PHOTOS RICK AGNEW

ENGLISH

Chos Malal is in the province of Neuquén, in the Patagonia region of the Republic of Argentina.

( http://www.neuquentur.gov.ar/ )

Latitude 37º 26' 32"S Longitude 70º 13' 34"W Time:-3 UTC (GMT).

The runway is 850m ASL

The climate is mostly dry in the mountainous areas. Rain is very scarce. In the southern winter (June, July and August), it snows on the nearby mountains, allowing skiing in the new resort of Wyle. In September and October (the southern spring), snow can occur, but the skies generally remain clear.

The best place to base your wave hunting expedition in this area is Chos Malal airport. It has an asphalt runway measuring 1500m x 30m and is a mere 30km from the southern extremities of the Cordillera del Viento, and only 10km from the secondary wave.

The 'Cordillera del Viento,' (the Wind mountain range) stretching for some 80km and reaching 2800m in height is, according to recognised experts, the place where the highest wind gradients of the entire Andes range are to be found.

The Andes mountain range in Argentina presents a new challenge and opportunity to the worldwide gliding movement. This extensive range covers the entire South American continent and, in our country, is mostly orientated north - south. Around the latitude 35º south, the winds are mostly westerlies and blow at the optimal speed for tremendous mountain wave to develop (see pictures). This, combined with over 2500km of mountain range, forms perfect conditions for wave flying. Chos Malal airfield is located in a privileged position near the Cordillera del Viento, which produces a potent mountain wave.

 Whilst the wave is gone, it is possible to have superb flights from Chos Malal in the mountains using ridge lift, ridge assisted thermals and very strong 8 m/s (1600 fpm) thermals to a cloud base of 5.000 m.s.l (16.500 ft), which spreads out to the east over the Patagonian desert.

The best area to fly over on long distance flights from Chos Malal lies between 36º30'S to the north, 39º30'S to the south, 070ºW to the east and the Andes to the west. Inside this area in the province of Neuquen, long distance flights can be carried out safe in the knowledge that there are roads, landable areas and mobile phone networks on the ground.

Winds
The conditions are right for wave to form before a cold front has passed. In November and December, the weather is normally calmer in the morning, with winds at about 10 knots. Later, it can reach 30 or 40 knots, with exceptional gusts to 50 knots. Generally, it blows straight down the runway, which allows us to carry on flying. In July, the winds can get even stronger.

HOW TO GET THERE

Chos Malal is a small town of about 15000 inhabitants. It is a little off the beaten track, but it is easy to get there if you go via the city of Neuquen.

International Air Services

The main international airport in Argentina is Ezeiza, which serves Buenos Aires. All the international airlines that fly to Argentina can be found here. It is also possible to fly into Cordoba. From either place, it is some 1000km to Neuquén. There are domestic flight connections available. We advise that when you buy your ticket, you also buy the ticket on the connecting flight to Neuquen capital airport.