beginners to cross country pilots Serving the take-offs: Plaine-Joux, Varan and Grand Prarion. Specific rules: See the notice boards or contact the club members or schools operating on the site for updated information. Not to be used by hang gliders. Flying conditions: Flyable in convective breezes. Generally well sheltered from weak to moderate dominant winds (apart from Westerly)

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Passy - Passy-Marlioz

Passy-Marlioz Landing Site		UTM: 0322100E 5087250N Altitude: 585m Registered FFVL site: Access: avenue Grange Vallet Site details / equipment: Windsock (NE corner of field), information sign
Dangers / Difficulties: Wind gradient is possible Ability : Supervised beginner to cross-country Launch sites: Plaine-Joux, Varan, Grand Prarion, Mont Paccard and La Charme Specific rules: Hang gliders have priority, respect the cropping of the surrounding fields, packing area is alongside the road. Do not practice inflations whilst pilots are making their approach. Flight conditions: Subject to thermic activity from mid-morning

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St-Gervais - Mont D'Arbois

Mont Joux Launch Site		GPS: N45° 50' 48" E006° 40' 34" Direction: East / North East Altitude: 1872m Vertical drop: 1000m Access: The easiest way is to take the gondola from Bettex and Mont d'Arbois from St Gervais. 4*4 access is permitted but is a long drive up and down. From the top of the Mont d'Arbois lift, follow the ridge down to the col d'Arbois then 100m uphill towards the cross at the top of the ski tow. Site Details: Information panel, windsock. Registered FFVL site: ( PG).
Flight conditions: A superb morning site, facing Mont Blanc, taking off from and overflying alpine meadows. The launch is set in the parc d'alpage (rural park) de la Grand Montaz and it is essential to respect the work of the farmers, particularly in taking care to close gates, etc. The flight is straightforward and thermals may be strong. The landing site by the swimming pool of St Gervais is visible from the take off. Dangers / Difficulties: At take off, the chairlift makes it awkward to make 'S' turns in front of the take off. Otherwise the flight is carried out mainly at max glide, consequently it is unadvisable to fly when there is a sustained East or North wind. In the afternoon, or in Westerly winds the site is completely in the lee side and is best avoided. The landing field by the swimming pool is to be avoided in the afternoon as it becomes turbulent due to the valley winds. Ability: Beginner to accomplished pilot. Variations: This site is particularly well adapted for ski launching in the winter. Check with the ski patrol or other pilots before flying as restrictions apply to the ski area. Landing field: The landing field is situated by the swimming pool. Pay attention to respect the work of the farmers. Land as near as possible to the dirt track. Pack your wing on this road.

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St-Gervais - Prarion

Month Paccard Launch Site		GPS: GPS: N45° 53' 43" E006° 43' 40" Direction: West Altitude: 1312m Vertical drop: 800m to Passy-Marlioz landing site Access: By car from St Gervais, direction Mont Paccard / Le Prarion until "Toilles". The road is steep and windy. From the parking site, walk 15 mins up the gravel track. Access by 4*4 is restricted in July and August when it is forbidden between 0700 and 1900. Site Details: A relatively narrow take off set between pine trees, Windsock, Club info notice board. Fully registered FFVL site: (HG & PG).
Flight conditions: A late afternoon site, facing into the valley wind of the l'Arve valley. The take off is intimidating because it is narrow and enclosed buy has an ideal slope profile for launching. Dangers / Difficulties: Thermal activity can be strong just out from the take off. The remainder of the flight is in the thermodynamic conditions and is relatively straightforward. The high tension electricity cables are obvious obstacles and easily avoided. Avoid flying with dominant southerly winds (when flying out from take-off becomes very unpleasant). Ability: For experienced pilots once thermal conditions have become established. Variations: Two other take-offs are available in the region: one from the ski piste of Plancert and the other at La Charme. Landing field: Passy-Marlioz landing site. Piste du Plancert: The launch site is west facing like Mt Paccard between trees but is far wider and less intimidating. It is easily visible from below in the valley. Set 20 minutes walk higher up the mountain that Mt Paccard take off, the launch is easier though on a slightly off camber slope (towards a ski tow). The power cables are beneath the flight out from take-off and care must be taken even though they are visible below. The site is affected by the same problems with a southerly wind as Mt Paccard. La Charme: Certainly one of the most beautiful flights in the valley complete with a launch from an alpine meadow. Access from St Gervais is complicated - either via Mt Paccard and Plancert or from Bionassay via Col du Voza. 4*4 access is forbidden during the day during July and August. The Prarion gondola lift (from Les Houches) allows the easiest access. It is a gentle 15 min walk from the lift to take off though you do need to get back to the Chamonix valley to collect your car after the flight. Advice: La Charme is a great site for a calm afternoon flight after having enjoyed walking with the family in the Prarion massif

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St-Gervais - Saint-Nicolas

Porcherey Launch Site		GPS: N45° 50' 32" E006° 42' 00" Direction: North East / East Altitude: 1870m Vertical drop: 1000m Access: From St Gervais by car, follow St Nicolas de Veroce then climb above the plateau of la Croiz de Saint Nicolas by going to the end of the gravel track. Leave the car at the parking site then walk uphill for 15 mins on the ski piste opposite the parking site. It is forbidden to continue abvove the parking by vehicle. Site Details: Streamer on a pole. Registered FFVL site: (PG)
Flight conditions: This little known site is the starting point for an excellent cross country flight. Facing Mt Blanc then receiving the morning thermals, once you get to Mt Joly it is on the most obvious route between Les Saisies and the Aravis. It is possible to glide from take-off to the swimming pool landing of St Gervais providing that there is no valley wind. Not recommended in the afternoon due to valley winds. Dangers / Difficulties: No particular problems for the classic flight, though you should be aware of the numerous power cables higher up the Contamines valley from the swimming pool. Ability: Beginner to experienced pilot. Landing field: Near the swimming pool of St Gervais (to be avoided in the afternoon).

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St-Gervais - Swimming Pool

Swimming Pool Landing area		GPS: N45° 53' 04" E006° 42' 50" Altitude: 800m FFVL registered site: Access: By car from St Gervais, follow directions for Les Contamines Montjoie. On the outskirts of St Gervais, turn right after the swimming pool until the car park for the tennis club. The landing area is 100m behind the pool. This is 5 mins walk from the chalet. Site details / equipment: Streamer on a pole. Windsock, FFVL info panel, rubbish bin.
Ability: Experienced pilot. Serving the take-offs: Mont Joux, Mont Paccard and Porcherey. Landing field: swimming pool - Passy-Marlioz landing site. Specific rules: Respect the work of the farmers, avoid trampling on the grass more than necessary. Try to land and to pack up on the track, especially during the harvest times. Vehicles are not permitted on the landing field, park at the car park. Flight conditions: Not advisable for the afternoon

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