Parapente Montellano top

Montellano, located in Andalusia, Spain, is a highly frequented paragliding site known for its excellent thermal soaring conditions and potential for cross-country flights. The site is not open to guest pilots on weekends. The Montellano hill is about a 30-minute drive north of Algodonales. It features a perfectly inclined ridge that is ideal for soaring, especially when conditions are favorable. There are two launch sites: one at the top of the ridge (SP1) and another lower down on a hill above the landing area (330m altitude). The lower launch site (SP2) is primarily used in stronger wind conditions. Pilots can use their skills to gain altitude and transition to the main ridge for soaring. However, in strong winds, it is advisable to descend early to avoid being blown over the top edge. The typical goal for shorter soaring flights is the tower on the conical hill to the east. Montellano is also an excellent starting point for longer cross-country flights, with some hang gliders reaching the coast (~100 km). Landing is typically done in nearby fields, but caution is advised as some fields are fenced with razor wire. Algodonales, a small town in Andalusia, offers several excellent flying sites for all wind directions, especially interesting during the winter months from mid-September to mid-April. While much of Europe experiences a thermal pause, Algodonales often still provides good soaring conditions. The sunny winter climate is an added bonus. Algodonales is located halfway between Málaga and Jerez de la Frontera, both of which are accessible from Germany. The drive from either city to Algodonales takes about 1.5-2 hours. Within an hour's drive from Algodonales, there are eight launch sites to choose from. The main flying area is the Mogote, also known as Sierra de Lijar, located directly north of Algodonales. This site, along with Montellano, is one of the best starting points for cross-country flights in the region. Other nearby flying sites include El Bosque, Ronda la Vieja, Cañete la Real, and Teba. The region is generally influenced by the Azores High, with typical winds from the north to southeast. However, the proximity to the coast means that sea breezes often influence the area in the afternoon, causing winds to shift to the west or northwest. This variable wind situation can be surprising for pilots unfamiliar with the area, but experienced pilots can use the sea breeze to their advantage for excellent cross-country flights. For weather forecasts, the regional influence of the sea breeze is not captured in standard wind predictions. It is more important to monitor upper-level winds using tools like the GFS Windgram for Algodonales. Local knowledge is invaluable, and consulting with experienced pilots can greatly enhance flight planning. For more information on weather forecasts, visit: - Windfinder: http://www.windfinder.com/forecasts/wind_iberia_akt.htm - NOAA GFS Windgram: http://www.ready.noaa.gov/ready-bin/main.pl?Lat=36.88&Lon=-5.44 - Spanish Weather Service (INM): http://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/localidades?l=11050&p=11 A webcam for the Levante launch site in Algodonales can be found here: http://www.ganterfly.de/c/webcam.htm For guides and accommodation, consider contacting Gerhard (Gerardo) at http://www.ganterfly.de or Lijar Sur at http://www.lijarsur.com. For flight records and tracks, visit: http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/tracks/world/alltimes/brand:all,cat:0,class:all,xctype:all,club:all,pilot:all,takeoff:10111