Despegue La Fortuna Chone

La Fortuna is a southwest-facing launch above the Chone valley, opened by Ecuadorian pilots specifically as a cross-country and competition site rather than a scenic one. The slope runs at roughly 45 degrees and takes both paragliders and hang gliders, with plastic matting laid over it to keep lines out of the roots and stems. The working window is narrow and early: the site comes good between late morning and the early afternoon. Conditions in the valley are warm and reliably thermic through the dry half of the year, and it stays flyable under complete overcast, which is not something every thermal site can claim. It is a technical launch on private land with an access agreement behind it, so this is a place to arrive informed — know the local rules, bring the right paperwork, and treat the site as somebody's property, because it is.

Launch & conditions

The launch faces southwest on a slope of about 45 degrees, suitable for paragliders and hang gliders. Plastic matting protects equipment and stops lines snagging on roots and stems. The usable window is roughly late morning to early afternoon.

Getting there & local rules

Access to the launch is free, with an annual contribution of about 35 US dollars towards maintenance and the land rental. The launch is on private property and you may be asked to identify yourself on site.

Local rules & hazards

Everyone flying in Ecuador comes under the national flying federation's regulations, and this launch carries a real technical demand, so treat it with caution. Newly qualified pilots should fly it with their instructor; pilots flying it alone should be comfortable with meteorology and thermal flying, and it is best suited to cross-country and competition pilots. Tandem flying is run under supervision and limited to events.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Despegue La Fortuna Chone, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Despegue La Fortuna Chone with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.