Paragliding Cairano

Cairano is a charming village in the Irpinia region, situated on a unique hill. The village extends on the southern slope of a chain of high hills that stretch eastward for several kilometers. The distinctive feature of flying in Cairano is that during summer, even though you take off from a slope with a height difference of no more than 300 meters, you can easily climb to the cloud base thanks to the strong thermals that form in the valley. Cairano offers two take-off points: 'Ripa' (or cliff), which faces south, and 'Croci', which faces north. It takes no more than ten minutes to walk from one take-off to the other, passing through the picturesque historic center, which is worth a visit. The most scenic and popular take-off is 'Ripa': a panoramic flat area of 20x25 meters overlooking a steep slope of about 100 meters. The 'Ripa' take-off is well exposed to winds from the southern quadrants (S, SW, W). However, with SE winds, there is some descending air to the left of the take-off due to venturi effects in the valleys below, which channel the SE winds towards the east. When the east wind blows (minimum 20 km/h), both 'Ripa' and 'Croci' take-offs become unusable and dangerous due to significant descending air and severe turbulence. Assistance during take-off is almost indispensable in windy conditions to avoid potential drags. In summary, you can fly in Cairano with all winds except those from the east, but the day should not be too windy because the valley below amplifies the wind. The terrain's unique orography, especially the south-facing side with cultivated fields, valleys of varying slopes, and small woods, provides excellent conditions for convective activity, ensuring constant thermal activity. In summer, thermals are generally strong and turbulent near the ground but become wider and easier to climb once you reach a certain altitude. Once at the cloud base, you can head west, following the cumulus street that forms along the chain of hills extending about 30 km westward to the Ufita valley. However, flight choices depend on the day's micro-meteorological characteristics. After catching the first thermal and gaining sufficient altitude, moving westward, you can easily intercept thermals rising from the south side of the Conza della Campania dam, often pushed northward by a valley breeze. This breeze also affects the Cairano hill, making take-off from 'Ripa' problematic or impossible during peak sun hours. In such cases, it's best to wait for the day's declining phase. Taking off from 'Ripa' with a paraglider is challenging and recommended only for pilots with sufficient wing control and good reverse launch technique. The limited space, significant vertical drop, and lack of room to abort a failed take-off make it suitable only for experienced pilots. However, launching a hang glider from 'Ripa' is easy due to its natural ramp, but the flight is not ideal for hang gliders. The 'Croci' take-off, facing north, is a large flat grassy area (40x80 meters) overlooking a progressively sloping hill, making it very easy to take off from. The north side of Cairano hill generates good dynamic lift, allowing you to soar over the village. In the evening or late afternoon, the south side offers a beautiful restitution, perfect for those who prefer calm evening flights, but good take-off skills are essential. You can stay aloft without any turbulence and without doing anything! In summer, the best time to take off from Cairano is around 11:30 AM. Landing is not an issue, as there are plenty of fields, especially after the wheat harvest in summer, providing ample landing options. Cairano is also known for its traditional 'Festa dell'Aria,' a flight event that had reached its 22nd edition but has not been organized in recent years. The village of Cairano is very beautiful and worth a visit. To reach Cairano from Salerno, take the SA-RC highway towards RC, exit at Contursi Terme, continue to Lioni following the signs, and from Lioni, take the Ofantina towards Conza della Campania. From Conza, follow the signs to Cairano. From Avellino, follow the Ofantina to Lioni and then as above. For more details, visit [Divolo](http://www.divolo.it/node/8).