Brazil XC Course, Gov. Valadares, Brazil

25th February to 11th March, 2011, (15 flying days!)

We have been going to Brazil for 20years because of the reliably smooth 2-6mps climbs to 7,000ft cloud base, and stunning landscapes. All at a time when the weather in the northern hemishpere is cold and wet. This year we will be spending 2 weeks flying at this incredible site, at the best time of year, from 25th of February to the 11th March. The course includes tuition, mountain transport, plus the intimate briefings, air-to-air training and lectures.

If you are interested in coming on the course then please read on and email me here to express your interest. This will make sure you are kept up-to-date with developing travel deals and course information...

The Course

For 2011 my plan is to have 12 pilots maximum with 3 guides, Chris, Tim & myself. On a typical day you will be picked up from your hotel at around 09:30 and driven up to the take off. There you'll be given a team brief/ de-brief, and lecture. Once everyone is ready we'll set a task to fly and then take off together, flying as far as possible, under radio tuition, as a team. One of us will be with the first group and the other instructors will be positioned throughout the pack, with the last one bringing up the rear. After a few days into the course we may change to position ourselves to look after the pilots who may need more instruction.

Our aim is to have everyone getting personal bests and making the most out of the conditions, so please feel free to ask loads of questions and make sure you sap us of all knowledge. To give you an idea last year we flew everyday and 40km was a common average. We have a great deal of information on the flight plan that we will be sending out when you book.

The launch site is smooth but steep with a gentle up-slope breeze. You are all good enough to fly from there with no problems so there won't always be a take-off instructor there. Please remember that although you are on a course and we are giving you full instruction, where possible, you must be self-reliant and be able to make your own decisions as well. If you bomb out then you can always hitch a lift up to take-off with one of the local pilots and have another go. Also if a large group bomb out then we will sort out a deal with the truck driver and he will bring you back up. If there are 3 of you then it's worth getting a taxi, but agree a price before you get in. Ref' radios, make sure they're 2-metre band and, if possible, get a 110 volt to 220v transformer, although it is possible to get them made out there.

The course will start at 10AM on the 25th and finish at 5pm on the 11th March. After the briefing at the Real Minas hotel in GV, we will go up to launch, treating it as a relaxing orientation thermalling flight getting pilots familier with the area and their kit. The big Xc's will start on the 26th, were we start at day at 09:30.

Travel Logistics

The main group is flying out on the following TAP flight from London to Brazil return. We will get the over night "Rio Doce" bus to GV at 20:30 the same evening. If you wish to get a different flight, that arrives earlier, then we can either meet in Rio or GV. We will give you full travel advice.

The flight we are on is...

Out- Flight TAP departs Heathrow (London) on Thu Feb 24, 2011. Arrives to Rio de Janeiro GIG (Int) at 16:40 on 24 Feb.

Return - Flight TAP depart Rio de Janeiro GIG (Int) on 13 Mar.

The over-night Executivo Bus
The overnight bus to Governador Valladres is operated by the "Rio Doce" bus company and it departs from the Rodovaria Nova Rio http://www.transportal.com.br/rodoviaria-novorio/ at 20:30 on the 24/02/09 and every other evening. There are other departure times during the day, but this one is one of the fastest, most comfortable ones, plus it travels through the night, and arrives into GV at about 05:00 the following morning. The "Rodovaria Novo Rio" bus terminal, is only 20-30 minutes taxi ride away from Rio international Airport. There is also a bus called "Real" that departs regularly from the airport to Rio, and the first stop is the Rodovaria, which is the cheapest option.

Maps
We have the way-points for Valadares area on Google earth and can email you the link. We will also have them on our GPS's, and can download them to yours if you want them, when we are out there. But for those of you who want turnpoints to download yourselves, please click on the google attachment. If you want an old fashioned map then click the View map of GV link below. I recommend everyone has this as a basic reference

. View map of GV

FAI Licences
All visiting pilots to Brazil will need FAI licences or Pilot ID’s from their relevant country of licensing, i.e UK, BHPA card. You can also get and IPPI card from your association but it is not vital. They have not asked for them but we have to make sure we take them just in case they do this time. Don't worry if you can't find yours as we can sort it.

Visa’s
Check your visa’s. The Brits do not need one providing we are staying less than 3 months and have a passport valid for at less 6 months. Our Canadian and American wing man and woman do need visas.

Vaccinations.
Make sure you have the correct vaccinations for the area. Tell the doctor you will be in an urban area as opposed to the Amazon. Give yourself plenty of time to get them as having them all at once can be a pain in the arse literally! You don’t need malaria injections/drugs as there are few mosquito’s. Obviously seek correct advice. Bring proof of your vaccinations with you as they can ask for proof at the airport.

Insurance
ALL PILOTS MUST HAVE FULL "FLY YOU HOME" PARAGLIDING MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP. Yvonne Dukes at airsports can insure any pilot from any country so if you need insurance call her on + 44 1983 298480.

Hotel
I will book everyone into the Real minas hotel in the centre of town. It is a three star with air conditioning, Wi-fi and en-suite in every room. It is clean and the staff are very helpful, especially Edwardo on the desk. We have a group price of around $25 per person per night but I will confirm this once I know what type of room you require. Let me know if you don't mind sharing and I will pair you up with other course members, this will save you a few bob too. Should you want cheaper accommodation then I will show you around once we are out there.

Once you have booked on the course I will be sending the full flight details, joining instructions, maps and further information.

I look forward to hearing from you soon but in the meantime please read the useful tips below there will be more coming......

Here are a few more details about Valadares for your information...

It is hot. Bring a good camelback, you will need it. There are few mosquitoes, too dry. So I didn't meet anybody who was taking paludrin etc. It's wise to make sure that you have other tropical vaccinations up to date - ask your doctor. Don't bring too many clothes! All you will need is a pair of shorts, jeans or whatever for the night clubs, and a few cotton shirts. Socks, sadly, are essential in your boots. I experimented by not wearing socks for a week and they ended up not letting me on the truck! Sandals when you are not flying. A hat is ESSENTIAL and much more practical than sun tan oil which does nothing to protect against skin cancer. The sun burns every day. You will need a light flying suit and all your kit must weigh less than 25 kg or they will sting you for excess baggage on the return flight (as I know to my cost). Wear your boots on the flight.

Don't buy travellers cheques. They take HOURS to exchange in the local banks which are diabolical bureaucracies, and you will get a much poorer rate than with a cash card. There are many new cash card machines (VISA, Mastercard) right opposite where the trucks set off in the morning - and you will get the latest rate from them. Don't bring cash and change it with local shysters (there are many). They give crappy rates.

There is airspace - over the Valadares airport which extends to Ibituruna. We have been allowed to fly above Ibuturuna and south, but we must not cross the river within 10km north and south of GV, unless we are going to land in the official field but pilots must stay below 500ft AGL once they cross the river.

The countryside is farm and ranch land, settled for hundreds of years, many horses - horse drawn buggies and horseback riding is the only practical way to get around much of the country. The people are friendly, especially if you greet them in Portugese, and helpful. The kids pack the canopies if you land more than 20 km from takeoff. I expect they have got ripped off too many times or got bored with it closer in. They may look poor but they all go to school and often speak better English than their parents. Very useful for finding the bus-stop!