Despegue Bistro

Despegue Bistro sits at 2,400 m on a ridge reached by the antenna road above San Simón el Alto, roughly 450 m above its landing fields. What makes it work is what stands in front of it: three reliable thermal sources within reach of launch, which is why pilots here talk about a good flight being easy rather than lucky. The launch is a friendly 45-degree slope that comes up cleanly in a southerly, with room to prepare two wings although only one goes at a time. Timing is the whole game through the dry months. From February to May the middle of the day turns strong from late morning, and the site becomes flyable again only in the late afternoon and evening; the rest of the year it will take you almost whenever you turn up. Landing options are plentiful, with one easy field close to the road.

Launch & conditions

An easy slope at around 45 degrees that launches cleanly in a southerly wind. There is room to lay out two wings, but only one launches at a time.

Getting there & local rules

From Mexico City head to Toluca and take the highway towards Ixtapan de la Sal. Before reaching Tenancingo, take the exit for Chalma; about fifteen minutes further on, past the golf club, is the turning for San Simón el Alto. Climb to the village, take the right turn towards the communications antennas, and ten minutes later you are at the top — park and walk roughly 100 m.

Local rules & hazards

Complete equipment in good condition is compulsory: wing, harness, reserve, boots and helmet. The landowners reserve the right to cancel flying when conditions are dangerous or when a pilot is not qualified or not properly equipped. From January to May conditions can become very strong from late morning onwards, and it is safer to wait for the late afternoon.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Despegue Bistro, 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 Bistro with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.