Soaring High: The Best Paragliding and Hang Gliding XC Flights of the Week

Welcome to Volandoo, the world’s leading platform for live tracking and logging paragliding and hang gliding flights. This past week saw an exhilarating total of 1067 flights, with pilots pushing their limits across diverse soaring sites worldwide. From soaring the thermal-rich skies of Tocopilla to navigating challenging terrain in Iquique and Domos, our community’s passion and skill truly shined. Join us as we celebrate six standout cross-country (XC) flights that highlight not only remarkable distances but also the spirit of adventure and mastery in our global flying family.

Pablo Bustos – Epic 150 km Free Distance at Tocopilla

Pablo Bustos demonstrated exceptional endurance and navigation flying a 149.8 km Free Distance Around 3 Turn Points at Tocopilla, a site renowned for its challenging coastal thermals and dynamic wind conditions. Clocking in over 5 hours and 24 minutes on his agile Bgd Epic2, Pablo expertly registered 13 thermals, expertly weaving through the skies to optimize lift and distance. His fluid, strategic flight rewarded the community with an inspiring example of taking full advantage of Tocopilla’s strong soaring environment. Explore the full thrilling track of Pablo’s triumphant journey here.

José "monacho" García – Mastering the Triangle in Iquique - Alto Hospicio

For nearly 7 hours, José "monacho" García soared the skies above Iquique - Alto Hospicio, expertly completing a 123.8 km Free Triangle on his responsive Niviuk Ikuma 3 glider. With an impressive count of 27 thermals, José combined patience and precision to master one of the region’s most demanding flight patterns. His endurance and tactical navigation through this desert-airspace testament inspire fellow pilots aiming to tackle triangle courses. Dive into José’s careful balancing act of skill and stamina by viewing his detailed flight here.

Cristian Chereches – Speed and Efficiency at Huimilpan

Cristian Chereches took to the skies above Huimilpan for a swift yet tactical 112.9 km Free Distance Around 3 Turn Points in just 3 hours and 31 minutes. Flying the trusted Niviuk Ikuma 2, Cristian used 17 clean thermals to maintain fluid climbs and smooth glides, demonstrating how strategic use of lift can shorten flight time without sacrificing distance. His dynamic soaring through the varied terrain of Huimilpan offers a fantastic lesson in efficiency and bold XC flying. See Cristian’s impressive performance for yourself here.

Julian Cisterna – Double Triumph at Domos and Morro Saavedra

Julian Cisterna soared twice this week with notable flights from two distinct, scenic sites. At Domos, he completed a demanding 108.2 km Free Distance Around 3 TPs in nearly 5 hours, mastering a staggering 44 thermals on his stable yet agile Ozone Seno 2. Shortly after, Julian turned to Morro Saavedra to nail a challenging 96.5 km FAI Triangle, soaring over 5 hours and 23 minutes, and finely tuning his tactical climbs with 37 thermals. These back-to-back triumphs highlight Julian's versatility and stamina, igniting motivation across our community. Follow both tracks here: Domos flight | Morro Saavedra flight.

Augusto Olivares – Tactical XC Flight at Morro Saavedra

In a demanding 93.2 km Free Distance Around 3 TPs at the picturesque Morro Saavedra, Augusto Olivares showcased tactical flair on his Advance Oxalp3 glider. Over the span of 5 hours and 7 minutes, he strategically exploited 22 thermals to maintain consistent climbs and cover extensive ground. Augusto’s composed flight offers insight into steady XC progress under variable conditions and adds a remarkable chapter to Morro Saavedra’s growing reputation as a hotspot for seasoned pilots. Experience Augusto’s flight path here.

Joaquin Rotela – Swift and Focused Flight at Pedernera

Joaquin Rotela delivered a sharp and efficient 92.2 km Free Distance Around 3 TPs in just 2 hours and 50 minutes flying the nimble Ozone Photon at Pedernera. Counting 20 thermals in his flight, Joaquin’s quick pace exhibits expert thermal entry and departure tactics that minimize time spent circling yet maximize altitude. His flight encourages all pilots looking to refine speed flying techniques while maintaining strong XC distances. Track Joaquin’s thrilling rapid journey here.

These flights exemplify the incredible range of styles, conditions, and skill levels found in our thriving paragliding and hang gliding community. At Volandoo, we celebrate every pilot’s journey — from first tentative flights to ambitious XC challenges — connecting the world’s skies one footprint at a time. Stay tuned for more breathtaking stories and continue sharing your soaring adventures with us!